December contest
Math Mania features shopping questions
What
could be more appropriate for the December Math Mania
contest than to feature "Shop 'Till You Drop" questions.
There's something appropriate for the holiday season.
Ms. Math Mania is Amy Ruzicka, a math teacher
at the Bayless Junior High School. Once in awhile, she tries
to link her fun math puzzles with season of the year.
But, in this case, some of the purchases aren't what you'd
like to get for a gift.
Before you get off for the holiday break, why not try your
hand at the contest? Maybe you'll have an extra present-a
Border's gift certificate-when you get back to school in 2009.
The rules for Math Mania remain the same.
Competition is open to St. Louis area kids 8 through 13.
If you get all the answers correct, you have a chance to
win a $10 Border's gift certificate.
Be sure to follow the rules, especially the one that requires
entries to be postmarked by the 15th of December.
December Math
Mania Challenge:
Shop 'Till You Drop!
1. WHAT DID I BUY?
When Skid Mark walked into a shop, he bought
a bottle of mineral water, 2 sandwiches and a bag of crisps.
This cost him 761QEM.
Later on, Exclamation Mark goes into the same
shop and buys a sandwich and a bottle of fizzy juice. This cost
him 408QEM.
Later, Birth Mark goes into the same shop and
buys a bottle of mineral water and a bag of crisps. This cost
her 153QEM.
Later on, Book Mark goes into the same shop
and buys 3 bottles of mineral water and 2 sandwiches. This cost
her 938QEM.
Later on, Question Mark goes into the same shop
and buys 4 items. This cost him 555QEM. What did Question Mark
buy?
Answer: ____________________________
2. STOCKING UP
Your objective is to buy exactly 100 farm animals
with exactly 100 dollars. You must buy at least 1 of each animal.
PRICES
Cows: $10 each
Pigs: $ 3 each
Chickens: $0.50 each
How many of each must you buy?
Answer: ____________________________
3. CASH COW
You decide that you absolutely need one more
cow to make your collection of farm animals complete. After
searching for coins in sofa cushions, in the washing machine,
and in coat pockets, you scrounge together enough money. You
have 55 coins totaling $10.00. There are more nickels than pennies,
more dimes than nickels, and more quarters than dimes. How many
of each coin do you have?
Answer:
_____ pennies, _____ nickels, _____ dimes, _____ quarters
