Penn State Math Club

March 31st, 2008

 MacArthur Puzzle
Directions:
Write down the number of the month in which you
are born
Double it
Add 5
Multiply by 50
Add your age
Subtract 365

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 MacArthur Puzzle Proof
Let m = month of birth
Double it: 2m
Add 5: 2m + 5
Multiply by 50: 100m + 250
Add age: 100m + 250 + a
Subtract 365: 100m – 115 + a
Add 115: 100m + a

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The Locker Problem
As 500 students enter a school, they pass lockers
that are numbered from 1 to 500. The first student
opens every locker; the second student closes
every second locker; the third student changes the
position of every third locker (by opening the
closed lockers and closing the open lockers); and
the fourth student changes the position of every
fourth locker. This pattern continues for all 500
students. Which lockers are open after all
students enter the school?
The Hat Problem
There are 100 people lined up on the steps of a stadium, each on a
different step, all looking down toward the field so that they can
see everyone in front of them, but no one behind them. Each
person will be given either a red or black hat. We do not know
the total number of red or black hats. Each person will not be
able to see the color of his own hat (or the ones behind him), but
will be able to see the colors of all the hats in front of him.

Starting in the back, the last person will be asked what color hat
he is wearing. If he guesses correctly, he will live; if he guesses
incorrectly, he will be shot immediately. The second to last will
be asked, and so on, until we reach the person on the bottom
step. Each person will be able to hear what all the people behind
him say, and will also be able to hear which people behind him
were shot.
The Hat Problem
Before we begin this process, the 100 people may meet to
discuss a strategy. They can plan whatever they want, but
once the line-up begins, they may no longer confer. At
each person's turn, he may only say "black" or "red," and
no other words -- if he says anything else, all 100 people
will be executed. He may also not use tone of voice,
volume, etc., to convey any meaning -- this will be
detected and they will all be shot.

What strategy will guarantee saving the maximum

number of people? What is this number?
A Familial Math Equation
A mother is 21 years older than her son
In 6 years, she will be 5 times older than him

Where is the father?

A Familial Math Equation
Let x = the age of the mother (in years)
Let y = the age of the son (in years)

x = 21 + y
x + 6 = 5(y + 6)
Therefore,
(21 + y) + 6 = 5(y+6)
A Familial Math Equation
y + 27 = 5y + 30
5y – y = 27 – 30
4y = -3
y = -3/4
Remember that y is expressed in years…
Because everyone needs a little
humor in their life –
Especially mathematicians
 The obvious solution may be correct,
but where’s the fun in always being right?
 Math Quiz Answers
1) There are 8 apples on the table, you take away 3. How
many do you have?

3 – The other 5 are still on the table

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 Math Quiz Answers
2) There are 10 birds in a field. If 2 are shot, how many
are left?

2 – The others have flown away

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 Math Quiz Answers
3) Take away the first letter, take away the last letter,
then take away all the other letters. What do you have
left?

The mailman

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 Math Quiz Answers
4) If you have 4 melons in one hand, and 7 apples in the
other - What do you have?

Big hands

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 Math Quiz Answers
5) A box holds nine ears of corn. A squirrel carries out
three ears a day, but it takes him nine days to carry
out all the corn. Why?

He carries out one ear of corn

in addition to his own two ears

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 Math Quiz Answers
6) Why do white sheep eat more than black sheep?

There are more white sheep than black sheep.

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 Math Quiz Answers
7) It takes 7 men 2 hours to build a wall. How long does
it take 3 men to build the same wall?

Why bother? The 7 men have already built it.

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 Math Quiz Answers
8) I have 2 coins in my hand that add up to 60 cents.
One of the coins is not a half dollar. What are the
coins?

A half dollar and a dime

one (the dime) is not a half dollar

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 Math Quiz Answers
9) "I will bet you $1" said Fred, "that if you give me $2, I
will give you $3 in return."
"Done," replied Tom. Was he?

If Tom gives Fred $2 and Fred does not give $3

back, he loses the bet and $1. Therefore, Tom
must give Fred $1.

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 Math Quiz Answers
10) "How much will one cost?"
"25 cents"
"How much will fifteen cost?"
"50 cents"
"OK then, I'll take one hundred sixteen"
"Thank you, that will be 75 cents please"
What is going on here?

A man is buying house digit numbers

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 Math Quiz Answers
11) A Hammer and a Nail cost $31. If the hammer cost
$30 more than the nail, what is the cost of each?

The hammer is $30.50, the nail is $0.50

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 Math Quiz Answers
12) A man wanted to plant 4 trees, but all 4 had to be
equal distances from each other. How did he do it?

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 Math Quiz Answers
13) A fisherman was asked the length of the fish he had
caught. He said "it is 30 cms plus half its length.“
How long was the fish?

60 cms

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 Math Quiz Answers
14) What comes next in the following sequence ?
1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11,...

100 – the next number spelled without a t

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 Math Quiz Answers
15) In a scientific context, what could the following
phrase mean?
“How I want a drink, alcoholic of course, after the
heavy chapters involving quantum mechanics…”

π = 3.14159265358979…

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