Explores the mathematical abilities of human infants compared with various species of animals. Studies indicate that human infants enter the world capable of doing simple mathematical operations. Nonhuman animals can discriminate among sets of objects based on the number of items in each set. Further studies may pinpoint the age at which children…

Presents a unit of study for middle school mathematics that investigates number bases and their emerging patterns as a means to revisit the base-10 system. Describes how the unit incorporates recording, viewing, discussing, and journaling aspects. (SR)

Describes LOGO's turtle graphics capabilities based on a sixth-grade classroom's activities with negative numbers and Logo programming. A sidebar explains LOGO and offers suggestions to teachers for using LOGO effectively. (LRW)

Examines Australian students' conceptions of ordering decimals. Fifty secondary students studied over 12 months showed little change in their misconceptions. Whole number misconceptions are important in earlier years but disappear with time. The fraction misconception persists however, being displayed by approximately 20% of year 10 students. The…

This article offers specific strategies to diagnose and remediate difficulties students may have in learning multiplication facts. Analyzes strategies students use to go from a known fact to an unknown fact. The point is made that, for many students, the order of interpretation of a number fact may affect accuracy. (DB)

Hebrew-speaking fourth and seventh graders from lower middle-class backgrounds were tested on gender markings of numerals in two situations involving monitored and unmonitored situations. Results indicated the disappearance of gender agreement in Modern Hebrew numerals and a re-analysis of numeral suffixes by speakers. (Author/JL)

Describes a low-tech, hands-on activity to improve student understanding of irrational numbers. Each student creates a number line from adding machine tapes and uses a square and a precisely folded triangle as the only measuring device. (KHR)

Discusses the use of spreadsheets for mathematical problem solving to help develop higher-level-thinking skills and foster an experimental attitude toward learning mathematics. An example is given of middle-school and high-school students investigating a number-structures problem. (LRW)

Addresses the importance of making sure students clearly understand decimal numbers and their names. Discusses decimal notation and how students can be helped to construct meaning for decimal numbers to aid them in developing a sense for the sizes of decimal numbers. Concludes with two action research ideas. (AIM)

Introduces basic principles of coding and decoding including the use of letter frequencies to decode secret messages by using the radio premium codes of Little Orphan Annie and Dick Tracy. (KHR)

Proposes a word problem concerning placing students around triangular tables. Students must determine how to place the touching tables so that everyone can be seated. (KHR)

Describes the successful use of a computer algebra system (CAS) with a student as he worked on a problem involving functions far more difficult than he had previously encountered. (Author/NB)

Investigated whether children who reflected the structure of word problems with their concrete models were successful in learning to symbolically represent problems with structure-based open number sentences. Forty-five first graders were taught to write canonical and noncanonical open number sentences. (Author/YP)

Discusses the geometrical array of the keys on a calculator that can be turned into a problem-solving, problem-posing situation for the upper elementary or middle school classroom. Provides figures showing the arrays, including rows, diagonals, crosses, rhombi, angles, and squares. Lists seven references. (YP)

Suggested that strategy choices for solving addition problems were related to numerical and spatial ability domains, while the speed of executing the component process of fact retrieval was related to arithmetic ability only. Findings supported the convergent validity of the strategy choice model and its discriminant validity. (RH)