Basic Information About Puzzles, Solutions, and Complexity
 
The Math-Science Quest for Solutions Puzzles about mathematics are initially 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 on problems at three levels of complexity: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. The complexity is determined by the operation signs that are used in Solutions.
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, (4*3)+2 = 66, the Goal is 66 (the right side of the equation), and the Solution is (4*3)+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.
The first puzzle offered at this website is the Elementary Puzzle 1E.
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:   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:   cgi.wff-n-proof.com/MSQ-Ind/I-1E.htm