Math Online
Preface to Logic Problems
Solving Logic Problems
Logic Problem Example
Olympic Victory Stand
Trip to the Zoo
Lunch Box Mix-Up
Nine Letters
Sporting Friends
Party Girls
The Dog Show
TV Shuffle
On The Train
Who Owns The Zebra?
The Car Race
The Swimmers
Golf Match
The School Board
Yosemite Institute
What Do You Do?
The Homesick Stars
Cousins & Aunts
Shopping Syndrome
Tennis Match
Baseball Logic Problem
Olympic Dating
The Bachelors
Santa's Pack
Harry's Seven Bottles
The Ship
Taxi Cab Routing
Crossing The Ravine
Logic Problem Answers

Over 20 years ago, in my first year of teaching, I came across a problem in Readers Digest entitled "Who Owns the Zebra?" This was my first experience with a logic problem and I'm sure that it constituted a turning point in my teaching of mathematics. I found this problem to be one of those problems that gnawed at me to continue working until its completion. But, once completed, there was a pleasant feeling of accomplishment that made me hunger for more of these logic problems.

The sensation of intrinsic reward experienced from generating the solution of this logic problem was one that I hoped my students would also feel, so I copied the problem for them, and, for the most part, found that the reaction was quite similar to mine. I suspect that most math teachers would concur that a class session in which the students are highly involved without having the pressure of a grade hanging over them is a session to be cherished. I don't think a year has gone by without my presenting at least one logic problem to my classes. I noticed, and still notice, that achieving the solution to a logic problem is its own reward. Also, many students who are not having success with the traditional math course find that, since logic problems do not depend on a storehouse of facts, they can have success. All needed information for each problem is contained within the problem, so students begin on equal footing. The use of logic becomes paramount. Thinking is more important than memorization solving logic problems.

Now, I would not replace the traditional math class with classes on the solution of logic problems, but these problems could well be used to supplement our math courses in the areas of problem solving, critical thinking, and the promotion of self-esteem. My encouragement would be for teachers to occasionally utilize logic problems, as set forth in these web pages, to enrich their courses and add some diversions to curriculum that is often textbook centered. 

To this end, I've begun with some very easy problems (designed for elementary school students) and graduated to some problems that have challenged some of my best students (and their parents).

It is my hope that the problems contained in these web pages will be useful to teachers in mathematics classroom and possibly teachers of other disciplines. I see teachers and students using the examples that follow as a springboard to the creation of other problems. In fact, the act of creating a new logic problem would involve higher levels of thinking than the solving of a problem.

Finally, I would like to note that many of these problems have been collected over the years. Games Magazine has been a tremendous resource, but not the only source. I would be remiss if I did not express my appreciation to my classes of this past year for their cooperation and tolerance of my excesses on logic problems. 

Special thanks are due to several of my students who have contributed problems. They are Kathleen Shanahan, Chris Louie, Bryn Haag, Chris Heckman, and Jackie Serrao.

Best Wishes,
Burt Kanner