Details of how observers on a moving ship can furnish an accurate report of wind velocity are provided. A method employing vector addition and some trigonometry is covered. Wind velocity is initially indicated through an anemometer and a wind vane. Ships are urged to radio weather data. (MP)

Ideas are presented regarding: (1) unique learning activities for students who have difficulty with operations with signed numbers; (2) a mathematical inspection of a unique card trick that can be expressed as an equation; and (3) sketching of graphs of composite trigonometric functions. (MP)

Presents a ping-pong activity to teach the coordinate plane that puts students in a position to experience and relate to the coordinate plane in a manner that evokes their visual, spatial, and physical senses while linking the plane with a familiar object. (ASK)

Presents a trigonometry problem concerning control of the entry of sunlight through a window. (ASK)

Compared tutoring episodes where tutoring did and did not cause learning in university physics students to inform design of intelligent tutoring systems. Found that when students were not at an impasse, learning was uncommon regardless of the tutorial explanations employed. When students were at an impasse, tutorial explanations were sometimes…

Provides an activity for determining the relationship between the displacement of light rays passing through a plate of transparent material and the angle of refraction for the material. Describes related concepts and skills, prerequisites, objectives, rationale, content background, lesson outline, worksheet, evaluation, teacher notes, and…

Describes a five-step graphing method for various trigonometric periodic functions. Emphases is on teaching constants and functions. (YP)

Presents Heron's original geometric proof to his formula to calculate the area of a triangle. Attempts to improve on this proof by supplying a chain of reasoning that leads quickly from premises to the conclusion. (MDH)

Uses a variation of Hansen's surveyor problem to illustrate how exploring students' assumptions can lead to interesting mathematical insights. Describes methods that utilize self-stick notes and overhead transparencies to adapt computer software to specific classroom needs. (MDH)

Discusses how different meanings can be given to the proof at different levels and branches of mathematics education. (ASK)

Demonstrates examples, one of which is an extension of "guess and check," to include variables rather than numbers. The quadratic equation az2+bz+c=0, is solved by assuming a complex solution of the form z=x+iy. Explores the use of deMoivre's theorem in deriving trigonometric identities with other examples. (Author/ASK)

Presents activities that combine astronomy problems with algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis, and physics. Provides experiences for students in making distance measurements themselves by using the method of parallax. (ASK)

The Law of Sines and The Law of Cosines are of paramount importance in the field of trigonometry because these two theorems establish relationships satisfied by the three sides and the three angles of any triangle. In this article, the authors use these two laws to discover a host of other trigonometric relationships that exist within any…

The authors have attempted to implement "less is more" in a variety of educational contexts. The schools they have been part of include a pilot school in Boston, New Mission High School(New Mission), a charter school in Fitchburg, North Central Charter Essential School (NCCES), and a charter school in Devens, Francis W. Parker Charter…

This paper outlines the development of an activity that uses the computer's unique capabilities to provide students with a meaningful and highly motivating experience with the graphing of equations. The basic design of the game calls for the computer to display a coordinate grid on which it graphs any equations that are typed in by the student.…