Countdown Numbers Game

[Minim]

By the way, guys, this is my second attempt of making a forum game. They show this on the TV show Countdown, the longest running game show in the world. OK: I have a selection of large numbers "25, 50, 75 and 100" and small numbers "1-10" and all you need to do is combine the numbers together to write a solution with the following numbers selected using the symbols +, -, * or / to reach the target number. Brackets are allowed as well.

I hope I explained clearly enough, if not here's an example:

Target number: 846
Selected numbers: 100, 50, 8, 4, 6, 10.

First you do 8*100 which is 800 then +50 which is 850 then -4 to the 850 which makes 846.

The solution can be written like this: 8*100+50-4

[Proxima]

You haven't explained how this is going to work as a forum game. One person sets a puzzle, the next solves it and sets the next puzzle? If so, do you want to start, since it's your idea, and I'm sure the example puzzle wasn't meant to count?

[Minim]

No. So, we'll get the game started then!

I'll start with 1 large and 5 small numbers. And remember, hide your solutions and don't cheat using the solver please!

Target number: 376

75, 7, 5, 2, 4, 5.

[Proxima]

Rather too easy:

75 x 5 + 5 - 4

Next puzzle: 972

50, 6, 7, 4, 5, 3

[Minim]

I can do 963 so far.

EDIT: Got it! Quite hard though

50*5-7=243; 243*4=972

Next puzzle: 357

25, 7, 2, 9, 5, 8.

[Proxima]

My solution was

(50 + 4) x 6 x 3

Solution to 357:

25 x (9 + 5) + 7

Next puzzle: 869

75, 3, 7, 10, 1, 4

[Minim]

869! That's a good puzzle. The best so far because other promising methods would come up close.

(3*4+75)=87; 87*10-1=869

Next puzzle: 224

25, 75, 4, 6, 8, 7.

[Proxima]

My solution was

(10 + 1) x (75 + 4)

Solution to 224:

25 x 6 + 75 + 7 - 8

Next puzzle: 605

100, 75, 2, 4, 3, 7

[Minim]

Done it! Here's one solution.

75*7+100-((2+3)*4)

Next puzzle: 284

50, 100, 3, 1, 3, 5

[Proxima]

My solution was

(3 x 100) + (4 x 75) + 7 - 2

Solution to 284:

3 x (100 - 5) - 1

Next puzzle: 346

100, 75, 7, 5, 5, 2

[Minim]

Solution is here.

75*5-(100/5+7+2)

We''l try 6 small numbers now (Evil isn't it?)

Next puzzle: 650

8, 5, 1, 6, 9, 1.

[Proxima]

Not so evil; when the target is an exact multiple of 50 it's easy to see

(9 + 1) x 5 x (8 + 6 - 1)

My solution to 346:

(100 + 75 + 5 - 7) x 2

Next puzzle: 191

25, 6, 5, 9, 5, 1

[Minim]

25*6+(9*5-5+1)

Next puzzle: 431

100, 2, 5, 4, 9, 10

[Proxima]

Not too difficult:

(100 + 10) x 4 - 9

Next puzzle: 636

100, 25, 2, 6, 2, 1

[Minim]

I came up with an interesting solution using all signs and all six numbers.

(100+6)*((25-1)/2/2)

Right then, four large and two small, if you were good at those previous puzzles.

Next puzzle: 999

100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 10.

[Proxima]

50 x (10 + 10) - (75 + 25) / 100

Next puzzle: 341

100, 75, 10, 3, 1, 9

[Minim]

Well done on the 999! I found a solution to 341:

(100+75)*(3-1)-9

Next puzzle: 307

50, 9, 9, 10, 7, 8.

[Dullstar]

Huh?  I'm confused...  do we need to use ALL the numbers or just some of them?

[Proxima]

No, you don't have to use all the numbers.

This one is really hard! The closest I've got so far is

(9 + 9) x (10 + 7) + 8/50 = 306.16

EDIT: FINALLY!!!

(9 x 7 x 50 / 10) - 8

Next puzzle: 543

50, 25, 9, 2, 7, 2

[Minim]

Huh?  I'm confused...  do we need to use ALL the numbers or just some of them?

You don't need to use all the numbers, although some solutions are necessary to use all.

Whoops I didn't realise Proxima already said that. Anyway, return to the game, a nice looking solution here:

50*9+(25*2*2)-7

Next puzzle: 773

25, 100, 2, 3, 9, 7

[Proxima]

(100 x 7) + (25 x 3) - 2

Next puzzle: 963

75, 1, 5, 2, 1, 3

[Minim]

960 is all I can do so far.
Are you sure the level is possible?

I have finally found it. At least there wasn't a division bit of it.

Here's 963:

(75-1)*(5+2+3)+1

Next puzzle: 537

100, 2, 4, 5, 7, 3

[Proxima]

It's possible, and you shouldn't set the next puzzle until this one's been solved.

However, this is the solution to 537:

(100 + 2 + 4) x 5 + 7

No next puzzle as the 963 puzzle is still open.

[Minim]

No next puzzle as the 963 puzzle is still open.

OK, I've done it. Bear in mind that some target numbers are impossible. Luckily, none of what we got have happened to be impossible so far.

Now, give me another puzzle!

[Pooty]

I have finally found it. At least there wasn't a division bit of it.

Here's 963:

(75-1)*(5+2+3)+1

That sum falls short. It only comes to 741.

[Proxima]

In high school I played this game a lot with my friend Daniel, and we wrote down some of the more memorable puzzles that came up. All the ones I'm posting are from that collection, so I know they're all possible http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

Next puzzle: 351

100, 75, 5, 8, 2, 9

(Pooty: I'm sure that's just a typo, should read 5 x 2 + 3, comes to (74 x 13) + 1 which is indeed 963.)

[Minim]

Sorry, it was a typo! http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/embarrassed.gif" alt=":-[" title="Embarrassed" class="smiley" />

Here we are then. 351 solved. Most numbers used, although not too hard. http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

(100+75)*2+9-8

Next puzzle: 536

75, 9, 10, 2, 4, 7

[Proxima]

Ah yes, that is rather simpler than my solution, which was

(100 - 75 + 2) x (8 + 5)

As for 536:

(75 x 7) + 9 + 2

Next puzzle: 232

100, 7, 6, 5, 3, 8

[Minim]

232 at last! Here it is...

(7*5-6)*8

Next puzzle: 149

8, 5, 9, 2, 6, 6.

[Dullstar]

There are impossible target numbers?  I don't think so, as long as you make sure the numbers you PROVIDE work.

[Minim]

This one is not impossible, but it's hard to find. Here's a solution:

(6+5)*6*2+9+8=149

I really didn't want to do that, but with every puzzle I make, I always check the solver to see if it works.

[Clam]

I've been quietly watching this thread (much as I don't care for post counts, I don't care for forum games either. I do like maths though...), and I thought this was one of the easier ones so far. I found a different solution:

(9 - 6) * 6 * 8 + 5 = 149

[Proxima]

My solution was different from either of yours, and used fewer numbers http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

(9 x 8 x 2) + 5

It bears some resemblance to minimac's solution to my 232 puzzle, which was much more efficient than either Daniel's or mine. Here's how I solved it:

(100 - 8 - 7 - 6) x 3 - 5

Clam Spammer gets to go next http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

By the way, as regards Dullstar's question, he was right; there are no impossible target numbers. Any target can be made if your numbers include the three digits of the target and two 10s http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/tongue.gif" alt=":P" title="Tongue" class="smiley" />

[Clam]

Clam Spammer gets to go next http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

Whoa, hang on a second.
1) I don't have a puzzle to post, and it's getting late here so I won't have one for a while
2) minimac posted a solution so it's already been given away
3) I don't care for forum games, as I just said.

So if you want to post a puzzle now, go ahead.

[Proxima]

Okay  http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/thumbsup.gif" alt=":thumbsup:" title="Thumbs Up" class="smiley" />

Next puzzle: 674

100, 50, 10, 7, 3, 3

[Minim]

Not as bad as you think, here's a solution:

(100-10)*7+50-3-3

Next puzzle: 715

25, 8, 3, 10, 9, 1

[Proxima]

(25 x 10 - 9) - 8

Next puzzle: 478

100, 50, 9, 2, 4, 4

[Minim]

I can do 477 so far...

EDIT: I did it!

(50+4)*9-(4*2)

Next puzzle: 846 "The first number shown in the game!"

50, 3, 6, 3, 8, 10

[Proxima]

Neat solution, and very different from mine:

(4 x 100) + 50 + ((9 - 2) x 4)

Soluiton to 846 (not too difficult):

(50 - 3) x (8 + 10)

Next puzzle: 348

100, 2, 6, 4, 1, 2

[Minim]

Here's 348

(2+1)*100+(2*4*6)

Next puzzle: 901

75, 3, 9, 5, 8, 6

[Proxima]

Or, since addition is commutative, I can just write (8 + 10) instead of the other way round http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/smiley.gif" alt=":)" title="Smiley" class="smiley" />

901 was far too easy:

75 x (9 + 3) + 6 - 5

Next puzzle: 673

100, 4, 9, 10, 3, 6

[Minim]

(This is the 4000th post on the lemmings forums!)

675 is what I can do so far...

EDIT: Finally did it!

(100+10)*6+4+9

Next puzzle: 427

25, 2, 6, 4, 7, 8

[Proxima]

Nice one! My solution was more complicated:

(100 + 4 x 3) x 6 + 10 - 9

Solution to 427 (a bit too easy):

25 x (6 + 4 + 7) + 2

Next puzzle: 584

50, 25, 9, 5, 9, 8

[Minim]

8*(50+9+5+9)

Next puzzle: 356

75, 6, 10, 7, 3, 7

[Proxima]

Excellent puzzle!

6 x (75 - 7 - 7) - 10

I'm all out of puzzles now, I'm afraid...

[GigaLem]

I Have one

Target number:399

100,3,7,2,90

[Minim]

Although there are only 5 numbers in that puzzle and not 6, it's not too hard.

3*100+90+7+2

Next target: 604

25, 2, 9, 8, 8, 9

[Minim]

Apologies for such a difficult challenge (Or maybe it was just forum game inactivity, I hope this one picks up). The usual rules require you to solve it in 30 seconds. http://www.lemmingsforums.com/Smileys/lemmings/tongue.gif" alt=":P" title="Tongue" class="smiley" /> Anyway here's the solution if you would like to have a look at it.

(25+9)*9*2-8

I've thought of a slightly easier one.
Next target: 499

Numbers: 50, 100, 3, 4, 6, 8

[chaos_defrost]

I used to play this ALL the time, haha. 2L is my jam ah hahahah

50*8+100-(4-3)

50 75 8 7 4 1 -> 613

[Simon]

Harrrrrrrrd.

50 x 75 / (7-1) = 625. 625 - 8 - 4 = 613.

2 3 4 6 8 = 25 ... for warming up
2 3 4 6 8 25 = 768 ... for the real meat

-- Simon

[Minim]

Not as hard as the last one (I think)

3*8-4+(6/2) = 25
(25-4-3-2)*6*8 = 768

"OK, can I have six small numbers please Rachel"

Next Target: 223

10, 6, 5, 9, 5, 4

[LJLPM]

5*9*5+4-6 = 223 (no need for "10")

I pass my turn for setting the next mystery-number...

[grams88]

This is totally unrelated but I thought I'll post this link to a prank they played on Richard Whitely on countdown back in the day.

This is a must watch as I found it quite funny.

Everyone was in on the prank apart from Richard Whitely who got pranked big time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGvhSTno2WM" class="bbc_link" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGvhSTno2WM (Remember this is part 1 of 5, the other parts will be there too)