The Problem Bureau offers a service to members of the Mathematical Association by providing teachers with solutions to questions of school standard. These may be from textbooks in school use or examination papers at any level up to University Entrance. It cannot offer help with research projects or pupils' course work (although, if a teacher finds some mathematical problems in the latter, we will, of course, do our best to find a satisfactory explanation). The Bureau will not provide blanket solutions to complete examination papers: it is not our business to help the lazy teacher. On the other hand, we are not averse to looking at elementary problems of a recreational nature, provided no guarantee of a solution is expected: the formulation of such problems, usually transmitted by word of mouth, is notoriously unreliable.

To get the best service from the Bureau, please adopt the following procedure.

• Please do not request more than 5 solutions on any one occasion.
• Please send an accurate copy of each question (a photocopy, if possible); and give precise details of its source.
• Please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope for the reply PLUS one additional stamp for each two solutions requested (to cover the Bureau's incidental expenses).

It is quite in order to request a solution to a question you have solved, if you suspect that an alternative solution may be available. If so, please send a copy of your own method.

The Bureau does not expect any acknowledgement of the solutions, unless you require further explanation of the method or the mathematics.