Different representations of rational numbers are considered and students are lead through activities that explore patterns in base ten and other bases. With this students are encouraged to solve problems and investigate situations designed to foster flexible thinking about rational numbers.

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…

A series of problems involving number theory, the law of cosines, and geometric interpretations of solutions to equations is discussed. (SD)

The author observes that checking the closure property is redundant for most number systems and therefore hard for students to understand. He defines several systems which are not closed, develops two concepts related to closure, and provides many related examples. (SD)

Rational points in the plane were defined as points having both coordinated rational. Students solved several problems linking rational points with lines, circles, and other geometric figures. (SD)

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE SECOND YEAR OF ARITHMETIC INSTRUCTION SHOULD BEGIN, IF NECESSARY, WITH REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE PREVIOUS GRADE. THE NUMBER SYSTEM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH BACKWARD AND FORWARD COUNTING AND THE INTRODUCTION OF 10 AND THE ZERO. THE WHOLE NUMBERS UNIT SHOULD DEVELOP MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION FACTS THROUGH GROUPS UP TO…

In this paper four programs are described in which children learn multidigit number concepts and operations with understanding: (1) the Supporting Ten-Structured Thinking projects, (2) the Conceptually Based Instruction project, (3) Cognitively Guided Instruction projects, and (4) the Problem Centered Mathematics Project. The diversity in these…

This course is designed to review the arithmetic skills used by many Marines in the daily pursuance of their duties. It consists of six study units: (1) number systems and operations; (2) fractions and percents; (3) introduction to algebra; (4) units of measurement (considering both the metric and United States systems); (5) geometric forms; and…

Uses ancient Egyptian numeration system in a new setting to extend the concepts of base, place value, and correspondence. Discusses similarities and differences between the Egyptian and decimal systems. Students are asked to propose changes to make the Egyptian system easier. (LDR)

Illustrates the multiple strategies used by second graders to solve a problem with three addends and how their teacher tries to map their thinking into the system of mathematical notation. Describes the American Federation of Teachers' Thinking Mathematics program that the teacher uses. (MKR)

This article discusses three solutions to the "Tower of Hanoi" problem offered by students in a mathematics content course for prospective elementary school teachers. The course uses standards-based pedagogy and teaching via problem solving. Within this work, we consider the growth supported by collaboration at both the students' level…

Problems in mathematics instruction in Thailand that are related to language include the simultaneous use of both traditional Thai numerals and Hindu-Arabic numerals, misunderstanding of mathematics problems for cultural reasons, and/or difficulty in understanding problem context. Research has shown that elementary and secondary school children…

The title of this mathematics text for preservice elementary teachers is intended to suggest the book's theme of mathematics as an abstraction from human experience with sticks (lines, segments), stones (sets, counting) and other objects. An introductory chapter which describes the objectives of the author and discusses learning and attitudes…

Suggests that good number sense is fundamental for success in estimation, approximation, and problem solving. Further, large-number concepts are appropriate for development in upper elementary school, high school, and beyond. Presents examples to enhance a sense of large numbers in middle and high school students. (PK)

This study examines one child's use of computational procedures over a period of 3 years in an urban elementary school where teachers were using a standards-based curriculum. From a sociocultural perspective, the use of standard algorithms to solve mathematical problems is viewed as a cultural tool that both enables and constrains particular…