December 2016
Problem of the Month

Christmas Tree Puzzle


Can you take the six ornaments that have fallen off the trees and place them in the circles so that the total of each side is equal to the number in the base of the tree?



Click here for a Printer version of the puzzle


Solution to the Problem:



James Alarie sent in the following:

I found six solutions for each 
tree and listed them in order 
A through F for this pattern:

    A
   B C
  D E F

Tree 10:
 A B C D E F
 1 4 6 5 2 3
 1 6 4 3 2 5
 3 2 6 5 4 1
 3 6 2 1 4 5
 5 2 4 3 6 1
 5 4 2 1 6 3

Tree 13:
 2 5 7 6 3 4
 2 7 5 4 3 6
 4 3 7 6 5 2
 4 7 3 2 5 6
 6 3 5 4 7 2
 6 5 3 2 7 4

Tree 16:
 3 6 8 7 4 5
 3 8 6 5 4 7
 5 4 8 7 6 3
 5 8 4 3 6 7
 7 4 6 5 8 3
 7 6 4 3 8 5

Tree 21:
 7 5 6 9 4 8
 7 6 5 8 4 9
 8 4 6 9 5 7
 8 6 4 7 5 9
 9 4 5 8 6 7
 9 5 4 7 6 8


Correctly solved by:

1. Kimberly Howe Vienna, Virginia
2. James Alarie Flint, Michigan
3. Eliza Sheffield Tuscaloosa, Alabama
4. Harlan Benedict Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
5. Madison Bindl Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
6. Ben Todd Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
7. Behlee Aimone Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
8. Hope Pfeifer Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
9. Trevon Peterson Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
10. Baylee Tims Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
11. Raegan Martin Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
12. Cailee Hamilton Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
13. Slade Mair Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
14. Jason Stoddard Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
15. Jonathan Andersen Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
16. Sreeroopa Sankararaman Singapore, Singapore
17. Makell Kaiser Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
18. Brianna Tims Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
19. Valerie Walker Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
20. Nate Moretti Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
21. Wyatt Walk Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
22. Aubrey Jorgensen Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher