Interesting mathematical questions that require computations involving fractions, percentages, and decimals are presented. The material is designed for students in the middle school grades, but many of the ideas could be used with higher or lower level pupils. (MP)

Contrary to Anderson (EJ 187 936), his rule for equation identification is a necessary but not sufficient condition; furthermore, the choice of two-stage or ordinary least squares depends on results and not on methodological properties of estimators. Modification of Anderson's rule and a means for choosing between estimates is offered. (Author/CP)

Presented three algorithms to university students in an introductory laboratory chemistry course and found that differences in the effects of representation modes--flow charts, lists, and standard prose--were complex and changed over 10 lab sessions. There was no evidence that representation mode affected critical thinking ability or final grade.…

Explains that Year 5 students in ten British schools took a mathematics division test twice in the school year. The test involved context and bare problems to identify changes in approach as the standard algorithm was introduced. Reports that 52 percent of students gained a higher score on the second test. (CMK)

Discusses ranking techniques for document retrieval and proposes an evaluation, or filtering, technique that reduces costs and memory usage by early recognition of which documents are likely to be highly ranked. Highlights include index design, ranked query evaluation, reducing the number of accumulators, inverted file structures, and experimental…

Describes a multicultural enrichment project for 4th graders that highlights number systems and computation algorithms of various cultures. Discusses student responses and reactions. (KHR)

Discusses issues involved in obtaining patents for computer software. Topics discussed include copyright protection; algorithms and other software processes within programs; the software industry and the effects of patenting; perspectives on software patents within higher education; cost factors; and the use of patents to control information…

Reviews some of the models used for pricing online information services and discusses some of the implications of these pricing algorithms. Topics discussed include online versus print pricing; charges for the retrieval process; charges for the retrieved information; telecommunications charges; and the pricing policies of Chemical Abstracts…

Describes ECAL (extended computer-assisted learning) which was designed to incorporate artificial intelligence ideas to extend traditional CAL tools. Intelligent tutoring systems are discussed; authoring tasks in CAL and intelligent computer-assisted instruction (ICAI) are described; and the general architecture of the system is explained. (8…

Introduces a new methodology for studying the effects of term selection and postings overlap on retrieval, under the assumption that pooling results for several searchers or questions may obscure important relationships. Based on the findings of a case study, several tentative conclusions and hypotheses, are posited and suggestions for future…

The use of developmental algorithms to develop skills is described. Children make the transition from using concrete materials to using a standard algorithm. (MNS)

Canonical analysis of two convex polyhedral cones involves looking for two vectors whose square cosine is a maximum. New results about the properties of the optimal solution to this problem are presented. The convergence of an alternating least squares algorithm and properties of limits of calculated sequences are discussed. (SLD)

Shows how to model Newton's method for approximating roots on a spreadsheet. (MKR)

An algebra test administered to (n=18) first-year college students found a disregard for negative numbers, ineffective use of counterexamples, misapplication of rules, and a lack of a good grasp of relevant mathematical terminology. (12 references) (MKR)

A detailed analysis and computer-based solution to a puzzle addressing the arrangement of dominoes on a grid is presented. The problem is one used in a college-level data structures or algorithms course. The solution uses backtracking to generate all possible answers. Details of the use of backtracking and techniques for mapping abstract problems…