The poet Longfellow, in his novel Kavanagh, introduced several clever mathematical problems from an ancient Sanskrit work.   Here is one of those problems:

"One-fifth of a hive of bees flew to the ladamba flower ; one-third flew to the Slandbara; three times the difference of these two numbers flew to an arbor; and one bee continued flying about, attracted on each side by the fragrant Ketaki and the Malati.

What was the number of the bees?"

You must show your algebra to get credit.

Solution to the Problem:

There were fifteen bees.

Let x = number of bees in the hive.


Correctly solved by:

1. James Alarie Flint, Michigan
2. Kelly Stubblefield Mobile, Alabama
3. Lord Christopher Dublin, Ohio
4. Ivy Joseph Pune, Maharashtra, India
5. Kimberly Howe Vienna, Virginia
6. Kyler Hurdsman Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
7. Sierra Toomer Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
8. Alexander Thomas Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
9. ALexis Hunter Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
10. Bridger Harris Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
11. Brijesh Dave Mumbai City, Maharashtra, India
12. Emma Wise Delta High School,
Delta, Colorado
13. Tyler Stoddard Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
14. Kaycee Bugas Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
15. Breckin Barnes Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
16. Michael Newton Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming