What is the purpose of doing a math research paper?  to top

The goal of your project should be to learn about a new math topic or to study more in-depth a topic that you are already familiar with.

You may have been given a list of suggested topics by your teacher or may have been left to develop your own topic.  Either way, before deciding on a topic, it's a good idea to explore a few different subjects.  Be sure to choose a topic that you are interested in!! You'll be spending a lot of time on your project. Click here to look at a suggested list of topics.

school library

public library

textbooks (yours and others, ask your teacher!)

Internet/ World Wide Web

click here to find some helpful websites and for tips on searching

Math Reference Library at the Goudreau Museum of Mathematics in Art and Science, which is open during the week by appointment and most Saturdays, October through May from noon until 3 pm.  The Goudreau Museum is a small, hands-on museum which encourages interest in mathematics for people of all ages and all mathematical backgrounds!

• make sure that your topic has enough information for the report that you are doing
• sometimes it is a good idea to go to the children's section of the library first to get an overview of a more complicated topic
• math history books (yes, books about the history of math!) are a great source of information
• use a variety of sources
• use both the table of contents and the index of a book to search for your topic
• searching on the Internet can be overwhelming, so try some of our search tips!
• keep in mind that your project should be about math and use math--keep your biographical and historical information to a minimum
• don't assume that you need an entire book on a topic--sometimes a short chapter is more helpful!



To top of page Topic List Page 1 Descriptions Page 2 Descriptions Page 3 Descriptions Suggested Sites Search Tips Resources Credits To Goudreau Math Museum Home Page This page last updated 8/9/02 Questions or Comments?  E-mail: info@mathmuseum.org