Author Topic: Countdown Numbers Game (Read 18078 times)

Minim · « **on:** August 31, 2009, 12:55:37 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2009, 02:49:08 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2009, 04:27:06 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2009, 04:51:00 PM »

Rather too easy:

Quote from: Spoiler

75 x 5 + 5 - 4

Next puzzle: 972

50, 6, 7, 4, 5, 3

Minim · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:10:28 PM »

I can do 963 so far.

EDIT: Got it! Quite hard though

Quote from: 972 solution.

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

Next puzzle: 357

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

Proxima · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:40:24 PM »

My solution was

Quote from: Spoiler

(50 + 4) x 6 x 3

Solution to 357:

Quote from: Spoiler

25 x (9 + 5) + 7

Next puzzle: 869

75, 3, 7, 10, 1, 4

Minim · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:47:00 PM »

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

Quote from: 869 solution

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

Next puzzle: 224

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

Proxima · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2009, 06:00:37 PM »

My solution was

Quote from: Spoiler

(10 + 1) x (75 + 4)

Solution to 224:

Quote from: Spoiler

25 x 6 + 75 + 7 - 8

Next puzzle: 605

100, 75, 2, 4, 3, 7

Minim · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2009, 07:48:38 PM »

Done it! Here's one solution.

Quote from: 605 solution

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

Next puzzle: 284

50, 100, 3, 1, 3, 5

Proxima · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2009, 07:54:22 PM »

My solution was

Quote from: Spoiler

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

Solution to 284:

Quote from: Spoiler

3 x (100 - 5) - 1

Next puzzle: 346

100, 75, 7, 5, 5, 2

Minim · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2009, 06:59:52 AM »

Solution is here.

Quote from: 346 solution

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2009, 01:09:09 PM »

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

Quote from: Spoiler

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

My solution to 346:

Quote from: Spoiler

(100 + 75 + 5 - 7) x 2

Next puzzle: 191

25, 6, 5, 9, 5, 1

Minim · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2009, 02:33:11 PM »

Quote from: 191 solution

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

Next puzzle: 431

100, 2, 5, 4, 9, 10

Proxima · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2009, 02:43:42 PM »

Not too difficult:

Quote from: Spoiler

(100 + 10) x 4 - 9

Next puzzle: 636

100, 25, 2, 6, 2, 1

Minim · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2009, 03:00:05 PM »

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

Quote from: 636 solution

(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 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2009, 03:21:28 PM »

Quote from: Spoiler

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

Next puzzle: 341

100, 75, 10, 3, 1, 9

Minim · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2009, 08:55:12 PM »

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

Quote from: 341 solution

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

Next puzzle: 307

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

Dullstar · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2009, 10:27:58 PM »

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

Proxima · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2009, 01:03:23 AM »

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

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

Quote from: Spoiler

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

EDIT: FINALLY!!!

Quote from: The real solution...

(9 x 7 x 50 / 10) - 8

Next puzzle: 543

50, 25, 9, 2, 7, 2

Minim · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2009, 07:25:17 AM »

Quote from: Dullstar on 2009-09-01 16:27:58

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:

Quote from: 543 solution

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

Next puzzle: 773

25, 100, 2, 3, 9, 7

Proxima · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2009, 11:22:13 AM »

Quote

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

Next puzzle: 963

75, 1, 5, 2, 1, 3

Minim · « **Reply #21 on:** September 02, 2009, 01:58:37 PM »

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:

Quote from: 963 solution

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

Next puzzle: 537

100, 2, 4, 5, 7, 3

Proxima · « **Reply #22 on:** September 02, 2009, 03:13:55 PM »

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

However, this is the solution to 537:

Quote

(100 + 2 + 4) x 5 + 7

No next puzzle as the 963 puzzle is still open.

Minim · « **Reply #23 on:** September 02, 2009, 06:38:46 PM »

Quote from: Proxima on 2009-09-02 09:13:55

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 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 02, 2009, 06:49:13 PM »

Quote from: minimac94 on 2009-09-02 07:58:37

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

Here's 963:
Quote from: 963 solution
(75-1)*(5+2+3)+1

That sum falls short. It only comes to 741.

Proxima · « **Reply #25 on:** September 02, 2009, 06:50:11 PM »

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

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 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 02, 2009, 07:14:23 PM »

Sorry, it was a typo!

Here we are then. 351 solved. Most numbers used, although not too hard.

Quote

(100+75)*2+9-8

Next puzzle: 536

75, 9, 10, 2, 4, 7

Proxima · « **Reply #27 on:** September 02, 2009, 09:59:41 PM »

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

Quote from: 351 solution

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

As for 536:

Quote from: 536 solution

(75 x 7) + 9 + 2

Next puzzle: 232

100, 7, 6, 5, 3, 8

Minim · « **Reply #28 on:** September 03, 2009, 04:00:18 PM »

232 at last! Here it is...

Quote

(7*5-6)*8

Next puzzle: 149

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

Dullstar · « **Reply #29 on:** September 05, 2009, 12:15:34 AM »

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

Minim · « **Reply #30 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:45:30 AM »

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

Quote from: 149 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 · « **Reply #31 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:17:25 AM »

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:

Quote from: another 149 solution

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

Proxima · « **Reply #32 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:41:06 AM »

My solution was different from either of yours, and used fewer numbers

Quote from: another 149 solution

(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:

Quote from: my 232 solution

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

Clam Spammer gets to go next

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

Clam · « **Reply #33 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:48:32 AM »

Quote from: Proxima on 2009-09-05 05:41:06

Clam Spammer gets to go next

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 · « **Reply #34 on:** September 05, 2009, 12:02:37 PM »

Okay

Next puzzle: 674

100, 50, 10, 7, 3, 3

Minim · « **Reply #35 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:31:06 PM »

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

Quote

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

Next puzzle: 715

25, 8, 3, 10, 9, 1

Proxima · « **Reply #36 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:49:40 PM »

Quote

(25 x 10 - 9) - 8

Next puzzle: 478

100, 50, 9, 2, 4, 4

Minim · « **Reply #37 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:36:34 AM »

I can do 477 so far...

EDIT: I did it!

Quote

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

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

50, 3, 6, 3, 8, 10

Proxima · « **Reply #38 on:** September 06, 2009, 12:45:24 PM »

Neat solution, and very different from mine:

Quote

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

Soluiton to 846 (not too difficult):

Quote

(50 - 3) x (8 + 10)

Next puzzle: 348

100, 2, 6, 4, 1, 2

Minim · « **Reply #39 on:** September 06, 2009, 02:06:32 PM »

Here's 348

Quote

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

Next puzzle: 901

75, 3, 9, 5, 8, 6

Proxima · « **Reply #40 on:** September 06, 2009, 03:12:40 PM »

Or, since addition is commutative, I can just write (8 + 10) instead of the other way round

901 was far too easy:

Quote

75 x (9 + 3) + 6 - 5

Next puzzle: 673

100, 4, 9, 10, 3, 6

Minim · « **Reply #41 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:46:28 PM »

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

675 is what I can do so far...

EDIT: Finally did it!

Quote

(100+10)*6+4+9

Next puzzle: 427

25, 2, 6, 4, 7, 8

Proxima · « **Reply #42 on:** September 08, 2009, 01:00:43 AM »

Nice one! My solution was more complicated:

Quote

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

Solution to 427 (a bit too easy):

Quote

25 x (6 + 4 + 7) + 2

Next puzzle: 584

50, 25, 9, 5, 9, 8

Minim · « **Reply #43 on:** September 08, 2009, 07:31:20 AM »

Quote from: 584 solution

8*(50+9+5+9)

Next puzzle: 356

75, 6, 10, 7, 3, 7

Proxima · « **Reply #44 on:** September 08, 2009, 09:00:59 PM »

Excellent puzzle!

Quote from: 356 solution

6 x (75 - 7 - 7) - 10

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

GigaLem · « **Reply #45 on:** August 21, 2010, 04:37:25 AM »

I Have one

Target number:399

100,3,7,2,90

Minim · « **Reply #46 on:** September 27, 2010, 10:02:25 AM »

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

Quote from: 399 solution

3*100+90+7+2

Next target: 604

25, 2, 9, 8, 8, 9

Minim · « **Reply #47 on:** November 11, 2013, 07:56:03 AM »

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.

Anyway here's the solution if you would like to have a look at it.

Quote from: 604 solution

(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 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 12, 2013, 01:43:17 AM »

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 · « **Reply #49 on:** November 13, 2013, 12:17:21 AM »

Harrrrrrrrd.

Quote from: 613 solution

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 · « **Reply #50 on:** November 13, 2013, 06:36:58 AM »

Not as hard as the last one (I think)

Quote from: solutions

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 · « **Reply #51 on:** November 13, 2013, 06:19:22 PM »

Quote from: solutions

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

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

grams88 · « **Reply #52 on:** November 13, 2013, 08:44:12 PM »

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 (Remember this is part 1 of 5, the other parts will be there too)