The Math Kids: An Unsolved Proof
The Math Kids: An Unsolved Proof
Chapter 1
“Stop, thief!”
Justin Grant turned quickly, scanning the store fronts in the mall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the robber. Suddenly his arm was locked in an iron tight grip. He was spun around and now he could see the beefy security guard who had grabbed him.
“Hey, that hurts!” he cried out.
“Good,” the guard sneered. “Maybe next time you’ll keep your sticky fingers to yourself.”
“What are you talking about?” Justin asked, his face a mask of confusion.
“I got him,” the guard said to a thin man wearing a pair of grey slacks and a short-sleeved collared shirt with Karl’s Komics emblazoned across the front in bright orange.
“What are you talking about?” Justin repeated.
“I’m the store manager. We’re going to need to look in your backpack,” the thin man said.
“Why?”
“Two boys reported that you stole some comics from the store.”
“I didn’t steal anything!” Justin protested.
“If that is true, then we won’t find any comics when we look in your backpack, will we?”
Justin thought about that for a moment. His backpack was always stuffed to the point where the zipper strained to keep everything inside. Do I have any comics in my backpack?
“C’mon kid, open it up,” the security guard insisted as he tugged on the backpack, trying to dislodge it from Justin’s back. Justin tugged back.
The Math Kids, Justin, Jordan, Stephanie and Catherine, are enjoying a busy summer holiday, when Justin is accused of theft of comic books by two boys who frequent the same comic shop that he does. Justin assures the security guards that he is not guilty, but the comic books are found in his backpack. He has no idea how they got there, but he and his friends soon develop some ideas. Justin convinces the store owner to let him work at the shop so he is not charged for the theft, but now he has to forgo some of his favourite summer activities. This, however, will give him and the other Math Kids time to figure out a way to trap the two boys they believe are stealing comics on a regular basis. These boys are smarter than the Math Kids think, but, after developing a plan using patterns of activity and proofs, the Math Kids make another attempt and find that the boys are involved in much more than comic theft.
The Math Kids are well-known for their math skills through winning competitions and solving real criminal cases both in their community and internationally. They have been able to solve these problems using math and amazing teamwork. Now they must prove that their friend is innocent and that the guilty ones are the two boys who initially accused Justin. And Justin also learns a great deal about taking responsibility even though he knows he isn’t guilty. He made a new friend in the owner of the comic shop and helped him improve his business……yes, by using math.
As he does in the eight other books in “The Math Kids” series, author David Cole gives readers a chance to solve the problems along with the Math Kids, and the book has an appendix at the end that has the most interesting information. Though the book’s recommended age is stated as ages 9 to 12 or grades 4 to 7, younger students will love the action-packed stories, and adults will enjoy reading these books to these younger children. I know I do.
Elaine Fuhr is a retired elementary and middle school teacher from Alberta.