Answer to December 4, 2000 Problem

Fiddling With Fours*

 
Using only the symbols for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and parentheses:
+, - , x, /, (, and ),
arrange four fours to form all the numbers from 1 to 10.

For example, 0 = 4 + 4 - 4 - 4
and 12 = (44 + 4) / 4.

 

* The Problem was originally going to be called the "Twelve Days of Christmas with Four Fours."
However, I could not figure out how to make eleven with only four fours and the restrictions above.
And the "The Ten Days Of Christmas" just didn't have the same ring to it.

 

Solution to Problem:

1 = 44 / 44
2 = (4 x 4) / (4 + 4)
3 = (4 + 4 + 4) / 4
4 = 4 x (4 - 4) + 4
5 = (4 x 4 + 4) / 4
6 = (4 + 4) / 4 + 4
7 = 44 / 4 - 4
8 = 4 + 4 + 4 - 4
9 = 4 / 4 + 4 + 4
10 = (44 - 4) / 4


Correctly solved by:

1. Ryan Charest Winchester, VA
2. David Powell Winchester, VA
3. Ryan Throckmorton Winchester, VA
4. Kirstine Wynn Winchester, VA
5. Joshbeen Grewal College of William & Mary
6. Erin McGinnis Winchester, VA