July 2011
Problem of the Month

Sequence Problem

Determine the next logical number in each sequence.

When you've finished, convert each of the six final numbers to a letter

(1 = A, 2 = B, etc.) to form a six-letter word reading down.

What is this word?

1   2   4   6   10   12   ___

169   121   81   49   25   9   ___

36   28   21   15   10   6   ___

14   15   13   16   12   17   ___

44   51   17   24   8   15   ___

2   5   8   11   14   17   ___

Solution to the Problem:

The word is PACKET

1   2   4   6   10   12   16
(one less than the prime numbers)

169   121   81   49   25   9   1
(odd squares, descending)

36   28   21   15   10   6   3
(subtract 8, then 7, then 6,...)

14   15   13   16   12   17   11
(add 1, subtract 2, add 3, subtract 4,...)

44   51   17   24   8   15   5
(add 7, divide by 3, add 7, divide by 3,...)

2   5   8   11   14   17   20
(repeatedly add 3)

Correctly solved by:

1. John C. Funk (solved 5 of the sequences)

Ventura, California

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher