Think "out of box" on the
February, 2002, Math Puzzlers

Mr. Math Puzzler wants to help you increase your chances of answering correctly all the February, 2002, Math Puzzlers. His suggestion: Think about different ways to answer questions and then make multiple entries.

You know by now that Mr. Math Puzzler sometimes thinks "out of the box" when coming up with answers. He wants to encourage you to do the same.

For an example, the answer to Question No. 6 in January's Puzzlers depended on how you defined "positioned on a straight line." Most of your answers figured the "straight line" meant getting the satellites re-aligned along the radius of the orbits. That's the way they were aligned in the original illustration..

By doing that, most of you answered 9 hours.

With the "straight line" as a radius, Satellite X-1 had to make a complete orbit in nine hours. Satellite Beta would go around twice in that time and Satellite Parking, three times.

But, Mr. Math Puzzler thought of the "straight line" as a diameter across the whole orbit. That's how he got his re-alignment time down to 4 1/2 hours.

His way, Satellite X-1 would go just half way around the orbit and end up aligned at the bottom of the orbit. Satellite Beta goes around once and ends up on top as it shows in the question's illustration.

Satellite Parking goes around 1 1/2 times and ends up aligned at the bottom of the orbit, like Satellite X-1. This way, the lapsed time is 4 1/2 hours.

In the February Puzzlers, you may find a question that could be answered two or more ways. If so, just print out extra entry forms. Then you can answer a question more than one way. With two or more entries, you can increase your chances of winning.

Mr. Math Puzzler has another tip for you.

We've had the Math Puzzler as a feature of Young Saint Louis.com since last September. Since we keep past editions on file, you can review the past questions and then check the answers at the same time. That'll help you see how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks "out of the box" sometimes.

To look at past issues, click on the Past Stories tab at the top of the home page. Then, by clicking on October, 2001, you can see the answers to September, 2001, questions. You also can do that with other months since then.

Then, you'll have clues on how to out-think Mr. Puzzler in the future.

Each month, YSL.com publishes a series of six Math Puzzlers. We make a little competition out of it. But, the Puzzlers also are designed for whole-family fun. The more fun you have with math, the easier the math concepts will be.

And, if you think of the questions in different ways, you can double your fun.

Also, if you send in multiple entries, you increase your chances of earning our EXTRA BONUS. Remember, all entries with six correct answers are put into a hat and up to three will get $10 Border's book certificates. (YSL.com wants to award book certificates.)

Submit your answers to this February contest by using the form below. In March, we'll publish names of those who answered all questions correctly. We'll also include explanations of the answers. (For answers to the January Math Puzzlers, including the tough Question No. 6, click here.)

A reminder: We've made these Math Puzzlers quite challenging, especially for younger kids. But, we don't mind if you solicit 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 February, 2002, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP______

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(February, 2002)

1. Which is larger: one-half times one-half of a dozen dozen or one-half dozen halved and cubed?

Answer:___________

 

2. If two gallons of paint are required to cover all the faces of one cube, how many gallons will be required to cover all exposed surfaces of this figure, including the faces on the bottom. (All cubes are shown; there are no hidden cubes.)

Answer:___________

 

3. You walk into a room where there are three boxes. One is marked "gold;" another marked "silver" and the third marked "gold & silver." You are told that all three labels are wrong. If you can figure out the correct contents of each box by looking at the contents of only one box, you can have all the gold and silver you can carry out of the room. How do you proceed?

Answer:___________

 

4. A local tennis tournament has 128 entrants for its singles competition. How many total matches will be needed to be played, including the championship match, to determine the champion?

Answer:___________

 

5. What size square has a perimeter that is equal (in number only) to its area?

Answer:___________

 

6. Five friends are going to the movies. When they arrive, there are only six seats together left in the theater. The manager will let all five friends in for free if one of them can tell him how many different seating arrangements are possible for five people with six empty seats. All five were let in free. What was their answer?

Answer:__________