One mathematician's view of real problems is given. Described (with some humor) are magic retail numbers, the highway bypass, the elliptical table, and the senior-class schedule. (MNS)

Included are brief reports on an algebra quiz in a menu format; two activity sheets on base two; and an alternative method of teaching least common multiple and greatest common factor, and related ideas, with six lessons outlined. (MNS)

Two activities are presented. The first involves geometric concepts using the alphabet, while the second is a game to provide practice in finding factors of composite numbers. (MNS)

Simple patterns both in mathematics and music are discussed. Several activities using standard instruments and handmade devices are described. (MNS)

Three board games are presented, with playing directions and comments to the teacher (MNS)

Examples of diversions with cards that may be used to illustrate the concept of a cyclic group and structural properties of the integers modulo a prime are presented. (MNS)

Describes various aids and activities to help in planning lessons that will encourage the development of sound place value knowledge. Also discusses various instructional strategies to help students avoid problems which may lead to an incomplete or faulty understanding of place value. (JN)

A model for directed numbers, using a sentry moving along the number line, is described. (MNS)

Compared performance of Malaysian children with that of English children on a test into the understanding of number concepts. Findings indicate that difficulties of Malaysian children may be quite different from those of English children. Among the difficulties identified were misconceptions about the order of operation in division and…

Scavenger hunt activities for a range of mathematical topics are presented. Numbers, measurements, fractions, and geometry are among the topics included for the 14 types of hunts described. (MNS)

Included in this department are brief articles on generating primitive Pythagorean triples with a computer program; using pictographs or pictures on graph paper to teach general graphing concepts; a method for factoring trinomials; and summing the harmonic series. (MNS)

This section contains brief articles on triangular differences, when one is not equal to one, using calculators to check solutions of quadratic equations, and a county agents' problem. (MNS)

Several experiences with palindrome numbers are given, each leading to the "Law of 11." Conjectures for the reader to consider are included. (MNS)

Sometimes the immediate use of an algebraic approach to solve a problem can obscure what is actually happening. The solution to one problem is described both algebraically and through a numerical approach. (MNS)

A model is offered which can be used for teaching addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with directed numbers. Illustrations for all operations are given. (MNS)