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ERIC Number: ED349169
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1992
Pages: 178
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-87353-338-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Exploratory Problems in Mathematics.
Stevenson, Frederick W.
This book attempts to introduce students to the creative aspects of mathematics through exploratory problems. The introduction presents the criteria for the selection of the problems in the book. Criteria indicate that problems should: be immediately attractive, require data to be generated or gathered, appeal to students from junior high school to graduate school, involve fundamental mathematics concepts, have satisfying solutions, and suggest several other problems. Chapter 1 describes the exploratory process that includes an inductive phase, a deductive phase, and a creative phase. Chapter 2 illustrates this process in a problem incorporating the calculator in the exploration. All the problems in the book follow the same format. The format includes a paragraph about the problem, questions to be explored, and a suggested beginning for the exploration. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 describe three mathematical excursions that illustrate the format while demonstrating the power of calculators and computers in the process. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 present 60 problems in chapters entitled "Twenty Mathematical Excursions,""Twenty Mathematical Expeditions," and "Twenty Computer-assisted Explorations." The excursions are generally shorter and perhaps easier; the expeditions are more extensive and open ended; and the computer explorations need a programmable hand calculator or a computer. Explorations involve topics such as prime numbers, Fibonacci sequences, Pascal's triangle, continued fractions and chaos. A list of suggested readings has 22 entries. (MDH)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091 ($16, 20% discount to individual members, bookstores, or quantity orders of 10 or more).
Publication Type: Guides - Classroom - Teacher; Computer Programs
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc., Reston, VA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A