[Guest]

Hello Forum,

I need some hints. Given numbers: 2, 4, 9, 14, 17. Use all five of the followng numbers and any of the usual arithmetic operations, parentheses, or exponents to attain the results of 1, 2, and 5. All five of the numbers can be used exactly once, but the exponents can take the place of one or more of the blanks.

________ _______________ ______________ ___________ ____________ = 1

________ _______________ ______________ ___________ ____________ = 2

________ _______________ ______________ ___________ ____________ = 3

Edited February 7, 2011 by NuttyNumbers

[Thalia]

I'm not sure if you need 3 or 5. I think this is just trial and error. I'll give you certain pieces and let you figure out the rest.

(17-14)?2+4?9=1

(9^2?17)/4?14=2

4*9?14-17?2=3

(17-14?9)/4?2=5

If you still need help, I'll give you a little more. There are probably other possibilities besides these.

[Guest]

I'm not sure if you need 3 or 5. I think this is just trial and error. I'll give you certain pieces and let you figure out the rest.

(17-14)?2+4?9=1

(9^2?17)/4?14=2

4*9?14-17?2=3

(17-14?9)/4?2=5

If you still need help, I'll give you a little more. There are probably other possibilities besides these.

Thanks Thalia for your wonderful help. I have a question about this one: (9^2?17)/4?14=2. Do you raise 9 to the 2nd power? This one is hard for me to figure out. Can you please give me some more clues. Thanks.

[Thalia]

Thanks Thalia for your wonderful help. I have a question about this one: (9^2?17)/4?14=2. Do you raise 9 to the 2nd power? This one is hard for me to figure out. Can you please give me some more clues. Thanks.

Yes. So it is (81?17)/4?14=2. The ? are both the same operation. That should rule out multiplication and probably division. That leaves. . .

I assume that means you got the other ones?