Examples of subroutines that generate both symbolic and graphic solutions to differential equations are presented for the two computer algebra systems, MAPLE and Mathematica. Included are the listings for the Mathematica procedures developed for use in this article. (JJK)

Described is an approach that substantially reduces the annotated shortcomings of standard multiple-choice tests presented to lower-division college mathematics and statistics classes. Examples are included from each discipline. (JJK)

Assessed was the level of thinking of 140 students who had been placed in developmental algebra as entering college freshmen. Scores on the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking, Scholastic Aptitude Tests, college placement tests; high school grade point average, and developmental algebra final grade were analyzed. Group characteristics are…

Presented is the change-point estimation which is a variation on point estimation for a two-sample problem. This variation relies on the elementary properties of the expected value and variance operators, is intuitive and is easily accessible for introductory statistics courses. Data for this exercise may be produced by a BASIC program which is…

This paper describes the implications of constructivism both for what to teach and for how to teach. The first part discusses three approaches on what to teach: (1) relating mathematical knowledge to other knowledge; (2) checking for self-consistency; and (3) putting thinking before facts. The second part is on how to teach based on…

Data released in several reports have raised concerns regarding the status of undergraduate mathematics in two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. The purpose of this digest is to review current trends in mathematics courses and instruction in higher education. Discussed are concerns regarding undergraduate mathematics programs…

The conference of which these are the proceedings was held in June-July 1982 at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The purpose was to discuss the restructuring of the first two years of college mathematics to provide some balance between the traditional calculus-linear algebra sequence, and discrete mathematics. The volume contains…

Recently there has been increased interest related to the Actuarial Science field. An actuary is a business professional who uses mathematical skills to define, analyze, and solve financial and social problems. This paper examines: (1) the interface between Statistical and Actuarial Science training; (2) statistical courses corresponding to…

Results of the most recent administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) suggest that the majority of secondary students believe in the independence of random events. In the study reported here, a high percentage of high school and college students answered similar problems correctly. However, about half of the students…

There has been much recent discussion concerning the content of the standard calculus course for students majoring in mathematics and the sciences. Some of this discussion has focused on the available textbooks. One weakness noted in some of these books involves the definitions of limit and continuity for functions of several variables. A…

Numerous research studies over the past five years indicate that a high percentage of college students have severe deficiencies in their ability to use mathematics as a language for representing simple quantitative relationships. In the United States these problems are nearly as common among students with strong computational skills in algebra and…

A major component of student difficulty with algebra is the inability to make sense of the algebra symbol system as a language. Accordingly, remedies should be sought by considering algebra in a linguistic sense. (PK)

Teaching computer literacy to preservice teachers is advocated. How such a component was added to a mathematics course for preservice elementary teachers at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles is described. (MNS)

Computer algebra systems (such as MACSYMA and muMath) can carry out many of the operations of calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Use of them with sketching graphs of rational functions and with other topics is discussed. (MNS)

Included are brief articles discussing chain letters as an example of exponential growth, a box technique for factoring, and integrating the inverse of a function whose integral is known. (MNS)