The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the code-breaking worksheet provided, the correct answer to the riddle, “HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE MATHEMATICAL PLANT?” is:
It has square roots.
Explanation
This answer is a pun that plays on the double meaning of the phrase “square roots.” The humor and cleverness of the riddle lie in how this single phrase applies to both mathematics and botany.
First, in the context of mathematics, a square root is a fundamental concept. A square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. For example, the square root of 25 is 5 because 5 times 5 equals 25. The worksheet itself is a math puzzle where students solve problems, and the numerical answers correspond to letters in the provided code table to spell out the final answer phrase. The letters required to form “It has square roots” are all present in the code key, confirming it as the intended solution.
Second, in the context of botany, the answer relates directly to a physical plant. A plant has a root system that anchors it in the ground and absorbs water and nutrients. The word “square” can refer to the shape of a planter box or a garden plot where the plant might be growing. Therefore, a “mathematical plant” is one that literally has “square roots” because it grows in a square container and possesses a root system.
The student completing the worksheet has correctly identified most of the key words, spelling out “SQUARE” and most of “ROOTS.” Although there appear to be a few minor errors in their transcription, the visible letters clearly point toward this classic mathematical joke. The riddle cleverly merges two distinct fields, making “It has square roots” the perfect, witty solution.
