Puzzle page

Share this page

Puzzle page

March 2001

3 3 8 8 puzzle

Using the four numbers 3, 3, 8, and 8, and the usual four arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), can you make the number 24?

This looks a bit too easy (3 × 8 = 24), until I tell you that you have to use all four numbers - both 3s and both 8s. No silly tricks allowed - you can't use an 8 and a 3 to make 83, or raise numbers to powers or take square roots or factorials or anything else of that kind.

You can use fractions on the way, of course, but the final answer must be exactly 24. For example: 3 × 8 + (3/8) makes 24 and three-eighths, which is quite close, but no banana.


You can send your solution by e-mail to <plus@maths.cam.ac.uk>.

For some challenging mathematical puzzles, see the NRICH puzzles from this month or last month.

We have received a couple of correct solutions to the PLUS issue 13 puzzle. If you don't want to keep trying it yourself, you can see how it's done.

Permalink
Comment

wrong,

there is a way and here it is

3 cubed = 27

27 - 3 =24
then with the two 8s you can add and take away or times and divide.

bye

Permalink In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)
Comment

3 cubed equals 3 times 3 times 3 and you only have 2 threes

Permalink
Comment

Divide the first 3 by itself (Not another digit) that equals 1 plus the next digit 3 = 4 times 8 = 32 minus 8 = 24.