How can a chain with 63 links be cut in 3 places so that you could hand a person any number of links from 1 to 63? Considers variations on the problem and derives a general formula. (TO)

Describes five basic understandings involved in rational counting: (1) groupings of same or different items may be counted; (2) there is a stable order of the counting numbers; (3) one-to-one correspondence; (4) it does not matter which item is counted first; and (5) the cardinal principle. Discusses the importance of rational counting ability and…

Analyzes from an historical perspective the extension of the natural-number domain to integers in students' transition from arithmetic to algebra in the context of word problems. Extracts four levels of acceptance of these numbers--subtrahend, relative number, isolated number and formal negative number--from historical texts. The first three…

A familiar procedure for generating magic squares is reviewed. A surprising pattern is noted. (MNS)

The study compared two methods of teaching an initial place value skill: a concrete, semiconcrete, abstract teaching sequence and an abstract-only presentation. Learning-disabled elementary and middle school students (N=24) using the concrete to abstract teaching sequence performed significantly better on three posttests than students taught the…

Two experiments involving a total of 40 three and 39 four year olds were undertaken to determine subjects' ability to sort and compare numbers according to magnitude. Results indicate that readiness skills for early childhood mathematics education should include development of appropriate concepts of number magnitude. (TJH)

Investigates the relationship between the home experiences of six children aged five years and their level of numerical understanding. High scorers were characterized by exposure to a wide range of number experiences, a strong family orientation towards numeracy, and the opportunity to observe their mothers using numbers to solve everyday…

Elementary and middle school education majors in Australia (n=326) and the United States (n=378) were asked to arrange a list of decimals in order from smallest to largest. Only about half of these preservice teachers in each country were able to complete the task correctly. (MKR)

Offers examples of loss of accuracy when using digital computing devices. Discusses causes for loss of accuracy and methods of preventing loss. Presents implications that loss of accuracy has for mathematics instruction. (MDH)

Presents five teaching ideas which incorporate ideas related to baseball. Includes student worksheets. (MKR)

Eight students with Down's syndrome, aged 11 through 13, were taught to add by counting-on in a 5-day teaching program. Teaching included instruction in component skills and use of precision teaching techniques. All students continued to use the technique six months later and generalized the technique to other materials. (Author/DB)

The author of EC 606 784 describes the background of her research, noting her experience with the "TOUCH MATH" manipulative materials to help students with mild disabilities acquire math facts and computational skills. (DB)

Presents mathematics questions to analyze what advertisements are saying mathematically. (ASK)

Discusses the benefits of integrating the history of mathematics into mathematics classes. Provides some worksheets for undertaking this task. (ASK)

Provides information about mathematician Jamshid al-Kashi and his work on calculating mathematical values such Pi or Sin(1). (ASK)