Louis Sachar - More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School

g g To my mother . Contents . g Huh? That is the reaction I have heard most often from kids who have read Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School. Ive also gotten lots of letters from kids who say things like, g Dear Mr. Sachar, I liked your book Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School, but I dont understand the problems. g Now I dont understand how kids can like the book if they dont understand the problems.

Maybe theyre just being polite. But its not just kids. Teachers have also confided in me that they didnt understand the book. So you may be wondering why I have written this sequel. It is because I think the problems are a lot of fun. They were fun for me to make up, and they are fun to solve once you get the hang of it.

Yes, the problems are hard. You have to think. You cant just read quickly through it, like the other Wayside School books. You may want to ask a parent or teacher to help you get started, although like I said, many adults will have trouble, too. Actually I think this would be a great book for a parent and child to figure out together. The parent could help the child, and vice-versa.

You do not need to read Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School first. Some of the problems in that book are harder than the problems in this book. Some may be easier. I organized this book a little differently, and I think that should help. At the back of the book, there are clues, hints and finally, answers. The clues tell you how to begin to try to solve each problem.

That is very important. Probably the hardest part of each problem is just trying to figure out where to begin. Once you figure out how to get started, the rest of the problem is much easier. A hint will give you part of the answer. And the answer will tell you the answer. (Duh!) g g g Chapter 1 Why Boys and Girls Are Silly Allisons birthday was next Saturday.

She brought birthday party invitations to class. She invited every girl in Mrs. Jewlss class, but only two boys, Jason and Stephen. Jason wasnt sure he wanted to go. Why dont you invite some more boys? he said. I cant, said Allison.

Two are okay. But if more than two boys come, then all the boys start acting real silly. Thats right, said Rondi. Twos the limit, when it comes to boys. Thats ridiculous, said Jason. Im insulted, said Stephen.

Its true, said Allison. Just then Joe and John came over. Whats going on? asked John. Allison says if more than two boys get together, we all act real silly, said Stephen. Thats dumb! said John, pounding his fist on a desk. Ouch! he exclaimed, and shook his hand in the air.

Hey, Im not silly! said Jason. He stuck out his tongue and jumped up and down. Its redickle-dockle! agreed Joe. Stephen raised his arms in the air and made monkey noises. Settle down! called Mrs. Jewls.

Whats the matter with you children? Allison invited Stephen and me to her birthday party, complained Jason. Thats good, isnt it? asked Mrs. Jewls. Were the only boys, said Stephen. She says if she invites more boys, then all the boys will act silly. Jewls. Jewls.

Its a matter of simple arithmetic. She picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the equation on the board. g PROBLEM 1 g g s = ? gg o = ? gg i = ? gg l = ? gg b = ? gg y = ? g Jason studied the board. I guess we are silly, he said. Arithmetic doesnt lie. g (Looking at the problem, each letter stands for a single digit number (a number between zero and nine).

All the s s are the same number. All the b s are the same number, but different from s . And so forth. You have to figure out what number each letter represents, so that it all adds up correctly. If you need help a clue can be found on page 40. If you still need help after that, a hint can be found on page 45.) g All the girls were very excited.

They danced around the room singing, Boys and boys are silly! Boys and boys are silly! Boys and boys are silly! Girls and girls are silly, too, said Mrs. Jewls. The girls stopped singing. Mrs. Jewls put it on the board. g (You need to forget about the first problem in solving this one. g (You need to forget about the first problem in solving this one.

In other words, s may stand for a different number in this problem than it did in the last problem. A clue is on page 40. A hint is on page 45.) g g Chapter 2 Some Crass Words About Womens Underwear What are arcs and bras? asked Mrs. Jewls. Dana gasped. A teacher shouldnt talk about bras! she said.

Why not? asked Mrs. Jewls. Its crass, said Rondi. Youre right! said Mrs. Jewls. She put it on the board.

PROBLEM 3 g g c = ? ggg r = ? ggg a = ? ggg b = ? ggg s = ? g ( Clue on page 40. Hint on page 45.) g Mrs. Jewls put the following problems on the board. Can you solve them? PROBLEM 4 g g m = ? ggg e = ? ggg a = ? ggg l = ? ggg s = ? g ( Clue on page 40. Hint on page 45.) PROBLEM 5 g g t = ? ggg e = ? ggg p = ? ggg i = ? ggg l = ? g ( Clue on page 40. Hint on page 45.) PROBLEM 6 g g p = ? ggg e = ? ggg n = ? ggg r = ? g ( Clue on page 40.

Hint on page 45.) g (The problems will now get a little bit harder .) g Chapter 3 Sues New Dog Sue got a new dog. His name is Fangs, said Sue. He has big teeth. Ooh, he sounds like a mean dog, said Calvin. No, hes a good dog, said Sue. He sounds mean, Calvin maintained.

Lets ask Mrs. Jewls, said Sue. She knows everything. They presented the problem to their teacher. Mrs. Jewls put it on the board.

PROBLEM 7 g