The relationship between automatization ability (the tendency for repetitive routine aspects of behavior to become so overlearned that a minimum of conscious effort and attention is necessary for rapid efficient execution), as measured by the Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN) Test, and proficiency in arithmetic basic fact computation was investigated…

Described is the use by blind persons of the Cranmer abacus, a computational device adapted from the Japanese abacus. Noted is the lack of carefully controlled research on its use. A comparison of calculation by abacus and by paper and pencil is said to indicate that the use of such mechanical devices does not give the blind competitor an undue…

A concise method for computing areas under the normal curve using only functions typically found on desk and hand calculators is given. One version of this method will give three-decimal-pace accuracy, and a second, simpler version gives accuracy to two places. (Author/JKS)

This unit provides some activities designed to familiarize the reader with the TI-59 and instructions on creating a library of programs on magnetic cards. (MP)

Investigated whether and how children age 5 to 7 employed counting to measure and integrate the duration of two events, which were accompanied by metronome beats for half the children. The rhythm enhanced use of counting in younger children. By age 7, most counted spontaneously, using sensible counting strategies. (SKC)

In three experiments involving sets containing from 2z to 19 objects, preschool children gave the last counted word as the answer to the question "How many objects are there?" The relationship between children's answering with the last counted word to a how-many question and counting accurately varied with set size. (Author/RH)

Presents a microcomputer program (designed for Apple II but it can be modified) used to calculate various dimensions relative to a spur gear. Basic terms are identified and a program listing for gear calculations is included. (CT)

Analyzes the computational complexity of optimal binary tree pruning for tree-structured vector quantization. Topics discussed include the combinatorial nature of the optimization problem; the complexity of optimal tree pruning; and finding a minimal size pruned tree. (11 references) (LRW)

Discusses pervasive, or ubiquitous, computing; explains the notion of context; and defines context-aware computing as the key to disperse and enmesh computation into our lives. Considers context awareness in human-computer interaction and describes the broad topic areas of the essays included in this special issue. (LRW)

Tested whether tonic EEG power is related to memory performance by analyzing ongoing EEG for 60 subjects in 5 experimental conditions. Subjects with good memory performance had significantly larger upper alpha power, but less theta and lower alpha power. Also discusses findings for subjects good at calculation. (SLD)

Studied the calculating ability used by a low IQ savant to identify prime numbers in two experiments comparing him to control subjects, one involving reaction time and the other involving inspection time. Concludes that this individual uses a complex computational algorithm to identify primes and discusses the apparent contradiction of his low IQ.…

This book is a solid introduction to applied statistics emphasizing computational statistics that can be done with a simple calculator. Because of the progress in speed and power of computers since the first edition in the 1970s, the book is behind in giving information on practical computation. (SLD)

Mathematics is a uniquely human capacity. Studies of animals and human infants reveal, however, that this capacity builds on language-independent mechanisms for quantifying small numbers ([less than] 4) precisely and large numbers approximately. It is unclear whether animals and human infants can spontaneously tap mechanisms for quantifying large…