Graphs are viewed as extremely useful tools in communication, which enable readers to see at a glance facts that might take several paragraphs to describe adequately. An ability to read graphs critically is seen to be an important objective for any elementary curriculum, and ways to introduce them are presented. (Author/MP)

The demise of mathematics of finance as a subject is discussed and a resurgence is seen as possible, but the traditional instructional presentation is seen as in need of modernization. Financial mathematics is referred to as a beautiful subject when inflation is incorporated, provided that calculators are used in computations. (Author/MP)

The problem deals with calculating the probability that two or more students in a given class have the same birthday. A sample of an experiment that can be carried out by hand in a class is first noted. A program written in BASIC and a sample run is then presented. (MP)

The use of continuous simulation is promoted as a teaching tool in the undergraduate curriculum. Simulation, advances in continuous simulation, an approach to teaching system dynamics, computer languages deemed suitable for continuous simulation, and an outline of a prototypic first course in continuous simulation are presented. (MP)

The problems many students have on the senior high school mathematics functional literacy test in Florida are discussed. Instructional exercises designed to improve students' reading comprehension of word problems are noted, and prototypes of some of the exercises viewed as more useful are provided. (MP)

Euler's theorem for homogenous functions is useful when developing thermodynamic distinction between extensive and intensive variables of state and when deriving the Gibbs-Duhem relation. Discusses Euler's theorem and thermodynamic applications. Includes six-step instructional strategy for introducing the material to students. (Author/JN)

Since Maxwell's relations are derived in general form from the first to second laws, and students often wonder what they mean and how they are used, appropriate partition functions for van der Waals gas and the nuclear paramagnetic system are used to obtain entropy expressions and equations of state. (Author/SK)

An examination of the way banks charge interest based on a 360-day year points out that excess interest may be charged if calculated rates are applied to a 365-day period. (MP)

Basic strategies for developing computational estimation skills are: (1) the front-end strategy, focusing on the front-end digits of the numbers; (2) the rounding strategy, rounding the original numbers to more manageable numbers; (3) the compatible number strategy, changing the original numbers to ones more similar and more manageable; and (4)…

High school students are warned against service station fraud. A problem-solving section is designed to help students calculate consumer costs for various fraudulent transactions. Several ways of reducing fraud or of lessening the chances of problems are noted. (MP)

It has been found that students gain much greater insight into routine calculations with business formulas when such work is viewed in the light of graphing concepts. Ten problems are presented that illustrate how three specific objectives in a unit on graphing in a business mathematics course have been met. (MP)

A programing language called DYNAMO, developed especially for writing simulation models, is promoted. Details of six, self-teaching curriculum packages recently developed for simulation-oriented instruction are provided. (MP)

The history of probability from ancient times is presented. The relationship between the mathematical and experimental definitions of probability are detailed. (MP)

Several sample problems from the "Ladies Diary," published in the early 1700s, are reviewed. They provide a fascinating glimpse of the mathematics considered useful in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. (MP)

Using error analysis and individual interviews, the problem-solving actions of first and second graders were analyzed. Shortcomings of children's knowledge and solution strategies were seen to be overcome by instruction. A control group, with usual arithmetic instruction, and an experimental group were established and the hypothesized…