Boggle logic puzzles are based on the popular word game Boggle played backwards. Given a list of words, the problem is to recreate the board. We explore these puzzles on a 3 x 3 board and find the minimum number of three-letter words needed to create a puzzle with a unique solution. We conclude with a series of open questions.

Using the fact that the sum of the first n odd numbers is n[superscript 2], we show visually that n[superscript 2] is the same as 0 (mod 3) when n is the same as 0 (mod 3), and n[superscript 2] is the same as 1 (mod 3) when n is the same as plus or minus 1 (mod 3).

Using the fundamental theorem of calculus and numerical integration, we investigate carbon absorption of ecosystems with measurements from a global database. The results illustrate the dynamic nature of ecosystems and their ability to absorb atmospheric carbon.

What is the area of the (inner) square obtained by slicing the corners off a larger square? This visual proof avoids algebra by considering the area of a parallelogram.

This article analyses students' thinking as they interacted with a dynamic geometric sketch designed to explore eigenvectors and eigenvalues. We draw on the theory of instrumental genesis and, in particular, attend to the different dragging modalities used by the students throughout their explorations. Given the kinaesthetic and dynamic…

Given a parabola in the standard form y[superscript 2] = 4ax, corresponding to three points on the parabola, such that the normals at these three points P, Q, R concur at a point M = (h, k), the equation of the circumscribing circle through the three points P, Q, and R provides a tremendous opportunity to illustrate "The Art of Algebraic…

We produce a continuum of curves all of the same length, beginning with an ellipse and ending with a cosine graph. The curves in the continuum are made by cutting and unrolling circular cones whose section is the ellipse; the initial cone is degenerate (it is the plane of the ellipse); the final cone is a circular cylinder. The curves of the…

Using calculus only, we find the angles you can rotate the graph of a differentiable function about the origin and still obtain a function graph. We then apply the solution to odd and even degree polynomials.

We show that inside every triangle the locus of points satisfying a natural proportionality relationship is a parabola and go on to describe how this triangle-parabola relationship was used by Archimedes to find the area between a line and a parabola.

Given a family of "p" greater than or equal to 3 points in the plane, some three of them have the property that the smallest circle encompassing them encompasses all "p" points. Similarly, we show that for "p" greater than or equal to 3 circles, there are three of them such that the smallest circle encompassing them…

Telling children that they can learn from their mistakes is common practice. Yet research indicates that many teachers in the United States limit public attention to errors during mathematics lessons (Bray 2011; Santagata 2005). Some believe that drawing attention to errors publicly may embarrass error makers or may be confusing to struggling…

Measures of centre (the mean, median and mode) are fundamental to the discipline of statistics. Yet previous research shows that students may not have a thorough conceptual understanding of these measures, even though these statistics are easy to calculate. This study describes the findings of a study of pre-service teachers' ideas of measure of…

The nature of mathematical objects, their various types, the way in which they are formed, and how they participate in mathematical activity are all questions of interest for philosophy and mathematics education. Teaching in schools is usually based, implicitly or explicitly, on a descriptive/realist view of mathematics, an approach which is not…

As mathematicians, we assign rigid meanings to words that may have a variety of interpretations in common language. This article considers meanings of "if" and "or" from everyday English that have caused students to misinterpret mathematical statements, and that are consistently overlooked by instructional materials in addressing students'…

Students face difficulties in learning mathematical processes. As a result, they have negative emotions toward mathematics. The use of technology is employed to change the student's attitude toward mathematics. Some methods utilize intelligent tutoring systems to recognize student's emotional state and adapt the learning process accordingly. These…