Math Is Fun Forum

Riddler_Kia

Member

Registered: 2005-10-21

Posts: 2

Math Equation Mind Bender

Here is a difficult math problem. I have been working on it for almost 3 weeks and still have not figured it out ! My math teacher gave this problem to my class as a 'just for fun' thing. It's a difficult, yet fun problem though so I thought to post it here for anyone that wants to solve it.

Problem:
Using 3/4, 3, 3, and 6 and either division, addition, subtraction, or multiplication, you must get an answer of exactly 24. The order of the numbers does not matter. (so to sum it up, make 24 out of 3/4, 3, 3, 6 using only addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication).

Good Luck !

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Math Equation Mind Bender

Look around the site for other puzzles like this to give you inspiration before looking.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 48,421

Re: Math Equation Mind Bender

I tried many combinations, finally got it. I first drew the conclusion that 3/4 should figure in the denominator. Thereafter, it was juggling with numbers.
I think the problem has a unique solution. Mathsy beat me, but I should say, it didn't take more than 10 minutes! (There was a gap of more than 90 minutes between my first and second periods of five minutes) 

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

Riddler_Kia

Member

Registered: 2005-10-21

Posts: 2

Re: Math Equation Mind Bender

Yay, I finally solved it ^__^! Wow, you are both really fast! I think I saw a problem similar to this one in the forum so I shall now go and try to solve it ^__^

Last edited by Riddler_Kia (2005-10-25 17:02:58)