Nine problem situations involving the use of random numbers are given. Topics include cooking, hunting, bacteria contamination, waiting lines, ransom walks, and branching. In addition to the problem situation, questions are suggested which can be used to extend the investigations. (LS)

The cognitive processes involved in the human ability to understand and use positional notation (i.e., place-value) were investigated in a series of psychological experiments. Although the tasks used in all studies were very simple, usually only requiring the tested individual to identify the larger of two numbers as quickly as possible, a number…

EARLY FORMS OF NUMERICAL REASONING WERE INVESTIGATED BY EXAMINING THE ROLE OF A SET OF VARIABLES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSERVATION OF NUMBER. CONSERVATION OF NUMBER WAS DEFINED AS THE RECOGNITION THAT THE NUMBER OF OBJECTS CONSTITUTES AN AGGREGATE WHICH IS NOT CHANGED MERELY BY REARRANGING THEM. EXPERIMENT ONE WAS CONDUCTED WITH CHILDREN FROM…

Developed by a committee of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this publication is designed to help teachers provide interesting and worthwhile learning opportunities for slow learners in grades five through eight. It employs a variety of teaching strategies, many not commonly known or practiced, which are particularly helpful with…

This booklet has been written for elementary school teachers as an introductory survey of the real number system. The topics which are developed include the number line, infinite decimals, density, rational numbers, repeating decimals, irrational numbers, approximation, and operations on the real numbers. (RS)

The development of number concepts from prehistoric time to the present day are presented. Section 1 presents the historical development, logical development, and the infinitude of numbers. Section 2 focuses on non-positional and positional numeration systems. Section 3 compares historical and modern techniques and devices for computation. Section…

The third student text in this SMSG series of 14 covers the following topics from number theory: the division algorithm, divisibility, prime numbers, prime factorization, common divisors and common multiples, and properties of the whole number system. A second chapter discusses properties and operations with integers. For a special edition of this…

The concept of prime factorization is discussed and two rules are developed: one for finding the number of divisors of a number and the other for finding the sum of the divisors. (MP)

Math can be basic and motivational at the same time. Help your students discover numbers and enjoy them. (Editor)

Forming whole numbers which read the same from left to right as from right to left is considered. A list of such numbers less than 1000 is included along with implications for instruction. (MN)

An instructional sequence in which number lines and beads are used to illustrate addition and subtraction of directed numbers is described. (SD)