Presents examples of using a tic-tac-toe format to practice finding the slope and identifying parallel and perpendicular lines from various equation formats. Reports the successful use of this format as a review in both precalculus and calculus classes before students work with applications of analytic geometry. (JRH)

Presents recently developed generalizations to the sieve of Eratosthenes, showing the principles underlying these improvements, which increase its efficiency without changing too much of its simplicity. Offers several possibilities to propose good investigations for students to explore, find patterns, and make generalizations. (JRH)

Discusses the behavior of functions under reciprocal mappings, focusing on the horizontal reciprocal transformation. Offers suggestions for using the graphing calculator, for extending the concepts, and for teaching about reciprocal mappings. (JRH)

Describes the vision of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) "Principles and Standards" and continuing efforts to improve the mathematics education of all students. (KHR)

Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught African American mathematician, kept a journal containing a number of mathematical puzzles. Explores four of these puzzles, 200 years later, with the aid of 21st century technology. (Author/NB)

Discusses students' exploration of a particular rational function in the context of people waiting in line for service. The concepts of domain, range, and asymptotes are also developed in that context as is the effect of changes in input variables on function outputs. (Author/NB)

Applies elementary concepts of probability to a hotly debated question in football. Shows that the probability of winning is the same either way but the probability of losing is greater under the one-first strategy. (MKR)

Presents a geometric discovery involving the use of a trapezoid as a base for a pyramid. Includes reproducible student worksheet to be used as a group-discovery exercise. (MKR)

Suggests ways parents can encourage success in algebra, including keeping a journal in which students describe in words the steps they used in solving a problem. (MKR)

Gives a student-accessible proof that, in any convex polyhedron, the number of vertices plus the number of faces is always two more than the number of edges. (MKR)

Describes an approach to the initial teaching of composite functions that relies primarily on mapping representations. (MKR)

A satire of traditional algebraic word problems. (MKR)

Presents a mathematics problem on probability and matrices placed in a context with insects. Provides an overview, prerequisites, materials needed, and worksheets. (ASK)

Examines three scoring methods: (1) item-by-item scoring; (2) holistic scoring; and (3) focused holistic or trait scoring. Emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of each with particular attention given to the power of trait scoring in supporting teacher development and student learning. Contains 16 references. (ASK)

Discusses the need for a standard in mathematics concerning art as a way to aid students in experiencing and exploring the beauty of mathematics. (ASK)