Learning mathematics is challenging. It requires discipline, logic, precision, perseverance, and accuracy. It can also be fun. When mathematics is set in a context that inspires students to want to solve interesting problems, students will have an intrinsic desire to learn the necessary skills to accomplish a specific goal. The game of Crypto! was…

The mathematics for finding and plotting the locations of stars and constellations are available in many books on astronomy, but the steps involve mystifying and fragmented equations, calculations, and terminology. This paper will introduce an entirely new unified and cohesive technique that is easy to understand by mathematicians, and simple…

Discusses a real-world problem-solving lesson that emerged when a high school math teacher used a motion detector with a CBL and graphing calculator to obtain the bounce data of a ping-pong ball. Describes the lesson in which students collect bad data then fill in the missing parabolas that result using critical components of parabolas and…

Presents a lesson to teach matrices that emphasizes conceptual understanding and allows students to extend their investigations into important and relevant situations by using graphing calculators after important conceptual understanding has been developed. (KHR)

Students can learn to make algebra, trigonometry, and geometry work for them by using matrices to rotate figures on the graphics screen of a graphing calculator. Includes a software program, TRNSFORM, for the TI-81 graphing calculator which can draw and rotate a triangle. (MKR)

Presents a discovery activity that connects mathematics and the world of entertainment. Combines geometric transformations with a calculator's DRAW, MATRIX, and PRGM features to generate visual reinforcement of mathematical concepts. (Author/NB)

Explains how to code and decode messages using Hill ciphers which combine matrix multiplication and modular arithmetic. Discusses how a graphing calculator can facilitate the matrix and modular arithmetic used in the coding and decoding procedures. (ASK)

This article presents several activities (some involving graphing calculators) designed to guide students to discover several interesting properties of Fibonacci numbers. Then, we explore interesting connections between Fibonacci numbers and matrices; using this connection and induction we prove divisibility properties of Fibonacci numbers.

Presents cost analyses of building a patio, incorporating manipulatives, pattern building, graphing calculators, matrix applications, and functions. Includes reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)