This article describes how technology has been used to motivate the learning of mathematics for students of Sports Technology at Loughborough University. Sports applications are introduced whenever appropriate and Matlab is taught to enable the students to solve realistic problems. The mathematical background of the students is varied and the…

Learning in the cellular phone environment enables utilizing the multiple functions of the cellular phone, such as mobility, availability, interactivity, verbal and voice communication, taking pictures or recording audio and video, measuring time and transferring information. These functions together with mathematics-designated cellular phone…

Trigonometry is one of the topics in mathematics that the students in both high school and pre-undergraduate levels need to learn. Generally, the topic covers trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, trigonometric identities and solving oblique triangles using the Laws of Sines and Cosines. However, when solving the oblique triangles,…

We consider here the plethora of mathematical ideas arising from something as apparently banal as an association logo. This example is used to illustrate the fact that a potentially rich task may also have the capacity to appeal, in a powerful way, to learners' aesthetic sensibilities. It is to be hoped that both teachers and lecturers will find…

In this article we consider, via a specific modelling example, the educational benefits to be gained from running mathematical activities with our sixth-form and undergraduate students that, in modern parlance, might be termed "rich tasks". The idea for this modelling activity arose while the author was reading a popular-science book on cosmology…

Describes the Six Circle problem which consists of the numbers 1-6, six circles, and asks whether it is possible to put the numbers in the circles--which are configured in a triangle--so that the sums of the three numbers on either side are the same. (NB)

Investigates the use of mathematical modeling tasks in 11- and 12-year-old students and the development of mathematical thinking skills using practical modeling activities. Analyzes the development of students' mathematical thinking with interviews of a form of dynamic assessment. Reports that some students proved to be naturally mindful and…

Discusses certain transferable skills and a strategy for developing them via an intensive short course on mathematical modeling. Includes student reactions and comments on the course. Suggests that this course developed modeling as well as generic skills through teaching, learning, and assessment style. (Author/KHR)

Explores the derivation of empirical models for the stopping distance of a car being driven at a range of speeds. Indicates that the calculation of stopping distances makes an excellent example of empirical modeling because it is a situation that is readily understood and particularly relevant to many first-year undergraduates who are learning or…

Observes the application of probability theory to a game between two players. Shows how basic techniques such as tree diagrams can be used to demonstrate optimum strategies, how the art of bluffing can be quantified, and how this might be applied to a game of poker. (Author/ASK)

Even for those passionate about both cricket and maths, each can have their dull moments. This article brings together the sometimes-dry binomial distribution with a problem of cricket matches where the result of the series has already been decided, and so are "dead". It is hoped that readers will become more interested in at least one or the…

What is a routine question? The focus of this paper is routine questions and time (in years) since a hitherto routine question was last attempted by the solver. The data comes from undergraduate students' work on solving two calculus questions. The data was selected for reporting purposes because it is well documented and because it threw up…

Reviews the historic relationship between logic and the mathematics curriculum. Proposes a list of logical elements for modern school mathematics. Checks the current national curriculum against this list and finds it to be deficient, especially in relation to the development of ideas of proof. Presents arguments for reform. (Contains 29…

Presents a game in which if player is playing a match of this game with an opponent, at each step in the game he has to decide whether to continue or to stop. Helps students to develop a strategy for making such a decision based on the expected gain and related probabilities. (Author/ASK)

Presents activities to model dynamic systems using graphing calculators and calculator based laboratories. (Author/ASK)