Math Mania: having fun again with figures

Math Mania--a friendly competition involving mathematics-starts here again. It's a chance to learn some math principles, compete for prizes…and not have to worry about a class grade.

Amy Ruzicka, a math teacher at St. Gabriel's Catholic School in South St. Louis, has created Math Mania. It's her way of helping you get comfortable with math without any classroom pressure.

And, in future months, she'll bring in some totally unique forms of math brain teasers to keep you on your toes.

Young Saint Louis.com is bringing back the fun math competition after a year's absence. Until September, 2004, YSL.com featured Mr. Math Puzzler. But, the author-Wayne Hesse of Green Park Lutheran School-had to give up the feature after he took on extra school duties as assistant principal.

The rules for Math Mania will work like those of Mr. Math Puzzler. During most months, there will be six brain teasers on the subject of math.

You can submit your answers, using the form attached to the questions. If you answer all the questions correctly, you'll have a chance to win Borders Book certificates.

To enter the September Math Mania competition, fill out the attached entry form and give answers to the six questions. Be sure to follow the instructions when completing the entry form.

How to enter:

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 September, 2005, Math Mania Contest:

Name: __________________________________ Age: _____

Address: _________________________ School: ___________

City: _____________________ State: ______ Zip: __________

Contact phone: (_____) _____________________

 

September Math Mania

1. Study the following sequence until you discover the pattern. Then, fill in the missing number.

Answer: ________________

 

2. If ab = a + 3, then find 43

Answer: ________________

 

3. A leak in the roof allows 2 drops through the first day, 4 drops through the second day, 8 drops the third day, etc. When will the 500th drop fall thorough?

Answer: ________________

 

4. Replace X, Y, and Z with different single-digit numbers to make a true equation.

XX

+ XX

YYZ

Answer: ________________

 

5. If 5 strawberry pickers can pick 5 strawberries in 5 seconds, how many strawberry pickers would it take to pick 60 strawberries in a minute?

Answer: ________________

 

6. The sum of the squares to two numbers is four less than the sum of one hundred plus half a hundred. What are the two numbers?

Answer: ________________