Each month, a new set of puzzles will be posted. Come back next month for the solutions and a new set of puzzles, or subscribe to have them sent directly to you.
MIND-Xpander numeric puzzles
- The dimensions of one box are all two-thirds of the dimensions of another. If the volume of the smaller is 64 cubic centimetres, what is the volume of the larger box?
- Arrange the digits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, using only plus and minus signs (addition and subtraction), so that they total 111. Using the same instructions, arrange the digits for totals of 222, and 333. (Note There may be more than one solution)
CROSS-Numbers (mini) puzzle
Cross-numbers puzzles are like Crosswords but using numbers instead of words. Use the ACROSS and DOWN clues to determine which digits belongs in each square in the diagram. Solve the following puzzle. Note Digits may be repeated within a number.
ACROSS
- Its last digit is the sum of its first two digits.
- Each digit is equally divisible by the first digit, which is not 1; two digits are the same.
- The last two digits divided by the first two digits equals the last digit.
- Two of its digits are the same
DOWN
- The number has different odd digits in no special 8iorder; the second digit being the largest.
- A 2-digit square is followed by another 2-digit square; its first and last digits are the same.
- Its first digit is the product of the last two digits.
- Its last digit is the sum of its first two digits.
EQUATE-TakeAway puzzle
The missing numbers are between 1 and 9. The three numbers in top columns, when subtracted by the lower two numbers, equals the three totals along the bottom, and the three numbers in the left rows, when subtracted by the right two numbers, equals the three totals at the far right. The top left number, when subtracted by the lower two numbers on its diagonal, equals the total in the bottom, far right box. With one number provided, solve the puzzle by finding all missing numbers that satisfy all the results as shown.
Feedback
There are more than one way of doing these puzzles and may well be more than one answer. Please let me and others know what alternatives you find by commenting below. We also welcome general comments on the subject and any feedback you'd like to give.
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Last month's solutions
MIND-Xpander numeric puzzles
- If QC = 14, TJ=10 & OK = 4, what would HA = ?
Solution: The numeric order of the 1st letter in the alphabet (where H=8) minus that of the 2nd letter (where A=1) gives value of 7. - What do you get if you divide 40 by a half and add 20 to the result?
Solution: (40 / 1/2) + 20 = (40 x 2/1) + 20 = 100 - How can you mathematically combine six 8’s to make 1000? There is more than one solution.
Solutions:
(888 – 88) / .8 = 1000 and
(8 / .8) x (8 / .8) x (8 / .8) = 1000
Safety-code logic puzzle
To open this safe you must press all the buttons in the correct order. The number on each button tells you how many squares to move, and the letters tells the direction (U = up, D = down, L = left and R = right). Which is the first button you must press to open this safe?
Solution: Start at ‘1R’ button in 3rd column, 2nd row.
DARTS numeric puzzle
Using 4 darts and the following square dart board, find all combinations to score exactly 150. Numbers/boxes can be used more than once. All darts must be used, and each dart must be within one of the numbered boxes. (Note: There are several correct solutions.)
Solutions:
113 + 13 + 12 + 12 = 150
111 + 16 + 13 + 10 = 150
108 + 16 + 16 + 10 = 150
93 + 33 + 12 + 12 = 150
89 + 33 + 16 + 12 = 150
87 + 43 + 10 + 10 = 150
79 + 49 + 12 + 10 = 150
54 + 43 + 43 + 10 = 150