The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

Puzzles are a hands-on way to explore simpler and complex mathematical relationships, for everyone from kids to calculus students.

The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research. Let’s say you’re planning your next party and agonizing over the guest list.