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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from jen, a student: Use four 4's and some of the symbols: +,-,X, / and (), to give expressions for the whole numbers from 0 through9. Example : (4X4+4)/4=5 Thank you for your help on this question. |
Hi Jen,
Some of the numbers are easier to find than others. For example:
4-4=0
4/4=1
4+4=8
The others are not that much more difficult if you consider the multiples of 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...). In the example you gave
(4X4+4)/4=5
The numerator simplifies to 20 which is a multiple of 4. Once you get a few expressions, use these "tricks" to find others.
Janice
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