Presents four investigations involving geometric sequences and series: folding a sheet of paper in half 8 times, stacking pieces of paper cut in half 50 times, snapping your fingers at intervals doubled in length for 1 year, and summing time intervals continuously cut in half. (MDH)

Describes two activities to analyze unit-cell structures from a geometric viewpoint and invite students to apply their mathematical understanding to scientific phenomena. Students form models of the simple cube, a building block of crystalline structures, and a methane molecule. (MDH)

Describes an activity that combines a first-grade class, a fifth-grade class, measurement activities, and gorillas in a zoo to extend the mathematics learning environment and include mathematical connections, problem solving, and communications. (MKR)

Describes a freshman level mathematics course designed as an alternate to algebra for non-science majors. Mathematical content is based on real-world situations, student activities include small and large projects done in groups or individually, and lecture time is held to a minimum. (MKR)

The on-off settings of a series of eight switches determines the code to open garage doors. Presented are two problems asking the probability that two people would have the same garage door opener code or whether a specific person would have the same code as another person in the neighborhood. (MDH)

Applies Pascal's Triangle to determine the number of ways in which a given team can win a playoff series of differing lengths. Presents the solutions for one-, three-, five-, seven-, and nine-game series, and extends the solution to the general case for any series. (MDH)

Presents a series of challenges, problems, and examples to demonstrate the principle of mathematical induction and illustrate the many situations to which it can be applied. Applications relate to Fibonacci sequences, graph theory, and functions. (MDH)

Provides a survey of models that use mathematics in a variety of fields of social science. Discusses specifically mathematical applications in demography, economics, management, political science, psychology, sociology, and other areas. Proposes four unsolved problems. (20 references) (MDH)

Presented is a calculation for the probability of a athletic event. Assumptions, computations, and questions to be considered in the solution of this problem are discussed. (CW)

Student research projects are open-ended questions or sets of questions intended to give undergraduate students experience doing introductory mathematical research. Proposed is an investigation of a Faro shuffle that is performed by cutting the deck exactly in half and then perfectly interleaving the cards of the two halves. (Author/JJK)

A survey of mathematics teachers was conducted to determine the value, advisability, and feasibility of using the workplace as a context for teaching mathematics. Results indicated that of the respondents, few were aware of published materials in this area, most felt that workplace-related materials were relevant and aimed at lower level students,…

Presents an example with multiple solutions that illustrates connections between mathematics and the real world. Considers five possible methods by which the voting for a convention delegate might be performed. (MDH)

Discusses definitions of problem solving, sources of real problems, selection of data for use in problems, developing strategies for solving, and deciding when solutions are acceptable. (MKR)

Presents an introductory activity in statistics in which a mathematics class is divided into groups to "draft" teams of major league baseball players. Describes the drafting procedure, charting the team, scoring, roster changes, and gathering and evaluating data. Includes draft list, daily box scores, and cumulative box scores. (MKR)

Describes a transformational geometry project in which groups of students explore symmetry, reflections, translations, rotations, and dilations to design and create one hole of miniature golf large enough to play on. Includes unit plan for transformational geometry. (MKR)