SevenNumbers

Make the Target Number: Daily Arithmetic Puzzle

Target is a daily arithmetic puzzle: you get seven numbers and a three-digit target, and you combine the numbers with + − × ÷ to hit it. Everyone gets the same numbers, and there is always an exact answer.

How to play Target

1. You get seven numbers: six small ones from 1 to 10 and one large one (25, 50, 75 or 100), plus a target between 101 and 999.
2. Tap a number, then an operation (+ − × ÷), then another number. The two are replaced by their result, which you can use again.
3. Every step must give a whole number that isn’t negative, so no fractions and no going below zero. You needn’t use every number.
4. Use Undo to step back, or Reset to start again.
5. Hit the target exactly, or submit your closest if you can’t. Closest wins, then fastest.

Tips

• Work backwards: find a multiple of the large number near the target (say 4 × 75 = 300 for 309), then make up the difference with the small ones.
• Keep a couple of small numbers spare for the final adjustment. A leftover +3 or −2 often turns “close” into exact.
• Multiply two small numbers to make a useful middle-sized one, such as 6 × 9 = 54, when the large number alone is too coarse.
• If you are stuck at one away, look for a pair that makes 1 (like 8 ÷ 8 or 5 − 4) to finish.
• If you can’t get any closer, submit: players the same distance away are ranked by time.

Questions