By working through well-designed tasks, students can expand their thinking about mathematical ideas and their approaches to solving mathematical problems. They can come to see the value of looking at tasks from different perspectives and of using different representations. This article discusses four tasks that encourage high school students and…

The mathematical topic of inverse functions is an important element of algebra courses at the high school and college levels. The inverse function concept is best understood by students when it is presented in a familiar, real-world context. In this article, the authors discuss some misconceptions about inverse functions and suggest some…

Nonroutine function tasks are more challenging than most typical high school mathematics tasks. Nonroutine tasks encourage students to expand their thinking about functions and their approaches to problem solving. As a result, they gain greater appreciation for the power of multiple representations and a richer understanding of functions. This…

Bayes's theorem is notorious for being a difficult topic to learn and to teach. Problems involving Bayes's theorem (either implicitly or explicitly) generally involve calculations based on two or more given probabilities and their complements. Further, a correct solution depends on students' ability to interpret the problem correctly. Most people…

Too often the discourse of the mathematics classroom is defined as the teacher asking the questions and the students answering them--or trying to. Certainly teachers should not be prohibited from asking questions, but if students are always placed in the position of responding rather than initiating, then one can hardly be surprised if at times…

The greatest benefit of including leap year in the calculation is not to increase precision, but to show students that a problem can be solved without such presumption. A birthday problem is analyzed showing that calculating a leap-year birthday probability is not a frivolous computation.

Methods of instructing students in problem solving are suggested that get pupils to view mathematics as a tool. The author states students should look beyond the numerical answer to the other components and highlights areas of the mathematics curriculum that afford an opportunity to explore these many facets. (MP)

Argues that there is a sense of surprise and wonder that can result from looking back at problem solutions and there is a potential for then creating unexpected, even memorable, alternative solutions. Example problems with routine solutions and alternative approaches uncovered while "looking back" at the solution are given. (PK)

A problem is posed concerning the area of certain parts of a plane geometric figure. The problem was used in a student contest with 71 of 270 mathletes answering correctly. An outline of the general proof is given. (LS)

The author uses Stella the Spider as the main character in a number of three-dimensional geometry problems. Eight of these problems are discussed, with solutions. (MNS)

Motivational classroom materials that provide direct instruction on problem-solving skills are given. The activity highlights and provides opportunities for practice with two problem-solving skills, make a drawing and work backward. (MNS)

A problem-solving approach involving systematic experimentation, one of the most-used problem-solving strategies, is advocated since it is useful beyond mathematics problems. Examples of its use are given, with two problems explored and four others noted. (MNS)

Involving students in generating and solving their own problems is proposed. A method for generating problems by using a number puzzle is presented. Ideas for using the "what if not" technique are also given. (MNS)

This article describes a problem-centered curriculum for grades 9-12, using problem sets developed by a mathematics department and designed to take the place of textbooks. The students discover mathematical concepts in the context of the problems and activities in the materials.