The Math Puzzlers for February include questions and answers involving lots of big numbers. Also, some questions will seem familiar because they involve math principles you've seen in previous months.

That's one thing about being a regular in the Math Puzzler competition. Mr. Math Puzzler helps you build math understanding with new questions that are variations of basic math principles.

Mr. Math Puzzler is Mr. Wayne Hesse. He's an eighth grade math teacher at Green Park Lutheran School in south St. Louis County.

He's been dreaming up the Math Puzzlers since September, 2001.

As it turns out, kids who have been repeat entrants often are the ones who get all six answers correct. That was true again with the January competition. All three winners had won previously.

First-time entrants very seldom win. But, after they enter often, they see patterns in Mr. Math Puzzler's questions that make answering new questions easier.

One of the best way to understand those patterns is to look at past results. Young Saint Louis.com makes it easy. All you have to do is click on the Past Stories tab on the home page and look at questions and answers to past Math Puzzlers.

Another way to prepare is to print out February's questions. Then, go back through past months to find answers to similar questions. Then, fill out your entry and mail in your answers to this month's quiz.

If you'd like to check on January's questions and answers, just click here.

Here's how we judge the contest entries: If any of our contestants get all six answers correct, we'll publish the winning names in the March edition. Also, as an added incentive, all February winners are entered in a drawing for $10 Border's book certificates. Up to three certificates will be awarded each month.

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 February, 2004, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ___________________________________ Age: ____

Address: ___________________ School: ________________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP__________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(February, 2004)

1. What fraction of the numbers from 1 to 1,000 have the digit 7 as at least one of the digits?

Answer: _______________

 

2. How many zeros are at the end of the whole number 100? (Example, 100 times 99 times 98 times 97 times.... times 2 times 1)

Answer: _____________

 

3. An ice cream store advertises 31 flavors of ice cream. How many different double-decker cone combinations are possible if both flavors have to be different? (It doesn't matter which flavor is on top or on the bottom.)

Answer: _____________

 

4. What is the ones digit of 7¹⁹⁹⁸?

Answer: _____________

 

5. One news carrier can deliver 75 newspapers in 2 hours. How many papers can 4 carriers deliver in 4 hours?

Answer: _____________

 

6. How many rectangles can you find in the grid shown? (Hint: Remember a square is a kind of rectangle.)

Answer: _____________