OT - Number game/puzzle for Fridayidle minds
 

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)

Hmmm...

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

We can probably do better...

Are you a math teacher or something?

Something.

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

Just to set a target:

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


Nevermind, forgot QuickSand was MathGod. :)

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.

Naw, just got a head start.

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

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

Yeah, exponents make it too easy.

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.

Anyone else ready to concede to panerd on 50?

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

Nicely done. Pick the next target number.

No reason you couldn't do something like:

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

Same numbers, different target or new numbers?

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

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

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

Allright, lets go with 100 as the target.

7 x 6 + 57 + 21 - 19 = 101

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

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

Anyone beating that 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.

Good catch, panerd:

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

6 x 7 + 57 + 7 - 6 = 100

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Weird one:

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

...not a winner, but strangely close.

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

Time limit would be good.

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...

Okay, Radii has drifted to the dynasty section.

Here's our new target number: 600

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

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

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

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

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

Good heavens that was easy.

You're up.

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

Edit - Yeah, 627 was close... :(

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

Target: 257

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!

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

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

A little closer than 260. :)

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

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

better