Keep Math Puzzlers in mind
during summer vacation.

Summer vacation will be on during the next three months. But, the Math Puzzlers will provide you with some fun with numbers while school is out.

Mr. Math Puzzler Wayne Hesse has agreed to keep the puzzlers coming during the summer months. But, he says he'll have plenty of time for his motorcycle riding, which is a hobby for him.

This month, Mr. Math Puzzler has used characters from olden days to illustrate some of the June puzzlers. A princess, some knights and also horses figure in the puzzlers this month.

But, don't forget, you need to concentrate on the numbers to find the answers.

Young Saint Louis.com started the Math Puzzlers last September as a way kids could participate in the website. Each month, math teacher Wayne Hesse of Green Park Lutheran School comes up with brain-teasing math questions.

We've included a ready-made entry form that you can use to send in with your answers. If you get all Puzzlers correct, we print the names of winners the next month and offer an added bonus for up to three of those getting all the answers right.

All winning entries are put in a hat and up to three are selected to receive a $10 Borders gift certificate.

Remember, you can enter more than once. If you think a Puzzler could be answered more than one way, you can print out two different entry blanks. That way you can give one answer on one entry and a second one on the other form.

Submit your answers to the June contest by using the form below. In July, we'll publish names of those who answered all questions correctly. We'll also include explanations of the answers. (For May winners and answers, click here.)

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
   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 June, 2002, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: _____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP___________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(June, 2002)

1. John wants to ship a baseball bat to his sister. The bat is 4 feet, 11 inches long. He places it in a rectangular box that is 5 feet long. When he takes it to the shipper, they can't send the package because it is too long. All dimensions of the package must be 4 feet or less in order to be shipped. How can he ship the bat with this shipper? (A hint: If you want help, maybe you should ask Mr. Pythagorus.)

Answer:_____________

 

2. There's a tile below that doesn't fit with the other three in the group. Which one doesn't belong? (Hint: Think about a math product.)

Answer:_____________

 

3. Can you exchange one card from each pile to form three piles with equal sums? (Aces count as one.)

Answer:_____________

 

4. If warrior princess Mistar were to ascertain how many men and how many horses she has under her command by counting both legs and heads, she was could 45 heads and 120 legs. How many horses are under Mistar's command? (Hint: Think about setting up two different equations for this answer.)

Answer:______________

 

5. At a royal banquet, there are 15 knights around the table. Each knight clinked his mug with knights on his immediate left and right. How many times did mugs clink? (Hint: Mr. Math Puzzler asked a similar knight question in January, 2002. The answer was in the February, 2002, edition.)

Answer:______________

 

6. Distal had sufficient hay and corn to feed his six horses for only 30 more days of harsh winter, not enough for the remaining 75 days before Spring arrived. On the seventh day, before feeding time, Distal sold four of his horses. Will he be able to feed his remaining two horses for the rest of the Winter?

Answer:______________