Two statements concerning magic squares, considered as 3x3 matrices, are discussed and their proofs given using only high school level techniques. (MP)

This twenty-fourth unit in the SMSG secondary school mathematics series is the teacher's commentary for Unit 23. For each of the chapters in Unit 23, a time allotment is suggested, the goals for that chapter are discussed, the mathematics is explained, some teaching suggestions are given, and answers to exercises are provided. In the appendix is a…

Several approaches to the teaching of matrices are discussed. (SD)

Unit 23 in the SMSG secondary school mathematics series is a student text covering the following topics in matrix algebra: matrix operations, the algebra of 2 X 2 matrices, matrices and linear systems, representation of column matrices as geometric vectors, and transformations of the plane. Listed in the appendix are four research exercises in…

Students were presented with the problem of finding all magic squares of order three. (SD)

Finding the shortest route between two points can be approached by vector methods. Several types of matrices modelling a map of 6 cities are described. (SD)

The fourth in a series of six guidebooks on minimum course content for second-year algebra, this booklet covers linear and quadratic relations, absolute value, graphing complex numbers, determinants and matrices, graphing quadratic relations, and solving systems of linear and quadratic equations. Overall course goals are specified, a course…