Mystery Level Puzzle

1763 Daffodil Puzzle

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Today’s Puzzle:

Spring has sprung and perhaps flowers are blooming in your area. I think my favorite flowers are daffodils. I love the way they are shaped and their vibrant colors.

This daffodil puzzle is a great way to welcome spring. It may be a little bit tricky, but I think if you carefully use logic you will succeed! Just write each of the numbers 1 to 12 in the first column and again in the top row so that those numbers are the factors of the given clues. As always there is only one solution.

Here’s the same puzzle if you’d like to print it using less ink:

Factors of 1763:

  • 1763 is a composite number and the product of twin primes.
  • Prime factorization: 1763 = 41 × 43.
  • 1763 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1763 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1 and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 = 4. Therefore 1763 has exactly 4 factors.
  • The factors of 1763 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1763:

1763 is the difference of two squares in two different ways:
882² – 881² = 1763, and
42² – 1² = 1763. (That means the next number will be a perfect square!)

1763 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
387-1720-1763, which is (9-40-41) times 43.

1763 is palindrome 3E3 in base 22 because
3(22²) + 14(22) + 3(1) = 1763.

Lastly and most significantly: 15, 35, 143, 323, 899, and 1763 begin the list of numbers that are the product of twin primes. 1763 is just the sixth number on that list! If we include the products of two consecutive primes whether they are twin primes or not, the list is still fairly small. How rarely does that happen?

When it was 2021, did you realize how significant that year was?

1761 Irish Harp

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Today’s Puzzle:

This mystery-level puzzle was meant to look a little like an Irish harp. Using logic write the numbers 1 to 12 in the first column and again in the top row so that those numbers and the given clues make a multiplication table. There is only one solution.

Notice that the clues 16 and 24 appear THREE times in the puzzle. In each case, you will need to determine if the common factor is 2, 4, or 8. You will have to get the common factor for each one in the right place or it will cause trouble for another clue. Consider what problems each of the following scenarios bring to other clues. For example, 48 must be either 4 × 12 or 6 × 8, but both possibilities are impossible in at least one of these scenarios:

Once you determine the only scenario that doesn’t present a problem for any other clue, you will be able to begin the puzzle.

Here’s the same puzzle without any added color:

Factors of 1761:

1 + 7 + 6 + 1 = 15, a number divisible by 3, so 1761 is divisible by 3. Since 6 is divisible by 3, we didn’t have to include it in our sum: 1 + 7 + 1 = 9, so 1761 is divisible by 3.

  • 1761 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1761 = 3 × 587.
  • 1761 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1761 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1 and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 = 4. Therefore 1761 has exactly 4 factors.
  • The factors of 1761 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1761:

1761 is the difference of two squares in two different ways:
881² – 880² = 1761, and
295² – 292² = 1761.

1761 is palindrome 1N1 in base 32
because 1(32²) + 23(32) + 1(1) = 1761.

1752 So Many Snowflakes

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Today’s Puzzle:

A winter storm hit much of the United States today including the drought-stricken area where I live. We are so grateful for the snow, but also grateful we could stay home all day. Driving in this much snow is not much fun.

This snowflake mystery-level puzzle might have a couple of tricky clues, but I’m confident that you’ll still find it easier than clearing a couple of feet of snow off a driveway! Just write the numbers 1 to 12 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues make a multiplication table.

Here’s the same puzzle without any added color:

Factors of 1752:

  • 1752 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1752 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 73, which can be written 1752 = 2³ × 3 × 73.
  • 1752 has at least one exponent greater than 1 in its prime factorization so √1752 can be simplified. Taking the factor pair from the factor pair table below with the largest square number factor, we get √1752 = (√4)(√438) = 2√438.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 3,1 and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (3 + 1)(1 + 1) (1 + 1) = 4 × 2 × 2 = 16. Therefore 1752 has exactly 16 factors.
  • The factors of 1752 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1752:

1752 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
1152 1320 1752, which is 24 times (48-55-73).

1752 is the difference of two squares in FOUR different ways:
439² – 437² = 1752,
221² – 217² = 1752,
149² -143² = 1752, and
79² – 67² = 1752.

1752 is a palindrome in some other bases:
It’s A4A in base13 because 10(13²) + 4(13) + 10(1) = 1752,
it’s 4G4 in base19 because 4(19²) + 16(19) + 4(1) = 1752, and
it’s 2K2 in base 25 because 2(25²) + 20(25) + 2(1) = 1752.

1747 Getting a Super Bowl Ring Isn’t Easy

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Today’s Puzzle:

On Wednesday I read an article in my local paper titled From undrafted free agent to the biggest stage: Britain Covey’s ‘unique ride’ to Super Bowl LVII. It got me quite excited for today’s game. Unfortunately, between Wednesday and Sunday, Covey suffered a hamstring injury.  Getting a Super Bowl Ring certainly isn’t easy. Being able to contribute to your team’s winning the game isn’t easy either. UPDATE: Good News! He was able to make at least one play in the second quarter! Further update: Even though his team lost the game in the final minutes, this rookie played well when he was on the field. I think both teams played exceptionally well and gave us all an exciting game to watch.

Before the game, it is a mystery which team will win the game. The difficulty level of this puzzle is a mystery also.

If you look at today’s puzzle just right, I think it looks a little like a super bowl ring, but I forwarn you, it will not be easy to get this puzzle either. You will need to place the numbers from 1 to 12 both in the first column and in the top row so that the given clues are the products of the numbers you place. Logic and practice will get you there. Good Luck!

You also might enjoy this next Super Bowl puzzle I saw on Twitter:

Factors of 1747:

  • 1747 is a prime number.
  • Prime factorization: 1747 is prime.
  • 1747 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1747 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponent in the prime factorization is 1. Adding one to that exponent we get (1 + 1) = 2. Therefore 1747 has exactly 2 factors.
  • The factors of 1747 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

How do we know that 1747 is a prime number? If 1747 were not a prime number, then it would be divisible by at least one prime number less than or equal to √1747. Since 1747 cannot be divided evenly by 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, or 41, we know that 1747 is a prime number.

More About the Number 1747:

1747 is a palindrome in base 15.
It’s 7B7₁₅ because 7(15²) + 11(15) + 7(1) = 1747.

1738 Little Surprises Around Every Turn

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Today’s Puzzle:

Is this mystery-level puzzle easy or difficult? I’m not saying. Place all the numbers from 1 to 12 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers are the factors of the given clues. If you use logic to solve the puzzle, you will probably find some surprises around every turn.

Factors of 1738:

It may surprise you that 1738 is divisible by 11. Why is it? Because
1 – 7 + 3 – 8 = -11, a multiple of 11, which makes 1738 divisible by 11.

  • 1738 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1738 = 2 × 11 × 79.
  • 1738 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1738 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1, 1, and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. Therefore 1738 has exactly 8 factors.
  • The factors of 1738 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1738:

Maybe you will be surprised by some of these number facts about the number 1738.

As mentioned in the table, 1738 = 2 × 11 × 79. That means 1738 is the short leg in the Pythagorean triple calculated from 2(79)(11), 79² – 11², 79² + 11².

1738 is the sum of eleven consecutive numbers:
153 + 154 + 155 + 156 +157 + 158 + 159 + 160 + 161 + 162 + 163 = 1738.

1738 is the sum of four consecutive numbers:
433 + 434 + 435 + 436 = 1738.

And because four is an even number:
436² – 435² + 434² – 433² = 1738.
Surprised?

1738 is also the sum of the 44 consecutive numbers from 18 to 61.

Consequently,
61² – 60² + 59² – 68² + 57² – 56² + 55² – 54² + 53² – 52² + 51² – 50² + 49² – 48² + 47² – 46² + 45² – 44² + 43² – 42² + 41² – 40² + 39² – 38² + 37² – 36² + 35² – 34² + 33² – 32² + 31² – 30² + 29² – 28² + 27² – 26² + 25² – 24² + 23² – 22² + 21² – 20² + 19² – 18² = 1738. I bet you weren’t expecting that!

But the biggest surprise about 1738 is something I learned from OEIS.org: 1738 is in an equation that uses every digit from 1 to 9 exactly one time:
9 Different Digit Equation

make science GIFs like this at MakeaGif

 

1694 Football Game Day

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Today’s Puzzle:

Today all over the United States family and friends will gather to watch or play a game of football. If you would like to change things up a little, here’s a game ball for you to practice multiplication and division facts. Just write the numbers from 1 to 12 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues form a multiplication table. Some clues might be tricky, but enough of them aren’t that I am confident you can score with this football!

Here’s the same puzzle without any distracting color:

Factors of 1694:

  • 1694 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1694 = 2 × 7 × 11 × 11, which can be written 1694 = 2 × 7 × 11².
  • 1694 has at least one exponent greater than 1 in its prime factorization so √1694 can be simplified. Taking the factor pair from the factor pair table below with the largest square number factor, we get √1694 = (√121)(√14) = 11√14.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1, 1, and 2. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1)(2 + 1) = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12. Therefore 1694 has exactly 12 factors.
  • The factors of 1694 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1694:

From OEIS.org we learn that 1694³ = 4,861,163,384, a number that uses each of the digits 1, 3, 4, 5, and 8 exactly twice.

1693 Tricky Turkey

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Today’s Puzzle:

You cannot gobble this turkey up unless you can find all of its factors!

Use logic and multiplication facts. It won’t be easy, but write the numbers from 1 to 10 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues make a multiplication table.

Here’s the same puzzle without the added color:

Factors of 1693:

  • 1693 is a prime number.
  • Prime factorization: 1693 is prime.
  • 1693 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1693 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponent in the prime factorization is 1. Adding one to that exponent we get (1 + 1) = 2. Therefore 1693 has exactly 2 factors.
  • The factors of 1693 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

How do we know that 1693 is a prime number? If 1693 were not a prime number, then it would be divisible by at least one prime number less than or equal to √1693. Since 1693 cannot be divided evenly by 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, or 41, we know that 1693 is a prime number.

More About the Number 1693:

1693 is the sum of two squares:
37² + 18² = 1693.

1693 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
1045-1332-1693, calculated from 37² – 18², 2(37)(18), 37² + 18².

Here’s another way we know that 1693 is a prime number: Since its last two digits divided by 4 leave a remainder of 1, and 37² + 18² = 1693 with 37 and 18 having no common prime factors, 1693 will be prime unless it is divisible by a prime number Pythagorean triple hypotenuse less than or equal to √1693. Since 1693 is not divisible by 5, 13, 17, 29, 37, or 41, we know that 1693 is a prime number.

1690 Today Is My 8th Blogiversary!

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Today’s Puzzle:

I made this Crazy-8 puzzle to commemorate the 8th anniversary of my blog.

Write the numbers from 1 to 10 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues work together like a multiplication table. Some of it might be a little tricky, so make sure you use logic on every step!

My eighth year of blogging has been amazing for me:

  1. Denise Gaskins has a Kickstarter going for her latest book, 312 Things to Do with a Math Journal. One of those 312 things will be journaling about some of my puzzles.
  2. I’ve also hosted her fabulous Math Education Blog Carnival and been featured when other bloggers hosted it.
  3. Bill Davidson interviewed me for his podcast, Centering the Pendulum. Although I’m not one of the many “Eureka Math Giants” he knows, my interview was included in the mix.

  4. In the spring, THREE different types of puzzles I’ve made were published in the Austin Chronicle.

  5. Also a BIG thank you to YOU, reading this right now. I really appreciate you and others who have taken the time to read my thoughts and solve my puzzles.

It’s been a wonderful year. NONE of those things would have happened if I didn’t write a blog. I feel quite fortunate and humbled by it all. I think I’ll go on for another eight years!

Factors of 1690:

  • 1690 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1690 = 2 × 5 × 13 × 13, which can be written 1690 = 2 × 5 × 13².
  • 1690 has at least one exponent greater than 1 in its prime factorization so √1690 can be simplified. Taking the factor pair from the factor pair table below with the largest square number factor, we get √1690 = (√169)(√10) = 13√10.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1, 1, and 2. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1)(2 + 1) = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12. Therefore 1690 has exactly 12 factors.
  • The factors of 1690 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1690:

1690 is the sum of two squares in THREE different ways:
41² + 3² = 1690,
39² + 13² = 1690, and
31² + 27² = 1690.

1690 is the hypotenuse of SEVEN Pythagorean triples:
232 1674 1690, calculated from 31² – 27², 2(31)(27), 31² + 27²,
246 1672 1690, calculated from 2(41)(3), 41² – 3², 41² + 3²,
416 1638 1690, which is 26 times (16-63-65),
650 1560 1690, which is (5-12-13) times 130.
858 1456 1690, which is 26 times (33-56-65),
1014 1352 1690, calculated from 2(39)(13), 39² – 13², 39² + 13², but it is also (3-4-5) times 338, and
1190 1200 1690, which is 10 times (119-120-169).

1671 Are Vaccines Really Much of a Mystery?

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Today’s Puzzle:

Why is this puzzle a mystery-level puzzle? As long as you don’t make any assumptions, it really isn’t all that difficult. Study all the clues. Some of them are tricky, but there is ONE logical place to start that won’t make you guess, check, erase and try again. Don’t let any other clues fool you into thinking you should start with them. Find that one logical place to start, then write the numbers from 1 to 14 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues create a multiplication table. As always, there is only one solution.

Getting vaccinated against COVID is also not much of a mystery as long as you don’t make any dangerous assumptions. I am grateful that I received my doses of the Pfizer vaccine on 22 February and 15 March 2021.

My daughter’s brother-in-law was a healthy police officer who started having difficulty breathing. When it got worse, he was hospitalized. Before long he had to be put into a coma. He had significant lung fibrosis due to COVID complications. Even if he could recover, his life would never again be what it used to be. A few days after he was hospitalized, his wife and children also came down with COVID, so they were no longer allowed to visit him in the hospital.  His coworkers asked his wife what they could do for her. Without reservation, she answered, “Get vaccinated!” The doctor video-chatted with his family and told them to start thinking about preparing themselves for his death. On a Sunday afternoon, they made a video call as his mother held up the phone for him in the hospital. They said goodbye, but how much does a person in a coma hear? How satisfying is a video call for a final goodbye?

On Tuesday, there seemed to be hope. A new doctor felt that while he wasn’t getting any better, he wasn’t getting any worse either. His heart was still strong and his other organs were working. There was still hope. If he got better, he could get a lung transplant. A miracle could still happen.

By Thursday, other organs began to fail, and all hope was gone. His family had recovered enough to visit him in the hospital to say their final goodbyes. It was better than a video call but still terribly heartbreaking.

Although I had probably only met him once, seven years ago when my daughter married into his wife’s family, I spent a lot of time crying when I got the news.

His funeral will be tomorrow. He was the first active-duty police officer in my state to die from COVID 19. Here his wife describes what a great loss his death is to his community and to their family. She pleads with everyone to take the virus seriously and get vaccinated.

Please, do everything you can to protect yourself and others from COVID 19. Get vaccinated. Social distance as best you can. Wear a mask.

Factors of 1671:

This is my 1671st post, so I’ll share the factors of 1671:

  • 1671 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1671 = 3 × 557.
  • 1671 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1671 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1 and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 = 4. Therefore 1671 has exactly 4 factors.
  • The factors of 1671 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1671:

1671 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
495-1596-1671 which is 3 times (165-532-557).

1670 Mystery Puzzle

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Today’s Puzzle:

The logic needed to solve this puzzle is a bit complicated. If you would like a hint, I’ll give one later in the post that will remove most of the mystery in the puzzle. Write the numbers 1 to 12 in both the first column and the top row so that those numbers and the given clues become a multiplication table.

Logic Hint:
The 33 means that the 9 cannot be 3 × 3, so the 9 and the 54 must use both 9’s.
The 54 also must use a 6.
Thus the 36 near the bottom of the puzzle cannot be 9 × 4 or 6 × 6 and must be 3 × 12.
84 and that bottom 36 must use both 12’s, so the 48 must be 6 × 8 and not 12 × 4.
The rest of the puzzle should be rather straightforward.

Factors of 1670:

  • 1670 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1670 = 2 × 5 × 167.
  • 1670 has no exponents greater than 1 in its prime factorization, so √1670 cannot be simplified.
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1, 1, and 1. Adding one to each exponent and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. Therefore 1670 has exactly 8 factors.
  • The factors of 1670 are outlined with their factor pair partners in the graphic below.

More About the Number 1670:

1670 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
1002-1336-1670, which is (3-4-5) times 334.

Although it is very much irrational, OEIS.org informs us that the first few digits of
1670^(1/6) is 3.44444624848…