Newsletter
 

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Rose, the NEWSLETTER EDITOR, would greatly appreciate your sending items for the next issue.   

Be ready and watch for some great news!  

Suggestions include: 

  • math website addresses
  • favorite lesson plan or activity
  • classroom suggestions/ideas
  • classroom mathematical technique
  • saying you use with your fellow teachers or students
  • puzzle
  • sample math problem
  • classroom story
  • noteworthy math facts
  • helpful or funny websites
  • anything you find interesting and think other math teachers will too

Send your ideas to rozebud16@optonline.net with the subject line "SCMTA Newsletter".  Thank you!

 

Solution to the Math Riddle Fall Newsletter 08-09

 

Here is an algebraic solution.

 

Let x1 = the 1st number in our list, x2 = the 2nd number, … x5 = the 5th number

 

x5 + x3 = 14                  

x4 = x2 + 1          

x1 = 2x2 – 1              

x2 + x3 = 10              

x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5 = 30

 

Rewrite our last equation in terms of a single variable.

   (x1)     + (x2 + x3)  +    (x4)      +       (x5)         = 30

(2x2 – 1)   +   (10)    +  (x2 + 1)   +    (14 – x3)       = 30   

(2x2 – 1)   +   (10)    +  (x2 + 1)   + (14 – (10 - x2))   = 30  

 

4x2 + 14 = 30

x2 = 4

 

Substitution gives us our five numbers in the following order: 7,4,6,5,8