This mathematical series of puzzle caches has questions from all levels of school education, from Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) in the first few caches, all the way up to Further Maths A-Level in the last few caches. Everybody should be able to get the solutions to the first few caches, but how far through the series will you be able to get? For a full description of the series, please see the first cache “1+1=1”. If you can’t solve a particular set of questions, try asking somebody of the appropriate age, or your friendly neighbourhood Maths teacher!
Please note that many of the caches are hidden near busy roads, so please take care when finding them, especially if you have children with you. It is worth noting that there is parking possible within a few hundred metres of all caches and a quick look on a satellite view map should show suitable places.
This cache contains questions that are suitable for Sixth Form age students.
1. All six digits of three 2-digit numbers are different. What is the largest sum of three such numbers? A=the sum of the digits in your answer.
2. B= the last digit of 3^2014
3. A cube is made of 27 smaller cubes, each of which is either red or yellow. They are arranged so that no cubes of the same colour meet face to face. C= the difference between the largest number and the smallest number of red cubes possible.
4. If z=x^2+y^2+2xy+6x+6y+4, then D=the minimum value of z.
5. A bracelet is made by threading four identical black beads and four identical white beads onto a string. E=the number of different bracelets that can be made.
The cache can be found at N50 45.PQR E0 13.STU where P=C-D, Q=A-B-C, R=E-C, S=B-E+C, T=A+D-C, U=D+B+E/4
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.