The first few issues of what was to become Mathematics Magazine were little more than pamphlets soliciting members for the then newly formed Louisiana-Mississippi Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). This was in 1926. The Section worked closely with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics so the goals of the publication, formally called the Mathematics News Letter by the time Volume 2 came out, included the discussion of “the common problems of grade, high school, and college mathematical teaching”. By the time Volume 6 appeared, grade school teaching had been stricken from the statement.

Early issues listed as editors the officers of the Section, but in 1928, two editors were actually named, Professor Samuel T. Sanders of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and Mr. Henry Schroeder of Ruston High School in Louisiana. By 1929, Sanders was listed as Editor-in-Chief and he continued as editor until 1945.

The original subscription fees were $.50 for ten issues, described as “the price of two good movie entertainments.” During the 1930s, in the middle of the Great Depression, money was tight and it is a wonder the publication survived. Sanders persisted, however, finding contributions where he could while trying to expand the subscription base.

With the 1934/35 issues the name was changed to National Mathematics Magazine, to reflect “the journal's expansion.” That same year a “Teacher's Department”, and a “Notes and News Department” were added to the “Book Review Department” and the “Problem Department”, with a “Humanism and History of Mathematics” section added soon after.