Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School (Wayside School 2.50)

“Who else is playing freeze tag?” asked D.J.

“Nobody — just me,” said Allison.

“Well, in that case I’ll play basketball,” said D.J. “You need at least six kids to play freeze tag. If five other kids want to play freeze tag, then I’ll play freeze tag, too.”

“I like basketball, too,” said Sue. She was new to the school so she wanted to be in the majority. So long as at least five other kids wanted to play basketball, she’d play basketball, too.

“Basketball,” said Jenny. “You can’t play freeze tag with less than eight people.” If seven other kids played freeze tag, then Jenny would have played freeze tag, too.

“Basketball,” said Todd. Todd loved basketball. He would have played even if there were only enough for two on each team. But if there were less than two per team, even Todd would have changed his mind and played freeze tag.

“Me, too,” said Deedee. Deedee would have played basketball even if there were only two other kids who wanted to play. They could play “Horse” or “Around-the-World.”

“Myron’s my name, and basketball’s my game,” said Myron. He would have played basketball even if there was only one other person who wanted to play. In fact, “One-on-one” was his favorite game. The only way he’d play freeze tag would be if nobody else wanted to play basketball.

Jason was last. He liked basketball a lot, but he was secretly in love with Allison. “Okay, Allison,” he said. “I’ll play freeze tag with you.”

g

g

g

This chart may help you with problems 25 through 28.

M

Maurecia — basketball, so long as there are five per team

Joy — whatever Maurecia wants to play

Dameon — basketball, so long as there are at least four per team

D.J. — basketball, unless five others want to play freeze tag

Sue — basketball, so long as five others play basketball

Jenny — basketball, unless seven others want to play freeze tag

Todd — basketball, so long as there are at least two per team

Deedee — basketball, so long as there are a total of three players

Myron — basketball, so long as he’s not the only one

Jason — freeze tag, because he’s in love with Allison

Allison — freeze tag, because she likes being chased by Jason

PROBLEM 25

How many people played freeze tag and how many played basketball?

PROBLEM 26

Everyone who wanted to play freeze tag followed Allison across the playground. Suddenly Jenny slapped herself on the forehead. “Oh, freeze tag!” she said. “I got mixed up. I was thinking of cheese tag. That’s my favorite game. I hate freeze tag. There’s no way I’ll play freeze tag. I’ll play basketball, even if I have to play by myself.”

Now how many people wanted to play basketball, and how many wanted to play freeze tag?