Use August's Math Puzzlers
to get in groove for school

It won't be long until the 2002-2003 school year starts up. This month's Math Puzzlers are a good opportunity to have fun and get in some "pre-season" practice for math class.

Mr. Math Puzzler--math teacher Wayne Hesse of Green Park Lutheran School--has some unique questions for August. There are some word puzzles and one that tests your ability to visualize.

Also, Mr. Math Puzzler suggests a way you might earn some extra credit during your math classes this year. Why not suggest to your teacher that everyone in class enter the Math Puzzler competition.

Then, suggest the entries might be worth some extra credit. And, if anyone in the class gets all the answers right, that might be good for an extra-credit bonus.

Young Saint Louis.com started Math Puzzlers a year ago to let you have some fun with math, outside of the classroom. But, that doesn't mean that you can't get some extra credit along with the fun. We bring you a half-dozen new brain-teasers each month.

(Before trying for this month's answers, why not check previous months' questions--and answers. Just click on the Past Stories tab at the top of the home page to access our past issue archives. Math Puzzlers started in September, 2001. You can check questions and then, in the next month's issue, check the answers. By reviewing past Math Puzzlers, you can learn how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.)

Now, you're ready to enter this month's competition. We've included a ready-made entry form that you can use to send in your answers.

If you get all Puzzlers correct, we print the names of winners the next month and offer an added bonus for up to three of those getting all the answers right. All winning entries are put in a hat and up to three are selected to receive a $10 Borders gift certificate.

Submit your answers to the August contest by using the form below. In September, we'll publish names of those who answered all questions correctly. We'll also include explanations of the answers. (For July answers, click here.)

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
   7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 350
   Clayton, MO 63105
   
   
6. All entries must be postmarked by the 15th of the month to be eligible for a book prize.

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

Entry for August, 2002, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: _____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(August, 2002)

1. Six sterling silver teaspoons and six soupspoons cost $300, but three soupspoons and nine teaspoons cost $270. How much would a dozen teaspoons cost?

 

Answer:_____________

 

2. If you reverse the digits of Rachel's age, you will have the age of her grandmother. Her grandmother's age also is the two digits of Rachel's age added together and then squared. What are their ages?

 

Answer:_____________

 

3. After your guests leave and you are cleaning up, you find an equal number of dimes, quarters and nickels under the sofa cushions totaling $8. How many of each coin did you find?

 

Answer:_____________

 

4. Which diagram in the bottom row best completes the sequence when placed in the right-hand position in the top row?

 

Answer:______________

 

5. There is an unknown number of hideous monsters known throughout the land as glubs. Glubs live underground but can rapidly burrow to the surface if they smell a human--one of their favorite treats. Between them, Garbus and Hylar, two knights, have slain 24 glubs. Garbus has killed four more glubs than Hylar has killed. How many glubs has each man slain?

 

Answer:______________

 

6. While out exploring, a group of girls came upon an apple tree whose fruits were ripe for the picking. One of the girls climbed the tree and picked enough apples for each girls to have three, with none left over. Then, along came three boys, making it impossible to divide the picked apples evenly. However, after picking one more apple and adding it to the total, each child had two apples with none left over. How many apples were divided among how many children?

 

Answer:______________