Ralph J. Colao
 |
|
This book is a compilation of 105 puzzles. These have been selected from the many puzzles tested in classrooms, and for the past three years published in newspapers in the Los Angeles area. The response of the readers, ranging from dedicated parents to teachers to hobbyist, has been overwhelmingly positive.
Math Maze Puzzle combines –the repetition–, a very important concept in math, with a challenge that makes math fun, rewarding, and entertaining.
Each puzzle:
- Synthesizes the best technique of memorization and practice drills.
- Subliminally trains the memory to associate numbers in terms of their arithmetic or basic algebraic operation.
- Makes working with numbers an intuitive process.
- Incorporates the "trial and error" method.
- Offers challenge, relaxation, and entertainment.
- Accomplishes for math what crossword puzzles do for English.
- Provides a mental exercise stimulator, and contributes to challenge, relaxation and entertainment.
The puzzles generate a great degree of interest because they are entertaining and within the grasp of all age groups and skill levels.
Below are some documented comments from the reading public:
My grandkids LOVE your Math Maze Puzzles! Do you have a book we can buy?
I am a mechanical engineer and I deal with numbers all day long. Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your puzzles in the DAILY NEWS. They are good, relaxing, mental game at the end of the day.
I was just introduced to your Math Maze Puzzle in the last issue of the ACORN. It was very creative, challenging and fun--and I loved it! I think a book of these can’t miss!
The Chemistry teacher had a handful of your math puzzles in her hand the other day, and when I asked her about them, she said she’s been giving the students extra credit for doing them.
From an English teacher "Math teachers should all get copies. It may make kids like Math more"
Thank you for the math games. We loved it. Send more when you can. We had fun doing your math maze. Love, The First Grade.
Ralph Colao received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the State University of New York. Soon after he began his career in a research organization where he spent seven years engaged in the development of state of the art digital circuits and systems. Subsequently he transferred his expertise to an aerospace company. Here, for the next thirty years, he was directly responsible for the successful design and development of several sophisticated airborne and missile borne computer systems.
Ralph Colao holds patents in the field of computer circuits and dynamic computer memories. He has also copyrighted math enhancements and board games.
He has taught engineering students at evening classes, and trained engineers and technicians. As a hobby he tutored, in math, children and high school students. Also, as a hobby, he coached soccer at the local high school.
The Puzzle
consists of a gridded square area completely filled with numbers. In this area there exists a unique path that
connects two shaded squares.
Starting from the
number in one of the shaded squares, the challenge is to find the path by
using, additions, subtractions, multiplications or divisions in order to take
you from one shaded square to the other.
The calculations
may be horizontal or vertical, but are not diagonal.
Shaded squares may
be situated anywhere on the maze
False paths exist
that lead to dead ends.
Sample Puzzle
and
Superimposed Solution
|
5
|
3
|
8
|
6
|
9
|
4
|
2
|
|
3
|
1
|
6
|
7
|
5
|
8
|
9
|
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
6
|
|
2
|
6
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
8
|
|
7
|
2
|
6
|
9
|
4
|
8
|
1
|
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
|
4
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
8
|
Operations
4x2=8, 8-2=6, 6+3=9, 9/3=3
3+2=5, 5+3=8, 8/4=2
CLASSES OF PUZZLES
The Math Maze
Puzzles are fun, educational and designed with varying degrees of difficulty:
From simple to challenging, from Algebra to very intricate.
With this book
everyone can enjoy the mathematical wonders of these puzzles, which are divided
in the following classes.
“J”,
“A”, “AA” and “PUZZLE”
In the “J”
puzzles, numbers less than 25 are introduced gradually in a series of
increasing grids (up to 17x17).
The “A” puzzles
are more challenging than the “J” class as they incorporate numbers up to 99
and larger grids (up to 21x21).
The “AA” puzzles
introduce negative numbers and are particularly helpful in mastering the basic
Algebra operations.
The “PUZZLE”
includes an increased density of vertical and horizontal calculations. This
renders the path much more intense and makes the search for the path very
challenging.
The solutions for
both the “AA” and “PUZZLE” include the actual step-by-step operations performed
in order to find the path that connects the two shaded squares.
