Some
"substitution" Math
Puzzlers for November
Mr. Math Puzzler
has provided some questions for November that involve substituting
numbers for either letters or punctuation marks.
And some of the
Puzzlers can be answered by educated guesses as well as trial
and error.
That should give
you ample opportunity to have fun while getting a "feel"
for math by trying different approaches.
Mr. Wayne Hesse
is our Mr. Math Puzzler. He's an eighth grade math teacher
at Green Park Lutheran School in south St. Louis County.
Of course, he
wants his students to learn math completely. But, he thinks
that the learning can happen easier if the kids have some
fun while they are doing it.
He's brought that
philosophy of fun to Young Saint Louis.com. The Math
Puzzler competition has been on line more than two years.
Maybe you could
suggest to your math teacher that she give you extra credit
if you enter the Puzzler contest.
If any of our
contestants get all six answers correct, we publish their
names in the following month. That's also the time when we
give the explanations for the previous month's questions.
Also, as an added
incentive, we enter all kids who get six right answers into
a drawing for $10 Border's book certificates. Up to three
certificates will be awarded each month.
If you are a first
time entrant, you might like to review past questions and
answers to find out how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.
Use the Past
Stories tab on the home page. Then pick as many past issues
as you'd like to look at past questions and answers. Be sure
to pick issues that have been published since September, 2001.
The answers to one month's questions are included in the next
month's edition.
(For example,
to see the October, 2003, questions and answers, click
here.)
When you think
you're ready, come back to this story and try your luck.
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:
- Print out
the following entry form.
- Fill out your
name, address and telephone number.
- Give your
answers to the six Math Puzzlers.
- Put your completed
entry into a stamped envelope.
- Mail your
entry to:
Math Puzzler Contest
Young Saint Louis.com
231 So. Bemiston Ave., Suite 800
Clayton, MO 63105
- All entries
must be postmarked by the 15th of the month
to be eligible.
-------------Clip
here to make entry-------------
Entry
for November, 2003, Math Puzzler Contest:
Name: __________________________________
Age: ____
Address: ___________________
School: _______________
City:____________________,
State:_____ ZIP__________
Contact phone
no.(____)____________________
The
Math Puzzlers
(November, 2003)
1. Let us follow
the hour hand and minute hand of a clock for 24 hours. How
many times do the hands form a right angle during that period?
Answer: _______________
2. Add arithmetical
symbols in the spaces between the 4's to make each equation
true. Remember, you may use parentheses also.
4
_ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 3
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 6
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 7
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 8
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 24
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 28
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 32
4 _ 4 _ 4 _ 4 = 48
Answer: _____________
3. If 73 hens
lay 73 dozen eggs in 73 days and if 37 hens eat 37 kilograms
of grain in 37 days, what weight of grain corresponds to one
dozen eggs?
Answer:
_____________
4. In a certain
town with 100 men, 85 are married, 70 have a telephone, 75
own a car and 80 own a house. What is the least possible number
of men who are married, have a phone, own a car and own their
own house?
Answer: _____________
5. The same two
numbers are added on the left and subtracted on the right.
Each variable represents a different digit. That is, if A
= 3, then B can't = 3. Find all the digits.
X
Y Z X Y Z
+ A B
- A B
------- ------
C D E F
B G A
Answer: _____________
6. Replace each
star (*) with a digit to make the equation true.
***, 4** X 7 = 6,743,*56
Answer: _____________
