Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Most of you know that I have given my kids summer school assignments in the form of Summer Learning Binders. It has really been a great thing for them! When I was given the opportunity to review "Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving" from The Critical Thinking Co., I knew it would be a fun addition to Mercie's summer learning!

"Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving" is a 180-page workbook for grades 6-9, full of puzzles, games, brain-teasers, logic and word problems. As your child works through the problems, they will master problem-solving skills and strategies. This book has a variety of problems to solve!

• Chapter 1 - multicultural logic problems, crossing the river problems, and kin problems
• Chapter 2- classical brain teasers
• Chapter 3- number theory problems
• Chapter 4- problem solving with sets
• Chapter 5- ratio, proportion, and percent problems
• Chapter 6- algebra word problems, inequality problems, consecutive integer problems, coin problems, mixture problems
• Chapter 7- geometry word problems, geometry brain teasers, geometry solved with algebra
• Chapter 8- more algebra word problems, age problems, motion problems, going toward or away problems, class and round trip problems
• Chapter 9- probability word problems
• Chapter 10- topology fun word problems
• Math Myths
• Bonus Activities

I'll give you a few examples of some of the problems and the answers that Mercie came up with. This is one is called "A Wolf, a Goat, and a Cabbage" and is part of the "crossing the river" problems.

A wolf, a goat, and a cabbage must be moved across a river in a boat holding only one beside the ferryman. How must he carry them across so that the goat shall not eat the cabbage, nor the wolf the goat? The wolf does not eat cabbage.

Mercie's answer: First you take the goat and come back. Then you get the cabbage and take it but bring the goat back. Drop the goat off and take the wolf. Come back then take the goat.

That problem really required some deep thinking to solve! Here is an example of a number theory problem:

There are 40 houses in a row, numbered consecutively from 1-40. How many times is the digit 1 used?

Mercie's answer: 14! 

Here is an example of a problem from the topology problems:

Mike claims that he needed more than 4 colors to draw this map. Can you draw this map with only 4 colors? No same color can be side by side.

She had a great time with this one! Here is what she colored:

She and I both worked on this one:

The Shongo children from the Congo area in Africa love to copy and retrace figures draw in the sand without lifting their finger or retracing any segment. Which of the following are possible to draw with a continuous line if retracing is not allowed?

This was a bit difficult, but we figured out it was B and E. 

WHAT DID WE THINK?

Mercie enjoyed being challenged by the logic and math problems in this book! It was a great addition to her summer learning and something she will keep working in as a supplement. Her thinking skills grew and I learned she is a much better problem-solver than I am!

"Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving" is available from The Critical Thinking Co. for $18. Click the banner below to read more reviews on several different workbooks including "Creative Problem Solving, Level 1", "Dare to Compare Math: Beginning", and "Who is This Kid? Colleges Want to Know!"