With summer vacation on, Mr. Math Puzzler turns to questions about pizza, card games and spending money.

There are two questions about pizza and one each about card games and spending money. But, you’ll still need to use regular math principles to find out the answers.

And doing some fun Puzzlers will keep your math skills sharp during the summer.

When you get together with your friends to play Gameboy, video games or maybe a board game or two, why not try to answer Math Puzzlers. Then, you can all submit entry forms and find out who’s the winner.

In this case, if you get all six Puzzlers correct, you’ll get your name listed in the August edition. Also, you’ll have a chance to win a $10 Borders gift certificate.

Before entering the Math Puzzler contest, you ought to check on answers to past questions. You can do that by clicking on Past Stories on the Home Page. Then, pick any month from September, 2001, on.

In addition to next month’s Puzzlers, there’s also a story that gives the answers to the previous month’s questions. Then, after some study, you’ll be ready to enter this July contest.

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 July, 2004, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ___________________________________ Age: ____

Address: ______________________ School: _____________

City:_____________________, State:_____ ZIP___________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(July, 2004)

1. The 30 students in a class line up in a row. The largest number of consecutive boys in a row is 4. What is the maximum number of boys in the class?

Answer: _______________

 

2. For how many different two-digit numbers is the tens digit larger than the ones digit?

Answer: _____________

 

3. In how many different ways can you receive $20 from your bank if you ask for paper money only? (No $2 bills please.) (Mr. Math Puzzler suggests using a table.)

Answer: _____________

 

4. To make a 12-inch pizza, you need 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese. You have only 1 1/4 cups of cheese. What diameter pizza, to the nearest inch, should you make so that the 1 1/4 cups of cheese will taste as “cheesy” as the 1 1/2 cups on the 12-inch pizza?

Answer: _____________

 

5. How many different kinds of pizza can be ordered if you can top them with any combination of sausage, pepperoni, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and olives? Each topping can be used once on a pizza. (Hint: This is a probability question.) (Note: Cheese isn’t listed because all pizza has cheese.)

Answer: _____________

 

6. A board game for 2 to 6 players has a deck of cards that always can be divided evenly among all the players. What is the smallest number of cards possible?

Answer: _____________