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Math,

Puzzle Zone

Flex your math muscles with these fun brainteasers!

By Jessica McKenna-Ratjen
From the October/November 2021 Issue
Focus Area: Algebraic Thinking,
Standards
  • MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES: MP1, MP2, MP4, MP7 CCSS: 2.OA.A.1, 2.OA.C.3, 4.NF.B.4.C TEKS: 2.4D, 2.7A, 5.3I

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Brainteaser

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Sneaker Shopping

Your best friend bought 3 pairs of sneakers at the mall for a total of $165. The first pair cost 1/3 of the total amount. The second pair cost $50 more than the third pair. 

How much did each pair of sneakers cost? Write the cost of each pair of sneakers on its label.

Pattern Puzzle

Pumpkin Patterns

Farmer Maria planted her pumpkins in a pattern.

Draw how she planted the next plot.

Illustrations by Jonathan Allardyce; Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Mystery Number

Code cracker

Can you unlock the safe’s code using only these 4 clues?

1. The passcode has 3 digits.

2. The ones digit is 3 times larger than the hundreds digit.

3. The tens digit is equal to 8 × 0.

4. The sum of the digits is 12.

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Number Imposter

Which One Doesn’t Belong?

Choose the number you think doesn’t belong.

Why is it the odd one out?

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ANSWERS: BRAINTEASER: Pair 1 = $165 ÷ 3 = $55, $165 − $55 = $110 for Pair 2 and Pair 3 combined: Pair 2 = $80, Pair 3 = $30; PATTERN PUZZLE: The pattern is +2, -1. The next plot would include 8 − 1 = 7 pumpkins; MYSTERY NUMBER: The passcode is 309; NUMBER IMPOSTOR: All answers with strong reasoning are valid.  

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