This book, second in a series dealing with scientific programing in the BASIC language, provides students, engineers, and scientists with a documented library of subroutines for scientific applications. Subjects of the eight chapters include: (1) least-squares approximation of functions and smoothing of data; (2) approximating functions by series…

Issues about computer use are addressed by a discussion activity designed to help students think about situations and understand various points of view. Four situations are given, each presented from the viewpoints of four persons. (MNS)

Stressed is a conceptual approach to absolute value, based on the visualization of the graphs of absolute-value equations. An important by-product is predicting a graph on the basis of certain constraints. Four worksheets plus teacher comments are included. (MNS)

A programing contest was designed to promote interest in mathematical randomness. Student-developed programs making clever uses of random numbers are presented. Modifications users might make are suggested. (MNS)

On these worksheets, students are to graph pairs of linear equations and linear combinations of these pairs, using the results to discover an algebraic technique for solving a system of epuations. They then complete, run, and modify a computer program for solving a system of linear equations. (MNS)

Problem solving that both requires and develops higher-order thinking skills is illustrated in the EQUATIONS Challenge Matches program, which consists of computer diskettes at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels plus a multi-level diskette. Samples of computer output are given, with the results of various types of experimentation…

Several BASIC computer programs designed to illustrate concepts in probability are presented. The programs are geared for the Apple II computer, but most samples are adaptable to other systems. (MP)

Activities focus on the use of computers as an instructional tool. Three worksheets provide experiences with: perimeter and areas of squares; area of parallelograms and triangles; and properties of triangles. A Logo computer program is included. (MNS)

An elective unit was developed for a course (Math 20) which would teach students to program solutions to typical exercises. Development of the unit took place in a large senior high school in Alberta. The elective is 15 hours long, with the first five hours devoted to learning programming fundamentals and the final ten hours to programming…

These activities were designed for use at the University of Montana, where they were tested for four quarters in a mathematics for elementary teachers course on informal geometry. They are for use with Apple II-Plus computers with 64K memory or Apple IIe computers and MIT Logo. (Modifications are necessary if the activities are to be used with…

The standards developed for reform in mathematics education by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) de-emphasize the algorithmic manipulation of mathematical symbols. The NCTM takes the position that the rapidly changing workplace is an environment that requires problem-solving skills with computers being used to perform routine…

Most computer terms are viewed as understandable if approached with common sense. Five sources for the terms are noted. The glossary is not viewed as comprehensive, and suggestions of more complete dictionaries are made. "Computerese" and "cybercrud" are two terms noted to describe the jargon associated with computer technology use. (MP)

Ways that elementary teachers with no background in computers can begin to deal with them are detailed. High school mathematics teachers and parents who work with computers are viewed as invaluable resource people. Samples of activity cards that introduce computers to students and/or teachers are included. (Author/MP)

Problems are presented that can be solved with a microcomputer which explore the binary, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems and related problems. (Author/TG)

Computers are both understandable and controllable. Educators need some understanding of a computer's cognitive profile, component parts, and systematic nature in order to set it to work on some of the teaching tasks that need to be done. Much computer-related vocabulary is discussed. (MP)