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||             Electronic Proceedings of the Tenth Annual             ||
||  International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics  ||
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CONTRIBUTED PAPER: 10-C35

Calculator/Geometry Strategies for Understanding x^(m/n)

John J. Edgell, Jr.
Professor Mathematics
Southwest Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: (512) 245-2551
Fax: (512) 245-3425

Michael J. Brown, M.Ed.
Secondary Mathematics teacher
Comal Independent School District
Res:  200 Camaro Way
San Marcos, TX  78666
Phone: (512) 392-2503
email:  browns@centuryinter.net

ABSTRACT

Some students may benefit in the understanding and applying real numbers 
of the form  x^(m/n) from a combination of calculator and theoretical 
geometric techniques.  This paper will demonstrate a seven-step calculator 
routine and a spiral sequence of similar right trigons for conceptualizing 
and applying real numbers of the form x^(m/n), with examples.  Papers will 
be distributed which will include specific geometric spiral examples with 
corresponding coordinates and calculator routines, and a rationale for such 
spirals will be attached.