December 9, 2002
Problem of the Week

The Bing Crosby Problem

By now we have heard Bing Crosby sing White Christmas too many times -- but this is a time of joy, so let's SING SONGS.

                   
        D O                  
    S I N G 
    B I N G
 +  S I N G
 ----------
  S O N G S
 

The addition problem can be read:

Do sing! Bing, sing songs.
    or
Do sing, Bing. Sing songs.

Determine the value of each letter in the addition problem above.

Solution to the Problem:

 
             8 3
         1 7 2 6 
         9 7 2 6 
       + 1 7 2 6 
      ---------- 
       1 3 2 6 1                 
 

Tom Dressen sent in a second solution with leading zeroes:

26 + 0718 + 4718 + 0718 = 06180

Rick Jones and Jeff Gaither also sent in a second solution with leading zeroes:

 	
             8 3
         0 5 6 9
         2 5 6 9
      +  0 5 6 9
      ----------
       0 3 7 9 0		
               

Correctly solved by:

1. Rick Jones	Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
2. William B. Funk	San Antonio, Texas
3. Tom Dressen	---------
4. Kerbey White	Winchester, Virginia
5. David & Judy Dixon	Bennettsville, South Carolina
6. Richard Johnson	La Jolla, California
7. Jeffrey Gaither	Winchester, Virginia
8. Gusti Oggenfuss	Montet (Broye), Switzerland

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher