Math problems that provokes thinking

1) Use the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 only once so that each side of the

triangle have equal sum.

2) Use numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 only once in each of the blanks for the problems a)-
c) and use 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 only once in d) and e).

a) Add two numbers only once, and use the numbers so that the two pairs of numbers have the
largest possible sum. Arrange the sum of the two numbers from the lowest to the highest
number:
__ + __ , __ + __ , __ + __ , __ + __ , __ + __

b) Subtract two numbers such that the difference between each of the two numbers is always
more than zero, and largest possible number. Arrange the difference between the two pairs
of number only once, and arrange the sum of the two numbers from the lowest to the
highest number:
__ – __ , __ – __ , __ – __ , __ – __ , __ – __

c) Complete the number sentence:

__ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __

d) Complete the number sentence using numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 only once:

___ + ___ + ___ = ___+ ___ + ___ = ___ + ___ + ___

e) Complete the number sentence using numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 only once:

___ + ___ – ___ = ___+ ___ – ___ = ___ + ___ – ___

3) Use 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 only once in each of the square at the right. The
numbers should be placed in such a way so that the sum of three numbers is
the same in each of the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions.
4) Fill in using 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only once in the blanks for the following number sentence:
___×___ = (___×___) + ___

5) Use numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 only once to complete the number sentence:

___ × ___ = ___ × ___ = ___ + ___ + ___ + ___ + ___

6) Given three separate numbers, such that their sum is 27, and their product is 672. Determine
the three numbers. Number sentence to this problem is

◊ + ○ + □ = 27 (Note: ◊, ○ and □ are whole numbers).

◊ × ○ × □ = 672

7) Given a right triangle in the rectangle and its dimensions. 3 cm

4 cm
a) Determine the fraction of the area of the rectangle that is
unshaded
b) What is the sum of the perimeters of the two unshaded
5 cm
triangles?

8) 31 swimmers took part in a swimming competition. Each of the swimmer represented

different schools. Before they returned home, each swimmer shook hands with other
swimmers only once. What is the total number of handshakes that occurred?

9) Determine pairs of two digit numbers, are such that when the digits in the 10’s and 1’s are
reversed and their products are identical. For example, 84×12 = 48×21. (Exchange of 10’s and
1’s digit in 84 is 48 and for 12 it is 21.) Determine all non-symmetric pairs of numbers that
have the same product when the digits are exchanged. (Examples of symmetric pairs of
number are 12×21 & 21×12, or 22×11, where the factors of the product are the same.)

10) Given the triangle of odd numbers, and assume that this pattern 1
continues, which row would contain 361? 3 5
7 9 11
13 15 17 19
21 23 25 27 29
31 33 35 37 39 41
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