T he Main Challenge
Firstly, allocate numerical values to the following fifteen letters in the English alphabet:
E=3 F=9 G=6 H=1 I=–4 L=0 N=5 O=–7 R=–6 S=–1 T=2 U=8 V=–3 W=7 X=11
You’ll see that O+N+E adds up to 1 and T+W+O=2 and so on, but what is the biggest number it will make before this amazing trick stops working? A must for you and your kids to try!
The 7puzzle Challenge
The playing board of the 7puzzle game is a 7-by-7 grid containing 49 different numbers, ranging from 2 up to 84.
The 2nd & 6th rows contain the following fourteen numbers:
5 8 12 17 18 20 28 33 48 49 55 56 63 64
Which number, when halved, is also on the list?
The Lagrange Challenge
Lagrange’s Four-Square Theorem states that every integer can be made by adding up to four square numbers.
For example, 7 can be made by 2²+1²+1²+1² (4+1+1+1).
Show how you can make 147, in EIGHT different ways, when using Lagrange’s Theorem.
The Mathematically Possible Challenge
Using the three digits 2, 6 and 9 once each, with + – × ÷ available, which is the ONLY number it’s possible to make from the list below?
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
#10TimesTable
The Target Challenge
Can you arrive at 147 by inserting 2, 4, 7 and 10 into the gaps on each line?
- ◯²×(◯+◯)÷◯ = 147
- (◯+◯)²+◯–◯ = 147
- ◯²+◯²+◯–◯ = 147
Answers can be found here.
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