Presents examples which give large numbers (such as two billion) a common-sense meaning related to daily life. Argues that people's inability to comprehend the reality of large numbers (number numbness) has serious implications for humankind, not unlike illiteracy. (DC)

Calculator use by kindergarten and first-grade pupils was examined to see whether they could perceive and use the "counter button." Results indicated pupils at this age could use calculators as a tool, and further research is encouraged. (MP)

Some techniques for developing the ability to multiply and divide by powers of ten with ease and understanding are presented. (Author/MK)

Six possible ways of defining prime numbers are given, and additional activities on the topic are suggested. (MK)

Describes the accomplishments and life of the gifted Chinese mathematician Hua Lo-Keng. Hua is noted for his efforts in popularizing mathematics and for his work in number theory, in particular his contributions to Waring's problem. Hua has published 150 papers in respected journals and is the author of nine books. (Author/DS)

Six activities useful in developing the idea of prime factorization are described. Some of these activities are best done with a calculator. (MK)

Five intuitive explanations of division by zero that arise from the common models used in the elementary school to introduce whole number division are presented. (MK)

Some history, applications, and unique characteristics of zero are discussed. (MK)

Masters of worksheets designed to generate interest in mathematics and provide mathematical experiences that lead to the introduction of the concept of a variable are presented. (MK)

Curricular placement of and emphasis on common and decimal fractions are discussed. Suggestions include: retaining common fractions in the curriculum, teaching decimal concepts and notation earlier, reducing fraction computation complexity, and moving fraction computation upward in the curriculum. (MK)

Written for teachers of "liberal arts physics," this article about logarithms outlines a way to review arithmetic skills in manipulating powers, discusses the attitude of physicists toward numbers, and gives an introduction to estimation. (MK)

A method is presented for determining cube roots on a calculator with square root facility that has a rapid rate of convergence. (MP)

Tree diagrams with numbers in a given pattern generate questions related to pattern recognition and number concepts such as binary numbers and exponentials. (MP)

Some patterns resulting from certain operations on numbers are discussed, analyzed, and explained. A method for predicting the outcome of these operations for any number is developed.

Graphing activities appropriate for grade levels K-8 are outlined and worksheets given. Topics involved include classifying, bar graphs, remainders from a series of divisions, and the greatest common factor of two numbers. (MP)