Solving arithmetic problems, even simple subtractions, involves mental representations whose influence remains to be clarified. Visualizing these representations would enable us to better understand ...

Tessellations aren’t just eye-catching patterns—they can be used to crack complex mathematical problems. By repeatedly ...

Here’s a simple-sounding problem: Imagine a circular fence that encloses one acre of grass. If you tie a goat to the inside of the fence, how long a rope do you need to allow the animal access to ...

Mathematicians try to figure out when problems can be solved using current knowledge — and when they have to chart a new path instead. In the late 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci sketched plans for a ...

As a mathematics education researcher, I study how math instruction impacts students' learning, from following standard math procedures to understanding mathematical concepts. Focusing on the latter, ...

Alan Veliz-Cuba has received funding from the Simons Foundation and the American Mathematical Society for some of his research. You can probably think of a time when you’ve used math to solve an ...