Using only the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and the mathematical operations addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, can you arrive at the value 456? You may use each number at most once in your full solution, and parentheses are permitted.
There are many solutions to this problem. Here’s one:
3 × (6 + 2) × (4 × 5 – 1)
Breaking that calculation down, you get
6 + 2 = 8
8 × 3 = 24
5 × 4 = 20
20 – 1 = 19
24 × 19 = 456
Bonus challenge: What is the closest you can get to 456 if you are required to use division? What if you are required to use all the operations?
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