Problem-solving Techniques with Microcomputers
The first recommendation in An Agenda for Action (NCTM 1980) is that problem solving “be the focus of school mathematics in the 1980s.” Too often, high school mathematics courses avoid interesting and challenging problems because students lack the necessary background to solve the problems in a conventional manner. Many of these problems are interesting to students; but, because these students cannot find limits or derivatives of functions or use “advanced” mathematical techniques they are unable to pursue such problems. For example, maximum-minimum problems are usually introduced after students have experienced some work in calculus involving first and second derivatives. Most high school students are capable of understanding problems involving maximum and minimum values and, with the exception of understanding differentiation and application of differentiation techniques, are capable of handling the necessary mathematical skills that are involved in the solution of such problems.