The use of the letter x as a mathematical unknown is a relatively modern convention. Algebra has been around for a lot longer. Daryl Benson/Stockbyte via Getty Images You might be most familiar with x ...

For most people, the word "algebra" conjures classroom memories of Xs and Ys. Weekend Edition's math guy, Keith Devlin, says that's because most schools do a terrible job of teaching it. He talks with ...

TODAY’S WORD — ALGEBRA (ALGEBRA: AL-juh-bruh: A branch of mathematics.) Average mark 27 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 34 or more words in ALGEBRA? The list will be published tomorrow.

TODAY’S WORD — UTENSIL (UTENSIL: yoo-TEN-sil: An implement used in a household, especially in a kitchen.) Average mark 38 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in UTENSIL? The list ...

Historical revisionism and political correctness continue to gain space in the “Mailbag” section. Latest is the claim by Richard Bennett (Oct. 20) criticizing the Rev. Bryan Griem about yoga. Bennett ...