Over a sixteen-week term, the study dove into how chess could enhance math skills for eleventh graders at three public schools in Cartagena, Colombia. It assumed that chess would sharpen their minds and problem-solving prowess. Seventy-one pupils took part, trying out a chess-centric way of learning. Researchers used multiple statistical…

The material in this booklet is concerned with a discussion and examination of geometric puzzles and the ideas which result from their study. The general idea of graphs is introduced as a tool which can be used to solve geometric puzzles. The fact that working with puzzles can lead to unexpected mathematical discoveries is stressed. Such topics as…

A method for finding the complex roots of a graph is detailed. A conjecture is made regarding the nature of zero points of fourth-degree polynomial functions, but it is not proven in general. Mathematical induction is viewed as a promising tool to prove the conjecture that turned out unproductive. (MP)

This article displays the graphs of number patterns obtained by writing each number in the pattern as an ordered pair, plotting the ordered pairs, and joining consecutive points by straight lines. (DT)

A diagrammatic approach to invariants of knots is the focus. Connections with graph theory, physics, and other topics are included, along with an explanation of how proofs of some old conjectures about alternating knots emerge from this work. (MNS)

This activity guide is a supplement to the November 1996 issue of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Student Math Notes. It contains a series of problems based on one main story problem. Using this problem and the other problems contained in the guide based on it, students explore different mathematical concepts such as graph theory,…

Graphs of exotic functions which can be defined using algebraic operations are discussed. (SD)

Estimating the weight of large pumpkins before harvest presents an opportunity for applying several diverse mathematical topics. A model that allows an estimation by easy tape measurement is derived. (MP)

Topics for investigation in mathematics classes that arise from the Olympics are discussed. Activities with performance records leading to the development of graphs are illustrated. (MNS)

Presents a device for sketching the graph of the composite and inverse of single variable real-valued functions. Discusses some didactic methods of paths. (YP)

Equations or systems of equations can be associated with letters of the alphabet printed in the coordinate plane. Messages can be coded and decoded with a computer or by hand. (SD)