Lots of illustrated Math Puzzlers for March

Mr. Math Puzzler has included lots of illustrations in the March Puzzlers. That will provide a good change of pace for you to consider.

Despite the many illustrations, regular Math Puzzler participants will recognize some familiar math principles. This might be a good time to invite some of your friends to try Math Puzzlers for the first time.

As we remind you each month, it's always a good thing to check past Puzzlers to see how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks. You'll remember that Mr. Puzzler is Wayne Hesse, a math teacher at Green Park Lutheran Church in south St. Louis County.

Mr. Hesse likes to give his students some fun exercises when their done with their regular math assignments. Our Math Puzzlers come from his big stock of these fun exercises.

He believes kids will learn more about math when they're doing something that's fun. That's why Young Saint Louis.com asked him to share those fun puzzlers with our readers.

Remember, we've had Math Puzzlers on the website since September, 2001. That means you can use our Past Stories tab on the home page. It links to all the past stories we've had on the website.

Just pick any month since the start and check out past Math Puzzlers.

After checking one month's questions, click on the next month for the answers. By studying both questions and answers, you'll understand how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

In February, there were two kids who got all the Puzzlers correct. (For a listing of the winners as well as a look at the February answers, click here.)

Young Saint Louis.com likes it when kids who enter the Math Puzzler competition get the correct answers. We get to list the winners the following month. We also give out up to three $10 Borders gift certificates as an extra bonus.

Now, you should be ready for the March 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 March, 2003, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: _______________________________ Age: ______

Address: ___________________ School: ______________

City:____________________, State:______ ZIP_________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(March, 2003)

1. The five numbers within each circle represent a mathematical relationship. This same relationship is displayed in each of the four circles. Following this relationship, what number does the question mark in Circle 4 represent?

Answer:_______________

 

2. After dinner, cookies were served for dessert. Ann took one fourth of the cookies. Betty took one third of what remained. Calvin took one half of what was left. And Dillon received the remaining six cookies. How many cookies did each child get? (Hint: We've done a Puzzler similar to this before.)

Answer:_____________

 

3. Using the dart board below, how could you get exactly 100 points using just five darts?

Answer:_____________

 

4. A student lives in each home marked A,B,C and D. Each student goes to a different school. The student in House A goes to School A, House B to School B, etc. Find a path for each student to give his/her own school without crossing the paths of any of the other students.

Answer: (Show answer by
drawing lines on
the illustration)

 

5. A worker left two planks leaning against each other between two buildings as shown below. One plank is 8 feet long and the other is 6 feet long. The buildings are 10 feet apart. How high is Point A above the ground?

Answer:______________

 

6. As I approached an elevator in an office building. I noticed a sign on the wall. It said the capacity of the elevator was 2,160 pounds. It continued to say that meant either 9 women or 6 men, or 6 women and 8 men. What weight was presumed for each woman and each man?

Answer:______________