When studying wave interference, one often wants to know the difference in path length for two waves arriving at a common point P but coming from adjacent sources. For example, in many contexts interference maxima occur where this path-length difference is an integer multiple of the wavelength. The standard approximation for the path-length…

Back-of-the-envelope problems call for approximate calculations of quantities that can be related to information in a person's knowledge but are not solved precisely. These problems provide an opportunity for the study of processes and the role of general knowledge in ill-defined problem solving. Subjects with advanced and intermediate knowledge…

Discrete mathematics and finite mathematics differ in a number of ways. First, finite mathematics has a longer history and is therefore more stable in terms of course content. Finite mathematics courses emphasize certain particular mathematical tools which are useful in solving the problems of business and the social sciences. Discrete mathematics…

Concern has been expressed in recent years about the accuracy of medication administered by nurses in Papua New Guinean hospitals. Attention has been focused on the calculation of the drug dosages. This paper discusses the processes involved in the administration of medication, and reports on a study to evaluate the competence of student nurses at…

Students in adult basic education/general educational development classes need skills in analyzing and solving programs, extending beyond those learned through word problems in the mathematics curriculum. The following strategies can help students broaden their problem-solving skills: (1) act it out, (2) construct a table, (3) draw a picture, (4)…

Reported in this conference proceedings are educational activities related to mathematics education from several countries. The conference was devoted primarily to two major topics closely connected with the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP): (1) Development of an applications-oriented mathematics curriculum for all…

Nine problem situations involving the use of random numbers are given. Topics include cooking, hunting, bacteria contamination, waiting lines, ransom walks, and branching. In addition to the problem situation, questions are suggested which can be used to extend the investigations. (LS)

The purpose of this text is to teach learning and understanding of mathematics at the ninth grade level through the use of science experiments. This text contains significant amounts of material normally found in a beginning algebra class. The material should be found useful for classes in general mathematics as a preparation for enrollment in…

This publication contains a sequence of lectures given to high school mathematics teachers by the author. Applications of mathematics emphasized are elementary algebra, geometry, and matrix algebra. Included are: (1) an introduction concerning teaching applications of mathematics; (2) Chapter 1: Mechanics for the High School Student; (3) Chapter…

This article discusses the increasing use and importance of mathematics in geography. The need for geographers to acquire a greater facility with mathematics is stressed. For address of journal see SO 504 028. (Author/RM)

Mathematically shows that in principle a spaceship could travel eight light years in ten earth years, with the passengers arriving 4.6 years older than when they left earth and having experienced an acceleration induced effective gravity of one g for the entire trip. (MLH)

Several ideas for activities related to statistical concepts and the methods of using probability to analyze situations are presented. (SD)