The Concepts in Secondary Mathematics and Science Project isolated four "levels" of understanding in algebra. These were derived from a national study. The research reported here set out to assess how realistic it was to apply the notion of "level" to individual schools. (Author/SSH)

Reasons for college students making reversal errors translating a sentence to an equation were explored in six studies. The principal sources were haste, failure to check, failure to base the equation on the sentence meaning, and use of nonalgebraic symbols. Students could successfully check when prompted. (MNS)

Described are stages in the development of a computer program to solve a particular algebra problem and the nature of algebraic computation is presented. A program in BASIC is provided to give ideas to others for developing their own programs. (MP)

Describes how school policy in regard to who will take ninth grade algebra discriminates against minority students. (MK)

A teacher's personal account of teaching remedial mathematics in college is given. (MK)

Uses a graphing calculator to demonstrate that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal. Students graph a division problem and an equivalent problem, multiplying by the reciprocal. They find that the graphs are the same. (SKS)

Describes a classroom activity based on the practice of fishermen tying knots in boat anchor ropes to determine river or lake depth. Knot-tying provides a simple hands-on context for students modeling in algebra. Students were actively involved in measuring, collecting data, fitting a line to data, finding an equation for a line, and checking a…

Investigates different types of procedures used by students (N=108) to simplify certain algebraic expressions. Findings indicate seven types of procedures including automatization, formulas, guessing-substituting, preparatory modification, concretization, rules, and quasi-rules. Contains 30 references. (JRH)