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:
