Let’s define a function over the non-negative integers in the following manner: P(n) = n when n is a one-digit integer. P(n) = the product of all the digits of n when n > 9. Example: P(1729) = 126, because 1 × 7 × 2 × 9 = 126. Evaluate the following: Note: this problem was shared to [...]
One evening Elisa was doing her math homework when Dina came by to visit. “The exercise I have to do,” said Elisa, “is this one.” Convert this expression to its calculator key-sequence form, then use your calculator to find its value. “So far I have this much done,” she added. 12 [×] 5 [-] 8 [÷] [...]
Legend has it that long ago, one of my ancestors was a master candy maker. His specialty was a unique item made of chocolate, fancy nuts, cream filling, and other ingredients that were a highly guarded family secret. He sold his product under the simple name of Trotter’s Treats, or simply TT’s. Demand was always [...]
When I see a good problem somewhere, I like to investigate its properties further and deeper, with the intention of using it to develope problem solving skills in my students. Such was the case when I saw the two problems that you will see in this page of WTM. I hope you will agree with me that they can [...]
Once upon a time and far away there was a wonderful place called Number Line Land. It was part of a larger world known as Mathematica. The creatures who lived in this place were like nothing you’ve ever seen before. There were two main types: heptoads and tetrogs. They lived in a strange habitat, strange [...]
Once upon a time there was a young man named Robert Appleson. He lived in a place called Appleland. It was famous for growing delicious red apples. Robert, who was known as Bobby to all his friends, had the largest apple orchard in all of Appleland. Everyone loved his apples, including the family of forty [...]
Introduction While contemplating on the number curiosity below, I discovered that it possessed deeper and unexpected characteristics, structure, and patterns. I have not seen any discussion of these findings in the recreational literature I have read. Hence, it is being offered with the belief that I have uncovered a new recurrent operation pattern of a cyclic [...]
[Preface NOTE: The material presented below was lifted from an article I saw some time ago by Dan Brutlag, "Making Your Own Rules". THE MATHEMATICS TEACHER, November 1990. pp. 608-611. What is being given below is how I prepared a handout to give to my classes, mostly as anactivity for use by a substitute.] NUMBER [...]
Perhaps some of the readers of this page will not appreciate the unique reference being made in the title of this activity to a famous TV game show, called “The Price Is Right“. If you are one of those, here is a brief description of that program, so that the math activity presented below will make sense. On the [...]
INTRODUCTION A. When a number is multiplied by itself, the resulting product is called a SQUARE NUMBER, or simply a SQUARE. 12 × 12 = 144 so 144 is a square number. 35 × 35 = 1225 so 1225 is a square number. 133 × 133 = 17,689 so 17689 is a square number. B. [...]