NMPDS Problems Created 2009-10

November problems
1. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING (created by George Polya; than yo! to Deb "!l#n$
The ho%t at a &arty t!rned to a g!e%t and %a#d' (I ha)e three da!ghter% and I *#ll tell yo!
ho* old they are. The &rod!ct o+ the#r age% #% ,-. The %!. o+ the#r age% #% .y ho!%e n!.ber.
Ho* old #% each/0
The g!e%t r!%hed to the door' looed at the ho!%e n!.ber' and #n+or.ed the ho%t that he
needed .ore #n+or.at#on. The ho%t then added' (The olde%t l#e% %tra*berry &!dd#ng.0 The
g!e%t then anno!nced the age% o+ the three g#rl%.
1hat are the age% o+ the three da!ghter%/ (2ll age% are *hole n!.ber%. It #% &o%%#ble
that there .ay be t*#n%.$ E3&la#n yo!r an%*er.
Answer to The proof is in the Pddin!" The a!es are #$ %$ and %
4oo at the &o%%#ble &rod!ct% g#)#ng ,- %!ch a% 5 3 63 7 or 5 3 5 3 5 or 8 3 7 3 7 etc.
4oo at the %!.% o+ tho%e %et% o+ three age%. 9o%t o+ the co.b#nat#on% g#)e a d#++erent %!..
Th#% .ean% that *hen the &er%on loo% at the ho!%e n!.ber they *o!ld no* they had the
correct +actor%. T*o &o%%#ble %et% g#)e the %a.e %!. +or a ho!%e n!.ber: 5 3 5 3 - a% *ell a% 8
3 7 3 7 both add !& to 16. S#nce the g!e%t needed .ore #n+or.at#on' the &o%%#b#l#t#e% are
narro*ed do*n to one o+ the%e t*o o&t#on% *#th the %a.e %!.. (The olde%t l##ng;;;( el#.#nate%
5 3 5 3 -.
-. G2S;GU<<4ING SU=
>ac dr#)e% a ga%;g!??l#ng SU= 1@'AAA .#le% a year. It a)erage% 1A .&g. H#% *#+e >#ll
dr#)e% an econo.y car the %a.e d#%tance. It get% 7A .&g. The co!&le *ant% to !%e le%% ga%ol#ne.
They can a++ord to trade >acB% cl!ner +or an SU= that get% 17 .&g or trade >#llB% %en%#ble car
+or a hybr#d that get% 5A .&g. 1h#ch trade *o!ld %a)e the .o%t ga%ol#ne/(So!rce: 2% 9ar#lyn
by 9ar#lyn )o% Sa)ant' Se&te.ber -A' -AAC Parade 9ag.$

S&'(T)&N The cl!ner trade %a)e% .ore ga%ol#ne. The 1A.&g SU= !%e% 1@AA gallon% o+ ga%
yearly. The 17 .&g SU= *o!ld !%e abo!t 11@6 gallon%. The econo.y car !%e% @AA gallon% o+
ga%. The hybr#d *o!ld !%e -@A gallon%. So' #+ the co!&le trade% >acB% SU=' they *o!ld %a)e
765 gallon% yearly. I+ they trade >#llB% car' they *o!ld %a)e only -@A gallon%.
*+T*NST)&N 2 )eh#cle at 1@ .&g and 1-'AAA .#le% &er year !%e% 8AA gallon% a year o+
ga%ol#ne. 2 )eh#cle at -@ .&g and 1-'AAA .#le% &er year !%e% 68A gallon% a year. So' the
a)erage cl!ner tran%act#on *#ll red!ce US ga%ol#ne con%!.&t#on by 7-A gallon% &er year.
They cla#. ,AA'AAA )eh#cle% D %o thatE% --6 .#ll#on gallon% F year. That eG!ate% to a b#t
o)er @ .#ll#on barrel% o+ o#l. F#)e .#ll#on barrel% o+ o#l #% abo!t H o+ one dayE% US con%!.&t#on
and' @ .#ll#on barrel% o+ o#l co%t% abo!t I7,@ .#ll#on dollar% at I,@Fbbl.
So' *e all contr#b!ted to spendin! ,% billion to save ,%-. million/ Ho* good a deal
*a% that ///
7. DOU"4E THE J2RPET
9r. Gold%te#n *ant% to b!y car&et to co)er the +loor% co.&letely #n h#% l#)#ng roo. and
ga.e roo./ H#% l#)#ng roo. #% 1A +eet by 1@ +eet. H#% ga.e roo. #% -A +eet by 7A +eet.
N9PDS Proble.% Page 1
9r. Gold%te#n th#n% that the area to be car&eted #n h#% ga.e roo. #% do!ble the area to be
car&eted #n h#% l#)#ng roo..
I% 9r. Gold%te#n correct/ E3&la#n yo!r an%*er and %ho* yo!r *or. Ko! .ay !%e d#agra.%
a% &art o+ yo!r e3&lanat#on and *or.
S&'(T)&N 9r. Gold%te#n #% not correct. The area o+ the l#)#ng roo. #% 1@A %G!are +eet. The
area o+ the ga.e roo. #% 5AA %G!are +eet. Th#% #% not do!ble the area o+ the l#)#ng roo. b!t 6
t#.e% *h#ch #% - L -.
E3ten%#on: 1hat #+ the length and *#dth are tr#&led/ The area #% .!lt#&l#ed by C. 1hat #+ one #%
do!bled and the *#dth #% tr#&led/ The area #% .!lt#&l#ed by 5.
6. 92TTHE1BS DI4E992
Teach#ng Jh#ldren 9athe.at#c% 2&r#l -AA@ &re%ented (%ol!t#on 2&r#l
-AA5$
9atthe* ha% a d#le..a. Nor.ally h#% *eely allo*ance #% I-.AA. H#%
+a.#ly ha% &ro&o%ed' ho*e)er' that +or the ne3t 1- *ee% he &#c one o+
the +ollo*#ng allo*ance &lan%:
Plan 2: Rece#)e I-.AA a *ee
Plan ": Rece#)e 1 cent +or the +#r%t *ee' - cent% +or the %econd
*ee' 6 cent% +or the th#rd *ee' and %o on *#th the a.o!nt do!bl#ng each *ee
+or the 1- *ee%.
Plan J: U%e the %&#nner on the d#agra. belo* to deter.#ne the allo*ance +or each *ee.
Plan D: Fl#& a co#n each *ee to deter.#ne the allo*ance. Head%' yo! get no allo*ance
that *ee. Ta#l% yo! get I,.@A.
1h#ch allo*ance &lan %ho!ld 9atthe* !%e +or the ne3t 1- *ee%/ 1o!ld yo! choo%e a d#++erent
&lan #+ #t *ere +or 15 *ee%/ I% there a certa#n n!.ber o+ *ee% +or *h#ch Plan 2 *o!ld be be%t/
Plan "/ Plan J/ Plan D/ 2re there other &lan% that yo! *o!ld l#e to con%#der +or yo!r
allo*ance/
S&'(T)&N 9atthe*B% d#le..a
Plan 2 I-6.AA
Plan " I6A.C@
Plan J range +ro. I5.AA to I5A.AA
Plan J A to ICA.AA
&lan J ha% an e3&ected )al!e o+ 1C.@A that #% 1- 3 (7F6 3 .@A M 1F6 3 @$
Plan D ha% an e3&ected )al!e o+ I6@ that #% 1- 3 (1F- 3 A M 1F- 3 ,.@A$
@. STOP 4IGHTS
Three %to&l#ght% on a %treet beha)e #n the +ollo*#ng +a%h#on. The +#r%t %to&l#ght #% red - .#n!te%
o!t o+ e)ery 6 .#n!te%. The %econd #% red 7 .#n!te% o!t o+ e)ery 5 .#n!te%' and the th#rd #% red @
.#n!te% o!t o+ e)ery 1A .#n!te%. 2t 1A:AA a... each %to&l#ght t!rn% red. 1hat #% the ne3t t#.e
all three %to&l#ght% are red a+ter ha)#ng changed to green at lea%t once/ (So!rce: SIG92 .#ddle
le)el 9athe.at#c% 4eag!e' conte%t N7' >an -AAC$
N9PDS Proble.% Page -
.@A .@A
.@A @.AA
S&'(T)&N" 2t 1A:1- a... they are all red' *#th %to&l#ght 1 and - O!%t beco.#ng red and
%to&l#ght 7 #n the (.#ddle0 o+ be#ng red. 2 table %ho*#ng each color each .#n!te o+ each
%to&l#ght co!ld hel&. Perha&% one co!ld loo at the one chang#ng e)ery @ .#n!te% and then
th#n#ng bac to *hat the other t*o are at tho%e #nter)al%. Note each l#ght >UST TURNS red at
1A:AA a...
5. 2=ER2GES
2n elect#)e cla%% at Hoo)er 9.S. #% .ade !& o+ -AP %#3th grader% and 7AP %e)enth grader%. The
re%t o+ the %t!dent% #n the cla%% are e#ghth grader%. The a)erage age o+ the %#3th grader% #% 11.6
year%. The a)erage age o+ the %e)enth grader% #% e3actly one year greater than that o+ the
%#3th grader%. I+ the a)erage age o+ the e#ghth grader% #% e3actly t*o year% greater than that o+ the
%#3th grader%' *hat #% the a)erage age o+ the ent#re cla%%/ E3&re%% yo!r an%*er a% a dec#.al to
the neare%t tenth (So!rce: 92THJOUNTS' -AA,$
S&'(T)&N 1-., year% Th#% te%t% %t!dent%B !nder%tand#ng% o+ a)erage .- o+ the total a)erag#ng
11.6 year% *o!ld &rod!ce (.- $(total$(11.6$ to*ard the total year%. S#.#larly' (.7$(total$(1-.6$ and
(.@$(total$(17.6$ +or the other t*o grade%. For an a)erage' the %!. o+ the%e )al!e% *#ll be d#)#ded
by the total %t!dent%' or th#n#ng d#%tr#b!t#)ely' each grade d#)#ded by the total. There+ore' the
a)erage o+ the cla%% *#ll be (.-$(11.6$ M (.7$(1-.6$ M (.@$(17.6$.
,. POJQET FU44 OF JOINS
Jaryn ha% a &ocet+!l o+ co#n%. Hal+ the co#n% are n#cel%' one;+o!rth o+ the co#n% are
d#.e%' and one;%#3th o+ the co#n% are G!arter%' and %he al%o ha% - &enn#e%. Ho* .oney doe%
Jaryn ha)e #n her &ocet/ I% only one an%*er &o%%#ble/ Ho* do yo! no*/
=ar#at#on 1: Qelly ha% 1- co#n% #n her &ocet. One;th#rd o+ the co#n% are d#.e%. Qelly
ha% t*#ce a% .any d#.e% a% n#cel%. The re%t o+ the co#n% are &enn#e%. Ho* .!ch .oney doe%
Qelly ha)e #n her &ocet/
=ar#at#on -: Grace ha% a &ocet+!l o+ co#n%. Hal+ the co#n% are n#cel%' one;th#rd o+ the
co#n% are d#.e%' and the re%t o+ the co#n% are G!arter%. Ho* .!ch .oney doe% Grace ha)e #n her
&ocet/
S&'(T)&N JarynB% &ocet had -6 co#n% (1- n#cel%' 5 d#.e%' 6 G!arter%' and - &enn#e%$ +or a
total o+ I-.--. QellyB% &ocet had 1- co#n% (6 d#.e%' - n#cel%' and 5 &enn#e%$ +or a total o+
IA.@5. GraceB% &ocet co!ld ha)e had 5 co#n% (7 n#cel%' - d#.e%' and 1 G!arter$ or a total o+
IA.5A. Ho*e)er' there are other &o%%#ble an%*er%. Grace co!ld ha)e had 1- co#n%' 18 co#n% or
-6 co#n%. It co!ld be any n!.ber o+ &o%%#ble an%*er%. STR2TEGK: %ol)e a% &art% o+ c#rcle.
8. SE9IJIRJ4ES 2ND RIGHT TRI2NG4ES (9athco!nt%' -AA,$
2 %haded %e.#c#rcle #% con%tr!cted along each %#de o+ a r#ght
tr#angle *#th leg% 5 #nche% and 8 #nche%. 2 *h#te %e.#c#rcle #%
con%tr!cted along the hy&oten!%e a% %ho*n. 1hat #% the total area o+
the t*o %haded cre%cent;%ha&ed reg#on%/ E3&re%% yo!r an%*er #n
%#.&le%t +or..
Soltion" to Se.#c#rcle% and R#ght Tr#angle%: -6 %G. #n.
N9PDS Proble.% Page 7
0anar1 Problems
1. Floor% #n the Store (Proble. Sol)#ng Strateg#e%: Jro%%#ng the R#)er *#th Dog%$
Gary #% %ho&&#ng #n a large de&art.ent %tore *#th .any +loor%. He enter% the %tore on the
.#ddle +loor +ro. a %y*ay' and he #..ed#ately goe% to the cred#t de&art.ent. 2+ter .a#ng
%!re h#% cred#t #% good he goe% !& three +loor% to the ho!%e *are% de&art.ent. Then he goe%
do*n +#)e +loor% to the ch#ldrenB% de&art.ent. Then he goe% !& %#3 +loor% to the T= de&art.ent.
F#nally' he goe% do*n ten +loor% to the .a#n entrance o+ the %tore' *h#ch #% on the +#r%t +loor' and
lea)e% to go to another %tore do*n the %treet. Ho* .any +loor% doe% the de&art.ent %tore ha)e/
S&'(T)&N There are 17 +loor%. Go#ng bac and +orth +ro. the %tart#ng &o#nt o+ the .#ddle
+loor land% the &er%on 5 +loor% "E4O1 the .#ddle' g#)#ng a total o+ 17 +loor%.
-. Fly on a "loc (@75 P!??le% R J!r#o!% Proble.%$
"
2 +ly %tart#ng at &o#nt 2 *ant% to go to &o#nt " *h#ch #% on the o&&o%#te
)erte3. The +ly can cra*l aro!nd the +o!r %#de% o+ the ba%e o+ the c!be #n 6
.#n!te%. 1hat #% %horte%t &ath the +ly can cra*l +ro. 2 to " and ho*
long *o!ld #t tae. 1hat #+ the +ly #% #nO!red and can not +ly b!t .!%t
cra*l. 1hat #% the %horte%t &ath and ho* .any .#n!te% *o!ld #t tae/
2
2
The d#agonal d#%tance #% the %G!are root o+ 7 *h#ch #% a&&ro3#.ately 1.,7
.#n!te%. I+ yo! loo at a net o+ the c!be and dra* a l#ne the length #% the %G!are
root o+ @.
The %horte%t ro!te #% to go +ro. 2 to the .#ddle o+ the edge o+ the to& and then
o)er to " #n the corner. The t#.e #% a&&ro3#.ately -.-75 .#n!te%' *h#ch #% the
%G!are root o+ @. . . a good !%e o+ Pythagorean Theore..
A
7. Gold#loc% and the Three "ear% (Teach#ng ch#ldren 9athe.at#c%' Febr!ary -AA6$
Gold#loc% .ae% %o.e .!++#n% and &!t% the. on the &orch to cool. O+ co!r%e %he goe% #n and
+all% a%lee&. The three bear% %troll by and %.ell the aro.a +ro. the .!++#n%. Pa&a "ear %ee% the
ba%et o+ .!++#n% and eat% e3actly H o+ the .!++#n%. 2+ter he goe% #nto the ho!%e' 9a.a "ear
eat% e3actly 1F7 o+ the re.a#n#ng .!++#n%. F#nally' "aby "ear eat% S o+ the .!++#n% that are le+t.
1hen Gold#loc% *ae% !&' %he r!n% o!t to the &orch to +#nd that there are 7 .!++#n% le+t #n the
ba%et. Ho* .any .!++#n% *ere #n the ba%et at the beg#nn#ng/
E3ten%#on%:
Ho* .any .!++#n% d#d each bear eat/
1hat #+ gold#loc% +o!nd 6 .!++#n% *hen %he *oe !&/
N9PDS Proble.% Page 6
1hat #+ "aby "ear +o!nd the .!++#n% +#r%t' +ollo*ed by 9a.a "ear and then Pa&a "ear and there
*ere 7 .!++#n% le+t/
1hat #+ the order *a% changed to 9a.a "ear' "aby "ear and then Pa&a "ear eat#ng .!++#n%/
Soltion I+ 7 .!++#n% are le+t' the total .!++#n% *ere 1-' no .atter *hat order the bear% eat the
.!++#n% altho!gh ho* .any each bear get% can )ary. I+ %tart#ng *#th Pa&a "ear' Pa&a eat% 7 (1F6
o+ 1-$' 9a.a eat% 7 (1F7 o+ C le+t$' and "aby eat% 7 (1F- o+ the 5 le+t and th#% lea)e% 7 +or
Gold#loc%. I+ "aby "ear beg#n%' "aby eat% 5 (1F- o+ 1-$' 9a.a eat% - (1F7 o+ 5 le+t$ and Pa&a
eat% 1 (1F6 o+ 6 le+t$ lea)#ng 7 re.a#n#ng. I+ 9a.a "ear beg#n%' %he eat% 6 (1F7 o+ 1-$' "aby
"ear eat% 6 (1F- o+ 8 le+t$ and Pa&a "ear eat% 1 (1F6 o+ 6 that are le+t$' %t#ll lea)#ng 7 +or
Gold#loc%. Play *#th %o.e algebra#c e3&re%%#on% to %ee *hy the order doe% not .atter.
6. Fa.o!% 2nc#ent Proble. by 9etrodor!% #n 71A 2.D. (@75 P!??le% R T$
De.ochare% ha% l#)ed one;+o!rth o+ h#% l#+e a% a boy' one;+#+th a% a yo!th' one;th#rd a% a .an'
and ha% %&ent th#rteen year% #n h#% (dotage0 (#.e.' decl#ne o+ .ental alertne%%$. Ho* old #%
De.ochare%/
Soltion De.ocochare% #% 5A year% old. (Ho&e+!lly th#% #% no longer con%#dered a t#.e o+ be#ng
#n a %tate o+ (dotage.U$ The 17 year% .!%t be re&re%ent#ng the balance' 17F5A o+ h#% l#+e' and
17F5A o+ 5A year% *o!ld eG!al tho%e 17 year%. Th#% &roble. #% a b#t l#e the Gold#loc% &roble.
#n)ol)#ng +ract#on% and re.a#nder%.
@. Ste&% on an E%calator (@75 P!??le% R . . . $
1h#le r#d#ng an e%calator' I +#nd that #+ I al%o *al do*n t*enty;%#3 o+ the %te&%' I reG!#re th#rty
%econd% to get to the botto.. I+ #n%tead I *al do*n th#rty;+o!r o+ the %te&% *h#le r#d#ng do*n
the e%calator' #t only tae% .e e#ghteen %econd% to r#de to the botto.. Ho* .any %te&% .!%t be
on the e%calator/
S&'(T)&N The an%*er #% 65 %te&% de%cend#ng at a rate o+ 1 %te& #n 1.@ %econd%. The %&eed I
*al doe% not a++ect the G!e%t#on a% the %te& +ro. *h#ch I %tart *#ll reach the botto. at a g#)en
.o.ent' *hate)er I do #n the .ean t#.e. 4et S be the total n!.ber o+ %te&%. Then (S;-5$F7A V
(S D 76$F18' #.e.' rate o+ %te&% #n ca%e 1 V rate o+ %te&% #n ca%e - !%#ng %te&%Ft#.e #n each ca%e. S V
65 %te&%. E#ther %te&Ft#.e rat#o then g#)e% - %te&% #n 7 %econd% or 1 %te& #n 1.@ %econd%.
5. Pa&er Jyl#nder%
2n 8S 3 11 #nch &#ece o+ &a&er can be c!rled #nto a cyl#nder #n t*o *ay%: one that #% 8 S #nche%
tall or one that #% 11 #nche% tall. 2re the %!r+ace area% the %a.e or d#++erent/ 2re the lateral
%!r+ace area% the %a.e or d#++erent/ 2re the#r )ol!.e% the %a.e or d#++erent/ I+ the )ol!.e% are
d#++erent' *h#ch ha% the larger )ol!.e/
Soltion 2ltho!gh the t*o cyl#nder% ha)e eG!al lateral %!r+ace area%' the )ol!.e +or.ed by
!%#ng the 8.@ #nch %#de a% the he#ght #% the larger )ol!.e. Ko! .#ght act!ally +or. cyl#nder% and
+#ll the. *#th bean% or %o.e other #te. to co.&are )ol!.e%. Ko! .#ght calc!late the )ol!.e%.
I+ 8.@ #nche% #% !%ed a% the c#rc!.+erence o+ the cyl#nder' the rad#!% #% 8.@F(- 3 P#$ or abo!t 1.7@
and the )ol!.e #% P# t#.e% 1.7@ 3 1.7@ 3 11 *h#ch g#)e% a&&ro3#.ately 57 c!b#c #nche%. I+ 11
#nche% #% !%ed a% the c#rc!.+erence o+ the cyl#nder' the rad#!% #% 11F(-3 P#$ or abo!t 1.,@ and the
N9PDS Proble.% Page @
)ol!.e #% P# t#.e% 1.,@ 3 1.,@ 3 8.@ *h#ch g#)e% a )ol!.e o+ a&&ro3#.ately 8- c!b#c #nche%.
Th#% &roble. #% a good o&&ort!n#ty to re*r#te the c#rc!.+erence +or.!la #n ter.% o+ the rad#!%
and #n%ert #t #nto the )ol!.e +or.!la.
,. The 9oney and the "anana (Nancy Ol%on$
O)er the to& o+ a +ence there hang% a ro&e. On one end o+ the ro&e a .oney #% hold#ng a
banana; on the other end #% a *e#ght eG!al to the *e#ght o+ the .oney.
The ro&e *e#gh% 1F7 &o!nd &er +oot and the banana *e#gh% - o!nce% &er #nch. The length o+ the
ro&e #n +eet #% the %a.e a% the age o+ the .oney. The *e#ght o+ the .oney #n o!nce% #% the
%a.e a% the age o+ the .oneyB% .other #n year%.
The co.b#ned age% o+ the .oney and #t% .other are 7A year%. One;hal+ the *e#ght o+ the
.oney &l!% the *e#ght o+ the banana #% H a% .!ch a% the *e#ght o+ the ro&e. The .oneyB%
.other #% hal+ a% old a% the .oney *#ll be *hen #t #% three t#.e% a% old a% #t% .other *a% *hen
%he *a% hal+ a% old a% the .oney *#ll be *hen #t #% a% old a% #t% .other *#ll be *hen %he #% +o!r
t#.e% a% old a% the .oney *a% *hen #t *a% t*#ce a% old a% #t% .other *a% *hen %he *a% 1F7 a%
old a% the .oney *a% *hen #t *a% a% old a% #t% .other *a% *hen %he *a% three t#.e% a% old a%
the .oney *a% *hen #t *a% H a% old a% #t #% no*. Ho* long #% the banana/
Soltion The age relat#on%h#& bet*een the .oney and the .oneyB% .other #% the ey. I %tarted
*#th the la%t co..ent abo!t the .oney be#ng H a% hold a% #t #% no* and that the t*o age% add
!& to 7A no*. That %a#d the .oneyB% age #% c!rrently d#)#%#ble by 6' g#)#ng the cho#ce% o+ 6' 8'
or 1- +or the .oney and -5' --' or 18 re%&ect#)ely +or the .other. U%#ng the%e &o%%#b#l#t#e% and
*or#ng bac*ard%' cr#%%cro%%#ng thro!gh all the age relat#on%h#&% lead% to the +act that the
.oney #% 1- and the .other #% 18. I al%o not#ced the .other ha% the .!lt#&l#er% o+ S' S' 6' 1F7
and 7 %o #t *a% no %!r&r#%e that !%#ng 18 +or the .otherB% age at the end o+ the &roble. led bac
to her be#ng 18 at the %tart o+ the &roble.. The age% lead to a .oney *e#ght o+ 18 o!nce% and a
ro&e length o+ 1- +eet. Fro. th#% yo! no* the ro&e #% 6 &o!nd% or 56 o!nce%. Sol)#ng an
eG!at#on #n)ol)#ng the .oney *e#ght' banana *e#ght and ro&e *e#ght g#)e% a banana *e#ght o+
, o!nce%. Se)en o!nce% d#)#ded by - #nche%Fo!nce g#)e% a banana length o+ 7.@ #nche%.
8. Prod!ct o+ D#g#t% (Dorothy 9o%%$
The &rod!ct o+ the d#g#t% o+ a three;d#g#t n!.ber #% 1A@. 1hat #% the greate%t &o%%#ble )al!e o+
the n!.ber/
E3ten%#on%:
The &rod!ct o+ the d#g#t% o+ a three;d#g#t n!.ber #% ,-. 1hat #% the greate%t &o%%#ble )al!e o+ the
n!.ber/ 1hat #% the greate%t &o%%#ble )al!e o+ the n!.ber #+ #t #% a +o!r;d#g#t n!.ber/
S&'(T)&N The +#r%t %ol!t#on #% ,@7. The &r#.e +actor#?at#on o+ 1A@ #% 73@3, %o the greate%t
&o%%#ble )al!e o+ the three;d#g#t n!.ber !%#ng tho%e three d#g#t% #% ,@7. E3&lor#ng *#th &rod!ct
)al!e% %!ch a% ,- *h#ch #n)ol)e d!&l#cat#on% o+ &r#.e +actor% can challenge %t!dent% +!rther b!t
%t!dent% .ay %oon real#?e !%#ng A #n the la%t &lace +or the n!.ber' #.e.' C8A' g#)e% the b#gge%t
)al!e +or a three;d#g#t n!.ber. Ha)e %t!dent% create the#r o*n %!ch &roble.% to %ee ho*
challeng#ng they can .ae the..
3ebrar1 Problems
N9PDS Proble.% Page 5
1. F#%h#ng to!rna.ent (9ar#lyn )o% Sa)ant' No) --' -AAC Parade 9aga?#ne$
2 *o.an *#n% a +o!r;day +#%h#ng to!rna.ent *#th a total o+ 75 +#%h. I+ %he had ca!ght t*o .ore
+#%h than her or#g#nal catch on the +#r%t day' t*o +e*er +#%h than her or#g#nal catch on the %econd'
t*#ce her or#g#nal catch on the th#rd' and hal+ her or#g#nal catch on the +o!rth' %he *o!ld ha)e
ca!ght the %a.e n!.ber o+ +#%h each day' #.e.' the n!.ber ca!ght on day 1 *o!ld eG!al the
n!.ber ca!ght on day -' etc. b!t %he *o!ld ha)e lo%t the to!rna.ent *#th +e*er total +#%h. In
*#nn#ng the to!rna.ent *#th 75 +#%h' ho* .any +#%h d#d %he catch each day/
Sol!t#on: Or#g#nally' *hen %he *on *#th 75 +#%h' %he ca!ght 4 +#%h on the +#r%t day' 10 on the
%econd' 5 on the th#rd' and 14 on the +o!rth. The or#g#nal n!.ber o+ +#%h ca!ght on day 1 &l!% -
.ore and the n!.ber ca!ght on day - .#n!% - and the n!.ber ca!ght on day 7 t#.e% - and the
n!.ber ca!ght on day 6 t#.e% S .!%t all &rod!ce the %a.e )al!e and the or#g#nal )al!e% .!%t
add !& to 75. Not#ce that 4 M -' 10 D -' - t#.e% 5' and S o+ 14 all &rod!ce a )al!e o+ 8 and a total
o+ 7- +#%h +or the %econd %cenar#o and #t #% +e*er than the or#g#nal 75. 2l%o note the relat#on%h#&
bet*een add#ng - and %!btract#ng - a% *ell a% the t#.e% t*o and t#.e% S. I+ the *o.an had
ca!ght t*o .ore +#%h on the +#r%t day (5 M - V 8$' t*o +e*er +#%h on the %econd day (1A ; - V 8$'
t*#ce her catch o+ the th#rd day (6 3 - V 8$' and hal+ her catch o+ the +o!rth day (15 W - V 8$' %he
*o!ld ha)e ca!ght the %a.e n!.ber o+ +#%h each day (8$ and lo%t the to!rna.ent beca!%e %he
*o!ld ha)e a total o+ only 7- +#%h. 2t lea%t one other angler .!%t ha)e ca!ght 77' 76' or 7@ +#%h.
Th#% co!ld be a&&roached algebra#cally *#th the eG!at#on: (3 ; -$ M (3 M -$ M (3 W -$ M (-3$ V 75.
htt&:FF***.&arade.co.Fa%.ar#lynF-AACF11FS!nday%;Jol!.n;11;--;AC.ht.l
-. 1h#te %oc% and bl!e %oc% #n a dra*er (Nancy Hoat%on$
Sa. ha% 1A *h#te %oc% and 8 bl!e %oc% #n a dra*er. In the dar' Sa. &!lled o!t t*o %oc% that
d#d not .atch. Ho* .any .ore %oc% doe% Sa. need to &!ll +ro. the dra*er to be certa#n he
ha% a &a#r that .atch #n color/

Sol!t#on: The%e ty&e% o+ &roble.% are o+ten called (&#geon;hole0 &roble.%. S#nce Sa. ha% only
t*o color% o+ %oc%' one .ore dra* *#ll create a .atch *#th one o+ the t*o he ha% already
dra*n. The &roble. co!ld be .od#+#ed %ay#ng he *ant% a &a#r o+ bl!e %oc%. I+ he doe% not get a
&a#r o+ bl!e %oc% *#th the +#r%t t*o dra*%' he *o!ld ha)e to dra* C .ore %oc%' #.e.' go thro!gh
all o+ the 1A *h#te %oc &o%%#b#l#t#e% to GU2R2NTEE a &a#r o+ bl!e %oc%.
7. 2)erage %&eed ( Ed Planan%y$
2 h#ll #% one .#le !& and one .#le do*n. I+ yo! a)erage 7A .&h on the *ay !& ho* +a%t .!%t
yo! tra)el on the *ay do*n to a)erage 5A .&h +or the ent#re tr#&/
E3ten%#on: (Jathy 9cJoney$
It #% the %e)enth ann!al .otorcycle cro%%;co!ntry race acro%% the Ne)ada de%ert: ,A .#le% o!t to
the +lag and ,A .#le% bac. Harry' on h#% ne* Harley;Da)#d%on' a)erage% 8A .#le% &er ho!r
go#ng o!t b!t then ha% cl!tch tro!ble and can only .anage 5A .#le% &er ho!r co.#ng bac. Er#c'
on a Honda' can only go ,A .#le% &er ho!r' b!t he ee&% #t !& +or the ent#re tr#&. 1ho *#n% the
race/
Sol!t#on: It #% #.&o%%#ble to a)erage 5A .&h. I+ the +#r%t .#le a)eraged 7A .&h' 1 .#leF7A.&h
#nd#cate% 1F7A o+ an ho!r *a% !%ed to tra)el the +#r%t .#le. To a)erage 5A .&h +or - .#le% need% a
N9PDS Proble.% Page ,
t#.e 1F7A o+ an ho!r' *h#ch ha% already been !%ed. For the e3ten%#on' Er#c *#n%. He #% 1F-6 o+
an ho!r ahead. Th#% &roble. #% o+ten )#e*ed a% )ery ea%y b!t done #ncorrectly. The t*o d#d not
t#e. Each t#.e need% to be co.&!ted %e&arately. U%#ng t#.e a% d#%tanceFrate' HarryB% t#.e #%
,AF8A M ,AF5A *h#le Er#cB% t#.e #% 16AF,A.
6. Orchard arrange.ent (Jathy 9cJoney' 1C87 2dd#%on;1e%ley P!bl#cat#on$
9y ne#ghbor ha% a &ec!l#ar orchard. He ha% +#)e a&&le tree%' +#)e &each tree%' +#)e &ear tree%'
+#)e a&r#cot tree%' and +#)e &l!. tree%. The tree% are &lanted #n a %G!are o+ +#)e ro*% o+ +#)e tree%
each. Each ro* #n each d#rect#on ha% e3actly one tree o+ each )ar#ety and %o do the center
d#agonal%. Ho* are the tree% &lanted/
Sol!t#on: There are .any %ol!t#on%. One #%:
P R T 9 2
R 2 9 P T
9 T R 2 P
2 9 P T R
T P 2 R 9
@. Golden 2&&le% (Jathy 9cJoney' 1C87 2dd#%on;1e%ley P!bl#cat#on$
2 &r#nce &#ced a ba%et+!l o+ golden a&&le% #n the enchanted orchard. On h#% *ay ho.e' he *a%
%to&&ed by a troll *ho g!arded the orchard. The troll de.anded &ay.ent o+ one;hal+ the a&&le%
&l!% t*o .ore. The &r#nce ga)e h#. the a&&le% and %et o++ aga#n. 2 l#ttle +arther on he *a%
%to&&ed by a %econd troll g!ard. The troll de.anded &ay.ent o+ one;hal+ the a&&le% he had then
&l!% t*o .ore. The &r#nce &a#d h#. and %et o++ aga#n. >!%t be+ore lea)#ng the enchanted
orchard' a th#rd troll %to&&ed h#. and de.anded one;hal+ o+ h#% re.a#n#ng a&&le% &l!% t*o .ore.
The &r#nce &a#d h#. and *ent %adly on. He had only t*o golden a&&le% le+t. Ho* .any a&&le%
had he &#ced/
Sol!t#on: The an%*er #% he %tarted *#th 66 a&&le%. Th#% co!ld be *ored go#ng +or*ard th#n#ng
the &r#nce #n#t#ally ha% (LB a&&le%' g#)#ng S o+ L &l!% - to the +#r%t troll thereby lea)#ng L D
(1F-LM-$ or 1F-L ;- a&&le%' etc. It .#ght be ea%#er to *or bac*ard %tart#ng *#th the - a&&le%
le+t lead#ng to ha)#ng 8 be+ore the la%t troll %#nce 8 %!btract (1F- 3 8 M -$ lea)e% - a&&le%. Ko!
.#ght organ#?e yo!r tho!ght% *#th a table on *hat the &er%on ha%' *hat he g#)e%' and *hat he
then ha% le+t.
S#.#lar &roble.: On 9onday .orn#ng' >#..y co!nted all the .oney that he had earned that
.onth and ga)e 1AP to the local +ood &antry. 2t noon' he %&ent I18 on a &re%ent +or h#% +ather.
That a+ternoon' he !%ed hal+ o+ *hat *a% le+t to b!y a )#deo ga.e. In the e)en#ng' he ga)e the
re%t o+ the .oney to h#% three %#%ter%' *ho *ere &lea%ed to rece#)e I1@ each. Ho* .!ch .oney
d#d >#..y or#g#nally ha)e/ (In other *ord%' ho* .!ch .oney had >#..y earned that .onth/$
(Fro. Palate o+ Proble.%' No)e.ber -AAC 9athe.at#c% Teach#ng #n the 9#ddle School$
Sol!t#on S#.#lar &roble.: The an%*er #% I1-A. 1or bac*ard% +ro. I1@ or let (a0 re&re%ent
the a.o!nt o+ .oney that >#..y earned that .onth: A.1Aa #% the a.o!nt he ga)e to the +ood
&antry' and A.CAa #% the a.o!nt that >#..y %t#ll had. 2+ter >#..y %&ent I18 +or h#% +atherB%
&re%ent' the a.o!nt *a% A.CAa ;18. He ga)e hal+ A.@X(A.CAa;18$ to h#% 7 %#%ter% *ho each got 1@.
F#nal eG!at#on to %ol)e A.@X(A.CAa ; 18$ V 7X1@
N9PDS Proble.% Page 8
5. R#bbon aro!nd the earth
2 red r#bbon #% t#ed aro!nd the earth at the eG!ator. Ho* .!ch .ore r#bbon #% needed #+ the
r#bbon re.a#n% at the eG!ator b!t #% ra#%ed %o that #t #% 1 +oot #n the a#r abo)e the eG!ator
e)ery*here/
Sol!t#on: The rad#!% o+ the earth #% not needed +or th#%. The c#rc!.+erence o+ the earth #% -r.
1hen *e #ncrea%e the rad#!% by 1 +oot' the ne* rad#!% #% r M 1 and the ne* c#rc!.+erence #% -
(r M 1$. Th#% lea)e% - (r M 1$ %!btract -r e3tra +eet or - +eet.
,. "att#ng a)erage%
Player 2 ha% a h#gher batt#ng a)erage than &layer " +or the +#r%t hal+ o+ the ba%eball %ea%on.
Player 2 al%o ha% a h#gher batt#ng a)erage than &layer " +or the %econd hal+ o+ the %ea%on. I% #t
nece%%ar#ly tr!e that &layer 2 ha% a h#gher batt#ng a)erage than &layer " +or the ent#re %ea%on/
Sol!t#on: No. There are .any e3a.&le% to %ho* that " co!ld ha)e a h#gher batt#ng a)erage +or
the ent#re %ea%on. For e3a.&le' +#r%t hal+ o+ the %ea%on &layer 2 ha% 7 o!t o+ @ and " ha% - o!t o+
6. The %econd hal+ o+ the %ea%on &layer 2 ha% 18 o!t o+ @A and " ha% 1 o!t o+ 7. Ho*e)er' +or
the ent#re %ea%on 2 ha% -1 o!t o+ @@ +or .78 and " ha% 7 o!t o+ , +or a .6-8 a)erage.
8. P#c#ng 2&&le% (Palate o+ Proble.%' No)e.ber -AAC 9athe.at#c% Teach#ng #n the 9#ddle
School $
2t the orchard' Ethan %elect% a&&le% o!t o+ an enor.o!% conta#ner +#lled *#th 1@AA red and green
a&&le%. He &#c% a&&le% #n order: - red' 7 green' - red' 7 green. I+ he cont#n!e% to %elect a&&le%
#n th#% order' *hat color #% h#% 1--5
th
a&&le/ E3&la#n yo!r an%*er.
ELTENSION: Jhoo%e a d#++erent n!.ber' +or e3a.&le !%e -6C a&&le%. Jhange the &attern.
P#c 7;red' - green' 6;red' 7 green and re&eat. Ha)e %t!dent% create &roble.%.
Sol!t#on: The an%*er #% red. The &attern o+ - red then 7 green re&eat% e)ery @ a&&le%. The
lo*e%t .!lt#&le o+ @ belo* 1--5 #% the 1--@
th
a&&le. 2+ter that' the &attern *#ll be the ne3t - red
then 7 green. 2nother *ay to th#% o+ th#% #% that the re.a#nder *hen 1--5 #% d#)#ded by @ #% 1 %o
the 1
%t
a&&le #n the &attern #% red. Th#% #% a b#t o+ .od!lar ar#th.et#c at *or.
C. Ne* o&erat#on (Palate o+ Proble.%' No)e.ber -AAC 9athe.at#c% Teach#ng #n the 9#ddle
School$
The %y.bol (R0 #% re&re%ent#ng an o&erat#on %!ch that 2 R " V 2" M - D (1F7$2
Jo.&!te the an%*er to (;5$ R C
E3ten%#on I% 2 R " V " R 2 (co..!tat#)e$. Jo.&!te ;5 R (C R 7$. I% th#% o&erat#on
a%%oc#at#)e/
Sol!t#on% (;5$ R C V ;@A and (C$ R (;5$ V ;@@ %o #t #% not co..!tat#)e.
;5 R (C R 7$ V ;1@- and (;5 R C$ R 7 V ;171 1F7 %o #t #% not a%%oc#at#)e
Proble.% NOT USED
N9PDS Proble.% Page C
1. Ha)e yo! e)er been a%ed to *a#t +or (O!%t a %econd0 a% yo! .o.' teacher' or doctor *ored
*#th %o.ebody el%e/ Ha)e yo! e)er not#ced that %o.et#.e% that (%econd0 %ee.% l#e a )ery
long t#.e a% yo! &at#ently *a#t +or yo!r t!rn/ Ho* long #% a %econd any*ay/ Ho* .any
%econd% doe% #t tae to .ae a (long t#.e0/ U%e yo!r .athe.at#c% %#ll% and yo!r *r#t#ng
ab#l#ty to co.&lete the +ollo*#ng ta%%.
1. How many seconds do you spend at school each day?
2. Describe what you were doing 1 million seconds ago.
3. State how old you will be and what you expect to be doing 1 billion
seconds from now.
Teach#ng Jh#ldren 9athe.at#c% 2&r#l -AA6 &re%ented (%ol!t#on 2&r#l -AA@$
-. The +#g!re belo* %ho*% t*el)e tooth&#c% arranged to +or. three %G!are%. Ho* can yo! +or.
+#)e %G!are% by .o)#ng only three tooth&#c%/ (So!rce: Teach#ng Proble.
Sol)#ng' George Polya$
One %ol!t#on: .o)e botto. o!t%#de three tooth &#c%. 2re there other %ol!t#on%/
7. S!&&o%e that yo! b!y a rare %ta.& +or I1@' %ell #t +or I-A' b!y #t bac +or I-@' and +#nally %ell
#t +or I7A. Ho* .!ch .oney d#d yo! .ae or lo%e #n b!y#ng and %ell#ng th#% %ta.&/ (So!rce:
Teach#ng Proble. Sol)#ng' George Polya$
Soltion" Pro+#t o+ I1A. Th#% #% a good one to act o!t *#th &a&er b#ll%.
6. 2n elect#)e cla%% at Hoo)er 9.S. #% .ade !& o+ -AP %#3th grader% and 7AP %e)enth grader%.
The re%t o+ the %t!dent% #n the cla%% are e#ghth grader%. The a)erage age o+ the %#3th grader% #%
11.6 year%. The a)erage age o+ the %e)enth grader% #% e3actly one year greater than that o+ the
%#3th grader%. I+ the a)erage age o+ the e#ghth grader% #% e3actly t*o year% greater than that o+ the
%#3th grader%' *hat #% the a)erage age o+ the ent#re cla%%/ E3&re%% yo!r an%*er a% a dec#.al to
the neare%t tenth (So!rce: 92THJOUNTS' -AA,$
N9PDS Proble.% Page 1A
Soltion" 1-., year% Th#% te%t% %t!dent%B !nder%tand#ng% o+ a)erage .- o+ the total a)erag#ng
11.6 year% *o!ld &rod!ce (.- $(total$(11.6$ to*ard the total year%. S#.#larly' (.7$(total$(1-.6$ and
(.@$(total$(17.6$ +or the other t*o grade%. For an a)erage' the %!. o+ the%e )al!e% *#ll be d#)#ded
by the total %t!dent%' or th#n#ng d#%tr#b!t#)ely' each grade d#)#ded by the total. There+ore' the
a)erage o+ the cla%% *#ll be (.-$(11.6$ M (.7$(1-.6$ M (.@$(17.6$.
@. The #nteger% r and are rando.ly %elected' *here ;7 Y r Y 5 and 1 Y Y 8. 1hat #% the
&robab#l#ty that the G!ot#ent r d#)#ded by #% an #nteger )al!e/ (So!rce: 92THJOUNTS: -AA,$
Sol!t#on 1F6 Th#% #% a good &roble. to challenge the %t!dent to create co.b#nat#on%' to de+#ne
#nteger' and to create a &robab#l#ty +ract#on.
2NS1ERS
5. The Joo#e Proble. One o+ three roo..ate% .ade %o.e coo#e% +or h#.%el+ and h#% -
roo..ate%. He le+t the. *#th a note' (Tae only yo!r %hare.0 He too h#% 1F7 and le+t. 1hen
the +#r%t roo..ate ret!rned ho.e' he read the note and too 1F7 o+ the coo#e% and *ent bac
o!t. 1hen the %econd roo..ate ret!rned' th#n#ng he *a% the +#r%t one ho.e' he al%o too 1F7
o+ the coo#e% and le+t. The roo..ate *ho .ade the coo#e% then ret!rned ho.e and +o!nd h#%
note *#th 8 coo#e% on the &late. Ho* .any d#d he bae #n the +#r%t &lace/
2n%*er -, coo#e%
,. Dart% thro*n at a dart board can %core 1' 7' @' or , &o#nt%. Tony thre* 5 dart% and %cored 7-
&o#nt%. 1here co!ld h#% dart% ha)e landed/
Po%%#ble &o#nt% , @ 7 1
N o+ dart% 6 1 1
N o+ dart% 7 - 1
N o+ dart% 7 1 -
N o+ dart% - 7 1
N o+ dart% 1 @
8. 2t a certa#n tra#n %tat#on a lady &!t her head o!t o+ the *#ndo* and %ho!ted: (G!ard' ho*
long *#ll the Oo!rney be +ro. her to the ne3t %to&/0 (2ll the tra#n% tae +#)e ho!r% e#ther *ay'0
*a% the re&ly. (2nd ho* .any tra#n% %hall I .eet on the *ay/0 the lady a%ed. The g!ard
re&l#ed' (2 tra#n lea)e% +ro. th#% %tat#on to the ne3t and +ro. that ne3t %tat#on to th#% one at
e3actly +#)e .#n!te% &a%t the ho!r e)ery ho!r.0
Not co!nt#ng the one% %he *o!ld %ee at the )ery beg#nn#ng or at the )ery end o+ her tr#&' ho*
.any tra#n% *o!ld %he %ee/
Soltion D#)#de the ro!te #nto +#)e d#%tance% %#nce the tr#& tae% +#)e ho!r%. There are +o!r tra#n%
on the#r *ay +ro. the other %tat#on *hen %he lea)e% and a +#+th O!%t %tart#ng at the t#.e %he lea)e%
her %tat#on. She *#ll .eet all +#)e o+ the%e. 2l%o' *hen %he ha% gone one;+#+th o+ the d#%tance'
another *#ll %tart +ro. the other %tat#on; at t*o;+#+th%' another; at three;+#+th%' another; at +o!r;
+#+th%' another; and *hen %he arr#)e% at the ne3t %tat#on' a tra#n *#ll be O!%t on the &o#nt o+
N9PDS Proble.% Page 11
%tart#ng. 2%%!.#ng %he d#d not .eet th#% one O!%t %tart#ng o!t or the one that had O!%t arr#)ed
*hen %he +#r%t le+t' %he .et n#ne tra#n% on her Oo!rney.
C. 2 .eter %t#c *e#gh%1 #logra. and a 1 #logra. *e#ght #% %!%&ended +ro. the A .eter end.
1here .!%t the %!&&ort &o#nt (+!lcr!.$ be &laced to balance the *e#ght on the .eter %t#c/
S&'T6(T)&N The +!lcr!. .!%t be &laced at the -@ cent#.eter &o#nt. E3&er#.ent *#th th#%.
The *e#ght o+ the ent#re .eter %t#c can be con%#dered to be at #t% center' @A c.. There+ore' a
&#)ot %!&&ort at the -@ cent#.eter &o#nt *o!ld ha)e 1 #logra. at the A .ar and 1 #logra. (the
*e#ght o+ the .eter %t#c$ another -@ cent#.eter% +ro. the &#)ot.
I+ 1 1F- ch#cen% can lay 1 1F- egg% #n 1 1F- day%' ho* .any day% doe% #t tae 7 ch#cen% to lay
1- egg%.
Sol!t#on:
1or *#th only t*o )ar#able% at a t#.e
The an%*er #% 5 day%.
DDo!ble the ch#cen% to do!ble the egg% #n the %a.e n!.ber o+ day%. 7Z7Z1 S
DFo!r t#.e% egg% and day% 7Z1-Z5
N9PDS Proble.% Page 1-