In Flutewise No. 80 we had a maths competition. People seemed to enjoy doing it, but lots of people gt the wrong answer! The correct answer was 3. Here is the workings out:

• Add the number of sharps in D major (2: F sharp and C sharp) to the number of flats in F major (1: B flat).
2 + 1 = 3

• Multiply the answer by the number of sharps you would play in one octave, ascending, of F sharp melodic minor. (3 sharps in the key signature: F sharp, C sharp and G sharp, plus D sharp and E sharp (raised 6th and 7th) Total 5 sharps.
3 x 5 = 15

• Divide this answer by the number of flats in D flat major. (5: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat).
15 / 5 = 3

• Add to this answer the number of sharps in C major. There are no sharps in C major.
3 + 0 = 3

Did you work it out correctly?