ABACUS International Math Challenge

for

5th and 6th graders

October, 2008

 

B.649. You write addition or subtraction signs between the numbers in the sequence 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; ... so that you would get 2008 as a result as soon as possible. What is the lowest possible number in the sequence we have to go up to?

 

B.650. There are 11 girls and 16 boys in a class. Their math teacher gives them 20 problems. Each problem is given to either a boy, or a girl, or a boy-girl couple. Each problem is given out only once, and each student has to work on only one problem. How many boys and how many girls receive a problem on their own?

 

B.651. How many 2-digit positive whole numbers are equal to the square of the sum of their digits?

 

B.652. We would like to cut up a rectangular pan of cake into rectangular pieces. First we make a few cuts parallel to two opposite sides of the pan, then we make a few cuts perpendicular to these. We made a total of 13 cuts. Could the number of pieces be:

a) 45

b) 50?

 

B.653. Using five identical digits, parentheses, and a few mathematical operations, create the number 30 in as many different ways as possible.

 

B.654. In the following numbers: 1 - a, 2 - a, 3 - a, ..., 2008 - a what should we substitute for "a" if the sum of these numbers is 7028?

 

B.655. Some square numbers remain squares even if you write an extra digit 1 at the end of the number. Find the smallest such positive square number.

 

B.656. Write down the positive 2-digit numbers in an increasing order by using blue, red, and green pen in this order continually for the digits. What is the color of the last digit 7 you have to write down?

 

Please, send your solutions to Prof. Patrick J. Sullivan:

abacus.56@valpo.edu

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