Thinking Approach to Problem Solving (TAPS) is a decision-making model that will assist students, kindergarten through grade eight, to decide on the choice of operation in routine mathematical word problems. The TAPS algorithm, or plan, suggests that students read a word problem, determine the question to be answered in the problem, use concrete…

Six Piagetian-type tasks, designed to examine associated topological groupings, were examined to determine if a hierarchical relationship existed among them. The groupings examined were: the partitioning of sets and addition of subsets, reciprocity of proximities, one-to-one multiplication of elements, order of placement, symmetrical interval…

This is one of a series of student booklets designed for use in a bilingual mathematics program in grades 6-8. The general format is to present each page in both Spanish and English. The mathematical topics in this booklet include equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, and multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. (MK)

The Minnesota School Mathematics and Science Teaching (MINNEMAST) Project is characterized by its emphasis on the coordination of mathematics and science in the elementary school curriculum. Units are planned to provide children with activities in which they learn various concepts from both subject areas. Each subject is used to support and…

The author suggests that the efficient use of mathematics in everyday life means translating situations into mathematical contexts, using a calculator and mental methods of calculation. Suggestions for teaching these concepts are included. (PK)

Many simple games can be devised to help children practice learning multiplication facts. Five games are illustrated, and suggestions of ways in which the short activities can be developed into a whole lesson or series of lessons are presented. (PK)

Investigated was how easily pupils aged 12 and 13 who were initially unaware of the invariance of an operation (with decimals) modeling a situation could be led to such awareness. Results from clinical interviews are reviewed and a protocol presented. It appeared difficult to induce conservation. (MNS)

The use of play as a means of teaching elementary mathematics is discussed. Earlier work is summarized and fresh results offered, particularly those concerned with the retention and transfer of play-acquired learning. The mathematical content chosen (factor, multiple, prime number, common factor, prime factor, and factorizing) is discussed. (CT)

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an interactive hypermedia math program which focuses on multiplication and problem solving. The program contains a thematically meaningful story about a lost dog named Addy. The work is based on instructional design principles defined by Walter Dick and Lou Carey (1990) in their…

Four activities focus on estimation and mental computation. Each consists of a game that can be used on an overhead projector. The content involved finding costs and estimating sums, products, and percents. (MNS)

An approach to teaching multiplication and division with negative numbers that focuses on graphs to illustrate concepts is revealed. The material and problems used are presented with comments on the teaching methods applied with 11-year-olds. (MP)

Worksheets are included that use triangular shapes designed to provide practice for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational numbers. (MP)

Tests of (n=105) ninth-grade algebra students involving the addition and multiplication of monomials found that common, systematic errors made when multiplying monomials were related logically to the symbolism used and the algebraic convention of using an implicit 1 as an exponent. (16 references) (MKR)

In one experiment, subjects from third grade through college relied on memory retrieval rather than on counting to solve multiplication problems. An effect of confusing problems on error rates and reaction times indicated the activation of related information. In a second experiment, subjects demonstrated automaticity of fact retrieval on simple…

The item-response-theory-based (IRT) rule-space model was used to diagnose student knowledge about how exponents behave in multiplication and division in a sample of 431 tenth-grade students. Implications for using feedback from the rule-space model in instruction and assessment are discussed. (SLD)