Imagine your calculator is broken. Although it will still display numbers, only the 4 key, + key, = key and clear key work.
Starting at 0, can you get the calculator to display 1000? What’s the fastest way, with the fewest button presses?
Scroll down for the answer!
It’s definitely possible to get this calculator to display 1000. You could press 4 + 4 + 4 + … and after 250 fours, you’ll get the right answer. But there are also faster ways.
If you start with 44 or 444, you’ll get to your goal much faster. The best solution combines both of these numbers. Using 444 is the most efficient way to make big numbers with few button presses, so it’s a good place to start.
444 + 444 = 888 is most of the way there. You can’t add another 444 without going over the goal, so instead, add some 44s.
444 + 444 + 44 + 44 = 976, and then add more 4s to finish it off:
444 + 444 + 44 + 44 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 1000
This solution takes just 26 button presses all up!
For more brainteasers and puzzles for kids, subscribe to Double Helix magazine!
Categories:
9 August, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Actually, depending on how your calculator works, you might be able to get it even faster! what’s your best score?
10 August, 2018 at 2:53 pm
I managed to do it in 20 presses
4+=+=+4=+====+=+====
this works out as
4, 8, 16, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000
a slightly different way, but still 20 presses
4+=+=+4=+=+====+====
works out as
4, 8, 16, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000
these work of the windows calculator, but not on my Casio fx-350c since “4+=” just gives “4”
11 August, 2018 at 12:08 pm
On my calculator I can only do it in 22 as 4+= will syntax error.
444+444+44+44=+4======.
8 December, 2018 at 12:26 am
Cool Equation