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.
Arithmaze
In the following ARITH-maze puzzle, go to ‘START’ and proceed through this numeric maze, following instructions as provided, until you get to the ‘FINISH’ box. What number did you finish with?
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Last month's solutions
Click here to download the printable version
Puzzle OneCan you trace the following shape without lifting your pencil off the page or crossing a pencil line or using the same segment twice?
Solution:
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Puzzle Two300 exercise books are arranged into 3 piles. The first pile has 10 more books than the second pile. The second pile has twice the number of books as the third pile. How many books are there in the third pile? Solution: Let x = the number of books in pile #1. Then, #1 pile = x; #2 pile = (x + 10) and #3 pile = (x + 10)/2 Their sum = x + (x + 10) + (x + 10)/2 = 300 Multiplying by 2: 2x + 2(x + 10) + 2(x + 10)/2 = 2 * 300 Then, 2x + 2x + 20 + x + 10 = 600 or 5x = 600 – 30 = 570, 5x = 570, x = 114 Therefore, #3 pile = (x + 10)/2 = (114 + 10)/2 = 124/2 = 62 books (Answer) Check: #1 + #2 + #3 = 114 + 124 + 62 = 300 books
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Puzzle ThreeA true classic puzzle: If one and a half hens lay one and a half eggs in one and a half days, how many eggs does one hen lay? Solution: Then, Hens = 1.5 hens Days = 1.5 days Eggs = 1.5 eggs We can use all hens’ egg production rate (‘r’) as an average and constant rate measured in eggs in one day for one hen. Therefore, hens x days x r = eggs 1.5 x 1.5 x r = 1.5 2.25 r = 1.5 or r = 1.50 / 2.25 = 2/3 One hen lays 2/3 of an egg in 1 day or 2 eggs every 3 days. Check = 2/3 + 2/3 + 2/3 = 6/3 = 2 eggs every 3 days |
