This exercise in mathematical modelling requires understanding of geometric progressions, inequalities, and absolutes. It presents a problem on credit creation in the banking system. (MNS)

Helping children to bridge the gap between physical materials and symbolic representations is the focus of this article. Examples are drawn from numerical topics, with several hierarchies illustrated. (MNS)

Five models which perform search tasks of the Data Base Access and Search Environment (DBASE) are presented and used for comparison with subject search performance--unconstrained (rule-based, decision theoretic) and constrained (optimal rule-based, rule-based, probabilistic rule-based). Previous experiments and the modeling approach are briefly…

Discusses analytical design and experimental verification of a PID control value for a temperature controlled liquid delivery system, demonstrating that the analytical design techniques can be experimentally verified by using digital controls as a tool. Digital control instrumentation and implementation are also demonstrated and documented for…

A three-equation simultaneous regression model was developed with regular education spending, the prevalence of handicapped children, and handicapped spending as endogenous variables. A tentative test of the model was made using recently available data from the Wisconsin special needs assessment survey and supplementary special education aids…

An ignored aspect of standard setting, namely the possibility that Angoff or Nedelsky judges specify inconsistent probabilities (e.g., low probabilities for easy items but large probabilities for hard items) is explored. A latent trait method is proposed to estimate such misspecifications, and an index of consistency is defined. (Author/PN)

Derives the underlying structure of the Zipf distribution, with emphasis on its application to word frequencies in the inverted files of automatic bibliographic systems, and applies the Zipfian model to the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database. An appendix on the Zipfian mean and 12 references are included. (Author/JL)

Regression analysis of 1956-79 data on high school and college enrollment among males aged 16-21, minimum wage levels, military draft requirements, unemployment rates, family income, high school graduation, and job opportunities indicates that male enrollment rates respond strongly to changes in the expected rate of financial return to schooling.…

A multitrait-multimethod matrix containing two methods of measuring 12 personality traits was analyzed and confirmatory factor analysis was applied to the data. Although unexplained variance remained, method factors and a general personality factor significantly improved the fit of a model containing only trait factors. (Author/RL)

Argues that corporation trainers need to capitalize upon technological innovations to create more efficient and effective training programs, compares training alternatives, and provides models for determining costs for students, instructors, facilities, administration, and instructional development, as well as the total corporate training cost.…

A way to use tongue depressors in a model of multiplication is presented. The original intent was to use the sticks to teach about fractions, but "mistakes" in student responses led to new ideas. It is felt that teachers should use the model in teaching multiplication. (MP)

The applicability of catastrophe theory to research in higher education is considered. The controversy surrounding the use of catastrophe theory as a tool for research in the behavioral and social sciences is reviewed, and several problems which appear in the literature are presented in a theoretical framework. (Author/MLW)

Describes a project for students to collect and fit data to a theoretical mathematical model that describes the rate of isothermal seed germination, including activation energy for substrate and produce and the autocatalytic reaction, and changes in enthalpy, entropy, and the Gibb's free energy. (Author/SK)

The mathematics of an educational game commonly known as "Frogs" is analyzed to see different mathematical concepts imbedded in it. (MP)

Issues related to the preceding research report (TM 504 895) are discussed: (1) necessary assumptions for assessing reciprocal causal effects; (2) validity of Felson and Bohrnstedt's findings; and (3) reconciliation of this report and the preceding experimental results. (Author/GDC)