Shows that the ratio of the area of the quadrilateral formed by joining the kth points to the area of the original quadrilateral is constant whether it is convex or concave quadrilateral. Presents many geoboard or dot paper diagrams and geometrical expresssions. (YP)

Solves the problem of defining a smooth piecewise linear approximation to a given function. Discusses some alternative approaches to the problem. (YP)

Describes five problems for a mathematical contest for secondary school students: poster competition, team contest, speed contest, swiss contest, and relay contest. Provides the instructions, a typical problem, and scoring criteria for each. (YP)

Describes the definition and characteristics of a regular polyhedron, tessellation, and pseudopolyhedra with diagrams. Discusses the nature of simplex, hypercube, and cross-polytope in the fourth dimension and beyond. (YP)

Describes the National Urban Coalition's "Say YES to a Youngster's Future" project that is being tested in public schools in Washington, D.C., and Houston (Texas). This program is an activities-based, early intervention, family learning program in math and science that targets minority students in grades K-six and their parents. (JS)

Discusses police officers' use of mathematics when reconstructing an accident scene; and the history of algebra, including al-Khwarizmi's works on the theory of equations, the Rhind Papyrus, a Chinese and an Indian manuscript on systems of linear and quadratic equations, and Diophantus'"syncopated algebra." (10 references) (EK)

Presents the Morris Loe Angle Trisection Approximation Method to introduce students to areas of mathematics where approximations are used when exact answers are difficult or impossible to obtain. Examines the accuracy of the method using the laws of sines and cosines and a BASIC computer program that is provided. (MDH)

Middle School Math Project at Education Development Center in Newton, Massachusetts, puts industry representatives into classroom to free teachers for professional development and to show students real-life applications of science and math. Although the program is no magic bullet for achieving teacher professionalism, this innovative approach buys…

Presents three investigations related to the game Bulgarian Solitaire. Investigations ask students to find and represent optimal solutions to the problem, to identify cyclical solution patterns for different numbers, and to respond to questions involving the number and nature of the cyclical solutions. An appendix provides answers to questions.…

Presents three investigations that extend the problem of counting the number of squares on a grid in two dimensions to an analogous problem of counting the number of cubes in a three-dimensional cubic array. (MDH)

Discusses the mathematical model presented by Vito Volterra to describe the dynamics of population density. Discusses the predator prey relationship, presents an computer simulated model from marine life involving sharks and mackerels, and discusses ecological chaos. (MDH)

Tips are given on how and when to use videotaped lessons to provide for continued classroom productivity in spite of anticipated, or even unexpected, absence of the mathematics teacher. In an accompanying article, a graphical approach to determine whether a limit exists is explored with numerous examples and illustrations. (JJK)

Presented is the solution to the problem of calculating the probability of winning or losing a game played by moving a counter from the center of a hexagonal grid according to the number shown after the toss of a die. The exercise is an example of an interesting mathematical investigation. (MDH)

Suggests resource materials useful to teachers that integrate mathematics history into the classroom. Presents helpful information for cataloguing information, sources for general overviews, detailed works, mathematics in its wider contexts, special and classroom topics, and the most economical materials. (MDH)

Explores the close relationship between pattern formation and traditional geometry using the LOGO programing language with the specific example of joining squares, corner to corner, to form a closed ring. Includes the LOGO programs utilized, as well as color illustrations of the interesting and eye-catching patterns generated. (JJK)