[jyl]

You guys are funny. Yes, 382 and you work backwards from 1. I think it was a good problem, teaches the kids that you can't simply grind the most obvious algebraic approach. Creativity counts. That said, I think it is too hard for her class. I don't think any of the kids will solve the problem without at least a hint from their parents. Disadvantage for the kids whose parents aren't into math. Her teacher is odd, every now and then she nails the kids with a homework problem or a test that is much harder than than the large majority of what they've been doing. All the "A" students get "C"s on those, unless their parents help out. I'm not quite sure what the point of it is.