The Mailbox - Free Printable

Let’s solve each math problem step by step. These are all decimal addition or subtraction problems — we line up the decimal points and add or subtract just like with whole numbers.

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1. 5.78 + 0.16
→ 5.78
+ 0.16
= 5.94 → Letter: H

2. 0.57 + 1.92
→ 0.57
+ 1.92
= 2.49 → Letter: E

3. 5.46 – 2.37
→ 5.46
– 2.37
= 3.09 → Letter: O

4. 11.97 – 9.70
→ 11.97
– 9.70
= 2.27 → Letter: O

5. 1.73 – 1.56
→ 1.73
– 1.56
= 0.17 → Letter: Y

6. 8.01 + 0.97
→ 8.01
+ 0.97
= 8.98 → Letter: G

7. 15.76 + 38.65
→ 15.76
+ 38.65
= 54.41 → Letter: O

8. 0.29 + 7.83
→ 0.29
+ 7.83
= 8.12 → Letter: L

9. 11.06 – 5.33
→ 11.06
– 5.33
= 5.73 → Letter: T

10. 25 – 8.14
→ 25.00
– 8.14
= 16.86 → Letter: M

11. 7.38 – 4.57
→ 7.38
– 4.57
= 2.81 → Letter: S

12. 18.06 + 10.92
→ 18.06
+ 10.92
= 28.98 → Letter: E

13. 7.05 + 0.85
→ 7.05
+ 0.85
= 7.90 → Letter: R

14. 3.82 + 0.17
→ 3.82
+ 0.17
= 3.99 → Letter: W

15. 6.27 – 1.49
→ 6.27
– 1.49
= 4.78 → Letter: E

16. 0.72 – 0.53
→ 0.72
– 0.53
= 0.19 → Letter: A

17. 6.56 + 2.31 + 0.45
→ First: 6.56 + 2.31 = 8.87
Then: 8.87 + 0.45 = 9.32 → Letter: B

18. 8 – 3.21
→ 8.00
– 3.21
= 4.79 → Letter: B

19. 8.24 – 3.65
→ 8.24
– 3.65
= 4.59 → Letter: P

20. 0.64 + 5.92 + 19.36
→ First: 0.64 + 5.92 = 6.56
Then: 6.56 + 19.36 = 25.92 → Letter: V

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Now, let’s match each answer to its letter and write them in order under the riddle lines:

The riddle says:
> What did one math book say to the other?
> To solve the riddle, write each letter from above on its matching numbered line below.

Below the riddle, there are two rows of blanks with numbers underneath them. We need to match our calculated answers to those numbers and write the corresponding letters.

Let’s list the answers again with their letters:

- 4.79 → B (from #18)
- 54.41 → O (#7)
- 0.17 → Y (#5)
- 5.94 → H (#1)
- 0.19 → A (#16)
- 25.92 → V (#20)
- 28.98 → E (#12)
- 3.99 → W (#14)
- 2.49 → E (#2)
- 8.98 → G (#6)
- 3.09 → O (#3)
- 5.73 → T (#9)
- 4.59 → P (#19)
- 7.9 → R (#13) — note: 7.90 is same as 7.9
- 2.27 → O (#4)
- 9.32 → B (#17)
- 4.78 → E (#15)
- 16.86 → M (#10)
- 2.81 → S (#11)

Now, look at the blank lines under the riddle:

First row of blanks has numbers under it:
```
4.79 54.41 0.17 , 5.94 0.19 25.92 28.98 , 3.99 2.49 !
```

Second row:
```
8.98 3.09 5.73 , 4.59 7.9 2.27 9.32 8.12 4.78 16.86 2.81 !
```

Wait — we have 8.12? That’s from #8 → L. Let’s include that.

So let’s map each number to its letter:

First line:

- 4.79 → B
- 54.41 → O
- 0.17 → Y
→ “BOY”

Next:

- 5.94 → H
- 0.19 → A
- 25.92 → V
- 28.98 → E
→ “HAVE”

Next:

- 3.99 → W
- 2.49 → E
→ “WE”

Then exclamation mark.

Second line:

- 8.98 → G
- 3.09 → O
- 5.73 → T
→ “GOT”

Next:

- 4.59 → P
- 7.9 → R
- 2.27 → O
- 9.32 → B
- 8.12 → L
- 4.78 → E
- 16.86 → M
- 2.81 → S
→ “PROBLEMS”

So putting it together:

“BOY HAVE WE GOT PROBLEMS!”

That’s the joke!

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Final Answer:
BOY HAVE WE GOT PROBLEMS!