Do you like solving mind-boggling math puzzles like magic squares? How well do you
know the order of operations in math? Here's where you will be put to the test.
This is definitely not for the weakest of brains! You may need a study buddy for this one. Maybe you have a middle or high school aged child that is more refreshed in this topic than you. What a better way to spend a quality parent/child bonding experience by solving magic square puzzles using the order of operations.
In case you need a refresher, the order of operations are as follows...
1. Solve anything in parentheses first
2. Then, simplify any exponents
3. Then, multiply and divide from left to right
4. Finally, add and subtract from left to right
Here are a couple of examples...
Solve (5 + 5) x 2 + 7
First, you will need to simplify the 5 + 5 since it's in parentheses, this gives you
10. There are no exponents in this problem, so you can skip ahead to step three.
Take 10 and multiply it by 2, since you need to multiply from left to right. This
gives you 20. Finally, add and subtract from left to right. 20 plus 7 gives you
27. So....
(5 + 5) x 2 + 7 = 27
Look simple? Try this one...
Solve 6 + 8 x 9 - 3
Looks like there is nothing in parentheses to solve, nor any exponents, so you can
skip right to step three, multiply and divide from left to right. In this problem,
you will need to take 8 x 9 to get 72. There's no more mulitplying and dividing
left to do, so you can go ahead to step four, add and subtract from left to right.
Right now you have 6 + 72 - 3, so you take 6 + 72 to get 78, and subtract 3 to get a
final answer of 75. So....
6 + 8 x 9 - 3 = 75 Got it now?
You will need to solve six, modified magic square puzzles in order to find this
cache. Click
here to download the puzzles (opens in Adobe Acrobat Reader). You will have
the answers and operations to the problems, you just have to figure out what single
digit numbers are used to solve them. Further directions are given on the puzzle
worksheet. Solving all puzzles correctly will give you the coordinates to a tag
located on a tree. You will see a letter on this tag. From there, look at the
trees around you for another tag with a letter on it and walk to it. There are 12
tags in all, and most of them are 2-4 feet off the ground. Tags should be viewable from one tree to the next, although the last one may be a bit tricky. Follow them in order as
they spell out the name of the cache. This concept is similar to following a trail
of reflectors. The cache container, which in keeping with the theme, a square
tupperware container wrapped in camo tape, will be very near the last tag at the
base of a log, which look like remains of a fallen tree, located in the nature pod. The tag portion of the hunt may become more difficult when
spring arrives.
Please do not park in school lots when school is in session and be aware of possible muggles in the area. This area is popular for the high school kids. Our class will be watching to see who has the talent to solve our puzzles. There is
a first finders prize in the cache for the lucky, deserving cacher who puts in the
effort to solve the puzzles and find the cache first. Good luck to all!
This cache brought to you by WMS 6th grade students
and...
WHITNALLGPS
2004 Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame Finalist
Check out our other school cache in the nature pod
Travel Bug School Field Trip