OT - Number game/puzzle for Fridayidle minds

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:42 PM

We've done stuff like this before - since so many people seem to be clock-watching, let's try another round. And we'll make this a little more complicated.

Your goal: use the assigned set of numbers, along with any combination of arithmetic operations, to get to a total as close as possible to the target number(s).

For each set, you must use all these numbers:

6, 7, 19, 21, and 57

You may use these functions:

+, -, x, / = obvious
parentheses or brackets as needed

You may not just press numbers together into one larger numeral (e.g. 6 and 7 into 67)

You may not use exponents (too easy to compress something to zero that way)

You may not use factorials

Let's see... for the puzzle, let's set the target number at 50 to start with. If anyone hits that on the nose, then we'll let that person set a new target number, and we'll go from there. Or, if we agree that we can't hit a number on the button - we'll go with the closest we could find, and that person sets the next target.

50 it is.

(edit - disallow exponents, and factorials)

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:45 PM

Hmmm...

57 - (21/6) - (19/7) = ~50.79

We can probably do better...

Franklinnoble · 08-01-2003, 02:45 PM

Are you a math teacher or something?

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:47 PM

Something.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:47 PM

...or didn't I understand the question properly?

Celeval · 08-01-2003, 02:47 PM

Just to set a target:

(57+21+19) - (7*6) = 55

Nevermind, forgot QuickSand was MathGod.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:50 PM

This gets us pretty darned close... but also exposes a potential weakness in the game.

(57-7)+(6/(19^21))

This rounds to 50 in Excel... maybe we need to drop the ability to use powers?

EDITED above - no exponents.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Celeval
Nevermind, forgot QuickSand (sic) was MathGod.

Naw, just got a head start.

panerd · 08-01-2003, 02:51 PM

6/19/21 + 57 - 7 = 50.015...

dacman · 08-01-2003, 02:53 PM

57 - (7!/6!) + (19^-21) = ~50.0000000000000000000000000001

Yeah, exponents make it too easy.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:54 PM

Hmmmm... maybe we'll need to dump the factorials also... also make it too easy to use fewer of the terms.

Sorry - seems to be a work in progress.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:55 PM

Anyone else ready to concede to panerd on 50?

panerd · 08-01-2003, 02:57 PM

57/19 x 21 - 7 - 6 = 50 exactly

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:58 PM

Nicely done. Pick the next target number.

dacman · 08-01-2003, 02:58 PM

No reason you couldn't do something like:

6/19!/21! + 57 - 7 = ~ 50 + 1*10^-9999999999999999999999

panerd · 08-01-2003, 02:58 PM

Same numbers, different target or new numbers?

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by panerd
Same numbers, different target or new numbers?

Same numbers, different target - for now, at least.

(The 57/19 = 3 is unfortunate, I think)

dacman · 08-01-2003, 03:00 PM

My rule when I ran something similar is that the answer must be an integer -- it prevents a lot of the silliness above.

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:00 PM

Allright, lets go with 100 as the target.

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:03 PM

7 x 6 + 57 + 21 - 19 = 101

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:05 PM

57+(7*6)+(21/19) = 100.1053

Franklinnoble · 08-01-2003, 03:06 PM

I have to stop reading this thread... I feel like Forrest Gump in a room full of Einsteins.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:08 PM

Anyone beating that 100.1053 ?

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
57+(7*6)+(21/19) = 100.1053

If you switch the 21/19 to 19/21 you get just a little bit closer. There has got to be a way to get exactly 100 using 10^2 somehow.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:11 PM

Good catch, panerd:

57+(6*7)+(19/21) = ~99.90476

lurker · 08-01-2003, 03:11 PM

6 x 7 + 57 + 7 - 6 = 100

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lurker
6 x 7 + 57 + 7 - 6 = 100

A couple too many each of 6 and 7, not enough of 19 and 21.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:14 PM

Well... I'll set the new target, and we'll go from there.

If anyone can hit 100 on the nose - they're welcome to keep working on it. Prize is ... uh... they get to pick a new set of five numbers to work with in bulding.

For now:

Use 6,7,19,21 and 57 to make... 88.

lurker · 08-01-2003, 03:15 PM

Whoops, sorry, I knew I didn't read the rules well enough!

digamma · 08-01-2003, 03:17 PM

(21-7)*6+(57/19)=87

Radii · 08-01-2003, 03:17 PM

57+21+7+(19/6) = ~88.16667

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:18 PM

Radii beat me to mine... best I've got so far.

digamma · 08-01-2003, 03:19 PM

(19-6)*7+(57/21)=88.2857

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:22 PM

Weird one:

57+(21*19)/(7+6) = ~87.69231

...not a winner, but strangely close.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:24 PM

Maybe we should put a time limit on each set? Ten minutes (marked by the board timer) and we move on?

digamma · 08-01-2003, 03:25 PM

Time limit would be good.

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:26 PM

Okay - Radii, you're on for the next target number.

Ten minutes apiece from here on out. I'm good for about three more, as I watch the clock...

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:29 PM

Okay, Radii has drifted to the dynasty section.

Here's our new target number: 600

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:32 PM

(57*(19-6))-(21*7) = 594

Doubtful that's a winner, but it's something.

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:32 PM

(21 + 19) x (7 + 6) + 57 = 577

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:39 PM

(57*6)+(21*(19-7)) = 594

Masked · 08-01-2003, 03:39 PM

(57-7)*6*(21-19) = 600

QuikSand · 08-01-2003, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Masked
(57-7)*6*(21-19) = 600

Good heavens that was easy.

You're up.

VPI97 · 08-01-2003, 03:40 PM

(6 + 7 + 19 - 21) * 57 = 627

Edit - Yeah, 627 was close...

Masked · 08-01-2003, 03:41 PM

Same numbers: 6, 7, 19, 21, 57

Target: 257

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:41 PM

Here I am trying to find ways to get the other four numbers to equal 28.5 so I can multiply by 21 and there is a way to get exactly 600!

digamma · 08-01-2003, 03:44 PM

(57-7)*6-(21+19)=260

panerd · 08-01-2003, 03:47 PM

(6 + (7/21)) ^ (57/19) = 254.03

A little closer than 260.

Masked · 08-01-2003, 03:48 PM

(19-7)*21+57/6 = 261.5

Masked · 08-01-2003, 03:49 PM

(19-6)*21-57/7 = 254.8571

better

08-01-2003, 02:47 PM	#6
Celeval Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cary, NC, USA	Just to set a target: (57+21+19) - (76) = 55 Nevermind, forgot QuickSand was MathGod. Last edited by Celeval : 08-01-2003 at 02:49 PM.*

08-01-2003, 02:50 PM	#7
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	This gets us pretty darned close... but also exposes a potential weakness in the game. (57-7)+(6/(19^21)) This rounds to 50 in Excel... maybe we need to drop the ability to use powers? EDITED above - no exponents. Last edited by QuikSand : 08-01-2003 at 02:53 PM.

08-01-2003, 02:53 PM	#10
dacman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: speak to the trout	57 - (7!/6!) + (19^-21) = ~50.0000000000000000000000000001 Yeah, exponents make it too easy. __________________ No signatures allowed. Last edited by dacman : 08-01-2003 at 02:54 PM.

08-01-2003, 02:58 PM	#15
dacman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: speak to the trout	No reason you couldn't do something like: 6/19!/21! + 57 - 7 = ~ 50 + 1*10^-9999999999999999999999 __________________ No signatures allowed.

08-01-2003, 03:00 PM	#18
dacman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: speak to the trout	My rule when I ran something similar is that the answer must be an integer -- it prevents a lot of the silliness above. __________________ No signatures allowed.

08-01-2003, 02:45 PM	#2
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Hmmm... 57 - (21/6) - (19/7) = ~50.79 We can probably do better...

08-01-2003, 02:45 PM	#3
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Are you a math teacher or something?

08-01-2003, 02:51 PM	#9
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	6/19/21 + 57 - 7 = 50.015...

08-01-2003, 02:54 PM	#11
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Hmmmm... maybe we'll need to dump the factorials also... also make it too easy to use fewer of the terms. Sorry - seems to be a work in progress.

08-01-2003, 02:55 PM	#12
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Anyone else ready to concede to panerd on 50?

08-01-2003, 02:57 PM	#13
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	57/19 x 21 - 7 - 6 = 50 exactly

08-01-2003, 03:03 PM	#20
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	7 x 6 + 57 + 21 - 19 = 101

08-01-2003, 03:05 PM	#21
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	57+(7*6)+(21/19) = 100.1053

08-01-2003, 03:06 PM	#22
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	I have to stop reading this thread... I feel like Forrest Gump in a room full of Einsteins.

08-01-2003, 03:08 PM	#23
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Anyone beating that 100.1053 ?

08-01-2003, 03:11 PM	#25
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Good catch, panerd: 57+(6*7)+(19/21) = ~99.90476

08-01-2003, 03:11 PM	#26
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	6 x 7 + 57 + 7 - 6 = 100

08-01-2003, 03:14 PM	#28
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Well... I'll set the new target, and we'll go from there. If anyone can hit 100 on the nose - they're welcome to keep working on it. Prize is ... uh... they get to pick a new set of five numbers to work with in bulding. For now: Use 6,7,19,21 and 57 to make... 88.

08-01-2003, 03:15 PM	#29
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	Whoops, sorry, I knew I didn't read the rules well enough!

08-01-2003, 03:17 PM	#30
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	(21-7)*6+(57/19)=87

08-01-2003, 03:17 PM	#31
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	57+21+7+(19/6) = ~88.16667

08-01-2003, 03:18 PM	#32
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Radii beat me to mine... best I've got so far.

08-01-2003, 03:19 PM	#33
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	(19-6)7+(57/21)=88.2857 Last edited by digamma : 08-01-2003 at 03:20 PM.*

08-01-2003, 03:22 PM	#34
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Weird one: 57+(21*19)/(7+6) = ~87.69231 ...not a winner, but strangely close.

08-01-2003, 03:24 PM	#35
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Maybe we should put a time limit on each set? Ten minutes (marked by the board timer) and we move on?

08-01-2003, 03:25 PM	#36
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	Time limit would be good.

08-01-2003, 03:26 PM	#37
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Okay - Radii, you're on for the next target number. Ten minutes apiece from here on out. I'm good for about three more, as I watch the clock... Last edited by QuikSand : 08-01-2003 at 03:27 PM.

08-01-2003, 03:29 PM	#38
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Okay, Radii has drifted to the dynasty section. Here's our new target number: 600

08-01-2003, 03:32 PM	#39
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	(57(19-6))-(217) = 594 Doubtful that's a winner, but it's something.

08-01-2003, 03:32 PM	#40
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	(21 + 19) x (7 + 6) + 57 = 577 Last edited by panerd : 08-01-2003 at 03:33 PM.

08-01-2003, 03:39 PM	#41
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	(576)+(21(19-7)) = 594

08-01-2003, 03:39 PM	#42
Masked College Starter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bay Area	(57-7)6(21-19) = 600

08-01-2003, 03:40 PM	#44
VPI97 Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Kennesaw, GA	(6 + 7 + 19 - 21) * 57 = 627 Edit - Yeah, 627 was close... __________________ CT & Jivin - "Surprisingly Entertaining" Last edited by VPI97 : 08-01-2003 at 03:41 PM.

08-01-2003, 03:41 PM	#45
Masked College Starter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bay Area	Same numbers: 6, 7, 19, 21, 57 Target: 257 Last edited by Masked : 08-01-2003 at 03:41 PM.

08-01-2003, 03:44 PM	#47
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	(57-7)*6-(21+19)=260