February's Math Mania numbers back to numbers

The more familiar Math Mania number problems are back for the February competition. That's after the math cartooning experiment in January.

During the last few months, MM creator Amy Ruzicka brought in a couple new types of math competitions. Three months ago, she posed a problem of writing a 500-word story with a plot that revolved around mathematics.

Then, after a set of number problems in December, Ms. Ruzicka introduced in January the idea of drawing cartoons with math punch lines. At least this first time around, the number puzzlers brought in the most entries.

In December, Young Saint Louis.com had the highest number of winners of any month.

(If you'd like to see the January cartoon winners, click here.)

For February, she's thought of quite a variety of number problems.

As you know from past contests, Ms. Ruzicka teaches math at St. Gabriel's School in south St. Louis City. She teaches the principles of math but also offers her students some fun exercises as a change of pace.

Her Math Mania feature draws on this fun side of math.

The entry process for the February Math Mania is the same as previous months.

There will be up to three $10 Borders gift certificates awarded to kids who answer all of the number problems correctly.

How to enter:

Math Mania Contest
Young Saint Louis.com
813 Rotherham Dr.
Ballwin, Mo. 63011

(All entries must be postmarked by the
15th of the month to be eligible.)

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

Entry for February 2006, Math Mania Contest:

Name: __________________________________ Age: _____

Address: _________________________ School: ___________

City: _____________________ State: ______ Zip: __________

Contact phone: (_____) _____________________

 

February Math Mania Comic Challenge

1. Continue the sequence.

4      25      64      121      196      289      ?

Answer: ___________

 

2. Find the most recent year that reads the same upside down as right side up. For example, 1881 reads the same if you turn your paper upside down.

Answer: ___________

 

3. In how many different ways can you receive $20 (U.S. currency) from your bank if you ask for paper money only? Assume that the bank has no $2 bills.

Answer: ___________

 

4. What is the fewest number of colors you can use to color a map of the United States without using the same color on any adjacent states? In other words, two or more states of the same color may not touch.

Answer: ___________

 

5. Insert +, -, x, and/or ( ) between the numbers to make a true equation. Operations may be used more than once. Don't forget order of operations!

1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     =     60

Answer: ___________

 

CLICK HERE FOR ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S MATH MANIA