This paper focuses on Islamic Art with its characteristic complex geometric patterns as an instance of mathematical constructs being used as a solution for artistic problems. (MN)

Described are various common misconceptions about the nature of mathematics and suggests that courses or activities based on model building might help change these. Two examples are offered. (SD)

Discusses some alternatives to calculus as an advanced high school course which will prepare students for college level work, improve their background in algebra, geometry and trigonometry, and introduce new and interesting material of a more advanced nature. (Author/RK)

Shows how, with little or no electrical background, students can apply Boolean algebra concepts to design and build integrated electrical circuits in the classroom that will reinforce important ideas in mathematics. (PK)

Discusses whether a map can be constructed using only the distances between 15 selected cities. Concepts used in the discussion come from geometry, matrix theory and trigonometry. (PK)

Considered is the following question: If a consumer loan is prepaid before the contract time, how much of the total interest should be paid to the lending institution? Discusses the validity of the rule and demonstrates strategies for answering interest questions. (PK)

Presented are two examples including data sets for which calculating various elementary statistics will reveal something new about the data. The objective of these examples is to show the student what various statistics may reveal, or not reveal, about a given data set. (PK)

The general combinatorial problem of counting the number of regions into which the interior of a circle is divided by a family of lines is considered. A general formula is developed and its use is illustrated in two situations. (PK)

Discusses the purposes, advantages, and disadvantages of computer illustrated texts (CIT). Describes three separate CITs which demonstrate the variability that CITs have in terms of screen layout, programing style, and depth and range of coverage of topics in mathematical physics. (ML)

Provides examples of if-then and combinatorial reasoning situations that have proved successful with college students and can be used with secondary school students. Proposes that practice with these problem solving processes can eliminate the need to memorize formulas that students may not understand. (ML)

This study was designed to test whether a learned helplessness treatment would decrease performance on mathematical tasks and to extend learned helplessness findings to include the cognitive development dimension. Results showed no differential advantages to either sex in resisting effects of learned helplessness or in benefiting from strategy…

Reflecting the author's experiences in Mozambique, some conditions and strategies for mathematics education in underdeveloped countries are suggested. How mathematics education can be used for emancipation is discussed, with extensive comments on problemising reality in classroom situations and creating confidence. (MNS)

A class survey is suggested as a way to stimulate students' interest in applying mathematics to a real-life problem that will require them to collect, organize, and interpret data. How to proceed from selection of topic to using the data to estimate and predict is discussed. (MNS)

Shows how creating and using a supermarket mathematics lab in the classroom can be used to introduce basic (counting and one-to-one correspondence) and arithmetic concepts. The project can be adapted to kindergarten and first-grade activities and can evolve into advanced concepts and problems found in upper elementary school mathematics. (JN)

Discusses the geometry, algebra, and logic involved in the solution of a "Mindbenders" problem in "Discover" magazine and applies it to calculations of satellite orbital velocity. Extends the solution of this probe to other applications of falling objects. (JM)