Math Forum - Problem of the Week
The Card Game [Problem #4907]
Suki is playing a card game. The cards have lots of dots on them.
She picks up two cards and notices that the dots on one card are organized in groups of 4. The
dots on her other card are organized in groups of 3. If she adds the dots on both cards she gets 21.
How many dots are on each card?
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Math Forum - Problem of the Week
Fourth of July [Problem #3515]
Your family is having a barbecue to celebrate the Fourth of July. Your mom is
going to serve 16 hot dogs. She needs to figure out how many packages of hot
dogs to buy and how many packages of hot dog buns to buy.
The hot dogs come in packages of 8. The hot dog buns come in packages of 6.
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How many packages of hot dogs does she need to buy?
How many packages of hot dog buns does she need to buy?
Will she have any leftover hot dogs or buns?
Show your work.
Extra: If each package of hot dogs costs $2.50 and each package of hot dog buns costs $1.00 how much money
will your mom spend?
© 1994-2014 Drexel University
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Math Forum - Problem of the Week
Add or Subtract? [Problem #5051]
Vanessa has 27 Matchbox cars. Victor has 45. How many fewer does
Vanessa have?
George says this is an addition problem. Gloria disagrees and says
this is a subtraction (take away) problem. Explain each child's
thinking.
© 1994-2014 Drexel University
http://mathforum.org/pows/
Math Forum - Problem of the Week
Darlene's Dart Board [Problem #4075]
Darlene challenged her friends to a game of darts on her new dart board.
Players take turns throwing darts. A player wins by scoring exactly 100
points.
1. List one combination of scores that will win the game. Explain how
you found it.
2. Is it possible to score 100 points with more darts or fewer darts
than you listed? Explain how you know.
Extra: Find at least two other combinations that will win this game.
List them and describe your strategy for finding them.
© 1994-2014 Drexel University
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Math Forum - Problem of the Week
Earning Money [Problem #3779]
The Robertson children do chores to earn their allowance. Their mother and father post the chores
that need to be completed each week on the refrigerator.
Chores for Allowance This Week:
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Change your sheets 25¢
Wash the mirrors 50¢
Set the table 25¢
Dry dishes 50¢
Help wash the car $1.00
Sweep the porch $2.00
Use the information above to help you answer these questions:
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Which chore pays the most money?
Elisa set the table twice. How much money did she make?
If Elisa sets the table for five nights, how much money will she earn?
Byron swept the porch, and Kahlani helped wash the car. Who earned more money? How
much more?
Extra: Find five different ways Byron can earn $1.00 by doing these chores.
© 1994-2014 Drexel University
http://mathforum.org/pows/