發表在《實驗數學》上的論文的基本內容有兩個:一是實驗方面的內容，二是與數學本身的相關性。“實驗”一詞的概念很寬泛:如今許多數學實驗都是在計算機上進行的，但其他的實驗仍然是紙筆工作的結果，還有其他一些實驗技術，比如建立物理模型。關于第二部分，我們強調了實驗數學和應用數學的區別。我們喜歡聽到“真實世界”中有趣的應用，但我們的重點是那些將產生理論影響并有助于數學思想發展的工作。

The essential ingredients of a paper published in Experimental Mathematics are two: some experimental aspect, and relevance to mathematics proper. The word "experimental" is conceived broadly: Many mathematical experiments these days are carried out on computers, but others are still the result of pencil-and-paper work, and there are other experimental techniques, like building physical models. As for the second ingredient, we emphasize the distinction between experimental mathematics and applied mathematics. We like to hear about interesting applications to the "real world," but our focus is on work that will have a theoretical impact and contribute to the development of mathematical ideas.