Mr. Math Puzzler has come up with March questions that involve finding answers with simple algebra and educated guesses. They should be somewhat easier.

That should make it possible to figure the answers without detailed calculations.

Mr. Math Puzzler is Wayne Hesse, a math teacher at Green Park Lutheran School. He comes up with six Math Puzzlers each month to help you have fun with unusual math questions.

He has been helping Young Saint Louis.com with this extra-curricular math fun since September, 2001.

That means he's created questions and answers to over 175 Puzzlers.

If you're ever asked to provide a fun exercise for a games party, you could come up with plenty of brain-teasers. You could just go to the Past Stories tab on the home page and print out as many Puzzlers as you'd need.

And even better, you don't have to think up the answers. You can print out answers just by moving ahead one month. The answers always are published the month after the questions are asked.

Those past issues also can help you figure out answers to new Math Puzzlers. The past questions and answers helps you figure out how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

Remember, first-time entrants to the Math Puzzlers very seldom win. But, after you study past questions and answers, you'll be better able to answer the new questions.

For instance, to check February questions and answers, just 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
   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, 2004, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ___________________________________ Age: ____

Address: _____________________ School: ______________

City:_____________________, State:______ ZIP__________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(March, 2004)

1. The capacity of a ferry boat is either 48 children or 36 adults. If 20 children already are on the ferry boat, how many adults still can get on?

Answer: _______________

 

2. Name all the squares with an edge that will touch Square D when the figure below is cut out and folded into a cube.

Answer: _____________

 

3. The length of a rectangle is increased by 10 per cent and its width is decreased by 20 per cent. What percentage more or less is the new area compared with the original area?

Answer: _____________

 

4. Find all the two-digit numbers that give a sum of 154 when the original number and the number obtained by reversing its digits are added together.

Answer: _____________

 

5. A ball is dropped 128 feet from the roof of a building. Suppose that with each bounce, the ball goes up exactly half its previous height. A man is sitting at his desk on the second floor. How many times will he see the ball (going up or down) if his eye level is 15 feet above the ground?

Answer: _____________

 

6. Laura and Sam are having lunch. Laura is paying for the lunch, but she has only $23,92. If she wants to leave a 15 per cent tip, what is the most she can spend on the lunch for the two of them?

Answer: _____________