A Conversation for The Myth Of 42 [(5-3+0+5) * (6+0) = 42]
In order
six7s Posted Mar 12, 2003
Yes, *in order* is the *accepted* method 
six7s 
(resisting the temptation to post a solution for 202814)
In order
Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) Posted Mar 13, 2003
202814, ..., well, let's see (I can't resist
):
2*0+28+14 = 42
2^0*28+14 = 42
(2-0)*28-14 = 42
...
Jeremy
In order
Elentari Posted Mar 13, 2003
That'll do fine, thanks very much (bad luck six7s)! Does that mean you don't have to treat the numbers individaully Jeremy? You've treated the 2 and 8 as 28 and the 1 and 4 as 14. Is that OK?
In order
Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) Posted Mar 13, 2003
Well, there are different 'schools' of 42ism:
The holy grail IMHO would be a solution without brackets, faculties and trigonometry that uses every single digit, i.e.:
1*2*3*4+9+9 = 42
As that works only for a limited part of all user numbers, you have to add brackets in most cases, i.e.:
(2+4+0)*(9+4-6) = 42
If that doesn't work out, sometimes faculties will do the trick:
7! / 5! = 42
And sometimes you have to use trigonometry (invtan(1)=45, and if you manage to build 3 out of the remaining digits, you got it ...)
And, of course, there are many other, sometimes really funny, solutions if you dare to think a bit besides the usual path:
218831 -> 2.1+(8+8+3+1) = 42
or
212173 -> 21*1*1^73 = 42
These are just some of the tricks of the trade. Sometimes you look at a number and have the solution before you without any effort, and sometimes you stare at a number for hours without a clue what to do, and then, all over sudden, Einstein's hammer strikes you ...
... but it's always fun!!
Jeremy
In order
six7s Posted Mar 16, 2003
Well, despite *someone* jumping the queue 
, my first solution hasn't been posted yet ~ so here goes
2 * 0 
+ 2 + 8 * (1 + 4) = 42
In order
Elentari Posted Mar 17, 2003
Ooh, thats better because that way, they are all seperate anyway. Thanks six7s. Mind if I steal that and post it on my page?
In order
Argon0 (50 and feeling it - back for a bit) Posted Oct 17, 2003
Welcome, Elentari, to the Mythical s of the DoQuaDecaGonic Table..
And just for Luck...
U202814 = 20*2 + 8*(1/4)=
Key: Complain about this post
In order
- 1: Elentari (Mar 12, 2003)
- 2: six7s (Mar 12, 2003)
- 3: Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) (Mar 13, 2003)
- 4: Elentari (Mar 13, 2003)
- 5: Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) (Mar 13, 2003)
- 6: Elentari (Mar 16, 2003)
- 7: six7s (Mar 16, 2003)
- 8: Elentari (Mar 17, 2003)
- 9: six7s (Mar 17, 2003)
- 10: Elentari (Mar 17, 2003)
- 11: Argon0 (50 and feeling it - back for a bit) (Oct 17, 2003)
- 12: Elentari (Oct 18, 2003)
- 13: Argon0 (50 and feeling it - back for a bit) (Oct 27, 2003)
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