Statistical data is used in the media and on online platforms, often with an interpretation that serves some commercial or political purpose. Primary preservice teachers must be able to understand statistical data and analyze it critically. Only in this way will they be able to contribute as future teachers to the development of a critical spirit…

Compares observed to expected counts of white, African American, and Hispanic major-league baseball players (n=650) in 1989. Uses chi-square values to determine that racial differences are highly significant for pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and outfielder. Includes appendix with 1993 player counts and seven suggested student activities. (SEW)

The calculator is used to obtain values for use in graphing curves. Three worksheets are included. (MP)

Practical decisions involving fuel economy are shown to require important skills from secondary school algebra and analysis. (MP)

Two graphing activities are supplied for providing practice in plotting points in the rectangular coordinate system. (JT)

An example is given of a class of problems whose solutions require the use of a scientific calculator in order to plot the graphs. (MP)

An alternative approach is described for presenting the idea of the derivative through the use of chords of a graph. (MP)

This booklet contains a representative sample of the efforts of colleagues at 11 institutions to use graphing calculators to enhance the teaching of calculus and precalculus. The first section contains examples of graphs for teachers to choose from for presentations, including: simple examples to illustrate some standard ideas in precalculus,…

A mathematical derivation is given, developing the cardioid as an epicycloid locus. Curve-stitched designs are given for a family of epicycloids. (MP)

This discussion of ways to use spirolaterals in the classroom includes making conjectures, hypotheses testing, and proofs, as well as a number of examples. (MP)

Illustrates exploration of composition of functions, translations, and inverse functions on a graphing calculator. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presents an activity to help students overcome mathematics anxiety by collecting and organizing data through summarization and graphic representation. (MKR)

Presents a strategy for graphing conic sections on the polar plane without using a table of values by beginning with information gained from the graphs of circular functions. (MKR)

An exercise which relates particle scattering and the calculation of cross-sections to answer the following question--"Do you get wetter by walking or running through the rain?"--is described. The calculations used to answer the question are provided. (KR)

The author describes a series of current economic ideas and situations which can be used in the mathematics classroom to illustrate the use of signed numbers, the coordinate system, univariate and multivariate functions, linear programing, and variation. (SD)