Challenge Questions Blog

Challenge Questions

Stop in and exercise your brain. Talk about this month's Challenge from Specs & Techs or similar puzzles.

So do you have a Challenge Question that could stump the community? Then submit the question with the "correct" answer and we'll post it. If it's really good, we may even roll it up to Specs & Techs. You'll be famous!

Answers to Challenge Questions appear by the last Tuesday of the month.
Previous in Blog: Ski Lift Mathematics (February 2024 Challenge Question)   Next in Blog: Wrapping Wisconsin in Toilet Paper (April 2024 challenge question)
Close

Comments Format:






Change Mode
Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







Add Vote
31 comments
Rate this Comments: Nested

Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

Posted February 29, 2024 12:00 AM
Pathfinder Tags: challenge question

Use standardized mathematical operators to make the digits on the left side of this equation to make it true.

More than one answer may exist.

UPDATE: 3.26.24

So we know of two approaches...others may be valid.

(3+1)÷(3÷6) = 8

((3÷1)÷3)×6 = 8

Reply

Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Comments rated to be Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive ratings to make them "good answers".

Comments rated to be "almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, rate them!
4
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#1

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

02/29/2024 5:17 AM

(3+1)/(3/6)=8

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Good Answer (Score 4)
Go to Next Good Answer
Anonymous Poster #1
#26
In reply to #1

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/26/2024 2:45 PM

Bravisimo! Although this makes me think this wasn't hard enough...
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#2

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

02/29/2024 5:19 AM

(3+1+3)*6 equals 42

The ultimate answer to life the universe and everything!

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Go to Next "Almost" Good Answer
Rixter
Guru

Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: About 4000 miles from the center of the earth (+/-100 mi)
Posts: 9741
Good Answers: 1119
#3

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

02/29/2024 7:28 PM

If you like this kind of puzzle, there is a daily puzzle here. I enjoy playing it every day.

https://nerdlegame.com/
Reply
2
Tornado
Guru
Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member Engineering Fields - Piping Design Engineering - New Member

Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richland, WA, USA
Posts: 21024
Good Answers: 793
#4

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

02/29/2024 11:46 PM

This may be esoteric, but if you use the round-up operator ⌈, -(⌈√3) + 1 + 3 + 6 = 8.

__________________
 In vino veritas; in cervisia carmen; in aqua E. coli.
Reply Good Answer (Score 2)
Go to Next Good Answer
Anonymous Poster #1
#27
In reply to #4

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/26/2024 2:47 PM

Can someone with better math skills check Tornado's work?
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#31
In reply to #27

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/30/2024 11:40 AM

Looks good to me: I gave him a GA before.

Using the round up ⌈x⌉ round down ⌊x⌋ and round to nearest whole number ⌈x⌋ operators opens up a route to many more answers.

The cube root of 480 is 7.83 which is pretty close to, and, clearly rounds up to 8.

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
lloyd2ls
Active Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
#5

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/01/2024 3:41 AM

(3-1)+(3×0)+6=8

__________________
 Lloyd
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#6

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/01/2024 5:35 AM

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
3
silvCrow
Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member Hobbies - Fishing - New Member

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Aloha or
Posts: 637
Good Answers: 19
#7

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/01/2024 2:09 PM

((3+1)\3)\6=8

=

6/(3/4)=8

__________________
 Closed biased minds are utterly impervious to any factual evidence which contradicts their beliefs
Reply Good Answer (Score 3)
Go to Next Good Answer
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#11
In reply to #7

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 6:29 AM

GA

There's an initial reaction with this sort of puzzle to say that to say that some solutions are invalid, but, saying no holds barred opens the door so some really novel ideas.

Also see my next post.

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
4
R_i_c_h
Power-User

Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 160
Good Answers: 14
#8

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/01/2024 8:54 PM

How about 3-1^3+6=8
Reply Good Answer (Score 4)
Go to Next Good Answer
Anonymous Poster #1
#28
In reply to #8

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/26/2024 2:48 PM

Yes! Use those exponents!
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#9

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 3:38 AM

3!*1/3+6=8

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#10

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 4:53 AM

3-(1mod3)+6=8

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Go to Next "Almost" Good Answer
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#12

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 6:34 AM

((3+1)/3)*6

Inspired by silvCrow's answer.

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#13

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 6:42 AM

That dot above the second 3 means recuring

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#15
In reply to #13

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 11:59 AM

Should be +6 at the end

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#14

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/02/2024 6:47 AM

This is pushing it a bit:

SineSquared(3) + 1 + CosSquared(3) + 6 = 8

Doesn't matter if the angle: 3 is in degrees or radians.

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
3
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#16

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/03/2024 11:28 AM

Six more:-

√(3+13) + 6

√(3+1)^√(3+6)

(3-1)^√(3+6)

√{(3+1)^√(3+6)}

√{(3-1)^√(36)}

√{(3-13)^6}

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Good Answer (Score 3)
No more Good Answers. Go to first "Almost" Good Answer
Anonymous Poster #1
#29
In reply to #16

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/26/2024 2:49 PM

Points for persistence. And outpacing OP's math abilities.
Reply Off Topic (Score 5)
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#17

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/04/2024 5:55 AM

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Off Topic (Score 5)
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#19
In reply to #17

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/04/2024 9:39 AM

Rubbish!

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply Off Topic (Score 5)
PWSlack
Guru
United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: In the bothy, 7 chains down the line from Dodman's Lane level crossing, in the nation formerly known as Great Britain. Kettle's on.
Posts: 32069
Good Answers: 838
#18

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/04/2024 7:18 AM

3136≠8

__________________
 "Did you get my e-mail?" - "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place" - George Bernard Shaw, 1856
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
No more "Almost" Good Answers.
PWSlack
Guru
United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: In the bothy, 7 chains down the line from Dodman's Lane level crossing, in the nation formerly known as Great Britain. Kettle's on.
Posts: 32069
Good Answers: 838
#20

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/04/2024 10:02 AM

(3x13)+6≠8

3x(13+6)≠8

31x3+6≠8

31x3/6≠8

etc...

__________________
 "Did you get my e-mail?" - "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place" - George Bernard Shaw, 1856
Reply
redfred
Guru
Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Been there, done that. Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 15510
Good Answers: 958
#21
In reply to #20

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/04/2024 1:47 PM

Being a fellow contrarian, I like these.

__________________
 "Don't disturb my circles." translation of Archimedes last words
Reply Off Topic (Score 5)
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#22

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/06/2024 9:59 AM

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Forger
Participant

Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
#23

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/12/2024 11:43 PM

33-1-(3*6)=8
Reply Score 1 for Off Topic
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#24

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/15/2024 11:59 AM

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#25
In reply to #24

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/17/2024 6:21 AM

Typo in the third line above.

I should have divided by 3! Instead of just 3.

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Randall
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK
Posts: 5801
Good Answers: 315
#30

Re: Make It Equate Eight (March 2024 Challenge Question)

03/27/2024 4:57 AM

Should that second line read

((3+1)÷3)×6 = 8

?

__________________
 We are alone in the universe, or, we are not. Either way it's incredible... Adapted from R. Buckminster Fuller/Arthur C. Clarke
Reply
Reply to Blog Entry 31 comments
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Comments rated to be Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive ratings to make them "good answers".

Comments rated to be "almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, rate them!
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (4); Forger (1); lloyd2ls (1); PWSlack (2); R_i_c_h (1); Randall (18); redfred (1); Rixter (1); silvCrow (1); Tornado (1)

Previous in Blog: Ski Lift Mathematics (February 2024 Challenge Question)   Next in Blog: Wrapping Wisconsin in Toilet Paper (April 2024 challenge question)

Advertisement

Got Something to Say?
Ask a Question
Start a Discussion

Search this Section
General Discussion:
Go

Search this Blog
Challenge Questions:
Go

Recent Blog Entries

CR4 Sections
Aerospace
BioMech & BioMed
Chemical & Material Science
Civil Engineering
Communications & Electronics
Education and Engineering Careers
Electrical Engineering
General Discussion
Instrumentation
Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
New Technologies & Research
Software & Programming
Sustainable Engineering
Transportation

Site Directories
Forum Directory
Blog Directory
User Group Directory
RSS Feeds

CR4 Rules of Conduct
CR4 FAQ
Site Glossary

Who's Online (75 right now)
Show Members
Advertisement