Solving Maths Quiz: Numbers 1-50 with 2,5,1,2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a math quiz challenge where participants attempt to create numbers from 1 to 50 using the digits 2, 5, 1, and 2, with the requirement that all digits must be used. The original poster mentions specific examples and notes difficulties with certain numbers, particularly 41, 42, and 43.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants share various mathematical expressions and operations to achieve the target numbers, including factorials and other functions. Some question whether certain functions, like trigonometric functions, can be used. There is also discussion about the constraints on using the digits more than once.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing multiple approaches and expressions for various numbers. Some have noted specific numbers that remain unsolved, while others have shared their findings and expressed uncertainty about the validity of certain methods. There is a collaborative effort to find solutions, particularly for the challenging numbers.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints such as the requirement to use each digit only once and the potential legality of using factorials and decimals. There is also a reference to prior discussions on other platforms, indicating a broader search for solutions.

tunesurfer
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simple I think not - my son has homework/quiz for fun - try to make numbers from 1 to 50 using the numbers 2,5,1,2 (xmas date)- I think all of them must be used.

for example

25+21=46

(5+1)2-2=34 five plus one squared minus two equals 34

15x2+2=32


weve got some we can't do even usng factorials(dbl/trpl) - decimals and fractions

the ones we can't do are 41/42/43

any help with these appreciated
 
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5-(2)(2)(1)=1
5-[2+(2-1)]=2
5-[(2/2)+1]=3
(5-1)+2-2=4
12-(5+2)=5
5+(2/2)(1)=6
5+(2/2)+1=7
5+2+(2-1)=8
5+(2+2)1=9
5+2+2+1=10
5(2)+(2-1)=11
5(2)+2(1)=12
 
are you allowed to use trig functions? not that it would necessarily help
in fact i doubt it would
 
im assuming they cannot be used more than once because you could just say:
5*2*2*2+1
 
hahaha [5!/(2+1)]+2=42
 
estoydemoda said:
im assuming they cannot be used more than once because you could just say:
5*2*2*2+1

lol if it could be used more than once u can just do 1^5-1^2+1... all the way to whatever and making all numbers you could posibbly want.
 
No lol they can't be used more than once - posted this on other sites - maths goodies did best we just need number 41 now and we have one for number 36 that we don't understand but we hope the tutor will .

(((1+5/2)!)^2 = 36
 
[tex]36 = (12 \times .5)^2[/tex]

[tex]41 = \left(\frac{2}{.1} + .5\right) \times 2[/tex]
 
[tex]51 = 52 + 1 - 2[/tex]

[tex]52 = (25 + 1) \times 2[/tex]

[tex]53 = 52 + 2 -1[/tex]

[tex]54 = 52 + 2 \times 1[/tex]

[tex]55 = 52 + 2 + 1[/tex]

[tex]56 = \frac{\frac{2}{.5(recurring)} + 2}{.1}[/tex]

[tex]57 = 52 + \frac{1}{.2}[/tex]

[tex]58 = 5 \times 12 - 2[/tex]

[tex]59 = 5 \times (12 - .2)[/tex]

[tex]60 = 15 \times 2 \times 2[/tex]

:-p
 
Last edited:
  • #10
ceptimus said:
[tex]36 = (12 \times .5)^2[/tex]

[tex]41 = \left(\frac{2}{.1} + .5\right) \times 2[/tex]

Good one,ceptimus...It's cheating... :cry: It sould have been "0" before the dot. :-p There's my share of cheating:
[tex]36=[(5-2)!]^{2\cdot1}[/tex]
[tex]41=[5-(2-2)!]1[/tex]

Daniel.

PS.In the second line,there is no multiplication between 4 and 1. :-p
EDIT:[tex]41=\frac{5}{.(1)}-(2\cdot2)[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #11
I couldn't find answers for 69, 79, 83 and 87 but otherwise I have all the numbers up to 113.

Only functions I've used are +, -, *, /, ^, the decimal point, and (recurring)
 
  • #12
OK then. Without the 0. 'cheat'

[tex]36 = 12 \times (5 - 2)[/tex] D'Oh!
 
  • #13
ceptimus said:
I couldn't find answers for 69, 79, 83 and 87 but otherwise I have all the numbers up to 113.

Only functions I've used are +, -, *, /, ^, the decimal point, and (recurring)

[tex]69=(5+2)1-2[/tex]

Daniel.
 
  • #14
dextercioby said:
[tex]69=(5+2)1-2[/tex]

Daniel.

You're not seriously expecting anyone to accept that [tex]71 = (5+2)1[/tex] is an acceptable notation are you? :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #15
These are the answers we came up with mostly by ourselves and with help from this forum - while we have checked these they may not all be correct - tutor will mark this week. Number 44 was a double factorial and we hope this is legal (as well as the .5 in number 41 lol). The alternatives where afterthoughts while checking when typing.

1- 5-(2+2)x1
2- 5-(2+2)+1
3- 5-2x1^2
4- 5-(1+2)+2
5- (5x1)+2-2
6- 5+1+2-2
7- 5+2x1^2
8- 5+1^2+2
9- (5+2^2)x1
10- 5+2+2+1
11- 5+(2x(2+1))
12- (2x5)+2x1
13- (2x5)+2+1
14- (5+1)x2+2
15- (5+2)x2+1
16- (5+2+1)x2
17- (2+1)x5x2
18- ((2x2)!)-5-1
19- 5x(2+2)-1
20- 5x(2+2)x1
21- 5x(2+2)+1
22- ((5x2)+1)x2
23- 5^2-2x1
24- (2x2)x(5+1)
25- 5x(2+2+1)
26- 5^2-2+1
27- 25+2x1
28- 25+2+1
29- (((2+2)!)+5)x1
30- (5x(2+1))x2
31- ((2+5)!)+2+1 alternative ((5!)/(2+2))+1
32- 15x2+2 alternative((5-1)^2)x2
33- 2^5+2-1
34- (5+1)^2-2
35- 2^5+2+1
36- (((1+5)/2)!)^2
37- 21x2-5
38- (5+1)^2+2
39- 5!/2-21
40- 2^(2+1)x5
41- (21-.5)x2
42- (5+2)x((2+1)!)
43- 2x21.5
44- ((5+1)!)-2-2
45- (2+1)^2x5
46- ((5-1)!)*2-2
47- 21x2+5
48- (5+2)^2-1
49- 25x2-1
50 25x2x1

alternative to 41/44 welcome just in case
Many thanks to all who helped and a Happy Xmas and New Year to all from here in the UK.
 
  • #16
44 = 2^5 + 12

see other answers above.
 
  • #17
ceptimus said:
You're not seriously expecting anyone to accept that [tex]71 = (5+2)1[/tex] is an acceptable notation are you? :smile:

I would call that an identity.At least in the decimal basis... :approve:
Read and weep:
[tex]41=[(2+1)!]^{2} +5[/tex] :-p

Daniel.
 
  • #18
beautifully done dexter
 

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