Solution To: What Kind of Math Is This Anyway?

Here is the original problem:

 

Find the pattern of the following set of numbers:

8, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 3, 2

 

 

Here is the solution:

 

The pattern is:  They are in alphabetical order.

 

BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!  When I told Anthony what the answer is, he said, "That's just not even right!"  I think it's safe to say he wasn't amused.  But now maybe the title makes more sense, and the fact that I said to think outside of the box makes more sense, and also that I said some of you may wish to cause me bodily harm upon finding out the answer makes more sense.  See how it all comes together. 

 

Ok, so maybe this one wasn't that fair.  But math isn't just about the math.  It's also about fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills (that's the teacher in me talking). 

 

Anyway, I will come back with a less tricky one next week.

 

Sincerely,

The Math Freak