Trends in the curriculum reform propose that algebra should be taught throughout the grades, starting in elementary school. The aim should be to decrease the discontinuity between the arithmetic in elementary school and the algebra in upper grades. This study was conducted to investigate and characterise upper elementary school students…

Describes how the cubic formula can be presented easily at the precalculus level, shows how to verify that the formula is correct, and identifies when it is profitable to use. (KHR)

Examines how selected U.S. and Asian mathematics curricula are designed to facilitate students' understanding of the arithmetic average. Discusses similarities and differences of learning goals, focuses, and concepts among U.S. commercial, Asian, and U.S. reform curriculum series. (Author/KHR)

Proposed is a gradual transition from arithmetic to the idea of an equation with variables in the elementary grades. Vertical and horizontal formats of open sentences, the instructional sequence, vocabulary, and levels of understanding are discussed in this article. (KR)