“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” – Albert Einstein
Here’s a new original puzzle that goes along with many of my Holiday puzzles (Even’s Only, Odd’s Only, Prime’s Only). In the same theme, this is another great challenge for everyone. It emphasizes combining the first five Fibonacci numbers (1,2,3,5 and 8) with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using the rules of order of operations.
The Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers in which the next number can be generated by adding the two previous numbers. The sequence starts with two 1’s or 1,1. The next number is 2 (or 1+1) making the sequence 1,1,2. The next number is 3 (or 1+2) making the sequence 1,1,2,3. Following this pattern, the sequence continues as 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 and so on as it continues forever.
The rules of the puzzle are simple:
1. Use only the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8
2. Use each number once and only once
3. Use any of + – x / to combine the numbers
4. Use parenthesis () as desired
5. Following rules 1-4, make the numbers 0-9
For example, “10” can be made as “8 + 5 – 3 x (2 – 1)”. In this example, each number (1,2,3,5,8) was used once and only once as required. There are other ways to make “10” which would also work.
I put together a little interactive program for this puzzle. You can enter your answers for each number and then select check. Your answers will be scored and a response provided (e.g. “got it!” or “need to use 1,2,3,5 and 8″). Give it a try and let me know what you think. Click here for a pdf file.
I hope you enjoy this puzzle. Good luck and pass it onto others who may enjoy them! If you get stuck and would like the solutions, use the “Contact Us” button and we will reply.
In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.
