Fantastic Formula
A Puzzle by David Pleacher
Published in the V2CTM Reflection October 1981





1. Determine, by any convenient method, the value of each of the twenty-five variables below.

2. Substitute the value for each variable into the right-hand side of the equation and perform all indicated arithmetic operations.

Use the correct order of operations!




THE QUESTIONS

a = normal body temperature in Celsius

b = the length of a side of a cube whose volume is 125 cm3

c = the value of 1F (base sixteen) in base ten

d = the base ten value of 5736 in base eight

e = the number of piano keys

f = the senses + the Great Lakes

g = (books in a trilogy) x (points in the Star of David)

h = fourscore x starting members of a basketball team

i = degrees in a circle + degrees in a right angle

j = Snow White's dwarfs + ____ Days in May (book title)

k = floor left out in most hotels x _____ seas

l = alphabet's letters x dots in a colon

m = "A stitch in time saves _____"

n = freezing point of water (in Fahrenheit)

o = notes in an octave + known planets (including Pluto)

p = musketeers x baker's dozen

q = books of the Bible - golden anniversary

r = blackbirds baked in a pie + golf course holes + two decades

s = bits in a half dollar x days in a week

t = field goal - safety (in football)

u = human adult's teeth + lucky number + original colonies + Wilson's points

v = Gospels + the Commandments + The Disciples

w = the R's + legs of a bovine

x = wisdom teeth x each state's senators to the U.S. Congress

y = checkerboard squares - Presidents on Mount Rushmore





ANSWER KEY:

a = 37
b = 5
c = 31
d= 3038
e = 88

f = 10
g = 18
h = 400
i = 4
j = 14

k = 91
l = 52
m = 9
n = 32
o = 17

p = 39
q = 16
r = 62
s = 28
t = 1

u = 66
v = 26
w = 7
x = 8
y = 60

z = 1


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher