Solution to Teaser Puzzle

To solve the puzzle, each row should include exactly five letters (in alphabetical order) which are drawn with the same number of loops and same number/types of intersections. Then by taking the letters associated with the numbers 1-8, you can spell out the solution: RESEARCH.

This is a mathematical concept called a homeomorphism, from the field of topology. Even though the letters are geometrically distinct, since each letter in a row can be "morphed" from one shape to another, they are considered equivalent in terms of their topology. This is a mathematical topic normally left until the end of a student's undergraduate studies if at all, but it's just one example of the contemporary mathematics that MaPP gets general audiences of all backgrounds playing with!