http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/-t1.htm Problems directly from Mr. Stephens and Mrs. Broccoli, featuring MathCounts level problems Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:09:39 GMT 10 http://intranet.meriden.k12.ct.us/maloney/maloney_WEB/clubs/images/MathSymbols50_000.jpg http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/-t1.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-f-t40.htm Archis Theo made an elaborate code to remember the 10-digit combination to his bicycle lock. This is the code he came up with: A-K-B-J-C-H-D-G-E-F. In his code, each letter stands for a different digit (0-9). To find the combination, use the clues below to figure out what digit is represented by each letter. When two letters are written together without an operation symbol, they represent a tens digit and a ones digit. D + D + D = F B / H = K H + H = B ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:09:39 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-f-t40.htm#275 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-f-t40.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-e-t39.htm Archis And when was the first U. S. Census conducted, you may wonder? Why, August 1, 1790, when the U. S. population was a downright staggering 3,939,214 people. Here it is August 2000, and we've likely just eclipsed 275 million. The U.S. POPClock gives a projected estimate, if you're curious as to a more exact number. If we assume a constant rate of growth between 1790 and 2000, estimate the number of years it takes for the population to double. Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:08:29 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-e-t39.htm#274 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-e-t39.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-c-t38.htm Archis The XIII International AIDS Conference was held in Durban, South Africa. Of the 34.3 million of the world's residents infected with AIDS, 24.5 million of them live in Africa. That's right; two-and-a-half times as many sufferers of HIV/AIDS live in Africa than in the rest of the world combined. What percent of those with AIDS live in Africa? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:06:06 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-c-t38.htm#272 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-c-t38.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-b-t37.htm Archis The latest Harry Potter book, Goblet of Fire, is massive at 734 pages, which is roughly twice the number of pages of any of the first three Potter books. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was 309 pages and 1.13 inches thick. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was 435 pages and 1.47 inches thick. Assuming consistent thickness of pages and covers, how thick is Goblet of Fire? (Round to the nearest hundredth of an inch.) Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:04:32 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-b-t37.htm#271 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-b-t37.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-a-t36.htm Archis J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, began a British tour Saturday at King's Cross train station in Central London on Platform 9-3/4. The tour is to celebrate her latest release, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In reality, there is no platform 9-3/4, except in the fictional world of Harry Potter. But let's leave reality and assume that platforms are labeled in quarter-number intervals. If the first is platform 1 and the last is platform 15, how many platforms are there total? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:03:57 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-a-t36.htm#270 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-3-problem-a-t36.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-c-t31.htm Archis According to internet officials, all three-letter dot-coms were registered. (Note: Just because it's registered doesn't guarantee that it has a live site.) How many three-letter dot-coms are there? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:52:19 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-c-t31.htm#190 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-c-t31.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-d-t32.htm Archis Note from Archis: This problem is separated into three sections. I have bolded the questions, and for the first section you are allowed to use Google to find the boiling points and freezing points. If you have memorized them that is accepted too. While pleasant spring days, sunshine and rising temperatures are helping to warm you up physically, this week's problems will help warm you up mathematically. First, trivia questions: What is the freezing temperature for water in Celsius and Fahrenheit? ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:59:02 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-d-t32.htm#192 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-d-t32.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-e-t33.htm Archis Note from Archis: This problem is separated into parts. The questions are bolded, but don't skim through the history. You may never know, maybe Mr. Stephens or Mrs. Broccoli will ask what are the dimensions of the Declaration of independence. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies declared their independence from Britain. On July 8, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in Philadelphia, marking the first celebration of Independence Day. The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:02:59 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-e-t33.htm#193 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-e-t33.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-b-t30.htm Archis It's amazing how the actors pine for that 13½" tall, 8½ pound little guy. But that's because Oscar is more than just a gold trophy - he's a symbol that the work of an actress or director is worthy of the praise from his or her peers. Not surprising, then, that a crate of the statues being delivered turned up missing on March 8. Of the 55 that were missing, 52 were recovered by junk man Willie Fulgear. For returning them, he was rewarded $50,000. If the reward was proportional to the number ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:51:47 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-b-t30.htm#189 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-b-t30.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-a-t29.htm Archis Sixty-four teams are selected to participate in the NCAA championship. It is a single elimination tournament (that is, one loss and a team is out). How many games must be played to determine a champion? How many games must a team win to win the national championship? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:50:55 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-a-t29.htm#188 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-2-problem-a-t29.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-b-t18.htm Archis A calculator is permitted for this problem
Note answers: may vary based on estimations

Around the District of Columbia, areas received between 7 and 19 inches of snow. According to one local weather report, within a 50-mile radius of DC, over 5 billion tons of snow fell. How many square feet of area are in a "50-mile radius"? Use the numbers above to estimate the weight of one cubic foot of the snow that fell in DC.]]> Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:21:49 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-b-t18.htm#82 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-b-t18.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-d-t21.htm Archis On 8 March 1857, women garment workers in New York City staged a protest against inhumane working conditions and low wages. Two years later, these women formed their first labour union to protect themselves and gain some basic rights in the workplace. On 8 March 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter work hours, better pay, voting rights and an end to child labour. They adopted the slogan Bread and Roses, with bread symbolizing economic security and roses signifying ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:30:53 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-d-t21.htm#101 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-d-t21.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-c-t20.htm Archis It only happens once every 400 years. Although "leap days" occur once every four years, leap days in a year ending with two zeroes only happen once every four centuries. That's right-- there's a leap day in 2000, but there wasn't one in 1700, 1800 or 1900. What fraction of the years from 2001 through 4000 inclusive have leap days? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:30:17 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-c-t20.htm#100 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-c-t20.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-solutions-t28.htm Archis Dear users of this forum, Congratulations on another great week of problems. Here are the official answers from Mr. Stephens. Problem 1: "The greatest digital sum date won't occur till almost the end of this century: 09/29/99, which has digital sum 38. " Problem 2: "Fifty miles is 5280 x 50 = 264,000 feet. So, a circle of radius 50 miles has approximately pi x (264,000)2 = (3.14)(69,696,000,000) = 218,845,440,000, or almost 219 billion, square feet of area. Since ... Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:25:06 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-solutions-t28.htm#154 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-solutions-t28.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-a-t16.htm Archis
Interesting thing about the first date of the new millennium, 01/01/00 - when the digits of that date are added, it's the smallest possible sum of any date. What date during the next century, when written in that form, will have the greatest possible sum of its digits?

Remember to post your answers in the "spoiler" tag]]> Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:39:31 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-a-t16.htm#67 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-a-t16.htm http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-e-t22.htm Archis There are three candidates, Al, Bill, and Charlie. Bill has at least one-fifth the number of votes Charlie has, and has at most one-third the number of votes Al has. If the sum of Bill and Charlie's votes is at least 600, what is the least votes Al can get? Recommended Problems from Nysmith Mathcounts Teachers Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:31:34 GMT http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-e-t22.htm#102 http://nysmithmath.forumotion.net/recommended-problems-from-nysmith-mathcounts-teachers-f9/week-1-problem-e-t22.htm