Explores the use of computers for teaching mathematical models of transposition ciphers. Illustrates the ideas, includes activities and extensions, provides a mathematical model and includes computer programs to implement these topics. (MVL)

Discusses a calculation method to approximate pi. Describes how to get an approximation to the circumscribed and inscribed perimeters of regular polygons of n sides. Presents the computer program and result of the approximation. (YP)

Discusses ways to simulate a probability problem of interest to middle school students in which students calculate the average number of packets of trading cards purchased to obtain a complete set of cards. Simulations utilize a spinner, a table of random numbers, and a computer. Includes the BASIC program utilized in the simulation. (MDH)

Discusses a misconception about the cycloid that asserts the final point on the path of shortest time in the "Brachistochrone" problem is at the lowest point on the cycloid. Uses a BASIC program for Newton's method to determine the correct least-time cycloid. (MDH)

Examples of subroutines that generate both symbolic and graphic solutions to differential equations are presented for the two computer algebra systems, MAPLE and Mathematica. Included are the listings for the Mathematica procedures developed for use in this article. (JJK)

Uses chaos theory to investigate the nonlinear phenomenon of population growth fluctuation. Illustrates the use of computers and computer programs to make calculations in a nonlinear difference equation system. (MDH)

Presents two mathematical methods for fitting the logistic curve to population data supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau utilizing computer algebra software to carry out the computations and plot graphs. (JKK)

Presents an example of a proof to the mathematical problem of the sum of the cubes of the digits. Provides a Pascal program to search for these results. (MVL)

Describes software, hardware, and devices that were designed to provide students with an environment to experiment with basic ideas of mechanics, including nonlinear dynamics. Examines the behavior of a Lorenzian water wheel by comparing experimental data with theoretical results obtained from computer-based sensors. (MDH)

Discusses the use of a computer program designed to solve the mathematical model associated with soil nutrient uptake by plant roots and to predict the nutrient uptake. Describes a user-friendly personal computer version of this program. (TW)

This article discusses the analysis of a decision-making process faced by contestants on the television game show "The Price is Right". The included analyses of the original and related problems concern pattern searching, inductive reasoning, quadratic functions, and graphing. Computer simulation programs in BASIC and tables of…

Discusses the use of technology in solving compound interest-rate problems that can be modeled by linear relationships. Uses a graphing calculator to solve the specific problem of determining the amount of money that can be borrowed to buy a car for a given monthly payment and interest rate. (MDH)