Word + Letter = Math Term

On a recent Sunday Puzzle on NPR, Will Shortz gave a letter and a word, and the contestant was to guess the name of a popular TV show using an anagram of the letters (“Coming to TV This Fall: Anagrams,” Oct 12, 2014). For instance,

M + NAMED

gave the answer

MAD MEN.

This struck me as an interesting puzzle format. My only criticism is that it just wasn’t mathy enough.

But I’m not a problem maker, I’m a problem solver… so rather than cast aspersions at the puzzle, I’ll instead use the format to offer my own version.

Each of the 26 letters of the alphabet has been paired with a common English word. An anagram of the pair will yield a common math word. How many can you find?

1. A + ERA
2. B + AGLARE
3. C + BITES
4. D + NOTICER
5. E + EDGERS
6. F + SAUCER
7. G + LEAN
8. H + OPERABLY
9. I + TANGLER
10. J + INDUCTIONS
11. K + SEW
12. L + POSE
13. M + RIPS
14. N + AIMED
15. O + PINT
16. P + MYRIAD
17. Q + AURES
18. R + ENVIES
19. S + RECITED
20. T + HAM
21. U + RAIDS
22. V + EXERT
23. W + ROPE
24. X + SEA
25. Y + PENTHOUSE
26. Z + ORE

I don’t believe in providing an answer key, but you can find some help at Math Words, and you can click over to More Words if you run into real trouble. But give it the old college try before seeking assistance. Honestly, you’ll feel better about yourself if you solve these on your own.

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