Presented is a derivation for the matrix representation of an arbitrary boost, a Lorentz transformation without rotation, suitable for undergraduate students with modest backgrounds in mathematics and relativity. The derivation uses standard vector and matrix techniques along with the well-known form for a special Lorentz transformation. (BT)

Classroom related topics discussed are: cryptics and statistics; understanding absolute value; recognizing quadratic equations with no real roots; and two derivations of a formula for finding the distance from a point to a line. (MP)

Arguing that the infusion of career information into the student's mainstream curriculum, in this case mathematics courses, both provides the student with information about a wide range of occupational options and enhances the teaching of actual subject matter, the author introduces a series of mathematics texts he has written to enable students…

Directions are given for making a model of a three-dimensional coordinate graph. (DT)

Nine verbal behaviors of teachers were identified. After twenty Algebra I teachers taught a lesson on direct variation, their students took a posttest. Findings showed that lesson objectives, relevant examples, and "OK" responses correlated positively (p less than .05) with student posttest achievement. (DT)

Basic algebraic formulas for calculating research program budgets are explained, using time-tested examples of cost-sharing, fringe benefit, and indirect cost calculation. The method is suggested as a tool for teaching both novice research administrators and researchers. (MSE)

Reports on an experiment in which Algebra I students (N=181) learned to translate word problems with two unknowns from the prose representation to symbolic representation using two variables when first solving word problems with two unknowns. Concludes that students who had learned to solve equations with the new method scored higher than those…

Illustrates how many key algebraic concepts can be informally developed within the number and operations strand taught in the primary grades. Discusses expressions and equations, properties and conventions, relationships between operations, and variables from this perspective. (ASK)

Presents two games that provide practice with equivalent fractions, that were produced at three levels of difficulty, Level 1 being the simplest. Also describes another game for practice in solving simple linear equations. Appendices contain examples of materials used in the games. (ASK)

Describes a technique that uses cellular telephones and their rates to enliven the topic of linear equations in a college algebra course. Uses mathematics to select a cellular telephone plan from a vendor. Enables students to use and connect the ideas of functions, equations, graphs, and applications. (DDR)

Presents the findings of a study on the learning experiences of undergraduates enrolled in a writing-intensive algebra course. The study revealed that writing activities are successful in terms of facilitating student comprehension of mathematical content. The use of words allows student writers to gain ownership of the algebraic content. (DDR)

Shows how all primitive Pythagorean triples can be generated from harmonic sequences. Use inductive and deductive reasoning to explore how Pythagorean triples are connected with another area of mathematics. (KHR)

Describes an activity in which students examine bicycle chain-rings, cogs, and gear ratios as a means of exploring algebraic relationships, data collection, scatter plots, and lines of best fit. (KHR)

Comments on Gregory Trandel's article that explores two teaching strategies using geometry and algebra to demonstrate the equivalence between two methods of measuring excess burden. States that for students with limited mathematics skills, measuring excess burden can be expressed algebraically using a simple formula (excess burden…

Compared tutoring episodes where tutoring did and did not cause learning in university physics students to inform design of intelligent tutoring systems. Found that when students were not at an impasse, learning was uncommon regardless of the tutorial explanations employed. When students were at an impasse, tutorial explanations were sometimes…