Can anyone recommend a math puzzle that would be good for me to give to a college algebra class? It should be something that they know the math they need, but have to think outside the box.
like
find log(1/2)+log(2/3)+log(3/4)+log(4/5)+log(5/6)+log(6/7)….log(98/99)+log(99/100) WITHOUT using a calculator
C is the right angle in triangle ABC. D is the midpoint of side AC. E is the midpoint of side BC. The length of line segment BD is 26. The length of line segment AE is 4*root(34). How long is side AB?
Any suggestions? (No, I am NOT looking for the answers to the above problems!)
1. Here's one from The Mathematics of Oz by
C. Pickover:
The following array of numbers satisfies the property
that the sum of the squares of any 2 adjacent numbers
(horizontally and vertically) is also a square.
Can this 4×4 array be extended to a 5×5 array?
If so, what is the 5*5 array you get?
1836 105 252 735
1248 100 240 700
936 75 180 525
273 560 1344 3920
There are over a hundred other puzzles in Pickover's book
you might like to choose as well.
2. Take any number of 2 digits or more. Reverse
the digits and add. Repeat the process till a palindrome
is obtained. (A palindrome reads the same backwards
and forwards.)
If the number you picked is already a palindrome
choose another.
For example, let's try 59.
59 + 95 = 154
154 + 451 = 605
605 + 506 = 1111, a palindrome.
Now have the class try to do this with 196.
If any of them can find a palindrome by the
end of the class, offer to take them out to dinner!
See what happens.
Good luck!
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1. Here's one from The Mathematics of Oz by
C. Pickover:
The following array of numbers satisfies the property
that the sum of the squares of any 2 adjacent numbers
(horizontally and vertically) is also a square.
Can this 4×4 array be extended to a 5×5 array?
If so, what is the 5*5 array you get?
1836 105 252 735
1248 100 240 700
936 75 180 525
273 560 1344 3920
There are over a hundred other puzzles in Pickover's book
you might like to choose as well.
2. Take any number of 2 digits or more. Reverse
the digits and add. Repeat the process till a palindrome
is obtained. (A palindrome reads the same backwards
and forwards.)
If the number you picked is already a palindrome
choose another.
For example, let's try 59.
59 + 95 = 154
154 + 451 = 605
605 + 506 = 1111, a palindrome.
Now have the class try to do this with 196.
If any of them can find a palindrome by the
end of the class, offer to take them out to dinner!
See what happens.
Good luck!
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