http://letsplaymath.
net/2010/01/01/2010-
mathematics-game/
2010 Mathematics Game
JANUARY 1, 2010
tags: Arithmetic, Math club, Exponents, Middle school, Year game,Puzzles, High
school, Factorial, Digits
by Denise
[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.]
How Does It Work?
Use the comments section below to post a running list of the numbers you have
been able to calculate. You may also share relatively cryptic tips and hints, but be
warned: Some teachers use this puzzle as a classroom assignment, and there will
always be students looking for people to do their work for them.
Do not post your solutions. I will delete them.
I know of no authoritative list of numbers that can be made with each years
digits, so we will rely on our collective wisdom to decide when the game is done.
We had a lively discussion the last few years. Im looking forward to the fun!
Keeping Track
As the game results are reported below, I will keep a running tally of confirmed
results (that is, numbers reported by two or more players). Today
is Kittens birthday, however, and we have company coming in for the weekend,
so this tally will lag a few days behind the results posted in the comments.
Percent confirmed = 74%.
Numbers we are missing =
34, 38, 43, 47, 52, 56, 58, 62, 66-69, 74, 76-78, 84-87, 89, 91, 93-96.
And if you would like to join me in the extended edition game
Found an expression *without* multi-digit numbers:
1-13, 15-33, 35-37, 39-41, 44-46, 48-51, 53-54, 59-61, 63-65, 70-73, 75, 79-83, 90, 99 and 100.
Found a way to keep the digits in order:
1-13, 16, 18-26, 27-33, 36, 40, 49-51, 53-54, 59-61, 64, 70-73, 88, 92 and 97.
Update: Math Forum has posted their 2010 Student Solutions page. Since
they did not allow repeating decimals, their list of solutions is a bit shorter than
ours.
Helpful Links
2010 Mathematics Game Worksheet
For keeping track of which numbers youve solved.
2010 Mathematics Game Manipulatives
This may help visual or hands-on thinkers.
2010 Mathematics Game Student Submissions Information
For elementary through high school students who wish to share their solutions,
to be posted beginning February 1st.
Clarifying the Rules
Finally, here are a few things that some players have found confusing in past
years:
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.]
Unary negatives are allowed. That is, you may use a - sign to create a negative
number. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to keep the digits in 2-0-1-0
order.
The only digits that can be used to build 2-or-more-digit numerals or decimals
are the standard base-10 digits 2, 0, 1, 0.
0! is not a digit, so it cannot used to create a base-10 numeral.
The decimal point is not an operation that can be applied to other mathematical
expressions: .0! does not make sense.
No exponent may be used except that which is made from the digits 2, 0, 1, 0.
You may not use a square function, but you may use ^2.
You may not use a cube function, but you may use ^(2+0!).
You may not use a reciprocal function, but you may use ^(-0!).
You have to hit each number from 1 to 100 exactly no rounding off or
truncating decimals allowed. You may not use the integer function.
For more hints, check out this comment from the 2008 game.
