Uses cryptography to demonstrate the importance of algebra and the use of technology as an effective real application of mathematics. Explains simple encoding and decoding of messages for student learning of modular arithmetic. This elementary encounter with cryptography along with its historical and modern background serves to motivate student…

A case is made against the major argument which implies that the use of a calculator for arithmetic problems that can be done by hand will prevent a student from being able to do arithmetic when the calculator is absent. (MN)