5,000 Credits for an answer to this

rzr · 04-1-2009, 01:21 PM

I was sitting in my algebra II class and we had to create a problem like this:

x x x x = y

Between the x's can only be /, *, -, or + opertaors. Here's mine:

4 4 4 4 = 19

Problem is, the ink smudged where I wrote the answer down, so I forgot it. We (meaning my whole class and teacher) spent the whole time trying to figure it out. In the end they determined that I was playing an April Fool's prank on them. I wasn't. 5k to whoever figures it out first. Unless you love me and do it for free.

Xx{Midnight}xX · 04-1-2009, 01:25 PM

1 + 2 - 3 * 4 = 0

bluguerrilla · 04-1-2009, 01:29 PM

Sure there aren't 5 4s?

Because if so 4*4+4-4/4 = 19 but otherwise, meh.

**travman301** · 04-1-2009, 01:33 PM

4^2 = 16 + 4 = 20 - (4/4) = 19

bluguerrilla · 04-1-2009, 01:38 PM

That's four operations and identical to what I posted except much less correct.

4^2 =/= 19.

rzr · 04-1-2009, 01:38 PM

Only four four's. And trav...?

bluguerrilla · 04-1-2009, 01:42 PM

Pretty sure it's impossible.

4*4+4/4 = 17

4*4+4+4 = 24

Can't get anything in between, I don't think.

e: didn't do anything exhaustive though, just punched some numbers into my calculator. I don't know how to go about solving stuff like this without writing a program or something.

rzr · 04-1-2009, 01:50 PM

Me either, man! It's driving my nuts. Especially since I wrote it by sitting there and just putting it 3 random operators.

**travman301** · 04-1-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluguerrilla

That's four operations and identical to what I posted except much less correct.

4^2 =/= 19.

What are you talking about? What I posted was correct. Technically I guess I was using 5 fours. But its impossible any other way.

Mabye I was being unclear in what i was saying.

4²+4-(4/4)=19

That's what I was trying to say. ^_^

If you count the exponent as an operation then you can do it like that.

**dean_machine** · 04-1-2009, 02:15 PM

I think you made a mistake the first time you thought it was correct.

**Redorigami** · 04-1-2009, 02:19 PM

Were you even right in the first place?

bluguerrilla · 04-1-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travman301

What are you talking about? What I posted was correct. Technically I guess I was using 5 fours. But its impossible any other way.

Mabye I was being unclear in what i was saying.

4²+4-(4/4)=19

That's what I was trying to say. ^_^

If you count the exponent as an operation then you can do it like that.

4^2=4*4... Basically you cheated.

And you can't write numbers with equal signs between them like that unless all of the expressions are actually equal, which yours aren't. It's just not right.

I understand what you meant but as mathematics, it's wrong.

It's like writing a bunch of sentences with no punctuation all in a row.

e: And I don't think he _was_ right in the first place. But I'm not about to go through all of the operations to prove it.

**travman301** · 04-1-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluguerrilla

4^2=4*4... Basically you cheated.

And you can't write numbers with equal signs between them like that unless all of the expressions are actually equal, which yours aren't. It's just not right.

I understand what you meant but as mathematics, it's wrong.

It's like writing a bunch of sentences with no punctuation all in a row.

e: And I don't think he _was_ right in the first place. But I'm not about to go through all of the operations to prove it.

Heh, I got what you were trying to say.

I realize I was wrong. But it's also impossible what he's asking.

**Dark_Chrysalis** · 04-1-2009, 02:33 PM

If the stipulation is that ANY operation can be used, the solution is found thus:

4!-4-(4/4)=19

Not sure if this will count, but it is correct... in fact, I think its the only solution

kommisar[os] · 04-1-2009, 02:41 PM

4+4+4+4 = 19-1

CobaltWire · 04-1-2009, 04:04 PM

4 4 4 4 = 19? That's doesn't seem possible, without cheating

**Redorigami** · 04-1-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kommisar[os]

4+4+4+4 = 19-1

Addition is hard.

**coraleaterlinda** · 04-1-2009, 04:18 PM

i cant figure this out for the life of me. i dont think its possible.

Archelos · 04-1-2009, 04:21 PM

April Fool's.

**TC_Halogen** · 04-1-2009, 04:38 PM

4/4-4x4 = -15

This solution makes me think that there is an answer to it. Do you remember having any negatives of some sort? I mean, I know it isn't the answer, but I'm trying to think of something using the operators you have. I'm not sure it's possible. =l

04-1-2009, 01:25 PM	#2
Xx{Midnight}xX FFR Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 31 Posts: 8,548	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this 1 + 2 - 3 * 4 = 0

04-1-2009, 01:29 PM	#3
bluguerrilla FFR Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 41 Posts: 3,966	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this Sure there aren't 5 4s? Because if so 4*4+4-4/4 = 19 but otherwise, meh. __________________

04-1-2009, 01:33 PM	#4
travman301 #swagdog Join Date: Mar 2004 Age: 33 Posts: 2,641	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this 4^2 = 16 + 4 = 20 - (4/4) = 19

04-1-2009, 01:38 PM	#5
bluguerrilla FFR Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 41 Posts: 3,966	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this That's four operations and identical to what I posted except much less correct. 4^2 =/= 19. __________________

04-1-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
bluguerrilla FFR Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 41 Posts: 3,966	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this Pretty sure it's impossible. 44+4/4 = 17 44+4+4 = 24 Can't get anything in between, I don't think. e: didn't do anything exhaustive though, just punched some numbers into my calculator. I don't know how to go about solving stuff like this without writing a program or something. __________________ Last edited by bluguerrilla; 04-1-2009 at 01:45 PM..

04-1-2009, 02:15 PM	#10
dean_machine FFR Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: inside the box Posts: 1,267	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this I think you made a mistake the first time you thought it was correct. __________________

04-1-2009, 02:33 PM	#14
Dark_Chrysalis Something clever. Join Date: Jan 2007 Age: 34 Posts: 740	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this If the stipulation is that ANY operation can be used, the solution is found thus: 4!-4-(4/4)=19 Not sure if this will count, but it is correct... in fact, I think its the only solution __________________

04-1-2009, 02:41 PM	#15
kommisar[os] Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Moncton, NB, Canada Age: 33 Posts: 4,097	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this 4+4+4+4 = 19-1

04-1-2009, 04:04 PM	#16
CobaltWire FFR Player Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 109	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this 4 4 4 4 = 19? That's doesn't seem possible, without cheating

04-1-2009, 04:18 PM	#18
coraleaterlinda FFR Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 36 Posts: 415	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this i cant figure this out for the life of me. i dont think its possible. __________________

04-1-2009, 04:21 PM	#19
Archelos FFR Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 104	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this April Fool's. __________________ Yeah I'll make a sig later.

04-1-2009, 04:38 PM	#20
TC_Halogen Rhythm game specialist. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bel Air, Maryland Age: 32 Posts: 19,376	Re: 5,000 Credits for an answer to this 4/4-4x4 = -15 This solution makes me think that there is an answer to it. Do you remember having any negatives of some sort? I mean, I know it isn't the answer, but I'm trying to think of something using the operators you have. I'm not sure it's possible. =l

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