Presented are five short articles which describe innovations in mathematics teaching. Included are "Polar Summation,""The Age of the Solar System,""Forward Homework--A Motivational Tool,""Trigonometric Identities through Calculus," and "Algorithms for Evaluation of Polynomials." (CW)

Discusses two teaching ideas: (1) copying and distributing anonymous student mathematics homework to the class to increase student responsibility and their ability to communicate and read mathematics, and (2) using maximum/minimum applications of calculus to investigate the most economical dimensions for manufactured metal cans. (MKR)

Mathematics plays an exceptionally important role in biological education and the history of biology. Ten equations and descriptions of their historical importance are presented to draw students' and faculty's attention to mathematical models that have been intrinsic to many of the significant discoveries in biology in the 20th century. Each…

Offers methods for teaching the values of coins, their relative values, the values of a set of coins, comparing the values of sets of coins, creating a set of coins with a given value, and creating a set of coins with a given value by using the fewest coins. (ASK)

This article discusses outcomes of a study that indicated gifted children as young as 6 years old can use metacognitive processes for solving math problems, are aware of knowing certain operations and are able to use them automatically, and know which strategy they usually use for solving problems. (Contains references.) (CR)

A two-year study conducted in two fourth grade classrooms investigated the effectiveness of two mathematics curricula. Results found that a direct instruction program, "Connecting Math Concepts," resulted in significantly higher student scores on mathematics tests than the use of a traditional math basal textbook. (Contains references.) (CR)

Documents some of the changes that have taken place in secondary school mathematics curriculum. Examines the reasons for the changes in thinking that have brought applications of mathematics from a position of relative nonexistence in the 1960s to one of major importance in the 1990s. (GR)

Presents remarks from the Presidential Address at the 75th Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics held in Minneapolis in April, 1997. Two major challenges addressed were the need to change classroom practice and the need to rethink the definition of "basic". (AIM)

Describes a method used to teach the concept of radiometric dating using mathematical equations. Explores the lack of information in textbooks on how to solve radiometric dating problems using mathematical concepts. (SAH)

Reaction stoichiometry calculations have always been difficult for students. Offers the use of a mole ratio flow chart (MRFC) as a logistical sequence of steps that incorporates molar proportions as alternative problem solving techniques to improve student understanding. Indicates that MRFC users performed as well on exam problems covering…

Introduces an activity in which students learn measuring skills. Debates how to find an accurate method of determining the volume of an orange. (YDS)

Introduces conceptual physics, which does not have the computational roadblock typical to most physics courses and appeals to both science and non-science students. First published in 1990. (YDS)

This article makes the case for an alternative type of mathematics instruction for students with disabilities using multiplication. It explains how educators can skip addition and subtraction in computation instruction and start with multiplication by controlling for two elements: counting through 10 and place value. Word problems are also…

This article offers some solutions used in the assembly of the computerized Uniform Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) licensing examination as practical alternatives for operational programs producing large numbers of forms. The Uniform CPA examination was offered as an adaptive multistage test (MST) beginning in April of 2004. Examples of…

This work extends the theory of the fixed charge transportation problem (FCTP), currently based mostly on a forty-year-old publication by Hirsch and Danzig. This paper presents novel properties that need to be considered by those using existing, or those developing new methods for optimizing FCTP. It also defines the problem in an easier way,…