December Math Puzzlers
test your logic and more

Mr. Math Puzzler has cooked up a bunch of special puzzlers for December. The list includes one which will test your logical thinking.

Your entries in the Mr. Math Puzzler contest are increasing. And the number of winners has been increasing even faster in the last couple months.

Young Saint Louis.com likes it when there are multiple winners. That gives us a chance to give our the full complement of $10 Borders gift certificates.

Remember, we publish the names of all kids who answer all six questions correctly. Then, we put all the winning entries into a hat and then pick three to get gift certificates.

Another thing we like about the contest's progress is that multiple entries are coming in from math classes around the St. Louis metro area. Spread the word about how much fun you can have trying to out-think Mr. Math Puzzler, Wayne Hesse of Green Park Lutheran School.

In the November contest, there were 12 kids who answered all six of the questions correctly. (To read about the November winners and answers, click here.)

Before you try the December questions, you might check the past questions and answers. That way, you'll learn how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

YSL.com started the Math Puzzlers over a year ago. To check questions, go to the Past Stories tab at the top of the home page. Click on any month since September, 2001, and you can check both questions and answers. (The answers to one month's questions are available in the next month's edition.)

Now, you should be ready for the December contest.

If you get all Puzzlers correct, YSL.com will print your name and those of all other winners in the January, 2003, edition. Remember, all winning entries also get a chance to win a $10 Borders gift certificate. We pick up to three winners for the certificates.

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
   (This is a new address)
   
   
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 November, 2002, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ___________________________ Age: ____________

Address: __________________ School: _________________

City:___________________, State:______ ZIP___________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(December, 2002)

1. Ryan is trying to arrange his toy soldiers in even rows with no individual soldiers left over. At five across, he had four left over; at six across, he had one left over; at eight across, he had one left over, and at 12 across, he had one left over. What is the smallest number that would give him even rows and how many in each row.

Answer:_____________

 

2. Simon bought a number of pies. He gave one-eighth to Tweedledum and one-fourth to the Black Knight. He then gave four pies to his brother and was left with one-fourth of the original number. How many pies did he start with?

Answer:_____________

 

3. Following the logic used in the pattern below, fill in the missing number in the third group.

Answer:_____________

 

4. There's a local candy store that charges some unusual prices. A chocolate bar costs $.50, a soda costs $.16, and a peppermint costs $.44. According to the same system, how much will a lollipop cost? (Hint: Sweets are made up of more than their ingredients. Their words are made up of different kinds of letters.)

Answer:______________

 

5. "I want two gallons of water for my horse," said Mongo to the stable owner.

The stable owner replied, "I have a three-gallon bucket and a four-gallon bucket. I cannot measure out exactly two gallons."

"I can," said Mongo.

How can he measure exactly two gallons using a three-gallon and a four-gallon bucket.

Answer:______________

 

6. An outdoor amphitheater holds 120 adults or 144 children. If 90 adults are already inside, how many children can also be admitted?

Answer:______________