A Conversation for The Myth Of 42 [(5-3+0+5) * (6+0) = 42]
U524615
RFJS__ - trying to write an unreadable book, finding proofreading tricky Started conversation Feb 24, 2004
(5 x 2 x 4) + 6 + 1 - 5 = 42
If I've interpreted the rules correctly, then I'm in the lucky position of having an easily manipulable researcher number.
U524615
Potholer Posted Feb 24, 2004
That looks OK to me.
Using mental arithmetic, I'd offer
(-5+2+4+6)*(1+5)
(some form of 6*7 is the often the easiest route to solution)
My solution-finding program came up with plenty of other solutions, using many quite different paths to solution, but I'll leave off posting them for now in case anyone else wants a manual try.
There only seems to be a single solution just using + and *, and I only noticed a couple of +-*/ no-bracket solutions, both of which are rather obscure.
I think the answer you worked out is at least as clear as any of mine.
U524615
RFJS__ - trying to write an unreadable book, finding proofreading tricky Posted Feb 24, 2004
Thanks. I never imagined my researcher number would be subjected to such intricate scrutiny...
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AK - fancy that! Posted Feb 25, 2004
oh crap that's wrong...
*hits self -5+24 = 19*
umm...
-5*2+46+1+5=42
I hope.
Of course, the first one is bracketless if you leave out the parantheses as OOP will do it anyway...
U524615
Potholer Posted Feb 25, 2004
The other no-bracket solution I found was the vaguely similar-looking
-5*2-4+61-5
U524615
Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) Posted Feb 26, 2004
How about
5x(2+4)x(6+1)/5 = 42 ?
Jeremy
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U524615
- 1: RFJS__ - trying to write an unreadable book, finding proofreading tricky (Feb 24, 2004)
- 2: Potholer (Feb 24, 2004)
- 3: RFJS__ - trying to write an unreadable book, finding proofreading tricky (Feb 24, 2004)
- 4: AK - fancy that! (Feb 25, 2004)
- 5: AK - fancy that! (Feb 25, 2004)
- 6: AK - fancy that! (Feb 25, 2004)
- 7: Potholer (Feb 25, 2004)
- 8: Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) (Feb 26, 2004)
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