This study sought to ascertain children's perceptions of the value and usefulness of mathematics. Children were interviewed with open-ended and structured questions about the uses of mathematics. Findings indicated that children at the kindergarten through third-grade levels are positive about mathematics and their abilities to do mathematics.…

Mathematical problems generated by 509 middle school students who were given story-problem descriptions and asked to pose questions that could be answered using the information were examined for solvability, linguistic and mathematical complexity, and relationships within the sets of posed problems. The multiple-step data analysis scheme can be…

Describes an engaging project in which students have to design and construct a three-dimensional candy box that would appeal to children. Requires students to make the box out of prisms, pyramids, or cylinders, determine the surface area and volume of the solids, and write a persuasive business letter. (YDS)

Describes a successful course in mathematical biology at Dartmouth College. The course targets premedical students and biology majors rather than mathematics majors, and requires only one semester of calculus as prerequisite. Real world problems form the basis of student work. (Author/KHR)

The focus of these four activities is on gathering, using and interpreting data about bicycles as a basis for integrating mathematics. Measurement, ratios, and other relationships are explored through making graphs, finding bicycling speeds and a parent-involvement activity sheet. (CW)

Presented are ideas for the utilization of Microsoft Works in the secondary mathematics classroom. The spreadsheet and graphing capabilities of this software package are demonstrated for several topics including the concept of slope for first year algebra, and creating and interpreting graphs for a general mathematics class. (Author/CW)

Discussed is wavelet theory, which provides ways to rearrange data to reveal features of a physical or mathematical system which might otherwise be hidden. This theory is compared to fourier analysis and the advantages of wavelet theory are stressed. Applications of this technique are suggested. (CW)

Discusses the differences between mathematical problem solving typically used in the classroom and problem solving that is a part of everyday situations out of school. Suggests some teaching methods to align classroom instruction with the real world. Seventeen references are listed. (YP)

Investigated the effect of the choice of a model's medium (algebraic expression or computer program) on the performance of students. Student programers did not transfer the qualities of a computer program approach to their algebraic models. Provides items for five tests. (YP)

Provides four activities asking students to observe and classify star patterns and to identify polygons and continuous paths while observing similarities and differences. Presents the objectives, directions, extensions, answers, references, and worksheet for each activity. (YP)

Discusses the application of probabilistic ideas, especially Monte Carlo simulation, to calculus. Describes some applications using the Monte Carlo method: Riemann sums; maximizing and minimizing a function; mean value theorems; and testing conjectures. (YP)

Shows that the ratio of the area of the quadrilateral formed by joining the kth points to the area of the original quadrilateral is constant whether it is convex or concave quadrilateral. Presents many geoboard or dot paper diagrams and geometrical expresssions. (YP)

Solves the problem of defining a smooth piecewise linear approximation to a given function. Discusses some alternative approaches to the problem. (YP)

Describes five problems for a mathematical contest for secondary school students: poster competition, team contest, speed contest, swiss contest, and relay contest. Provides the instructions, a typical problem, and scoring criteria for each. (YP)

This article shows the application of the ratio concept to the working of a 10-speed bicycle using a formula and tables. Two references are listed. (YP)