Year game

[Photo by pfala.]

Thanks to John Cook’s article about factorials in the recent Mathematics and Multimedia Carnival, we’re adding new rules to the 2010 Mathematics Game.

Let’s play with multifactorials!

Continue reading 2010 Mathematics Game Update

[Photo by pfala.]

Did you know that playing games is one of the Top 10 Ways To Improve Your Brain Fitness? So slip into your workout clothes and pump up those mental muscles with the 2010 Mathematics Game!

Here are the rules:

Use the digits in the year 2010 to write mathematical expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100.

• All four digits must be used in each expression. You may not use any other numbers except 2, 0, 1, and 0.
• You may use the arithmetic operations +, -, x, ÷, sqrt (square root), ^ (raise to a power), and ! (factorial). You may also use parentheses, brackets, or other grouping symbols.
• You may use a decimal point to create numbers such as .1, .02, etc.
• Multi-digit numbers such as 20 or 102 may be used, but preference is given to solutions that avoid them.

Bonus Rule
You may use the overhead-bar (vinculum), dots, or brackets to mark a repeating decimal.

[Note to teachers: This rule is not part of the Math Forum guidelines. It makes a significant difference in the number of possible solutions, however, and it should not be too difficult for high school students or advanced middle schoolers.]

Continue reading 2010 Mathematics Game

[Photo by Amanda M Hatfield.]

Have you made a resolution to exercise your mental muscles this year? Then please join us for the 2009 Mathematics Game. Here are the rules:

Use the digits in the year 2009 and the operations +, -, x, ÷, sqrt (square root), ^ (raise to a power), and ! (factorial) — along with parentheses, brackets, or other grouping symbols — to write expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100.

• All four digits must be used in each expression.
• Only the digits 2, 0, 0, 9 may be used.
• The decimal point may be used, as in .9, .02, etc.
• Multi-digit numbers such as 29 or 902 may be used, but preference is given to solutions that avoid them.

By definition: .
[See Dr. Math’s Why does 0 factorial equal 1?]

For this game we will accept: .
[See the Dr. Math FAQ 0 to the 0 power.]

Continue reading 2009 Mathematics Game

Are you ready for a challenge? Join us for the 2008 Mathematics Game. Here are the rules:

Use the digits in the year 2008 and the operations +, -, x, ÷, sqrt (square root), ^ (raise to a power), and ! (factorial) — along with parentheses, brackets, or other grouping symbols — to write expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100.

• All four digits must be used in each expression.
• Only the digits 2, 0, 0, 8 may be used.
• Multi-digit numbers such as 20, 208, or .02 MAY be used this year.
• The square function may NOT be used.
• The integer function may NOT be used.

By definition:

[See Dr. Math’s Why does 0 factorial equal 1?]

For this game we will accept the value:

[See the Dr. Math FAQ 0 to the 0 power.]

Continue reading 2008 Mathematics Game

Are your students ready for a challenge?
The Math Forum: 2007 Mathematics Game will be a tricky one:

Use the digits in the year 2007 and the operations +, -, x, ÷, sqrt (square root), ^ (raise to a power), and ! (factorial), along with grouping symbols, to write expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100.

• All four digits must be used in the expression.
• Only the digits 2, 0, 0, 7 may be used.
• Multi-digit numbers such as 20, 207, or .02 MAY be used this year.
• The square function may NOT be used.
• The integer function may NOT be used.

Continue reading 2007 Mathematics Game