The way that graphs can be used to make calculations that are commonly used by institutional researchers is described using specific examples, and the technique of constructing computational graphs (and nomographs) is outlined. It is shown that once a calculation involving several variables has been represented by a computation diagram or a…

Recommendations for remediation of 28 distinct common error patterns in arithmetic computation are described. (SD)

On behalf of the Editorial Panel of the "Arithmetic Teacher," the authors outline a concensus concerning the importance of computational skills in the mathematics curriculum. Ten specific points are made concerning the needs of the student, classroom practice, the nature of computational learning, and needed research. (SD)

Describes methods for teaching the mole concept, including analogous calculations involving household objects, and the use of a cardboard wheel showing the interrelationships between moles, molecular weight, and the gaseous molar volume. (MLH)

A multitude of methods has been proposed to estimate the sampling variance of ratio estimates in complex samples (Wolter, 1985). Hansen and Tepping (1985) studied some of those variance estimators and found that a high coefficient of variation (CV) of the denominator of a ratio estimate is indicative of a biased estimate of the standard error of a…

Traditionally, the Doppler effect for sound is introduced in high school and college physics courses. Students calculate the perceived frequency for several scenarios relating a stationary or moving observer and a stationary or moving sound source. These calculations assume a constant velocity of the observer and/or source. Although seldom…

High-performance computers coupled with highly efficient numerical schemes and user-friendly software packages have helped instructors to teach numerical solutions and analysis of various nonlinear models more efficiently in the classroom. One of the main objectives of a model is to provide insight about the system of interest. Analytical…

This book contains a variety of worksheets to teach and reinforce addition skills. Secret codes, magic squares, pyramids, coloring activities, and dot-to-dot challenges are included to motivate students. A two-page test of basic addition facts is provided, with the suggestion that the teacher time the test and give it repeatedly to assess…

A collection of motivational activities to introduce and reinforce basic subtraction facts is presented. Emphasized are the use of pairs with the same differences, such as 7-3=4, 6-2=4, and 5-1=4. A three-page test that can be used to test and retest each student is included; after graphing the results, the test can be cut apart and used as a set…

This book is designed to introduce and provide motivational practice on basic multiplication facts for students in grades 2-6. The facts are presented in order from 0 through 12, with activities designed to review previously presented facts at three points. A test is provided. Searches, magic squares, mazes, and puzzles are among the activities…

Presented are worksheets to introduce and provide practice on division facts with divisors of 2 through 10 for students in grades 3-6. Magic squares, searches, codes, and other puzzles are included in addition to more traditional activities. A test is included. (MNS)

An algorithm is first defined by an example of making pancakes and then through discussion of how computers operate. The understanding that human beings bring to a task is contrasted with this algorithmic processing. In the second section, the question of understanding is related to learning algorithmic performance, with counting used as the…

This document contains 15 research papers presented at the Fourth and Fifth Annual Conferences of the Research Council for Diagnostic and Prescriptive Mathematics. The papers are organized into four sections. In part I, four position papers by Romberg, Engelhardt, Ashlock, and Heddens reflect research ideas which underlie the Council. Part II…

This paper presents an overview of the Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) elementary school mathematics curriculum. The philosophy behind the program, content goals, and teaching strategies are briefly discussed. Then ways in which the program develops facility in mathematics are described in discussions of the language of arrows, in…

This overview of a specific spreadsheet, Microsoft's Multiplan for the Apple Macintosh microcomputer, emphasizes specific features that are important to the academic community, including the mathematical functions of algebra, trigonometry, and statistical analysis. Additional features are summarized, including data formats for both numerical and…