Dear Readers,
“Every heart sings a song incomplete, until another heart whispers back” are deeply moving words from Plato…but the perfect heart of God is whispering lovingly to us. When we take the time to turn down the busyness and distracting noise of the world, then we can hear God whispering tenderly to guide us gently along the paths that He knows will ultimately lead us safely and joyfully home, to Heaven. This Advent is the perfect time to pause well, to listen, to hear and respond to God’s personal call to each of us.
“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving”–Psalm 147:7
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”–Ephesians 5:19
“I fine-tuned my ear to the sayings of the wise, I solve life’s riddle with the help of a harp”–Psalm 49:4, The Message Bible.
I know that I am really blessed to be teaching Mathematics in the beautiful Musica Mundi School. So, here in Blog Post #119 exactly 19 days before Christmas, I offer a selection of fresh riddles for everyone’s enjoyment.
- Rearrange the letters of WISE + HARP to make A + a proper 7-letter word.
Congratulations for discovering that WISE + HARP = A + WHISPER !
2. The prime number 7 equals 3 squared – 2
and the prime number 47 equals 7 squared – 2.
What is the smallest positive whole number that is 2 less than the square of an odd number but is NOT prime?
3. Think of the oldest type of woodwind instrument. Remove its first letter. You now have a different musical instrument! Which one is it?
Here in this blog post, it’s nice that 119 is the answer to the second puzzle, above. 11 squared – 2 = 121 – 2 =119. It might plausibly ‘look’ prime at first sight, but it’s actually a composite number since 119 = 7 x 17.
4. Q: How can you get the most beautiful music ever?
A: Compose it!
Q: Make a proper nine-letter word using all the letters of COMPOSE IT.
A: 119 is a clue; it’s COMPOSITE! 😊
5. Can I rely on you to think of a musical instrument that is an anagram of RELY !?
I would like to round off now by wishing everyone a very happy period of Advent leading to a joyful Christmas coming soon.
With kindest wishes as always,
Paul M😊twani xxx
Paul Motwani 