Two decades ago, in an award-winning paper, Dan Kennedy (1995) likened learning mathematics to climbing a tree, for which there was only one way to climb: up a large and solid trunk. In the limited time that is available, many students give up the climb, impede others, fall off the trunk, or fail to climb the tree sufficiently well. In the case of…

Calculators with computer algebra systems (CAS) are powerful tools when working with equations and algebraic expressions in mathematics. When calculators are allowed to be used during assessments but are not available or provided to every student, they may cause bias. The CAS calculators may also have an impact on the trustworthiness of results.…

In this paper, we report a pilot study on engaging a group of undergraduate students to explore the limits of sin(x)/x and tan(x)/x as x approaches to 0, with the use of non-graphic scientific calculators. By comparing the results in the pretest and the post-test, we found that the students had improvements in the tested items, which involved the…

For almost all students, what happens when they push buttons on their calculators is essentially magic, and the techniques used are seemingly pure wizardry. In this article, the author draws back the curtain to expose some of the mathematics behind computational wizardry and introduces some fundamental ideas that are accessible to precalculus…

A game for the HP-25 programable calculator is discussed. The objectives of the game are to introduce angle measurement and the rudiments of trigonometry. A program for the game is given. (MP)

A computer program is presented that generates problem sets involving sketching graphs of trigonometric functions using graphical addition. The students use calculators to sketch the graphs and a computer solution is used to check it. (MP)

Two brief articles are included, one on a different method for solving percentage problems, and one on a trick for the calculator involving the sine to find one's age. (MNS)

Specially designed materials were used for teaching trigonometric ratios to 131 ninth- and tenth-grade students, one group using calculators and one not. Results on achievement were mixed. (MP)

Some of the changes in mathematics curriculum and pedagogy suggested by the calculator are described and discussed. (MK)

Describes computer or calculator-graphing technology to develop parametric representations which help students connect mathematical topics from algebra and trigonometry through algebraic, graphical, and numerical representations. Computer or calculator graphing utilities instantly transform algebraic expressions into visual and numerical displays…

This booklet is intended to help students do their best on the ACT. It summarizes general test-taking strategies, describes the content of each test, provides specific tips for each, and lets students know what they can expect on test day. Included in this booklet are complete practice tests--"retired" ACT questions that were administered to…

Some insights are provided into techniques for removing the mystery of how calculators evaluate functions. (Author/MK)

How the use of calculators can illuminate mathematics and improve the level of problem-solving discussion in classes is presented. (MP)

Discusses the Texas Instruments calculator the TI-92 and how it can be an effective tool in the mathematics classroom. Provides examples of combining the algebra capabilities of the calculator and Cabri-Geometry II with graphing, tables of values, statistics, programming, and a simple text editor to enhance mathematics instruction. (DDR)