1-10 With Four Three's

Activities

The number 12 can be very easily expressed with four three's:
12 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
It's more of a problem to obtain 15 and 18 using four three's:
15 = (3 x 3) + (3 + 3);
18 = (3 x 3) + (3 x 3);
And if you were required to arrive at 5 in the same way, you might not be very quick
5 = (3 + 3)/3+ 3

Now think of the ways to get the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Solution

1 = 33/33 (these are also other ways);

2 = 3/3 + 3/3;

3 = (3 + 3 + 3)/3;

4 = (3 x 3 + 3)/3;

6 = (3 + 3) x 3/3.

We've given the solutions through six only. Work out the remaining ones for yourselves. The above solutions, too, may be represented with other combinations of three's.

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Source: Numeracy Counts !, Anita Rampal, R Ramanujam and L S Saraswati, N L R C, LBS National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.