A couple of odd Math Puzzlers for September

Have you ever tried to answer a math question and said, "There is no right answer to this?" Be on the lookout for just such a question in Mr. Math Puzzler's questions this month.

Also, he's put in a funny-looking picture puzzle with an unusual answer.

Now that you're back in school, why not suggest to your math teacher that he or she give extra credit if you enter the Math Puzzler competition. And, maybe, offer extra-extra credit if you get all of the answers right.

That's a win-win situation for you and your teacher. You can have some fun with math after school and not worry about getting a bad grade. Your teacher gets you to think about math while Mr. Math Puzzler supplies the questions--and the answers.

Young Saint Louis.com's Math Puzzlers started one year ago, in September, 2001. We began the math quizzes as a way to let kids have fun with math--outside of the classroom.

We've been at it long enough so you can check previous quizzes--and answers. That way, you can see how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks before trying this month's questions.

(To check, click on the Past Stories tab at the top of the home page to access our past issues. Starting September, 2001, you can check questions and then, in the next month's issue, check the answers.)

Now, you're ready to enter this month's competition. We've included a ready-made entry form that you can use to send in with your answers.

If you get all Puzzlers correct, YSL.com prints the names of winners the next month and offers an added bonus for up to three of those getting all the answers right. All winning entries are put in a hat and up to three are selected to receive a $10 Borders gift certificate.

Submit your answers to the September contest by using the form below. In October, we'll publish names of those who answered all questions correctly. We'll also include explanations of the answers. (For August answers, 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
   7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 350
   Clayton, MO 63105
   
   
6. All entries must be postmarked by the 15th of the month to be eligible for a book prize.

-------------Clip here to make entry-------------

Entry for September, 2002, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: _____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City:_______________, State:______ ZIP_________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(September, 2002)

1. Remove only one matchstick to make the math correct:

Answer:_____________

 

2. The local bottling plant recycles old bottles to make new ones at the rate of 10 old bottles to produce one new one. Remarkably, every bottle the plant produces gets recycled. Starting with 1,000 new bottles, how many bottles can be made if the bottles are recycled continually?

Answer:_____________

 

3. An entire group chartered a boat for the day for $840. Unfortunately, one couple had severe colds and had to cancel, so those remaining had to chip in another $35 for each person. How many were there originally?

Answer:_____________

 

4. A messenger capable of running long distances set out to deliver a message so that reinforcements could be brought to help fight a horde of glubs. The messenger had to run for 24 miles. For two-thirds of the distance, he averaged 8 miles per hour. At what rate did he have to run the remainder of the distance in order to average 12 miles per hour for the entire journey?

Answer:______________

 

5. An officer on horseback rides slowly down a line of 60 mounted troops placed 10 feet apart. Beginning with the first man, the officer takes 29 seconds to reach the 30th man. At that rate, how long will it take him to reach the 60th (last) man?

Answer:______________

 

6. Thirty-six coins will buy one knife, one sword and nine arrows. Two swords can be traded for one knife and four arrows. What is the price of each item purchased separately?

Answer:______________