The Four Fours

Here is an interesting math puzzle that you can play just about anywhere.  All you really need is paper and a writing instrument.  A calculator is not needed, but it is highly recommended!  The rules of this puzzle are simple enough, although there are some variants.  The rules given here are the ones I was given when I first learned of this math puzzle.

Using four fours, you are to find a mathematical expression for every whole number you can starting with zero.  You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, factorials, decimal points, exponents, 0.4bar (i.e., the recurring decimal 0.44444. . .), and square roots.  Use of parentheses to emphasize the order of operations is not only allowed, but encouraged!

Some examples are:

0 = (4 + 4) – (4 + 4)

17 = (4 x 4) + (4 ÷ 4)

The Four Fours puzzle (a.k.a., The Four Fours Problem) has been known for years, and was described by Walter William Rouse Ball in his publication “Mathematical Recreations and Essays”:

Often times, there are multiple possible solutions.  How many can you find?

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Math Tricks Presents – Continuum II!

We have a new game for you – well, sort of.  It is a squeal to the last math game.  In this game, though, I eliminated the fractal backgrounds.  Although many people liked them, I received too many negative reviews about how the  images made it difficult to see the ball during run time.

Also, I slowed down the ball speed a bit to make it a little easier.  Yea, I also found a ball speed bug that was corrected.  LOL – no matter what, it seems, I get elusive bugs in my games, so if you see any in this one, please let me know!

To play the game, please Click Here.

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Continuum – Action Math Game!

The new online math game is out, and I hope you will enjoy it!

For this game, I included several math aspects.  The most obvious one is the use of fractals for the backgrounds.  I think they add a level of depth to the play fields – and are really cool to look at!

Next, I made all the bricks in the game golden rectangles.  Well, as close as I could anyway, because I had to use integer units in the design.  The dimensions of the bricks are 41 x 25 pixels, giving a ratio of 1.64 width to height, which is just a tad more than the actual value of approximately 1.61803399.

Lastly, I made as targets in the game polygons, which contain interfering balls after the polygons are destroyed.

This game is a little more mainstream from the others I have made for Math Tricks, but I think it is the most enjoyable.  Here is a game-play screen shot:

Anyway, it is online, and you can play it here.  Please feel free to give me any comments and suggestions!

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A Math Christmas Game

I have a new game out for the holidays, and I hope you will like it.  It is a game that incorporates the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.  Screenshot:

The object of the game is to click on the correct cartoon that comes up next in the song.  For example, click on the partridge to have the game play the part, “… and a partridge in a pear tree”.  The snowman will let you know which number is up, and a hint is given to you as you mouse-over each cartoon.

This is an online game, so there is nothing to download.  As of this writing, there are 6 boards to play, but I will be adding more very soon.  CLICK HERE to play!

Well, that is my Christmas present to you.  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

UPDATE:  All 12 boards have been added.  Also, you can Play it on Facebook!

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