The lesson details an approach to teaching positive and negative numbers which uses number pairs and generates inverses that initially avoid any mention or use of negative signs. The material moves pupils from development of key concepts to the use of more standardized notation for number operations. (MP)

A series of problems is presented that (1) focus on certain kinds of numbers or (2) emphasize a specific concept of number theory. Several are appropriate for extensive investigation with a computer. (MNS)

It is seen as important that mathematics teachers encourage open, imaginative investigations that give students an opportunity to probe, find patterns and relations, and derive new patterns and relations. The article focuses on multiplication tables and classes, including questions for further exploration. (MP)

This study is an examination of developmental changes in children's use of pointing gestures to achieve an accurate count. Based on the data gathered, it is argued that the functional relation between the recitation of number names and children's pointing gestures in counting changes over the course of development. (Author/AL)

Critics assert that Piaget's tests seriously underestimate operational thinking by failing to consider experimenter and presentation variables. This experiment studied the impact of these social influences on number conservation performance. Subjects viewed videotapes in which the task was presented by an adult or by puppets. Presentation mode…

Five problems on the generation and study of prime and related numbers are discussed. Solutions to the problems posed will be in next month's presentation. (MP)

Included are nine brief notes on various aspects of infinity. These are an attempt to stimulate and organize the thinking of teachers and others who acknowledge the role notions of infinity play in mathematics and in children's thinking. (MK)

Attention is drawn to an ancient Greek method for finding the least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers. A link is established between this method and a well-known method of obtaining the highest common factor (HCF) numbers. This leads to consideration of some relationships between HCF and LCM. (Author/MK)

The theory of unary and binary operations are discussed and illustrated with examples from school mathematics. Presentations of selected inverse operations are made and attention is drawn to certain "typical" problems that occur during instruction and learning of these concepts. (MP)

Activities designed to aid pupils explore the Fibonacci sequence are presented in worksheets. (MP)

Novel practice exercises for addition and subtraction using a special number puzzle called a number chain are suggested. (MK)

An experimental program using the calculator in third, fourth, and fifth grades is described. Three example lessons are included, on (1) subtraction with regrouping, (2) estimation, and (3) number theory: Quadratics. (MK)

Examples given for uses for the calculator exchange key include: generation of the Fibonacci sequence and geometric series, determination of square roots, and the chief use of the function, which is to interchange the numerator and denominator of a fraction. (MK)

Presented are suggestions for teaching absolute value using five different definitions of the concept. (MK)

The format of digits in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) on calculators and watches can motivate some simple investigations appropriate for school mathematics. Several sample problems or investigations are provided. (MK)