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Thursday 4 June 2015

Numbers from 1,2,3,4 to 50

As an occasional diversion from work, I like to try maths puzzles, and to this end, I recently purchased a couple of high school maths textbooks (for use with students aged from about 14 to 16).  Not that I can't do the puzzles (I think my maths is okay), but because sometimes the questions and puzzles in them some interesting ideas about extension activities - for example, the recent question about the circle in the corner of a circle and a square is probably intended to be solved with trigonometry, and instead, I solved it in terms of square roots, using just Pythagoras' theorem.  That led to me solving the situation for the circle in the corner of a hexagon (which wasn't in the textbook, but which had an interesting solution too).

Anyway, I found a great question in the extension section at the end of one of the textbooks, and it goes like this:

Creating Numbers: a task requiring imagination

Your task is to create every number from 1 to 50.
You can use only the digits 1, 2, 3 and 4 once in each and the operations + - * / . 
You can use the digits as powers, and you must use all of the digits 1, 2, 3, 4

Here are some examples:

1 = (4-3) / (2-1)
20 = 42 +3 +1
68 = 34 * 2 * 1
75 = (4+1)2 * 3


So, here goes... 1 to 50, using only 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the basic maths operators.  Some of the answers seem a little repetitive or derivative (look at 38 through 43), and in some cases I found alternative answers afterwards.


1 = (4-3) * (2-1)
2 = (4-3) + (2-1)
3 = (4+2) / (3-1)  
4 = (4 * 3) / (2+1)  
5 = (2 * 4) – (1 * 3)  
6 = (2 * 4) – (3-1)
7 = (3+4) * (2-1)
8 = (3+4) + (2-1)  
9 = (3+4) + (2 * 1)  
10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4  
11 = (4 * 3) – (2 - 1)  
12 = (4 * 3) * (2-1)  
13 = (4 * 3) + (2-1)  
14 = (4 * 3) + (2 * 1)  
15 = (4 * 3) + 2 + 1
16= 4 ^ ((3+1)/2)  
17 = 3(4+1) + 2  
18 = 42 + (3-1)  
19 = 42 + (3 * 1)  
20 = 42 + 3 + 1  
21 = (4+3) * (2+1)  
22 = (4+1)2 – 3  
23 = 32 + 14  
24 = 1 * 2 * 3 * 4  
25 = 31 – (2+4)  
26 = 13 * (4-2)  
27 = 32 * (4-1)  
28 = 32 – (4 * 1)  
29 = 31 – (4 -2)  
30 = (4+1) * 3 * 2  
31 = 34 – (1+2)  
32 = 4(3-1) * 2  
33 = 34 – (2 -1)
34 = 34 * (2-1)  
35 = 34 + (2-1)  
36 = (4 * 3) * (2+1)  
37 = 34 + 1 + 2  
38 = 42 – (3+1)  
39 = 42 – (3 * 1)
40 = 41 – (3-2)  
41 = 43 – (1 * 2)  
42 = 43 – (2-1)  
43 = 41 + (3-1)  
44 = (14 * 3) + 2  
45 = 43 + (2 * 1)  
46 = 42 + 1 + 3  
47 = 41 + (3 * 2)  
48 = 24 * (3-1)  
49 = ((4 * 1) + 3)2  
50 = 41 + 32

As the logical extension, I attempted to carry on past 50.  It becomes increasingly difficult, since 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all small numbers, and the combinations of those small digits become less useful in making specific larger values (especially the prime numbers). 

However, if we expand the rules to allow ! (factorial) and decimal points, then this enables us to find solutions for 57 (for example).  I'd like to thank the free math help forum community (especially Denis for his initial suggestion to extend the rules), for the additional solutions, comments, corrections and suggestions.  They've been very friendly in quickly adopting my idea and sharing their comments and solutions.  An additional rule that's been introduced is the use of decimals - by doing this, we can include dividing by .2 (for example) as a way of multiplying by 5.


51 = (12 * 4) + 3  OR (42+1) x 3
52 = 43 - 12
53 = (1 + 4!) * 2 + 3
54 = (13 * 4) +2
55 = 34+ 21
56 = (1 + 3 + 4!)2
57 =(1+4)! / 2 - 3  OR (4 + 2) / .1 - 3
58 = (31 * 2) - 4
59 = (21 * 3) - 4
60 = 34 - 21
61 = 43 - (1 + 2)
62 = 43 - (1 * 2)
63 = 43 - (2 - 1)
64 = (2 - 1) * 43
65 = (2 - 1) + 43
66 = (2 * 1) +43
67 = (34 * 2) -1
68 = 34 * 2 * 1
69 = (34 * 2) + 1
70 = 43 + (1 + 2)!
71 = ((4! / 2) * 3!) - 1
72 = 24 * 3 * 1
73 = (3 * 4!) + (2 - 1)
74 = (3 * 4!) + (2 * 1)
75 = (4+1)2 * 3
76 = (41 * 2) - 3!
77 = ((4! + 1) * 3) + 2
78 = (4! + 2) * 3 * 1
79 = 34 - (2 * 1)
80 = 34 - (2 -1)
81 = (4! + 1 + 2) * 3
82 = 34 + (2 - 1)
83 = 34 + (2 * 1)
84 = 34 + 2 + 1
85 = (43 * 2) - 1
86 = 43 * 2 * 1
87 = (21 * 4) + 3
88 = (43 + 1) * 2
89 = (3!)! / (2 * 4) - 1
90 = (1! + 2!) * (3! + 4!)
91 = (23 * 4) - 1
92 = 23 * 4 * 1
93 = (23 * 4) + 1
94 = (1 + 3)4! - 2
95 = 3!*(24) - 1
96 = (12 * 4!) /3
97 = 4(3! - 2)! + 1
98 = (1 + 3)4! + 2
99 = 123 - 4!
100 = (3 / .12) * 4


The original textbook question asked only for the numbers from 1 to 50 with only powers and basic operators, but by expanding the rules, many more numbers have become achievable.  Dare we go above 100?

Further posts:  Numbers 101-150 and Numbers 150-200.

35 comments:

  1. 101 = (3^2)*11+2

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Jasmina - unfortunately the rules of the game are to use only each number once, and to use all the digits 1, 2, 3 and 4.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Theres something like the juxtapose which you can use to add the number together

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    2. this is really strange for me as a year 6 in primary school (im in australia)
      I got assigned this task but it was in a much simpler form, and seeing some of the answers makes me think "am i going to learn this in high school?"

      Everyone, keep up the insane maths skills here!

      Delete
  3. 101 = (1/.2)³ - 4!, but 103 seems to need use of a recurring decimal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correction: 103 has a solution that uses a decimal point, but I think 109 needs use of a decimal point and a recurring decimal or a square root symbol.

      Delete
    2. I see you have 109 without recurring decimal, so now I am not sure when it is first needed - maybe for 137. It would be nice to avoid use of square root, and I am not sure when that is first needed either.

      Delete
  4. i believe 11 = (4*3)-(2-1) and (4*3)-(2*1) would actually equal 10 :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does, so I'll make the correction - thank you for spotting it! :-)

      Delete
  5. get 12.75 using 1,2,3 and 4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. can you do them all, just with no division?

      Delete
  6. Thank you for response:) If it was only that easy!
    Can't combine digits, use them twice or use decimals:(

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can't combine digits? According to whose rules?

    If you can't combine digits, and have only 1, 2, 3 and 4 then I think you're going to struggle.

    The closest I can get, which I don't think you'll approve of either, is (4 + 1/2) * 3 = 13.5.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I got less than 0.25 away from 12.75 , but supposedly there is a way to get 12.75
    factorials and square roots are allowed, just wonder if there are other math symbols/operations that can be used to increase/decrease result
    Thanks for responding:)it will be a long weekend with math lol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Can you help me with a spreadsheet I am making?
    I am doing it without combining numbers. Can't find one for 34 :/
    You can use factorial, exponents, and the four basic ones. No decimals or combining numbers.
    The spreadsheet is here, if you want to see it:
    https://docs.google.com/a/coronadousd.org/spreadsheets/d/167DUN-2R1petAI2oYYV6BFDpNaBJzGwmktF1n1bs4rw/edit?usp=sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/167DUN-2R1petAI2oYYV6BFDpNaBJzGwmktF1n1bs4rw/edit?usp=sharing

      Delete
  10. 43 doesn't look quite right. How about 4 / .1 + 3! / 2
    Hopefully I didn't double post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there could you explain the notations above? I'm trying to check my 9yr olds homework and 43 is the only one he can't get unless using powers(which they haven't taught him yet)
      Would 4^3 -21 be a correct notation? (4power3 -21)
      Many thanks

      Delete
  11. The 16th problem is a little convoluted. Thanks for making this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right: in the interests of simplicity, how about 4* (3+(2-1)) as an improvement?

      Delete
    2. This is a great improvement! Thanks for responding

      Delete
  12. The 49th problem doesn't look quite right. It's somewhat off from the actual answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (4*1) = 4
      4 + 3 = 7
      7^2 = 49
      Hence ((4*1)+3)^2 = 49

      Delete
  13. how to get 91 using only values of 1,2,3,4 and pemdas

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  14. How to make 34 using 1,2,5,6 using all digits only once? Thanks in advance.

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  15. Could anyone help?
    I have numbers: 10, 4, 8, 9. How to make: 19, 20, 27, 35, 37, 43, 47, 48?

    ReplyDelete
  16. <a href=" https://puzzlefry.com>how many seconds in a year </a>PuzzleFry is the hub for interview puzzles, brain teasers, logic puzzles, brain games, riddles, Logical Questions, Math and Number Puzzles and quizzes.

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  17. How about not using combined numbers (two digits like 12, 42, ...)
    My daughter is trying to make 1-50 following that rule, and she has 7 numbers to go

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  18. How I can find the numbers 34,38 and 39 with just 1,2,3,4

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  19. How can I get 99 only using the numbers 2,4,7 and 8

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  20. Amendment to challenge ... try it using the digits 1 to 4 in order. Can anyone do 38?

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  21. Yeah what for 17 and 50

    ReplyDelete