Solve each of the 26 problems labeled A through Z. Then replace each blank with the letter corresponding to the number below it to learn the Christmas message.
Symbols used: +, -, /, * is multiplication, sqrt is square root, ! is factorial, [ ] is the greatest integer, ^ is exponent.
A. ____ [sqrt(202)] - 1
B. ____ 2 * 0 + 2 + 1
C. ____ 20 - 2 + 1
D. ____ (2 + (0)!) * 2 + 1
E. ____ [sqrt(20)] + [sqrt(21)]
F. ____ 20 + 2 - 1
G. ____ (2 + 0!)! * 2 * 1
H. ____ (2 + 0) * (2 + 1)
I . ____ (2 + 0 + 2 * 1)!
J. ____ 20 - 2 * 1
K. ____ 20 + (2 + 1)!
L. ____ 20 + 2 * 1
M. ____ 20 / 2 * 1
N. ____ 2 + 0 * 21
O. ____ [(sqrt(202))] + 1
P. ____ 20 * (2 - 1)
Q. ____ 20 / 2 - 1
R. ____ ( 2 + 0 + 2)! + 1
S. ____ 20 / 2 + 1
T. ____ 20 + 2 + 1
U. ____ 2 + 0 + 2 + 1
V . ____ 2 ^ (0! + 2 + 1)
W. ____ 20 - (2 + 1)!
X. ____ 2 + 0 + 2 * 1
Y. ____ 20 - 2 - 1
Z. ____ -20 + 21
Now using the answers above, write the letters in the spaces below to discover the Christmas message:
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 5 2 3 8 26 2 15 14 2 11 23 23 15 10 15 11 23 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ , __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 23 6 8 15 22 15 12 24 13 2 11 23 6 8 25 8 14 13 11 13 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ , __ __ __ __ __ __ 21 15 5 25 23 6 14 24 11 8 10 13 2 14 6 15 14 13 11 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 23 5 25 2 8 7 13 14 13 17 21 15 25 3 25 24 2 12 24 2 12 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . 13 21 25 5 24 23 19 13 26 8
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Solution to the Problem:
The answer to the Christmas message is:Unbeknownst to most theologians, there was a fourth wiseman, who was turned away for bringing a fruitcake.
A 13 = [sqrt(202)] - 1
B 3 = 2 * 0 + 2 + 1
C 19 = 20 - 2 + 1
D 7 = (2 + (0)!) * 2 + 1
E 8 = [sqrt(20)] + [sqrt(21)]
F 21 = 20 + 2 - 1
G 12 = (2 + 0!)! * 2 * 1
H 6 = (2 + 0) * (2 + 1)
I 24 = (2 + 0 + 2 * 1)!
J 18 = 20 - 2 * 1
K 26 = 20 + (2 + 1)!
L 22 = 20 + 2 * 1
M 10 = 20 / 2 * 1
N 2 = 2 + 0 * 21
O 15 = [(sqrt(202))] + 1
P 20 = 20 * (2 - 1)
Q 9 = 20 / 2 - 1
R 25 = ( 2 + 0 + 2)! + 1
S 11 = 20 / 2 + 1
T 23 = 20 + 2 + 1
U 5 = 2 + 0 + 2 + 1
V 16 = 2 ^ (0! + 2 + 1)
W 14 = 20 - (2 + 1)!
X 4 = 2 + 0 + 2 * 1
Y 17 = 20 - 2 - 1
Z 1 = -20 + 21
Correctly solved by:
1. Colin (Yowie) Bowey | Beechworth, Victoria, Australia |
2. Halle Porter |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
3. Veena Mg | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
4. Sara Gagler |
Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado |
5. Dr. Hari Kishan |
D.N. College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India |
6. Holly Hamblin |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
7. J. Colby | Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado |
8. Ashley Martin |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
9. Jaxon Antonino |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
10. Ashley Thomas |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
11. Maddison Aimone |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
12. Cash Henrie |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
13. Shaelin Wiggill |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
14. Tyler Duarte | Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado |
15. Charleigh Windley |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
16. Jasmine Hernandez |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
17. Kole Behunin |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
18. Alysa Cantlin |
Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming |
19. Ivy Joseph | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
20. Yishai Trowbridge |
Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado |
21. Joseph Moore | Denver, Colorado |
22. Kelly Stubblefield | Mobile, Alabama |