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Math Mania in March feature "order of operations"

Ms. Math Mania has rolled out another set of puzzles for the March contest. This one features an "order for operations" to solve equations.

These March Math Mania puzzles will help you get the steps for solving equations in the right order. That has value for all sorts of mathematical figuring.

You remember that Ms Math Mania is Ms. Amy Ruzicka, a math teacher at St. Gabriel's School in south St. Louis City. She's been bringing in lots of new puzzle formats for your math enjoyment.

This month's puzzles will help you put in order the various steps for solving equations.

Eleven kids got all the February "magic squares" puzzles correct. (To check those February answers, click here. Also, the four kids who got the $10 Border certificates are listed.)

Rules for the March Math Mania contest continue the same. Each month, the contest calls for you to give answers to brainteasers based on numbers and math.

Then, you submit your answers, using the form which is attached to the questions. If you answer all the questions correctly, you'll have a chance to win a $10 Borders book certificate.

Follow contest instructions and fill out the entry form carefully. Also print legibly so, if you're a winner, we can send your prize to the right address.

How to enter:

  1. Print out the following entry form.
  2. Fill out your name, address and telephone number. (Please print).
  3. Give your answers to the March "order of operations."
  4. Put your completed entry into a stamped, addressed envelope.
  5. Mail your entry to:

    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 March 2007, Math Mania Contest:

Name: __________________________________ Age: _____

Address: _________________________ School: ___________

City: _____________________ State: ______ Zip: __________

Contact phone: (_____) _____________________

 

March Math Mania Challenge: Order of Operations

To evaluate an expression, we move from left to right, but we must complete operations in a certain order. This order of operations was established by mathematicians many, many years ago because they were frustrated by the fact that each person reached a completely different answer from the same set of numbers and operations. Think of the order of operations as math "traffic laws." Things flow much more smoothly if everyone knows which way to go!

If you haven't encountered order of operations in your math classes, you will very soon. The order of operations is as follows:

  1. Parentheses
  2. Exponents
  3. Multiplication and division (Start at the left and do whichever one comes first. Keep going, and do whichever comes next.)
  4. Addition and subtraction (Start at the left and do whichever one comes first. Keep going, and do whichever comes next.)

If you need more practice with following the order of operations, do not hesitate to ask a teacher, parent, or friend. You can also consult your math textbook or a math help website.

Order of Operations Challenge

Insert the minimum number of sets of parentheses so that each statement is true. Don't forget to follow the order of operations. If no parentheses are needed, then do not insert any. A problem with unnecessary parentheses will be considered incorrect.

Caution: Some problems may require more than one set of parentheses.

Example: 1 + 4 x 3 - 5 = 10
Problem: (1 + 4) x 3 - 5 = 10
Answer: 5 x 3 - 5 = 10 Do operations in parentheses first.
15 - 5 = 10 Do multiplication next.
10 = 10 Finally, complete the subtraction.

1. 22 - 3 x 2 + 9 = 7

2. 1 + 4 x 3 - 5 = 8

3. 12 - 3 x 2 + 9 = 99

4. 5 + 136 - 4 x 4 = 36

5. 6 x 9 - 3 x (7 + 1) - 21 = 9

6. + 1 x 5 - 2 + 4 x 8 = 2
 

 

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