>So then we are requiring global buffers then.
How's that? makeInteger returns an Integer, addInteger and friends take two Integers and return an Integer. toString takes an Integer and returns a string. If you want to use globals then feel free, but it can be done without them.
>Perhaps you should dock points relative to how well you place in the higher contest.
Excellent idea. That gives beginners incentive to enter the higher level contests. I'll do that.
>..(hope i did not give a clue)..
You didn't. There are several ways to solve the problem.
>Are you sure those palimdronic numbers are in order the way you posted them?
Quite.