Models of the motion of an object through space are discussed. The material begins with the simplest view possible in which gravity is the only force examined. Discussion progresses to an examination of the drag force, which is the resistive air force of the wind. Suggestions for further improvements are made at the conclusion of the presentation.…

This document consists of four units. The first of these views calculus applications to work, area, and distance problems. It is designed to help students gain experience in: 1) computing limits of Riemann sums; 2) computing definite integrals; and 3) solving elementary area, distance, and work problems by integration. The second module views…

This paper presents information on a course entitled "Mathematics and Technology" which was created at the University of Montreal and was taught once during the winter term of 2001. The students in the course were for the most part future high school teachers. Several applications of mathematics in technology are introduced and students…

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has published three documents that propose standards related to mathematics education called "The Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" (1989), "The Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics" (1991), and "The Assessment Standards for School Mathematics" (1995). The…

Explains that primitive living structures furnish real-world problems that are solvable using mathematics and computer-modeling techniques. (KHR)

Discusses the parallels between Klein's position at the forefront of a movement to reform mathematics education and that of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) Standards. Draws a picture of Klein as an important historical figure who saw equal importance in studying pure mathematics, applying mathematics, and teaching…

Presents a project used to help students make connections between linear and exponential models and between arithmetic and geometric sequences. (KHR)

Presents an example of a proof to the mathematical problem of the sum of the cubes of the digits. Provides a Pascal program to search for these results. (MVL)

Presents a proof of Euler's Theorem on polyhedra by relating the theorem to the field of modern topology, specifically to the topology of relief maps. An analogous theorem involving the features of mountain summits, basins, and passes on a terrain is proved and related to the faces, vertices, and edges on a convex polyhedron. (MDH)

Presents mathematical models to determine whether seven-game baseball playoff series are significantly fairer than five-game series. Compares the results obtained from the models to actual playoff results. (MDH)

Presents an activity to analyze the data from the Challenger explosion to help students understand the critical role of statistics in decision making and the importance of considering all available data. (MKR)

Presents a motion problem that students in a college physics class are asked to solve and later asked to continue to analyze until they have stopped learning from the problem or the problem itself is finished. (MDH)

Presents an activity for introducing probability by investigating the Chinese policy of having one child per family and a one-son policy of some rural Chinese. Discusses features of the problem, including counterintuitiveness, multiple options for analysis, and thought experiments. (MKR)

Discusses an activity which models the building of a tunnel by ants using the definitions of derivative and indefinite integral from calculus. Includes a discussion of reasonableness and interpretation of the problem. (MKR)

Queuing theory is examined in this paper in order to determine if the theory could be applied in educational settings. It is defined as a form of operations research that uses mathematical formulas and/or computer simulation to study wait and congestion in a system and, through the study of these visible phenomena, to discover malfunctions within…