Answer to January 06, 2003 Problem

Sum Fun With Elvis

This week's Problem of the Week is in honor of Elvis Presley's birthday, which of course occurs this week (JANUARY 8). The Problem consists of two parts:
(1) Determine four numbers from clues about Elvis' life.
(2) Use those four numbers and some logic to determine nine numbers in a square.

You must first determine the values of W, X, Y, and Z from the clues about Elvis' life below. In the clues, this day refers to a number from 1 to 31 -- not the names of the days of the week.

W: On this day in March 1956, Elvis' first LP is released.
X: How old Elvis was when he starred in his first movie (Love Me Tender) in 1956.
Y: On this day in March 1958, Elvis was inducted into the army.
Z: On this day in August 1977, Elvis is buried beside his mother (2 days after he died).

You must determine the values of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I in the square above. Each of the nine squares has a different numerical value from 1 to 9. The number in each circle (labeled W, X, Y, and Z, is the sum of the four squares that meet at that circle (that is why you must first determine the values of W, X, Y, and Z).

For example, the number in circle X is the sum of the digits in squares B, C, E, and F.

Can you make everything add up by finding the values of the nine squares?

Click here for a hint to get you started.

Click here to see where Elvis is now.

 

Solution to the Problem:


Correctly solved by:

1. Richard Johnson La Jolla, California
2. William Funk and William Funk, Jr. San Antonio, Texas
3. David and Judy Dixon Bennettsville, South Carolina
4. Pam Hedrick Winchester, Virginia
5. Lani Lum Winchester, Virginia
6. Devon Paris Columbia, Georgia
7. Taverlee Lum Winchester, Virginia