It is shown that a unit segment can be constructed from a given line segment of length the square root of x if x is a surd. (MP)

The examination by students of the associative property of a binary operation is used to illustrate how students can be involved in mathematical discovery. (MP)

Employs statistical tools to determine whether the digits of Pi are pseudorandom. Discusses the difficulties in answering this question. (Author/NB)

Several activities focusing on the number 1976 are presented. (SD)

Demonstrates how to use graphing calculators to explore rational number approximations to irrational numbers. (Author/NB)

The author describes an introduction to, and development of, the complex number field. (SD)

The operation of rounding is shown to lead into an investigation of an abstract mathematical system. Properties of the system are discussed and graphs of the rounding function are drawn. Some questions for discussion are given. (MP)

The topics discussed are, "Helping Students Understand the Distributive Property,""Converting from Base 10: Nonintegral Bases?,""Rapid Mental Squaring of Mixed Numbers," and "Some Nonstandard Binary Operations and their Properties." (JT)

An attempt to introduce subtraction of negative integers early in the secondary school curriculum is described. The attempt was not successful, and several aspects of the experiment are discussed. (SD)

This is part two of a two-part SMSG mathematics text for junior high school students. Key ideas emphasized are structure of arithmetic from an algebraic viewpoint, the real number system as a progressing development, and metric and non-metric relations in geometry. Chapter topics include real numbers, similar triangles, variation, non-metric…

This is part two of a three-part manual for teachers using SMSG high school text materials. Each chapter contains a commentary on the text, answers to exercises, and suggested test questions. Chapter topics include quadratic equations, the complex number system, equations of the second degree, and systems of first degree equations. (MP)

This article gives two methods of resolving natural numbers into prime factors. Depending upon the number that is being resolved, one method may be better to use than the other. However, it is difficult to tell beforehand which is the better method to employ. Examples are given. (Author/MA)

The archaeology of mathematics is discussed by tracing a portion of the research of Otto Neugebauer and Abraham Sacks. Patterns found on an ancient cuneiform tablet are explored. (MK)

Presents a mathematics game appropriate for middle school or high school students that aids in the teaching and understanding of closure properties. (Author/NB)

Examined were the effects of varying the number of practice problems in a programed unit on negative bases designed for high school students. A sample of 421 students from grades 9 through 12 was divided into three groups on the basis of amount of mathematics coursework completed. Students were given four pretests (numeration, arithmetic…