Puzzles to test mathematical skills, set by Anita Straker. Solutions below. More brainteasers on www.tes.co.ukbrainteasers
Tree decorations
You can make a tree decoration by colouring each triangle in this shape red, green or silver.
How many different decorations can you make?
Note: Reflections count as different, but rotations do not.
Santa Claus
Santa has a sack of presents for children’s stockings.
If he puts 3 presents, or 4 presents, or 5 presents, or 6 presents in each stocking, there is one present left over.
If he puts 7 presents in each stocking there are no presents left over.
What is the least number of presents in Santa’s sack?
SOLUTIONS
Santa Claus (ages 9 to 12) The least number of presents that Santa could have is 301
Tree decorations (ages 5 to 8) There are 24 different possibilities
