After an absence of nearly two years, the
dread Calculatrivia has returned. This
time, we are presenting two different puzzles -- one for those of you who like a
Hard challenge, and one for those of you
who are willing to try something that is
nearly impossible. To solve, "all" you
have to do is choose one of the two sets
of 35 questions, then use the answers to
those questions to determine the value of
X in the equation above.
Note that the same equation is used in
both puzzles. A knowledge of ninth grade
math should suffice to solve the
equation -- provided, of course, that
you've correctly determined the values of
all the unknowns (represented by English
and Greek letters). Most of the questions
in the Hard puzzle can be answered by
consulting an almanac and a dictionary;
the impossible puzzle, on the other
hand, requires more of a marathon scavenger
hunt.
In determining the unknowns, do not
strain to find unusual ways to interpret
any of the questions. Some may be
tricky, but in each case the answer we
believe to be correct is the most literal
and straightforward one. In addition,
please observe the following rules:
1. Do not round off anything, unless
specifically instructed to do so.
2. If square root appears anywhere
in either contest, evaluate it as the positive square root only. Throughout the
equation, standard mathematical usage is in effect.
3. The value of X must be expressed in simplest form. If your answer were 10/5, you
would write it as 2; if your answer were
10/4, you would write it as 2 1/2 or 2.5.
X = _____
a = _____
b = _____
c = _____
d = _____
e = _____
f = _____
g = _____
h = _____
j = _____
k = _____
m = _____
n = _____
p = _____
q = _____
r = _____
s = _____
t = _____
u = _____
v = _____
w = _____
y = _____
z = _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
= _____
ANSWER KEY:
