A collection of brief articles on mathematics and teaching mathematics. (FL)

It is noted that interest in tennis has risen dramatically. It is felt the knowledge and application of some basic geometric concepts can help improve tennis insight and competence and increase enjoyment. Tennis is seen as complex, and the view expressed is that anything simplifying mechanics or strategy is welcome. (MP)

"TK!Solver" was designed as a personal computing tool to solve problems involving mathematical calculations and analysis. An in-depth review of this model building and problem-solving package is provided. System commands, applications (including data lists, plots/graphs, iterative problem-solving, present values), and other areas are…

A large-scale computer managed training program in problem-solving in applied mathematics and basic physics for first-year medical students at the University of Leuven is described. Students do calculations away from the terminals, but are corrected and evaluated at terminals. Some tentative results are presented. (Author/MSE)

Reviews mathematical techniques for solving systems of homogeneous linear equations and demonstrates that the algebraic method of balancing chemical equations is a matter of solving a system of homogeneous linear equations. FORTRAN programs using this matrix method to chemical equation balancing are available from the author. (JN)

The topic of numeration is the focus for the activities presented. Worksheets provide practice with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents. These activities are designed to help students think about ways of representing and naming quantities. (MP)

The symposium is seen to create an opportunity for students to understand the way mathematics is actually used in their own fields and to understand both their own potential as mathematics users and inherent difficulties in modeling. The symposium acts as a capstone for a two-semester, introductory calculus course. (MP)

Sections look at: (1) Historical Perspective; (2) Naming the New System; (3) The Metric Units; (4) Measuring Larger and Smaller Amounts; (5) Advantage of Using the Metric System; (6) Metric Symbols; (7) Conversion from Metric to Customary System; (8) General Hints for Helping Children Understand; and (9) Current Status of Metric Conversion. (MP)

Optical illusions are assumed to be of interest to high school mathematics students. The article indicates how a topic can be both educational and entertaining. Readers are invited to try to construct some illusions on their own, and to see if they can classify them. (MP)

The approach is to fill positions in a star shape with values from a set so that the sum of each line is equal to the sum of every other line. There are four values in each of five lines. Related problems based on other shapes are noted. (MP)

Activities used with seventh and eighth grade students in Western Australia are described. The instructor guides pupils towards experimental solutions and encourages discovery of solutions for similar and more general problems. Investigations include study and construction of polygons, polyhedra, and one and two-sided surfaces. Commercial kits are…

Analysis of the mathematics used on the job in many different situations indicated that all observed was related to restricted concrete situations, which was found to soon become familiar to the employee. Calculators and industrial technology were found to contribute towards a reduction of mathematical demands on employees. (Author/MP)

Examples selected illustrate the two-way nature of links between mathematics and geography. Discussion and cooperation are viewed as needed between various teachers in school to ensure that pupils appreciate that different subjects are not completely isolated from one another but that knowledge can have applications in several areas. (Author/MP)

Geometrical probability deals with probability on infinite sample spaces where each outcome of an experiment is equally likely to occur. Geometry which identifies sample space regions and event subregions leads to a method of finding a desired probability. A collection of problems with solutions is presented. (MP)