Discovery learning is one of the instructional strategies sometimes used to teach Algebra I. However, little research is available that includes investigation of the effects of incorporating the graphing calculator technology with discovery learning. This study was initiated to investigate two instructional approaches for teaching slope of a line…

The author and his first-year algebra students explored the quadratic behavior behind the parabolic shape of fountains at the local family splash park. This hands-on discovery project has three main parts: (1) gathering data by experimenting with and photographing the fountains; (2) analyzing the photographs to obtain numerical data; and (3)…

The calculator is used to explore the distributive property of a unary operator over a binary operator. This is an extension of an earlier paper. The emphasis is on student discovery of the property for various combinations of the operators. Instructional material contained in the report include a reference sheet of questions for potential…

Investigating properties and characteristics of unary operations is shown to be facilitated by using calculators. Several avenues for instructional exploration are suggested and examples given. These include questions relating to relations, inverses, commutativity, distributivity, and iterations. A discussion of the calculator algorithm for…

Worksheets designed to help students explore factoring integers are presented. (MP)

Using De Moivre's theorem and a parametric graphing utility, examines powers and roots of complex numbers and allows students to establish connections between the visual and numerical representations of complex numbers. Provides a program to numerically verify the roots of complex numbers. (MDH)

A sample problem shows some pitfalls in approximating square roots when working with calculators or computers. (MP)

The calculator is used to help students discover the Rule of 72 which is, in turn, used to investigate problems involving population, inflation, and energy reserves. (MP)

The calculator is used to investigate properties and characteristics of certain unary operations. These include how a number is related to the number resulting from a unary operation and the result of two unary operations. A discussion of the calculator algorithm to accomplish a series of unary operations is given. Record sheets to summarize…

Some functions on digits of positive integers are presented as possible sources for useful investigations by students, particularly through the use of calculators and computers or in the writing of small proofs. The material is designed to encourage students to conduct their own investigations. (MP)

Three examples are given illustrating the use of the calculator in problems where determining patterns and making conjectures are stressed. (MP)

These exercises are designed to expose students to the nature and effects of inflation and consumption rates. Pupils are expected to see how long it takes for costs to increase to certain levels, and how quickly various growth rates can deplete a finite resource. Worksheets suitable for duplication are provided. (MP)

The construction of tables of numbers is discussed as a learning activity that involves work in such things as reciprocals, calculators, formulas, patterns, discovery, prime numbers, and other types of numbers. (MP)

This discussion of cyclic patterns that appear in repeating decimals includes the use of the calculator in discovering the patterns. (MP)

This document is a collection of reports presented at a programable calculator symposium held in Seattle, Washington, in April, 1980, as part of the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). The session was designed to review whether the programable calculator has a place in the school mathematics program, in light…