Math Question: Can you solve it?. - Chess Forums

Apoapsis

Mar 13, 2008

0

#1

Hello chess.com community!

I have recently been challenged to solve a math problem. Using the digits below, make an equation that equals 9.

9, 8, 7, 5, 3.

There are some more rules:

You must use each number once.
You may NOT use a digit more than once.
You may use any mathmatical function you know.
NO adding numbers.
NO variables.
NO cheating!

Enjoy!

Sharukin

Mar 13, 2008

0

#2

(8+7)/5 x 3 = 9

Sharukin

Mar 13, 2008

0

#3

Or if the 9 must be on the left hand side:

(9 + 8) - (5 x 3) + 7

Apoapsis

Mar 13, 2008

0

#4

Or, the solution I came up with: 9+(8+7)-(5x3)

Sharukin

Mar 13, 2008

0

#5

But then you have used the 9 twice!

Apoapsis

Mar 13, 2008

0

#6

well, the "=9" doesn't mean much. It just proves that the equation is correct.

I have updated it.

Sharukin

Mar 14, 2008

0

#7

The = 9 does mean something. If you put = in there you have an equation, you are asserting that two things are equivalent. That is why I produced two different versions just in case your original post didn't actually mean that you wanted an equation. So you got a proper equation where I used 9 once after the = and an expression with no = that also fits the requirements.