This article will describe two activities in which students conduct experiments with random numbers so they can see that having at least one repeated birthday in a group of 40 is not unusual. The first empirical approach was conducted by author Cauto in a secondary school methods course. The second empirical approach was used by author Flores with…

Problems involving the relative positions of four soccer teams and possible point allocations for the teams are analyzed. (DT)

Examples of problems based on the division of property mutually owned or mutually claimed are discussed. (DT)

The author presents a variation of a tiling problem where each row or column contains a complete set of elements, each diagonal is free of contiguous like elements, and at least one partition exists. These restrictions limit the number of solutions considerably, and methods of solution are subsequently discussed. (CT)

The author tells the story of mathematics from ancient times to the present. The influence of mathematics on technology and thus on civilization is depicted by a thematic collection of postage stamps, the photographs of which are interspersed throughout the text. Checklists of stamps depicting mathematicians and scientists and applications of…

A method of using vector analysis is presented that is an application of calculus that helps to find the best angle for tacking a boat into the wind. While the discussion is theoretical, it is seen as a good illustration of mathematical investigation of a given situation. (MP)

In higher education today, mathematics has been marginalized: except to a tiny elite, it is either taught as a tool required for the study of other sciences or it is entirely absent. Yet mathematics has been and is an essential ingredient in our understanding and mastery of the physical world, our economic life, our information technology and,…

Describes development of an applied mathematics course in South Carolina that meshes concepts from students' vocational courses and mathematics principles. (CH)

Retells the old story of the inventor of the chessboard who, as reward, is granted as much wheat as it takes to fill the 64 squares of the board, doubling the number of grains for each square. (WM)