July 2012
Problem of the Month

Change the Equation

Change this equation into a correct one by altering the position of only one digit:
(Six of the seven digits must remain exactly where they are!).

101 - 102 = 1

Solution to the Problem:

Move the 2 and make it an exponent:
101 - 10² = 1,
which then becomes 101 - 100 = 1

David Yang gets extra credit for his creative solution:
101-10=21 (in base 3).
In base three, this becomes 10 - 3 = 7 which works!

Correctly solved by:

1. Alp Aribal	Istanbul, Turkey
2. James Alarie	Flint, Michigan
3. David Yang	----------
4. Mary Murtishaw	Cabot, Arkansas

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher