Discusses the traditional number systems and the origin of the number names used by several African peoples living south of the Sahara. Also included are limitations in African mathematical development, and possible topics for research. (RP)

Evaluates the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS) as a successful framework for promoting confidence and competence with numbers and measures, an understanding of the number system, a repertoire of computational skills, and the ability to solve number problems in a variety of school contexts. Suggests taking steps to change children's mathematical…

Discusses multiple symbols for zero and the long-count system which were used by the Maya. (KHR)

"Number sense" is "an intuition about numbers that is drawn from all varied meanings of number" (NCTM, 1989, p. 39). Students with number sense understand that numbers are representative of objects, magnitudes, relationships, and other attributes; that numbers can be operated on, compared, and used for communication. It is fundamental knowledge…

This article reports on the use of a unique number system to facilitate teachers' understanding of the concepts of place value. Teachers' mastery of base-ten may hinder their recognition of the difficulties students have with place value, so the authors created a number system that used five symbols to represent values. Using this system, teachers…

Procedures for using a calculator to check addition and subtraction problems in bases less than 10 are described. (SD)

The Chinese numerical system and its contrastive aspects with the English system are discussed, as well as some implications of the numerical system in the spoken language. (RM)

An activity providing practice with whole number addition and subtraction, as well as enlarging on the idea of numeration systems, is described. (DT)

Ways in which parents, the media and commercial educational materials contribute to the development of erroneous number concepts in pre-school children are identified. Cautions against these practices are suggested which include the use of more than one set of numerals for representing numbers. (JP)

This is one in a series of manuals for teachers using SMSG high school supplementary materials. The pamphlet includes commentaries on the sections of the student's booklet, answers to the exercises, and sample test questions. Topics covered include history of numerals, the decimal system, expanded numerals and exponential notation, numerals in…

This is one in a series of manuals for teachers using SMSG high school supplementary materials. The pamphlet includes commentaries on the sections of the student's booklet, answers to the exercises, and sample test questions. Topics covered include addition, multiplication, operations, closure, identity element, mathematical systems, mathematical…

The material in this booklet is designed for non-professional mathematicians who have an interest in the theory of numbers. The author presents some elementary results of number theory without involving detailed proofs. Much of the material has direct application for secondary school mathematics teachers. A brief account of the nature of number…

The teacher's guide for Unit 8 of this SMSG series covers the two chapters on the real number system and on area, volume, and computation. The overall purpose for each of the chapters is described, the prerequisite knowledge needed by students is specified, the mathematical development of each chapter is detailed, behavioral objectives are stated,…

Number bases other than ten can be introduced effectively by presenting fictional civilizations which use them. (SD)

The rationale for teaching different number bases is discussed, and an approach for teaching the base 4 system is suggested. (DT)