Lets see if Mr. Math Puzzler
will be tougher in April

A lot of our Young Saint Louis.com viewers seem to be catching on to Mr. Math Puzzler. Let's see if his April Puzzlers will be more of a challenge.

There were 10 viewers who answered all of Mr. Math Puzzler's questions correct in the March fun competition.

Last month, Mr. Puzzler used a lot of illustrations. This month, he hasn't used any. However, there is one question where you can answer with either words or an illustration.

In March, we also had a number of first-time entrants and several did very well. We're always looking for new contestants who want to have some fun with math. Why don't you suggest to your friends that they join you in entering.

If you are a new entrant, we always suggest you check past Puzzlers questions to see how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks. Mr. Math Puzzler is Wayne Hesse, a math teacher at Green Park Lutheran School in south St. Louis County.

His Puzzlers have been on the YSL.com website since September, 2001. That means you can use our Past Stories tab on the home page to check all the past questions and answers.

Just pick any month since the start and call up the Math Puzzler stories.

After checking one month's questions, click on the next month for the answers. By studying both questions and answers, you'll understand how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

(For a listing of winners and answers to the March competition, click here.)

Young Saint Louis.com likes it when kids who enter the Math Puzzler competition get the correct answers. We get to list the winners the following month. We also give out up to three $10 Borders gift certificates as an extra bonus.

Now, you should be ready for the April contest.

A reminder: These Math Puzzlers can be quite challenging, especially for younger kids. Remember, we don't mind if you get help from a parent or older brother or sister. In fact, you might want to make this a family activity.

Here's how to enter:

1. Print out the following entry form.
2. Fill out your name, address and telephone number.
3. Give your answers to the six Math Puzzlers.
4. Put your completed entry into a stamped envelope.
5. Mail your entry to:
   
   Math Puzzler Contest
   Young Saint Louis.com
   231 So. Bemiston Ave., Suite 800
   Clayton, MO 63105
   
   
6. All entries must be postmarked by the 15th of the month to be eligible.

-------------Clip here to make entry-------------

Entry for April, 2003, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ________________________________ Age: ______

Address: _________________ School: _________________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP_________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(April, 2003)

1. Sue and Jim were practicing free throws and each made 75 out of 100. After a little break, Jim tried again and hit 37 out of 50 shots. Sue did not do any more shooting. Who had the better percentage for the day?

Answer:_______________

 

2. A solid white cube that measures four inches on all sides is painted black on all six faces. The cube is then cut up into smaller cubes measuring one inch on all sides. Some of the smaller cubes have three black faces, some will have two, some will have one and some are completely white. How many of each kind of smaller cube will there be?

Answer:_____________

 

3. A bull frog and a green frog have a race from a starting line to a point 12 feet away and back to the starting line. Both frogs travel at the same rate of one foot in four seconds. However, the bull frog can jump in only 10-inch leaps and the green frog can jump only in 6-inch leaps. Which frog wins the race and by how much?

Answer:_____________

 

4. You have two candles, one of which is eight inches tall and can burn for four hours before it is all gone. The other is shorter and fatter. It is six inches tall and can burn for five hours. If both candles are lit at the same time, how long will they have to burn until both have the same length?

Answer: _____________

 

5. How can you make four equilateral triangles by using six toothpicks? (This answer can be an illustration or a word description.)

Answer: _____________

 

6. Suppose a typical license plate is composed of three letters followed by three numbers. How many license plates can be made if no letters or numbers can be duplicated on the same plate?

Answer:______________