education for the NCTM. In 1980, the NCTM stated that problem solving should be the focus of school mathematics (copies). The abilities of students should be developed through the use of simple and complex exercises which are solved independently, in small groups and in conjunction with the whole class. These exercises should include exercises which take different lengths of time to solve and some should be open-ended without a single correct solution. The fourth NCTM goal is for students to learn to communicate mathematically. Mathematics has an explicit language of its own. Students need to learn the definitions of the signs, symbols, and terms used in mathematics. This will facilitate the student's ability to read, write and discuss mathematical ideas. Mathematical language will increase the student's ability to clarify and solidify his thinking.
Learning to speak in mathematical terms helps the student to meet the last goal of the NCTM. Students should learn to reason mathematically. Students need to learn to make conjectures, gather evidence and build a logical a
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