Mr. Math Puzzler thought it might be time to ease up a little with his questions for the May competition.

For the first time in several months, there were no winners in the April Mr. Math Puzzler contest.

Besides, Mr. Math Puzzler thought he'd like to encourage younger kids to enter into this fun math exercise.

But, don't get too cocky. Mr. Math Puzzler may think his May questions are easier. But, Young Saint Louis.com still thinks some of the questions are pretty tough.

This would be a good time for you to tell some of your friends about Mr. Math Puzzler. Maybe you can even ask your math teacher if she would give some "extra credit" if you and some others in the class enter the May contest.

As we've suggested in the past, first time entrants don't often win. It always helps to do some practice before sending in your completed entry form.

Mr. Math Puzzler is Wayne Hesse, a math teacher at Green Park Lutheran School in south St. Louis County. He's been doing the Puzzlers for YSL.com since September, 2001.

That's nearly 200 Puzzlers that have run in previous issues. Also, for all of those past editions, there's an answer story in the month following the questions.

By going to the Past Stories tab at the top of the Home Page, you can get access to all past Puzzlers. Pick a sampling of months, look at the questions and then see how Mr. Math Puzzler figures out the answers.

After you and your friends have checked out the past editions, come back here and enter the May contest by filling out the entry form below.

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 May, 2004, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: ___________________________________ Age: ___

Address: _____________________ School: ______________

City:_____________________, State:_____ ZIP___________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(May, 2004)

1. What day would yesterday be if Wednesday was five days before the day after tomorrow?

Answer: _______________

 

2. Susie is throwing darts at a dart board shown. Assuming that all her darts hit the board, how many darts will she need to throw to get 100 points exactly?

Answer: _____________

 

3. A car-rental agency charges $37.50 per day and 23 cents-per-mile to rent a car. How many miles (whole miles) can be driven in a day before the charge reaches $100?

Answer: _____________

 

4. How many terms (or numbers) are in the sequence that follows?

3, 7, 11............439.

Answer: _____________

 

5. Find a number X that makes this statement true?

(x ÷ 3²) - 4 + (3 times 2³) = 36

Answer: _____________

 

6. What is the sum of ALL the prime factors of 1,260?

Answer: _____________