The question is addressed of choosing four points on the circumference of an ellipse so that the quadrilateral formed has maximum area. (MP)

The mean and variance of the number of turning points in random permutations of two kinds of distinct elements are evaluated. These results are applied to a Wald-Wolfowitz run test.

Based on the dominated convergence theorem and parametric differentiation, two different evaluations of the Laplace integral are displayed. This article presents two different proofs of (1) which may be of interest since they are based on principles within the realm of real analysis. The first method applies the dominated convergence theorem to…

In theory, there are many methods for the representation of signals. In practice, however, Fourier analysis involving the resolution of signals into sinusoidal components is used widely. There are several methods for Fourier analysis available for representation of signals. If the signal is periodic, then the Fourier series is used to represent…

In this note 4 x 4 most-perfect pandiagonal magic squares are considered in which rows, columns and the two main, along with the broken, diagonals add up to the same sum. It is shown that the Moore-Penrose inverse of these squares has the same magic property.

The narrative in this article begins with a simple remark about a heavenly body to a class, and then winds its way through a lot of mathematical topics.

Online collaboration exercises were used as part of a diverse assessment package for an undergraduate differential equations course. Online collaboration served as a highly effective method for promoting and assessing generic graduate capabilities such as writing in a context-relevant manner and the development of self-awareness with regard to…

Effective statistical collaboration in a multidisciplinary health research environment requires skills not taught in the usual statistics courses. Graduates often learn such collaborative skills through trial and error. In this paper, we discuss the development of a biostatistical collaboration course aimed at graduate students in a Health…

As a response to the "Mathematics Problem" many universities introduced mathematics support provision. These additional learning opportunities were invariably in a specific physical location and available at certain times. In order to increase the number and types of students who could access support e-learning resources were made…

An experimental two-track intermediate algebra course was offered at Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA, between the Fall, 2002 and Fall, 2005 semesters. One track was modeled after the existing traditional California community college intermediate algebra course and the other track was a less rigorous intermediate algebra course in which the…

Many students in U.S. schools have trouble understanding fractions and Algebra II, the one difficultly occurring at the end of elementary school, the other in high school. One reason is that schools generally focus on one aspect of mathematics--calculation--and often fail to address the second aspect--interpretation. Also responsible is the…

Popular culture provides many opportunities to develop quantitative reasoning. This article describes a junior-level, interdisciplinary, quantitative reasoning course that uses examples from movies, cartoons, television, magazine advertisements, and children's literature. Some benefits from and cautions to using popular culture to teach…

In the typical first-year mathematics course--whether it be calculus or a general education quantitative proficiency course--we struggle to help students see the relevance of mathematics to their own lives. Particularly in a focused course such as calculus, there is a danger that students see mathematics as an isolated subject, with applications…