Padula, J. (2005) described how mathematics teachers can channel the passion of students interested in electronic music by teaching the mathematics that has been used to create it. She hypothesised that the study and enjoyment of music may help the study of mathematics since both mathematics and music are symbol systems and pattern (and its…

One of the most interesting and important proofs in the history of mathematics is the Pythagorean school's proof of the "irrationality" of the square root of 2. After a brief look at G. H. Hardy (1941) thoughts regarding it, two versions of the classic Pythagorean proof are examined and discussed in this article, one written by an American…

This article describes sound waves, their basis in the sine curve, Fourier's theorem of infinite series, the fractal equation and its application to the composition of music, together with algorithms (such as those employed by meteorologist Edward Lorenz in his discovery of chaos theory) that are now being used to compose fractal music on…

This article contains a small selection of mathematical fiction chosen with the teaching of mathematics in secondary school in mind. However, an attempt is made to classify the works and provide a few ideas about how these items may be used by mathematics teachers, sometimes, but not necessarily, in collaboration with science and humanities…

Describes some of the thinking associated with the improvement of tasks, suggesting some guidelines for others to consider in producing written mathematics materials for young students. Provides examples of written mathematics materials. (ASK)

Suggests that teachers could write problems to suit student populations in their schools and in the process of doing so encourage discussion, reflection, and writing by their students on mathematical language. Presents a series of games for the creation of equations for Year 7 students. (Contains 13 references.) (ASK)

Argues that the challenge for teachers of algebra in Australia is to find ways of making the structural aspects of algebra accessible to a greater percentage of students. Uses the zero product principle to provide an example of a common student error grounded in the difficulty of understanding the structure of algebra. (DDR)