Similarity of parabolas and other conic sections is discussed. The theorem "Any two parabolas are similar" is deduced. (SD)

An approach to precalculus mathematics allows students to pace themselves through the material. The approach is evaluated in terms of student performance, cost effectiveness and affective criteria. (SD)

At the Ohio State University a precalculus course with a very large enrollment was individualized by using a combination of televised lectures, small recitation sections, flexible testing procedures, variable course credit, and other innovative procedures. (SD)

The use of flow charts in the teaching of college mathematics enhances students' understanding of mathematical processes. Used appropriately in elementary and secondary schools they could also nurture understanding of algorithms. (SD)

The authors recommend introducing complex numbers by first studying the integers modulo seven. (SD)

The use of machinery to compute numbers approaching a limit is discussed. A convergence theorem and several examples are provided. (SD)

A review lesson based on a sports car rally is described and illustrated. It teaches detailed map reading as well as providing drill on any subject desired. Pairing students is beneficial for several stated reasons. Some students may design their own rally for presentation to the class. (Author/KM)

This article extends number bases to negative integers, then to positive rationals and finally to negative rationals. Methods and rules for operations in positive and negative rational bases greater than one or less than negative one are summarized in tables. Sample problems are explained and illustrated. (KM)

Anyone who has ever taught developmental mathematics knows there is a problem in course placement. Some students test well and place clearly above their level, while other students place below their real capability because they either have been away from math for a number of years, or did not prepare for the assessment test. In either case, they…

In this article the reader will be able to download four spreadsheet tools that interactively relate symbolic and graphical representations of four different functions and learn how to create tools for other functions. These tools uniquely display the symbolic functional representation exactly as found in textbooks. Five complete lesson activities…

A mathematics contest, held to acquaint able high-school students with their area community college, is described. (SD)

This study examined the links students are able to make between formal expressions and situations to which they might refer. Students' understanding of a basic set of transformational rules in elementary algebra sign changes in addition and subtraction expressions with parentheses was assessed, exploring: (1) informal intuitive understanding of…

It has been suggested that males perform better than females in mathematics after ninth grade because more males than females enroll in advanced mathematics courses in high school. However, factors other than enrollment may be involved. Therefore, this study investigated whether the performance of males (B=500) and females (N=500) was different in…