Examines whether verbal problem-solving skills in a group of fourth graders would improve if they were specifically taught how to generate their own diagrams when solving word problems. Classifies textbook word problems into three general types and describes them: (1) tabular; (2) geometric; and (3) contingency diagraming. (YP)

Describes two simulations for practicing arithmetic skills: "Calculators," simulating the management of a store with a calculator, and "MECC 'Sell' Series," simulating profit-making with different levels of difficulty from grade two to eight. Provides hints for classroom use. (YP)

This material contains 50 mathematical puzzles as a handy form for providing teachers a variety of puzzles. (YP)

This article discusses two of the reasons for the decline of formal Euclidean geometry in recent syllabi: (1) Traditional approach; and (2) Inherent difficulties. Suggested are some reasons and examples as to why the decline should be reversed. (YP)

Discusses three types of bridges to determine how best to model each one: (1) drawbridge; (2) balance bridge; and (3) bascule bridge. Describes four experiments with assumptions, analyses, interpretations, and validations. Provides several diagrams and pictures of the bridges, and typical data. (YP)

Presents examples where mathematical and physical reasoning complement each other in interpreting and analyzing some basic science concepts using proof by contradiction and contrapositive. Examples involve the rotation of the moon, the stability of electrons and protons, the electron's orbit about the nucleus, and the earth's liquid core. (MDH)

Validated models of mental addition processing by testing children and adults in a production task paradigm. Examined individual-difference relations between strategy choice parameters and criterion-related measures of ability. Found that individual differences in the apparently calculative processes that underlie numerical facility are highly…

Features five activities to nurture "number sense," promote practice in mental calculations, and promote student self-confidence in mathmatical operations. These are "hands-off" exercises that are preparatory to calculator and computer use for math. (ET)

Examines the struggles of Kyle, a 30-year-old male, to overcome his innumeracy and to master the routine numerical tasks associated with daily life. Describes Kyle's arithmetic and problem-solving skills and the intervention program designed to develop his ability to solve everyday problems. (Contains 12 references.) (MDH)

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test first- and second-order factor models on cognitive abilities and their invariance across samples of 234 male and 225 female secondary school students. Factor models suggest that males and females may use different problem-solving strategies for spatial analogies, matrices, and numerical problems. (SLD)

Examined the relationship between mental rotation ability and gender differences in Scholastic Aptitude Test-Math (SAT-M) performance among 760 talented preadolescents, college students, and high- and low-ability college-bound youths. Males outperformed females in both mental rotation and SAT-M for all three high-ability groups but not for the…

Study analyzed the written protocols of 900 elementary mathematics students from 5 achievement levels utilizing a 15-item arithmetic and problem-solving test administered in grade 3 and again in grade 6. Correct solutions resulted from similar strategies regardless of the achievement level, yet incorrect solutions ensued from many incorrect…

Explores alternative strategies to solve algebraic equations that do not lend themselves to traditional methods. Examines one nontraditional equation by a graphical approach using a graphing utility and by a numerical approach using spreadsheets. Discusses new basic skills for algebra utilizing technology. Provides a computer program to solve…

This evaluation study with 94 elementary students (50 with mild mental handicap) compared computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and paper-and-pencil practices in promoting automatization of basic addition and subtraction skills. Findings suggested CAI was more effective but that the students with mental handicap required more practice than…

Presented is the idea that art can be used to present early concepts of geometry, including the notion of the infinite. Discussed is the symbiosis that exists between the artistic and mathematical views of points, lines, and planes. Geometric models in art and using art in the classroom are discussed. (KR)