Why is six afraid of eight? Wait, I messed up the joke
8 8 8 8 = 6
How do you make this equation true by only using mathematical operators like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and parentheses on the left hand side of the equation?
Define
A
as the number of addition signs used,
B
as the number of subtraction signs used,
C
as the number of multiplication signs used,
D
as the number of division signs used,
E
as the number of pairs of parentheses used.
Submit your answer as A B C D E .
Details and Assumptions :
- For example, if your equation is − 8 × 8 ÷ ( 8 − 8 ) = 6 , then A = 0 , B = 2 , C = 1 , D = 1 , E = 1 and your answer is 02111.
- Use as few parentheses and addition signs as possible.
- Binomial coefficients don't count.
- BODMAS is applied.
Inspiration .
The answer is 11011.
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5 solutions
What about -(8+8)/8+8
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you got an extra addition sign at the end. The question assumption says use as little addition signs as possible.
8 - (8 + 8) ÷ 8 = 6 So,according to the code given,A = 1,B = 1,C=0,D=1,E=1 Therefore,the answer is 11011.
8- {(8 divided by 8)+8 divided by8}
(-8-8)/8+8=6 why this is not correct ? therefore, ABCDE=12011
12011 doesn't work because it needs to be the shortest solution
For the shortest solution we can do:
8 − 8 ( 8 + 8 )
Therefore it becomes
A = 1 ; B = 1 ; C = 0 ; D = 1 ; E = 1 ;
And the answer is 11011
I got the ans as
(-8-8)÷8+8 = 6
But didn't know we have to enter the shortest method.... My bad....
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i was the same and got the same answer. it did not mention anything about the shortest method in the problem; just as little parentheses and addition signs as possible. i like the idea of the problem but not the way it was worded. they way it is worded would allow for multiple correct answers, as your way also has only one addition sign and parenthesis.
The way "shortest" is defined, that also works (least parentheses and addition signs, and produces a different answer from the one listed as correct.
I thought E=2? I wrote 11012 and got the answer wrong, I thought there might be an easier way (with 0 parenthesis). That example messed it up, I thought it was the number of parenthesis instead of the number of pairs. Rewrite E=1 in the example, please.
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Okay done.
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Thanks :) Hopefully others won't get it wrong now !
How can we confirm that there is only one way : 8 − ( 8 + 8 ) ÷ 8 , i.e. there is only one solution 11011 ? What if there are other ways to reach 6 ?
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@Venkata Karthik Bandaru – How can we confirm? No idea, this is like an NP problem.
What if there are other ways? Then I will ask Calvin to change the answer.
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@Pi Han Goh – There are other ways:- -((8+8)/8 -8) which gives 12012
me too thought e =2
8+(-8/8+8)
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can u explain or ur ans will be 1 if i m not wrong
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That gives 15 actually if u apply BODMAS but it is still wrong
I gave the alternate correct answer. My answer was 12011, which is correct.
(-8-8)/8+8 = 6, where A=1, B=2, C=0, D=1, and E=1.
Then please
* reply
, why my *
answer is wrong
, just because it doesn't match with the prescribed?.
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Nobody answers me..Where I am wrong please anyone tell me..
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Oh haha, you're right too! Maybe I should also clarify I want as little subtraction as possible!
-8-8/8+8 = -16/16 = -1
8 − ( 8 + 8 ) ÷ 8 = 6
A B C D E = 1 1 0 1 1
8 - (8 + 8) /8 Using BODMAS Rule,you get 11011.
I suppose, it is better to use the ÷ sign.
8 − ( 8 + 8 ) ÷ 8 = 6
Therefore, A B C D E = 1 1 0 1 1