This report focuses on prospective secondary mathematics teachers' understanding of irrational numbers. Various dimensions of participants' knowledge regarding the relation between the two sets, rational and irrational, are examined. Three issues are addressed: richness and density of numbers, the fitting of rational and irrational numbers on the…

The problem of getting a correct result when a fraction is reduced by cancelling a digit which appears in both the numerator and the denominator is extended from the base ten situation to any number base. (DT)

All the familiar numbers (rationals, algebraic numbers and a few transcendental numbers) have measure zero. (MM)

The course described in this article, "Multicultural Mathematics," aims to strengthen and expand students' understanding of fundamental mathematics--number systems, arithmetic, geometry, elementary number theory, and mathematical reasoning--through study of the mathematics of world cultures. In addition, the course is designed to explore the…

Numbers can be represented in a variety of ways--through pictures, diagrams, symbols. Each representation highlights different features of the number and the number system. This study aims to explore pupil understanding of number both within and across representations. A computer environment (suite of programmes) was created within which…

This study traces the development of nondecimal numeration from the 16th century to the present. The first six chapters detail the contributions of mathematicians as well as people from other fields. Applications to computers are covered in one chapter, while another chapter discusses the coverage of numeration systems in college textbooks for…

This article presents some alternative formulae for Chinese-Western conversion of dates. (CHK)

This paper describes a design research study with ten second-grade students who are part of the Measure Up (MU) research and development project underway at the University of Hawai'i. Students were asked how they counted in multiple bases, specifically how they knew when to go to a new place value and why it was necessary to do so. All ten…

In a course on proofs, a number of problems deal with identities for Fibonacci numbers. Some general strategies with examples are used to help discover, prove, and generalize these identities.

The paper presents reasons for teaching topics from number theory to elementary school students: (1) it can help reveal why numbers "act" in a certain way when added, multiplied, etc., (2) it offers drill material in new areas of mathematics, (3) it can develop interest - as mathematical enrichment, (4) it offers opportunities for students to…

A brief survey of the elementary number systems is provided. The natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers are discussed; numerals and the use of numbers in measuring are also covered. (DT)