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In the first numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and was pleased that there was no nearer solution. You could also get to 1 away from below, since 972 is very factorizable, including by this path that sends the figures into five digits: 50 - 5 = 45 45 x 10 x 9 x 6 = 24300 24300 / 25 = 972 The key to this solution, and a way to arrange it differently if you prefer a more modest solution, is that 45 x 10 = 450 and that divided by 25 = 18, so you're multiplying 18 x 9 x 6 = 972. In the second numbers round, I had Rachel's solution in the time, but I think this is the only one. In the third numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and also had these: 9 x 5 = 45 100 - 45 = 55 55 x 6 = 330 330 + 1 = 331 100 - 75 = 25 9 + 5 = 14 14 - 1 = 13 25 x 13 = 325 325 + 6 = 331 5 - 1 = 4 (or 9 - 5 = 4, as you prefer) 100 x 4 = 400 400 + 6 = 406 406 - 75 = 331 In the final numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and also had this one that involved multiplying by 9: 25 - 6 = 19 19 x 3 = 57 57 + 10 = 67 67 x 9 = 603 603 - 1 = 602 And you can also reach 612 without using the 10 in this way: 25 + 9 = 34 34 x 6 x 3 = 612 612 - 10 = 602 And you can also do this: 6 + 1 = 7 10 x 9 x 7 = 630 630 - 25 - 3 = 602 But there is no way to take advantage of the factors (43 x 7 x 2 = 602).
Wow, that’s the first time I got to a number before both contestants and Rachel all at once. The 856 one to be exact with 9+5+3 = 17, 17 x 25 = 425, 425 + 3 = 428 then x 2 for 856
Rough set! Another way to build 973+1 is 25x(50-6-5) - (10-9). I could only get to 856-1 by (25-3-3)x5x9 I had 602-1 = (3x10-6)x25 + 1 and 602+1 = 6x10x(9+1) + 3, but saw Rachel's 602 just after time expired.
Tough ones today, though not nearly as tough as the contestants made them look. 973: Got one away by making 108: (5+6) * 10 - 50/25. Then 108 * 9 = 972. 856: Found 855 with ((25+5) * 3 + 3 + 2) * 9 or (25 - 3*2) * 5 * 9. I thought about trying for 428*2 but didn't see it. 331: Found 330 with (100 + 75/5) * (9 - 6 - 1). I did find the right answer after pausing for a bit, and I'm annoyed I didn't see it sooner as it's a pretty straightforward one: (75-9) * 5 + 1. 602: I managed 601: 25 * (3+1) * 6 + 10 - 9. Didn't get to 602.
25 × (9 × 5 - 6) = +2 (just a smidge off center today) 25 × 2 × (9 + 5 + 3) + 3 = -3 (not sure if it can get closer, reckon it can. *Gosh darn it.) 75 × (9 - 6) + 100 + 5 + 1 = 0 (finally, a sigh of relief as we get the spot-on all-sixer) 25 × 6 × (3 + 1) + 10 - 9 = -1 (probably a way to send it over the finish line, but I can't see it)
I didn't quite see it within 30 seconds, but a common approach is to do a basic multiplication and see how far off you are. 602 is about 25x24, but making 24 takes too many numbers for you to get 2 out of what's left. The simplest thing that's close you can make with two of the smalls is 27 = 3x9. So then 25x3x9 = 675, and you're 73 away. 73 is 7 nines and a 10, so if you subtract the 7 before you do the x9, you're at (25x3-7) x9 = 68x9 = 612, then subtract the 10 and jackpot!
Hi guys, I'm starting a new channel... so if you would like to show your appreciation for the time I spend editing and uploading these Countdown videos each week, I would ask you to do me a favor and subscribe to www.youtube.com/@SmarterHomesAndGardens which will be about home automation and things like that. YT has some policies about uploading videos longer than 10 minutes that require a certain number of subscribers, etc. Anyway, would appreciate your help in getting the new channel started. Thanks! (...and don't worry I'll keep uploading Countdown on this channel.)
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Lots of tough numbers today
In the first numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and was pleased that there was no nearer solution. You could also get to 1 away from below, since 972 is very factorizable, including by this path that sends the figures into five digits:
50 - 5 = 45
45 x 10 x 9 x 6 = 24300
24300 / 25 = 972
The key to this solution, and a way to arrange it differently if you prefer a more modest solution, is that 45 x 10 = 450 and that divided by 25 = 18, so you're multiplying 18 x 9 x 6 = 972.
In the second numbers round, I had Rachel's solution in the time, but I think this is the only one.
In the third numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and also had these:
9 x 5 = 45
100 - 45 = 55
55 x 6 = 330
330 + 1 = 331
100 - 75 = 25
9 + 5 = 14
14 - 1 = 13
25 x 13 = 325
325 + 6 = 331
5 - 1 = 4 (or 9 - 5 = 4, as you prefer)
100 x 4 = 400
400 + 6 = 406
406 - 75 = 331
In the final numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution and also had this one that involved multiplying by 9:
25 - 6 = 19
19 x 3 = 57
57 + 10 = 67
67 x 9 = 603
603 - 1 = 602
And you can also reach 612 without using the 10 in this way:
25 + 9 = 34
34 x 6 x 3 = 612
612 - 10 = 602
And you can also do this:
6 + 1 = 7
10 x 9 x 7 = 630
630 - 25 - 3 = 602
But there is no way to take advantage of the factors (43 x 7 x 2 = 602).
i did the crucial conundrum before the contestants hahah and i'm brazilian, i was really impressed with myself this time
Wow, that’s the first time I got to a number before both contestants and Rachel all at once. The 856 one to be exact with 9+5+3 = 17, 17 x 25 = 425, 425 + 3 = 428 then x 2 for 856
For today's numbers rounds, Rachel scores more than the contestants.
I like my 331 more than Rachel's: 5-1=4x100=400, 75-6=69, 400-69=331
I did 856 Rachel’s way in the time. Can’t believe she didn’t get it.
Rough set!
Another way to build 973+1 is 25x(50-6-5) - (10-9).
I could only get to 856-1 by (25-3-3)x5x9
I had 602-1 = (3x10-6)x25 + 1 and 602+1 = 6x10x(9+1) + 3, but saw Rachel's 602 just after time expired.
Tough ones today, though not nearly as tough as the contestants made them look.
973: Got one away by making 108: (5+6) * 10 - 50/25. Then 108 * 9 = 972.
856: Found 855 with ((25+5) * 3 + 3 + 2) * 9 or (25 - 3*2) * 5 * 9. I thought about trying for 428*2 but didn't see it.
331: Found 330 with (100 + 75/5) * (9 - 6 - 1). I did find the right answer after pausing for a bit, and I'm annoyed I didn't see it sooner as it's a pretty straightforward one: (75-9) * 5 + 1.
602: I managed 601: 25 * (3+1) * 6 + 10 - 9. Didn't get to 602.
First round I got 974 the same way...
close on the second but not close enough.
331
75-1-6=68*5=340-9=331
I got 601.
602 = ((25 + 6) x 10 - 9) x (3 - 1)
856:
9 + 5 + 3 =17
25 * 17 =425
425 + 3 =428
428 * 2 =856
25 × (9 × 5 - 6) = +2 (just a smidge off center today)
25 × 2 × (9 + 5 + 3) + 3 = -3 (not sure if it can get closer, reckon it can. *Gosh darn it.)
75 × (9 - 6) + 100 + 5 + 1 = 0 (finally, a sigh of relief as we get the spot-on all-sixer)
25 × 6 × (3 + 1) + 10 - 9 = -1 (probably a way to send it over the finish line, but I can't see it)
Oh wow, a 2 large that was impossible?! Normally 2 large is the easiest and most likely to get exactly, more so than even 1 large.
50 ÷ 25 = 2 6 + 5 = 11 × 10 = 110 - 2 = 108 × 9 = 972
1 away from 973:
50 - 5 - 6 = 39
39 x 25 = 975
975 - (10 - 9) = 974
856 (over time)
9 + 3 + 5 = 17
17 x 25 = 425
425 + 3 = 428
428 x 2 = 856
331 (well over time)
75 x (9 - 6) = 225
225 + 5 + 1 + 100 = 331
331:
100 - 75 =25
9 + 5 - 1 =13
25 * 13 =325
325 + 6 =331
9 - 5 =4 (or 5 - 1 =4)
100 * 4 =400
400 + 6 - 75 =331
75 - 9 =66
66 * 5 =330
330 + 1 =331
331=5×(75-9)+1
602:
25 + 6 = 31
31 * 10 = 310
310 - 9 = 301
3 - 1 = 2
301 * 2 = 602
331 = 75 x (9 - 6) + 100 + 5 + 1
973+1=(10+9)×50+25-6+5
100-75=25
9+5-1=13
13*25=325
325+6=331
331 = (5-1)*100 - 75 + 6
7:16 sorry, I don't know my 68 times tables, how do you get to there and then realize you have to subtract 10 all in the 30 seconds!!!
I didn't quite see it within 30 seconds, but a common approach is to do a basic multiplication and see how far off you are. 602 is about 25x24, but making 24 takes too many numbers for you to get 2 out of what's left. The simplest thing that's close you can make with two of the smalls is 27 = 3x9. So then 25x3x9 = 675, and you're 73 away. 73 is 7 nines and a 10, so if you subtract the 7 before you do the x9, you're at (25x3-7) x9 = 68x9 = 612, then subtract the 10 and jackpot!
(100-75)x(9+5-1)+6=331
331 = 75 * (9 - 5 - 1) + 100 + 6
Rachel not getting that 856 in the time? 😮
(5-1) x 100 - 75 + 6 = 331
331=(75-9-1)*5 +6
856=2×((9+5+3)×25+3)
Well, that never happens. I solved the conundrum between when he buzzed and when he said it, with no cheating.
Bad showing by the contestants.
I solved all the rounds in time, except the impossible one, which I was one away, just as Rachel showed.
602:
25 + 9 =34
34 * 6 * 3 =612
612 - 10 =602
9 * 6 =54
54 + 3 =57
10 + 1 =11
57 * 11 =627
627 - 25 =602
25 + 10 =35
35 * 6 =210
210 - 9 =201
201 * 3 =603
603 - 1 =602