A Study of Computer Programming Methods in the Solution of Verbal Mathematical Problems

Abstract

The late 1950's was a period when many "modern" mathematics programs were introduced into the nation's classrooms. To some, these events in mathematics education were revolutions. Although some among the laymen thought that the impetus for these program changes was the Russian launching of Sputnik, some mathematicians claim that it is really a part of the continuing development in their field of research. Stephen S. Willoughby calls this the "golden age" of mathematics because of the vast amount of meaningful mathematics created since the 1900's.1 These advances in mathematics are due partly to the use of mathematical analysis in machine design and automatic digital computers. Computing devices can now do once impossible calculations to aid in mathematics research. Among the new branches and applications in mathematics are linear programming, topology, set theory, functional analysis, modern symbolic logic, game theory, and computer programming.