Presents mathematical models to determine whether seven-game baseball playoff series are significantly fairer than five-game series. Compares the results obtained from the models to actual playoff results. (MDH)

Describes an experiment to determine which of four objects, hollow cylinders, solid cylinders, hollow balls, and solid balls, will reach the bottom of an inclined plane first when released simultaneously. Provides solutions to the problem and supplementary exercises. (MDH)

An open-ended data-analysis activity, prompted by a Royal Mail advertisement, explores the claim that the real cost of first class postage has fallen below the inflation rate. The activity provides realistic exercises in both arithmetic and statistical indices, and in logical interpretation of, and deduction from, the data. (JJK)

Concepts from cognitive psychology are presented as an alternative framework to arithmetic instruction for students with disabilities. The approach, which emphasizes reasoning, communication, and problem solving, is applied to addition, division, multiplication, subtraction, and word problems. The purpose of arithmetic instruction is asserted to…

Presents an activity to analyze the data from the Challenger explosion to help students understand the critical role of statistics in decision making and the importance of considering all available data. (MKR)

Presents a motion problem that students in a college physics class are asked to solve and later asked to continue to analyze until they have stopped learning from the problem or the problem itself is finished. (MDH)

Discusses a classroom presentation using a Tonka toy truck's forward and backward motion that (1) develops a graphical representation of the truck's one-dimensional motion; (2) creates graphs representing constant velocity; (3) leads students to a definition of average velocity; and (4) introduces the concept of instantaneous velocity. (MDH)

Two geometry problems generated from a design problem involving a shuttle return mechanism in a weaving machine are presented. The solutions to these problems are detailed. (CW)

Discussed is an application of the computer software package, "Mathematica," to solve typical optimization problems from freshman calculus. An example of the use of this method is provided. (CW)

Presents an activity for introducing probability by investigating the Chinese policy of having one child per family and a one-son policy of some rural Chinese. Discusses features of the problem, including counterintuitiveness, multiple options for analysis, and thought experiments. (MKR)

Presents an analysis of the question in the title which involves a discussion of fractions, number theory, and probability through modeling, exploring, and other mathematical connections. (MKR)

Discusses an activity which models the building of a tunnel by ants using the definitions of derivative and indefinite integral from calculus. Includes a discussion of reasonableness and interpretation of the problem. (MKR)

A study explored middle school students' (N=54) perceptions of problem difficulty, persistence, and knowledge, and use of problem-solving strategies in solving mathematical word problems. Students with learning disabilities rated problems as significantly more difficult and had a significantly lower total word problem score than both average and…

Investigated whether stereotype threat would depress college women's math performance. In one test, men outperformed women when solving word problems, though women performed equally when problems were converted into numerical equivalents. In another test, participants solved difficult problems in high or reduced stereotype threat conditions. Women…

Analysis of attitude and use questionnaires completed by undergraduates (n1,444) at Wake Forest University determined that computers were used most frequently for word processing. Other uses were e-mail for task and non-task activities and mathematical and statistical computation. Results suggest that the level of computer use was related to…