Using sequential chains of regular n-gons in a row with one side touching, as for example, one triangle, two triangles, three triangles, and so on, students graph the length of the perimeter versus the number of n-gons and determine the functional relationship for different values of n. (MKR)

Presents Cevian geometry problems (involving a segment that joins a triangle's vertex to a non-vertex point on opposite side) that illustrate how to implement methods for developing flexible strategies of problem solving, finding multiple representations, and making connections to other areas of mathematics and the real world. (ASK)

Introduces The Square Thing, a lesson that engages and invites student development of problem solving and reasoning skills, understanding through connections within the content, and mathematics voice. Describes components for successful pedagogy and benefits for students experiencing this and similar mathematics pedagogies. (Author/MM)

A simple problem relating to birds chasing each other gives rise to a homogeneous differential equation. The solution draws on student skills in differential equations and basic co-ordinate geometry.

Given three points in the plane, interest is in the locus of all points for which the sum of the distances to the given points is a prescribed constant. These curves turn out to be sixth degree polynominals in x and y , and thus are complicated. However, it turns out that often there is a point, within the triangle formed by the three given…

Given two circles C 1 and C 2 in a plane such that neither one of the two circles is contained in the other, there are either four common tangents when the circles do not intersect at all or the circles have three common tangents when they touch each other externally or only two common tangents when the circles intersect exactly at two points. The…

An integral, either definite or improper, cannot always be computed by elementary methods, such as reversed usage of differentiation formulae. Graphical properties, in particular symmetries, can be useful to compute the integral, via an auxiliary computation. We present graded examples, then prove a general result. (Contains 4 figures.)

Presents 13 examples in which the intuitive approach to solve the problem is often misleading. Presents analysis of these problems for five different sources of misleading intuitive generators: lack of analysis, unbalanced perception, improper analogy, improper generalization, and misuse of symmetry. (MDH)

This paper aims, first, to describe the fundamental characteristics and workings of the AgentGeom artificial tutorial system, which is designed to help students develop knowledge and skills related to problem solving, mathematical proof in geometry, and the use of mathematical language. Following this, we indicate the manner in which a secondary…

Beginning with a construction problem admitting a classical solution, the authors provide other solutions based on algorithmic estimation and transformational geometry. The latter methods are generalized to suggest solutions to other problems; hints to these solutions are provided. Teacher-student discussion could lead in many directions. (SD)

Discusses some theorems and properties of figures produced when circles are tangent to one another. (GA)

Three degrees of cognitive processing were tapped by four problem types when 60 children between four and eight years were administered a set of geometry tasks differing in complexity. Analysis revealed that the tasks differed in difficulty, task success was related to age, and a hierarchical sequence existed among the skills. (SKC)

This article presents, in the context of solving a specific mathematical problem, an argument to indicate how problem posing can lead to a deeper understanding of what is involved in the act of problem solving. (DT)

Four problems concerning the maximum number of regions determined by circles and polygons are explored. (DT)

This book introduces concepts of geometry that students use throughout middle-grade and higher-level mathematics courses. These concepts, presented through the study of transformations, provide a framework for other important topics such as number, measurement, proportional reasoning, and graphing on the coordinate plane. The book is designed for…