Number puzzle

kuen_long · 26 Nov 2007 at 11:50

Is this possible?

Using 1, 3, 4, 6 all exactly once, you've got to make 24. Same rules as countdown ie you can use standard operations, brackets, no powers etc…

Nullvoid · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:03

I can't get any closer than 25

1 + 6 = 7
7 x 4 = 28
28 - 3 = 25

MAPeX · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:20

3 divided by 4 = 0.75

0.75 - 1 = 0.25

6 divided by .25 = 24

ic1male · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:27

Countdown doesn't allow the use of fractions. If they do, none of the contestants nor Carol have ever done so.

SiriusB · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:38

MAPeX said:
3 divided by 4 = 0.75

0.75 - 1 = 0.25

6 divided by .25 = 24

0.75 - 1 = - 0.25

So 6 / -0.25 = -24

You FAIL

Majago · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:39

SiriusB said:
0.75 - 1 = - 0.25

So 6 / -0.25 = -24

You FAIL

True although it can easily be amended to 1-0.75 = 0.25 etc.

edit: 2nd part deleted for talking complete ******

R.O.S.S.I · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:40

Majago said:
True although it can easily be amended to 1-0.75 = 0.25 etc.

ROFL exactly what i was thinking. Tard.

RandomTom · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:04

Majago said:
I'm sure they can use fractions, I remember seeing a episode - a while ago now so rules may have changed - where a guy went up to a riciculously high number then divided by 25 (or something similar).

That's not a fraction.

rodders · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:04

I cant ever remember them using them on countdown.

MTA99 · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:09

Wikipedia = win

Numbers round

One contestant selects six of twenty-four shuffled tiles. The tiles are arranged into two groups: four "large numbers" (25, 50, 75 and 100) and the remainder "small numbers", which comprise two each of the numbers 1 to 10. The contestant dictates how many large numbers are in the selection; anywhere from none to all four. A random three-digit target is generated by an electronic machine, affectionately known as "CECIL" (which stands for Countdown Electronic Calculator In Leeds).[37] The contestants then have thirty seconds to get as near to the target as possible by combining the six numbers selected with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.[32] Numbers can be used as many times as they appear in the selection, and need not all be used. Decimals and fractions are not allowed - only integers may be used at any stage of the calculation.[32]

Points are awarded for the closest solution, and again both contestants score if the solutions are equally close. 10 points are given for an exact answer, 7 points for a non-exact solution up to 5 from the target, and 5 points for a solution between 6 and 10 from the target. If neither contestant can get within 10, no points are awarded.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countdown_(game_show)#Numbers_round

paddy · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:12

(14-6) * 3 = 24

davestar_delux · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:15

If it's the same rules as countdown then it's easy, 4*6 = 24. Otherwise, if you must use all the numbers, it is impossible.

Welshy · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:15

Do you know it is possible and would like the answer, or are you asking if it is possible at all?

Either way, I cant do it

PinkPig · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:24

paddy said:
(14-6) * 3 = 24

Again not allowed on Countdown - but if we're following countdown rules then you don't have to use all of the numbers, so who knows?

Yeggstry · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:28

And before you guys say it, I have seen countdown use factorial before...

4! = 24
6/3 = 2
2-1 = 1
24/1 = 24

R.O.S.S.I · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:33

Yeggstry said:
And before you guys say it, I have seen countdown use factorial before...

4! = 24
6/3 = 2
2-1 = 1
24/1 = 24

No you haven't.

Clinkz · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:36

Yeggstry said:
And before you guys say it, I have seen countdown use factorial before...

4! = 24
6/3 = 2
2-1 = 1
24/1 = 24

A factorial is short hand notation. You dont happen to have the numbers 1, 2 and 3 lying around do you?

The Badger · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:44

It cannot be done

Simmz · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:47

6! / 4! - 3! .1 = 24

The Badger · 26 Nov 2007 at 13:49

Simmz said:
6! / 4! - 3! .1 = 24

wa?