The University of Oxford has initiated a new five-year project which could enhance tumour research, nanotechnology and the use of alloys by advancing the mathematics and computation of solid mechanics. The first area of research, microstructure morphology, will help to determine the everyday properties and behaviour of alloys by studying how to predict the patterns of microstructure that arise when the crystal lattice structures underlying these materials change their geometric shapes at certain temperatures. The second area of research will examine mathematical models for the accurate prediction of fracture formation, which could assist in the prediction and prevention of catastrophic failure of materials. The computational simulation and reliable prediction of material failure is particularly important in safety-critical applications, such as the fracture of aircraft engine blades as a result of a bird strike or the fracture of glass on impact.

PUZZLE 1: Last month, five friends (two men named Anton and Dean, and three women named Bess, Erika, and Laurel) vacationed together tat a mountain resort named Shiver Me Timbers. Although they had been planning this getaway for months, things got off to a rocky start when each realised that he or she had forgotten to bring a crucial item of winter wear! Luckily, the lodge saved the day by supplying these items, leaving the friends free to enjoy the many hibernal activities offered. Each friend took part in three of the five activities (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice-skating, snowboarding, and snowshoeing) available at the lodge. From the information below, can you determine each person's full name and the item each forgot, as well as the three activities in which he or she took part?

1. Anton isn’t the one who forgot to bring earmuffs (who isn’t surnamed Nguyen).

2. Erika and the one named Pearce both went downhill skiing, but that was the only activity they did together.

3. Bess, Laurel, and the one who forgot to bring mittens were the only three to take part in one of the activities.

4. Dean and the ones who forgot to bring earmuffs and a scarf were the only three who went ice-skating.

5. The only two who didn’t go cross-country skiing are Ms. Nguyen and the one surnamed Richter.

6. The five friends are Laurel, the one surnamed Olivera, the ones who forgot to bring the balaclava and the scarf, and the one who went ice-skating, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

7. The one who forgot to bring earmuffs isn't surnamed Mishler or Pearce.

8. Bess didn’t go snowboarding.

9. The one who forgot to bring boots isn’t the one surnamed Mishler.

Determine: First name — Last name — Item — Three activities

(For the curious: a balaclava is a knit cap for the head and neck.)

Solutions on December 18

Sorry for not being able to carry the name of brainstormers who sent in correct entries. The names will be carried in next week’s edition.

PUZZLE CRACKED

Solution (November 20): The great sale buys were as follows:

Lynne bought a sweater for $36 whose original price was $120

Jada bought gloves for $28 whose original price was $70

Kelly bought a dress shirt $25 whose original price was $50

Maria bought a tie for $24 whose original price was $40

Nicole bought a belt for $21 whose original price was $30

Hint: $120 is the highest original price and $30 the lowest original price. Highest discount is 70 per cent and lowest discount is 30 per cent. Now if we suppose 70 per cent discount is given on $120 item then its new price is $36, and if 30 per cent discount is given on $30 then the price reduces to $21 which satisfies conditions. Now solve logically.