Discussion of the use of mathematical tools in library and information science focuses on information retrieval applications of fuzzy set theory. Topics include fuzzy set theory in informetrics and bibliometrics; and the literature of fuzzy set theory. (Contains 87 references.) (LRW)

Provides classroom ideas for integrating music with mathematics teaching. (Author/NB)

Identifies and addresses fundamental ideas that build the foundations of algebraic thinking and reasoning. Focuses on developing appropriate instructional approaches to these concepts. Explains what is meant by "composite unit" and how this concept framed the development of an instructional sequence to help students make sense of and find meaning…

Applies elementary concepts of probability to a hotly debated question in football. Shows that the probability of winning is the same either way but the probability of losing is greater under the one-first strategy. (MKR)

Discusses ways of answering students' questions about when they will use the mathematics they learn in the classroom. Presents examples of the use of mathematical applications in real-life situations. (ASK)

Describes activities for Technical Algebra, which provides students an opportunity to solve algebraic problems through a hands-on, instructional process. (MKR)

The Chebyshev polynomials named after a Russian mathematician, Pafnuty Lvovich Chebyshev, have various mathematical applications. A process for obtaining Chebyshev polynomials, and a mathematical inquiry into the patterns they generate, is presented.

In addition to looking for applications that can be profitably examined algebraically, numerically and geometrically it is also helpful to use ideas that typical students might find interesting. Most secondary students are eager to obtain their driving license and part of becoming a good driver is understanding how long it takes to stop your…

Whether or not there is an interaction between two factors in their effects on a dependent variable is often a central question. This paper proposes a general mechanism by which an interaction may arise: (a) the two factors are the same thing--or, at least, have a dimension in common--in the sense that it is meaningful to add (or subtract) them;…

A special project which can be given to students of ordinary differential equations is described in detail. Students create new differential equations by changing the dependent variable in the familiar linear first-order equation (dv/dx)+p(x)v=q(x) by means of a substitution v=f(y). The student then creates a table of the new equations and…

Mathematical procedures that promise an envy-free, equitable, and efficient solution to distributional conflicts have received widespread attention. Two fair-division mechanisms, adjusted Knaster and proportional Knaster, which are similar to the well-known adjusted-winner procedure, are compared with the less fair divide-and-choose mechanism.…

An interesting new partitioning and bounded variable algorithm (PBVA) is proposed for solving linear programming problems. The PBVA is a variant of the simplex algorithm which uses a modified form of the simplex method followed by the dual simplex method for bounded variables. In contrast to the two-phase method and the big M method, the PBVA does…

The main classes of inorganic compounds is presented to students as a two-dimensional chart and one coordinate of the chart corresponds to the acidic equivalent while the other corresponds to the number of bound water molecules. The chart is intended for those students who can assign a compound to a particular class and can be used at different…

In teaching primary teacher trainees, an awareness of the characteristic features, especially commutativity and associativity of basic operations play an important role. Owing to a deeply set automatism rooted in their primary and secondary education, teacher trainees think that such characteristics of addition are so trivial that they do not need…

This article describes an activity for secondary mathematics students using digital imaging on The Geometer's Sketchpad to model polar functions of flowers. The activity presented in the appendix engages students in learning and exploring the polar coordinate system while helping them analyze a real-world situation. By completing this activity,…