Techniques for applying mathematical concepts in the real world: six rarely taught but crucial tools for analysis, research, and problem-solving. Many young graduates leave school with a solid knowledge of mathematical concepts but struggle to apply these concepts in practice. Real scientific and engineering problems are different from those found…

The purpose of these modules is to provide an introduction to the world of probability and statistics to accelerated mathematics students at the high school level. The materials are centered on the fictional town of Happy Shores, a coastal community which is at risk for hurricanes. Actuaries at an insurance company figure out the risks and…

This text teaches an often intimidating and difficult subject in a way that is informative, personable, and clear. The author takes students through various statistical procedures, beginning with correlation and graphical representation of data and ending with inferential techniques and analysis of variance. In addition, the text covers SPSS, and…

Techniques that students can use to make predictions about performances in the Olympics include point estimation. This is used to estimate a single value using a set of data. A worksheet for students is included. (MNS)

Presents a brief historical sketch of the life and work of one of the founders of modern mathematical physics. Discusses three problem-solving applications of the Poisson distribution with examples from elementary probability theory. Provides background on two of his noteworthy results from the physics of oscillations and the deformation of rigid…

This two-volume set is a self-help student text designed as an alternative to the standard algebra text. Each lesson is introduced by and centered around an application of the topic under discussion. For each lesson, questions are given covering the reading, testing understanding of the reading, and for discussion. Some sections contain questions…

This module introduces the student to a formal study of probability. The lessons progress from elementary notions of least likely to more complex considerations of the probability of occurrence of one or more possible outcomes. Probability is introduced in an empirical sense through experimentation and investigation. In the later experiments, the…

This is part two of a two-part SMSG mathematics text for junior high school students. Key ideas emphasized are structure of arithmetic from an algebraic viewpoint, the real number system as a progressing development, and metric and non-metric relations in geometry. Chapter topics include real numbers, similar triangles, variation, non-metric…

This is volume three of a three-volume SMSG junior high school mathematics text. This volume includes the units concerned with applications of mathematics. Unit topics include: (1) what is mathematics and why you need to know it; (2) mathematics at work in science; (3) Uncle Sam as a statistician; and (4) chance. (MP)

The problem deals with calculating the probability that two or more students in a given class have the same birthday. A sample of an experiment that can be carried out by hand in a class is first noted. A program written in BASIC and a sample run is then presented. (MP)

A program designed to calculate pi using a Monte Carlo simulation based on "throwing darts" at a quarter circle of unit radius inscribed in a unit square is presented. (MP)

The history of probability from ancient times is presented. The relationship between the mathematical and experimental definitions of probability are detailed. (MP)

This volume contains preliminary versions of five of the chapters prepared by the SMSG curriculum project for use in grades 7 and 8. The first four chapters and the tenth chapter in the sequence are presented. The sample chapters in this volume illustrate a number of aspects of the curriculum project: (1) association of ideas of number and space…

The game of Yahtzee is discussed in terms of the various outcomes of turns in the game and their point values and the probabilities associated with achieving specific combinations of dice values. Several tables and methods of table construction are noted, and several challenge exercises are included. (MP)

The activity uses an area model to analyze probabilities associated with games of chance. Three activity sheets are included, with teaching suggestions. (MNS)