Vol. 16 Num. 3 (1996) Candia Morgan The language of mathematics: towards a critical analysis of mathematics texts2 Alan H. Schoenfeld In fostering communities of inquiry, must it matter that the teacher knows the answer?11 Dick Tahta Mind, matter, and mathematics17 Joel Hillel The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: Impressions of ICME 822 Barbara Jaworski The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: Some reflections about reflection and ICME 824 John Fauvel The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: Nights in the gardens of Spain25 Abraham Arcavi The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: A partial, simplified, and biased story about expectations27 Colette Laborde The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: A story we are the heroes of28 David Pimm The 8th International Congress of Mathematical Education, July 1996: The lore of large numbers: the verbal and social fabric of big conferences29 Helle Alrø , Ole Skovsmose Students' good reasons31 Orit Hazzan On topological properties of functions39