This study examined differences between men and women in intermediate and college algebra courses in an urban university's mathematics lab. Variables examined included grade, hours worked, semester course load, grade point average, time spent in mathematics lab, and age. Women had better course grades than men in intermediate and similar grades in…

Describes a game used in precalculus that builds interest and confidence in the uses of inverse functions. The game is preceded by a worksheet that enables students to discover that f(x) and f-1(x) are mirror images of the line y=x. (DDR)

Describes an algebra course organized around the concept of function and based on intensive use of technology. Includes an explanation of the assessment sequence used to explore students' use of familiar representations and procedures to reason logically and to solve and communicate about unfamiliar tasks. (DDR)

Suggests ways early years educators can begin teaching young children to think algebraically and prepare them for success in algebra. Focuses on ways to promote mathematical patterns, mathematical situations and structures, models of quantitative relationship, and change. Describes how first-graders used real object representations to better…

Investigates the arithmetical and algebraic problem-solving strategies and skills of preservice primary and secondary school teachers in Flanders, Belgium. Compares aspects of preservice teachers' own problem-solving behavior with the way in which they evaluated students' arithmetical and algebraic solutions to problems. Discusses teachers' use of…

Describes a study that examined three areas of student assessment in a college algebra classroom (i.e., oral interactions, observations, and problem-solving investigations) before and after the use of graphing calculators in class activities. Reports that the use of the calculators enhanced the teacher's assessment practices in all three areas.…

Presents three fundamental ideas of calculus and explains using the coordinate plane geometrically. Uses Cabri Geometry II to show how computer geometry systems can facilitate student understanding of general conic objects and its dynamic algebraic equations. (KHR)

Uses SimCalc MathWorlds, which is downloaded from the World Wide Web, to engage students in algebraic problem-solving activities. Uses software to animate characters by creating graphs of position and velocity. (YDS)

Presents a project used to help students make connections between linear and exponential models and between arithmetic and geometric sequences. (KHR)

Investigates the arithmetic and algebra word problem-solving skills and strategies of future primary and secondary school teachers. Describes the evolution of these skills and strategies from the beginning to the end of teacher education. Indicates that, in the education of preservice primary and secondary school teachers, there is need for an…

That the principal axis theorem does not extend to any finite field is demonstrated. Presented are four examples that illustrate the difficulty in extending the principal axis theorem to fields other than the field of real numbers. Included are a theorem and proof that uses only a simple counting argument. (KR)

Described is a decomposition theory from which the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, the diagonalizability of complex square matrices, and functional calculus can be developed. The theory and its applications are based on elementary polynomial algebra. (KR)

Given are instructions for teaching spreadsheet use for problem solving in mathematics. Examples of relevant problems from algebra through calculus are provided. The advantages of using computer spreadsheets in this application are stressed. (CW)

Presented is a lesson in which the patterns that occur within and between sequences of polygonal numbers present an opportunity for students to analyze, represent, and generalize relationships. Materials, objectives, levels, and directions for this activity are discussed. Worksheets to accompany the activities are provided. (CW)

A simple algebraic model relating the mean achievement in a class to the students' ability range is presented. Agreement between the model and data on the relationship between mean achievement and class size is described. Data concerning opinions of 15 primary school through university teachers quantitatively support the model. (TJH)