Combining Digits – Five 2’s
Here are some ways to get 0 and 1 using five 2’s.
0 = (22 – 22) x 2
0 = (2/2 – 2/2) x 2
1 = 2 – (2/2 x 2/2)
1 = (2/2 + 2/2) / 2
THE CHALLENGE
How many numbers can you get using five 2’s using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and creating double-digit numbers?
2 2 2 2 2
EXPLORATION
Play with other groups of identical numbers. Are some more interesting than others?
Notes
THE CHALLENGE
Here are some solutions from 0 to 16. Of course, there are many more. Have fun comparing different people’s solutions!
0 = (2 – 2) / (2 x 2 x 2)
1 = (2 / 2 + 2 / 2) / 2
2 = 2 + (2 – 2) x (2 + 2)
3 = 2 + (2/2 x 2/2)
4 = (2 + 2 + 2 + 2) / 2
5 = 2 + (2 + 2 + 2) / 2
6 = (2 x (2 + 2 + 2)) / 2
7 = 2 + 2 + 2 + 2/2
8 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2/2
9 = 2 x 2 x 2 + 2/2
10 = 22/2 – 2/2
11 = 22/2 x 2/2
12 = 22/2 + 2/2
13 = (22 + 2 + 2) / 2
14 = 22 – (2 x 2 x 2)
15 = 22/2 + 2 + 2
16 = 22 – 2 – 2 – 2