T he Main Challenge
By using the numbers 4, 5, 7 and 8 exactly once each, and with the four arithmetical operations + – × ÷ available, can you arrive at the target answer of 12 in two different ways?
The 7puzzle Challenge
The playing board of the 7puzzle game is a 7-by-7 grid containing 49 different numbers, ranging from 2 up to 84.
The 1st & 2nd rows of the playing board contain the following fourteen numbers:
2 8 9 14 15 17 22 28 40 48 55 63 64 72
From the list, find FOUR different numbers that total 100.
The Lagrange Challenge
Lagrange’s Four-Square Theorem states that every positive integer can be made by adding up to four square numbers.
For example, 7 can be made by 2²+1²+1²+1² (or 4+1+1+1).
There are TEN different ways to make 214 when using Lagrange’s Theorem. How many can you find?
The Mathematically Possible Challenge
Using 4, 6 and 9 once each, with + – × ÷ available, which are the only THREE numbers it is possible to make from the list below?
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
#5TimesTable
The Target Challenge
Can you arrive at 214 by inserting 2, 6, 10 and 20 into the gaps on each line?
- (◯+◯)×◯–◯ = 214
- ◯×◯+◯+double◯ = 214
- (◯+◯)²–(◯+double◯) = 214
Answers can be found here.
Click Paul Godding for details of online maths tuition.
