Does knowing about Descartes help students understand the Cartesian coordinate system? Will teaching students the origin of the term parabola help them understand the mathematical importance of parabolas and other related matters? A team of mathematicians at Black Hills State University were curious about such matters, so they decided to investigate what the effects of including historical modules...

This "web museum" devoted to vintage calculators shows "the evolution from mechanical calculator to hand held electronic calculator." Some items featured include: Mechanical and early electronic desk calculators, "strange hand-held calculators," and articles, photographs, and databases from the archives of the International Association of Calculator Collectors. A history of the technology and...

Recent comments by Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers, regarding women and mathematics have spurred numerous articles and responses. The first article from Yahoo News (1) gives an overview of the event, his comments, and some reactions. The comment most at issue is whether or not innate sex differences might leave women less capable of succeeding at the most advanced mathematics....