Math-Science Quest for Solutions

Math-Science Quest for Solutions
by Layman Allen (professor) and Leslie Nielsen (actor)
Sponsored by the Accelerated Learning Foundation in Collaboration with
WFF 'N PROOF Learning Games Associates

The Math-Science Quest for Solutions Puzzles about beginning mathematics are intriguing challenges for youngsters and adults alike. Most persons find even the Elementary puzzles difficult; and almost everybody, finds the Advanced ones so. Then they learn how to resolve the difficulty through scientific investigation by experiment. The complexity of the puzzles is determined by the operation signs that are used in the Solutions. The first puzzle offered at this website is the Elementary Puzzle 1E, and we recommend that you start with it. Then, try the Intermediate and Advanced puzzles to see just which level which is most appropropriate for you to continue with.

**Math-Science Quest Puzzles at Three Levels**
Elementary: + - x /	*Intermediate: + - x / @** * indicates exponentiation @ indicates root operation	*Advanced: + - x / @ L L indicates logarithm**
1E 2E 3E	1I 2I 3I	1A 2A 3A

**Levels of Complexity of Puzzles**
Puzzle Level	Symbols	Operations	Examples
Elementary (E)	+ - x /	addition subtraction multiplication division	8+4 = 12 9-3 = 6 4x6 = 24 9/3 = 3
Intermediate (I)	+ - x / * @	See above. exponentiation root operation	See above. 4*3 =4x4x4 = 64 3@8 = 2
Advanced (A)	+ - x / * @ L	See above. logarithm	See above. 2L8 = 3

**Definition and Other Aspects of Solutions**
Solutions are expressions equal to the specified Goal constructed from parentheses and the Resources available in the puzzle. Example: In the equation, (43)+2 = 66, the Goal is 66 (the right side of the equation), and the Solution is (43)+2 (the left side of the equation). Only single-digit numerals are allowed to be used in Solutions; no multiple-digit numerals. All operations signs represent binary operations; they operate on two numbers. This means that all Solution expressions (a) will be of the form: digit-operation-digit-operation- ... digit, (b) will use an odd number of Resources, and (c) will use one more digit than operation sign. It also means (d) that negative four is not represented by -4; rather it must be represented by 0-4, 1-5, 2-6, etc., and (e) that square root of 9 is not represented by @9, but rather by 2@9. Parentheses are freely available like the air to be inserted by Solution-builders anywhere that they find them useful.

**If you like the Math-Science Quest you can help out**
If you think the math in Puzzle 1E is likely to be challenging, inspiring, and educational to kids and adults alike, you might wish to recommend it to your friends as appropriate for them and their friends, kids, and grandkids. Just send them the URL: http://cgi.wff-n-proof.com/MSQ-Ind/I-1E.htm to access Puzzle 1E. Another good way to help us and them out would be to include the following (or something like it) as part of the SIGNATURE in your email messages: Would you like to see a challenging little arithmetic puzzle that might get your kids or grandkids more interest in math? See: http://cgi.wff-n-proof.com/MSQ-Ind/I-1E.htm

**Teacher's Version: For Conducting Classroom Tournament**
The Math-Science Quest for Solutions Puzzles about mathematics are being offered to teachers of math and science in elementary, middle, and high schools around the world for use in conducting weekly research experiences with their students. These weekly research investigations are designed to be part of a monthly tournament by research teams of students to provide hands-on experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing the results of experimental research on math problems. For an example of the Teacher's Version of the Math-Science Quest for Solutions to use in conducting classroom tournaments, see: Teacher's Version.

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