A scaling technique known as the Method of Reciprocal Averages has been in use since the early 1930's. This technique yields a set of item response weights for a psychological inventory which maximizes the internal consistency of the inventory for a group of subjects. Although the technique has been used for many years, its mathematical…

Using a great variety of word problems drawn from many contexts can make multiplication and division rules more relevant to the student's needs. (SD)

The author describes a technique for teaching various aspects of the subtraction algorithm (e.g., regrouping, borrowing) by relating them to the use of money. (SD)

A teacher describes a banking unit used in a sixth-grade mathematics class. Students learned the value of money by receiving a pretend paycheck for their chosen occupation and paying weekly, monthly, and annual bills. (MP)

Examples from almanacs are used to provide real-life problems that involve estimating, computing, and thinking. (MP)

Presents the historical development of perceptions and applications of the exponential law, tracing it from its ancient origins until the year 1900. Shows that many concepts such as mean life and half life and their relationships to differential equations were known long before their application to nuclear radioactivity. (GA)

An elementary knowledge of geometry is shown to be helpful in problem solving, especially in that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. (MN)

Sequences resulting from variations of the conditions of the original Fibonacci problem are investigated. (MN)

The author considers the possibility of developing a more general applied mathematics which would be based on the ways in which all sciences use mathematics for measuring and describing natural and social phenomena. (Author/MN)

Compares the performance of three groups of students on two instruments developed to measure an understanding of: (1) metric relationships and (2) metric applications. It is concluded that participants are able to perform paper-pencil computation with metric units without being able to apply them. (HM)

Describes the differential equation solution to the mechanics problem of the motion of a free mass subject to a harmonic force which can also be illustrated by a simple analogue computer. (SL)

Outlines reasons for teaching mathematics to geography students in higher education. Considers mathematical requirements, streaming of students, and the type of course structure to be instituted. For journal availability, see SO 506 224. (Author/AV)

The author gives a variety of literary questions and exercises that can be used to develop and test students' interpretation of the mean, median, and mode and their understanding of the usefulness and limitations of each. (MN)

Presents methods for estimating running speed, length of a broad-jump, height of a pole vault, and time to run up a flight of steps as examples of elementary numerical mechanics. (SL)

Presents a method of reviewing the properties of exponents for students enrolled in a liberal arts physics course. (SL)