Postie Challenge

We started the postman/postwoman algebra challenge to entertain the postie and also to entertain our own very simple minds. This challenge not only cheers up the often wet postie but also increases his or her mathematical knowledge, which has got to be a good thing.

The idea is to replace housenumbers on envelopes with simple algebraic equations so that the postie can solve it on the move. For example, instead of addressing your letter to '22 High Street', write 'X High Street' and at the bottom of your envelope write 'where X = 2 x 10 + 2'. We assume that the postie knows basic arithmetic and rules of precedence. If you do not find the latter to be the case then the use of brackets will be necessary.

We therefore began our challenege and the following is a brief summary of our results.

Some successful attempts consist of:

• The aforementioned X High Street, where X = 2 x 10 + 2 was delivered succesfully to number 22
• X Harold Road, where X = 2 x 10 + 5 was delivered succesfully to number 25
• X Call Lane, where X = 5 x 10 + 9 was delivered succesfully to number 59
• and many others of the same form

Well done postie!

Some unsuccesful attempts consist of:

• X Peter Street, where X = 5² should have been delivered to number 25
• X Goodwood Rd, where X = 55 x 10 + 3 should have been delivered to number 553

Bad luck postie!

Perhaps the first was unsuccessful because of its complexity and the second becasue it involved high numbers. No-one shall ever know the real reason why they were not posted apart from the posties involved. Please step forward and explain yourselves if you were the unlucky postie.

Incidentally, note the use of the letter 'X' in the above addresses - we surmised that this was universally considered to stand for an unknown quantity and so the meaning would therefore be immediately apparent to the postie. Other letters are usable but we recommend simplicity in this matter.

A different approach was adopted with another attempt. This was with the number 22 again, masquerading this time as: 'a numerical representation of two little ducks'. This was successful and we feel rightly proud of ourselves and the postie.

We hope that our efforts will inspire others to follow in our footsteps and send all their letters with this in mind. Perhaps if you are writing a stern letter to the Prime Minister regarding tuition fees addressed to X Downing Street, where X = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1; always good to appear intelligent if you want to be taken seriously. Or perhaps use this technique to impress your potential new employers as you send your application form to them. If this goes well, we hope that due to the increased knowledge of the posties, we will be able to progress to more complex mathematical equations with which to challenge their minds. If things go well then we may even have the opportunity to include some interesting problems such as Besel Functions, Fourier Series or even Eliptical Identities. We await with bated breath. It is over to you now... do not let us down!

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