Facts are given about the ninth-century Arab mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, from whose name the word algorithm is derived. His influence on algebra and arithmetic are discussed. (MNS)

Two hundred and sixty-six kindergarten, first, second, and third graders completed four tasks measuring their understanding of two aspects of number concepts -- ordinality and cardinality. Data suggest that children acquire understanding of ordinality prior to cardinality. (Author/MP)

Six conjectures are established concerning a rectangular solid with the lengths of all its face diagonals and the lengths of all its edges being positive integers. (MP)

Results of this study involving 120 kindergarten and first-grade boys and girls suggest that some understanding of the invariance of number appears to emerge earlier than the ability to pass the standard verbal test. (BH)

This study investigates the use of infinities and limits during the first 12 years of schooling while a secondary study presents ideas and comments on the observations that were made during the primary study. (MVL)

Reviews and analyzes the number-line metaphor in textbooks. Presents examples to show a way to produce an internal critique of mathematical textbooks, a critique that targets the practices in which the notions are involved within the text. Presents the number-line metaphor as the horizon and the tiller of all the enlargements of the notion of…

Presents some known and lesser-known features of the number 11. (KHR)

A strategy is presented for teaching arithmetic to students with mental retardation, based on subitizing, skill of recognizing number of objects in a set without actually counting, and pattern recognition. The strategy helps children understand concept of addition by representing number configurations on 5-frames and 10-frames, and reduces need…

Inservice (n=36) and preservice (n=67) mathematics teachers were asked for a commutative, nonassociative binary operation. Responses were analyzed for correctness, productiveness, mathematical content, and underlying difficulties. Both groups exhibited a weak concept by failing to produce an example and using a limited content search space.…

Presents a situation in which differential calculus is used with inverse trigonometric tangent functions to maximize an angle measure. A negative distance measure ultimately results, requiring a reconsideration of assumptions inherent in the initial figure. (Author/MKR)

Comparison of 15 English children (mean age 7.5 years) with specific language difficulties and 12 similar children with mathematical difficulties found few differences in their ability to process 2- and 3-digit numbers. Results suggest that a language difficulty may underlie delayed performance in mathematics. (DB)

Specific suggestions for teaching young children (ages 5-7) mathematical principles are offered, covering such concepts as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, arithmetical laws, and utilizing a story to teach various mathematical concepts and skills. (DB)

Discusses the role of conjectures in learning mathematics, how conjectures demonstrate mathematical power, and how conjectures build understanding and encourage connections. (ASK)

Provides an overview of the conceptual analysis of the unit fraction that provided the framework for developing a comprehensive array of fraction activities for fourth-grade students. Reveals the students' difficulties in learning the unit-fraction concept and discusses the didactical implications of these difficulties. Contains 15 references.…