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Dee

Can you get the numbers 1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7, 8,9 to total 100 just by adding together ?

People keep saying it cannot be done but it can .

I posted this question up on different sites in the past at one stage it caused several savage exchanges with a group of mathematicians who got totally cheesed  off and claimed it was insoluble all because they couldn't solve it ; incidentally I've yet to have anyone get the correct solution....

No decimal points or any such methods are used the question is stated simply but yet I’m usually bombarded with a series of further questions , then temper tantrums and sometimes threats of violence 

someone234

9+1+8+2+7+3+4+6+5+5+9+1+8+2+7+3+4+6+5+5

someone234

45 is the physical limit if you can use the numbers once.

Dee

@someone234

You’ve used 20 numbers , why’s that ?

Dee

@someone234

It’s not but thank you for trying 

WilliamSchulz

This is a joke post, but I can do it with the same numbers in an order. 

You see, there are 9 numbers in the pattern, keep this in mind, as I descend the order.

There are 9 terms, so 9+9

Now there are 8 left, so 8+8,

And So on

9+9+8+8+7+7+6+6+5+5+4+4+3+3+2+2+1 (Don't add one here, because there is only one left in the sequence!)

All that = 91, and since there are 9 numbers in the sequence, 91+9=100

Done....

Dee

@WilliamSchulz

This is a joke post, but I can do it with the same numbers in an order 

Its not . You didn’t do it , maybe you need to read it again ?

Not done 

BaconToes

someone234 said:

9+1+8+2+7+3+4+6+5+5+9+1+8+2+7+3+4+6+5+5

You can combine some of them to make the expression shorter, like 1+8 and 2+7
9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+5+5

Dee

@BaconToes

Seriously it only uses the numbers I to 9 just the once 

BaconToes

Dee said:

@BaconToes

Seriously it only uses the numbers I to 9 just the once 

So do you want 1-9 only used once to make 100? Not possible. 

BaconToes

@Dee
Ohhhh, I get it, nevermind

BaconToes

@Dee
The closest thing I found was: http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/65176.html
Seems impossible, you know the answer?

Dee

@BaconToes

Thats it , and of course it’s possible 

WilliamSchulz

Dee said:

@WilliamSchulz

This is a joke post, but I can do it with the same numbers in an order 

Its not . You didn’t do it , maybe you need to read it again ?

Not done 

I meant that what I typed was a joke in response to this real cause. I didn't mean any offence, I see no possible way to use the numbers once and simply add them into 100.

Dee

@WilliamSchulz

Thats fine William and apologies , it can be done it’s pretty neat but requires some lateral thinking

WilliamSchulz

Dee said:

@WilliamSchulz

Thats fine William and apologies , it can be done it’s pretty neat but requires some lateral thinking

That being said, do you know of any conclusive evidence that supports the numbers equaling 100?

EmeryPearson

No, if you limit yourself to Nine Whole Numbers 1-9, and then limit yourself to addition, it is not possible to reach 100. 

You can physically show this using tallies or physical objects, as were dealing with small whole numbers.

anonymousdebater

I think that you have to combine numbers like 34 and 25 to get two-digit numbers.

WilliamSchulz

Here's the best that I have

1+2+3+4+5+6+7+(8*9) = 100, but that involves multiplication and not addition.

anonymousdebater

Wait, do we have to use all of the numbers?

anonymousdebater

Because if we don't:

Warning! May reveal answer:












98+2

someone234

@Dee the term number is different to the term digit.

in the number 12 the digit 1 is the number 10.

you think you're being smart because you're using english wrong to out-cunning math genius but in the end the math genius always wins.

anonymousdebater

Can you put a link to the answer somewhere???

someone234

BaconToes said:

anonymousdebater said:

Can you put a link to the answer somewhere???

@Dee
The closest thing I found was: http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/65176.html
Seems impossible, you know the answer?

Dee

@EmeryPearson

No, if you limit yourself to Nine Whole Numbers 1-9, and then limit yourself to addition, it is not possible to reach 100. 

It is , making you wrong 

You can physically show this using tallies or physical objects, as were dealing with small whole numbers.

Indeed ?  So no solution ? 

Dee

@WilliamSchulz

It requires a bit of lateral thinking another poster on here is on the right track 

Dee

@someone234

Im not trying to be smart or funny it’s a great question that frustrates the best of them , why are you always looking for fight ?

Dee

@anonymousdebater

Yes we do but only once 

Dee

@BaconToes

Will post it up after another couple of days as it’s worth thinking about as it requires some serious lateral thinking 

Dee

@anonymousdebater

Actually you’re on the right track as you’ve started to think laterally another bit of lateral thinking may get you there 

Dee

@anonymousdebater

I will let it run another day or so and then a reveal 

someone234

@Dee because the mechanism by which you fool is assuming that the word 'number' is, by smart lateral thinkers, going to be interpreted as 'digit', which is absolutely incorrect.

Dee

@someone234

what you are trying to say is beyond me but no doubt makes sense to you 

WilliamSchulz

Second Guess: Set the numbers as double digits with one as the leading term.

10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18+19 = 145

Now use the single digits away from zero and add > 0+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9 > 45

Subtract the two 145-45 = 100

EmeryPearson

@Dee

No, logically, it is not possible.

You would have to add another function for it to work.

Like I said, you can show this, as these are small Real Number

I
II
III
IIII
IIIII
IIIII I
IIIII II
IIIII III
IIIII IIII
45

You cannot increase the number of tallies, addition cannot result in the sum being greater than its components. 

IF you add another function, you can get it to work.

Dee

@EmeryPearson

It is possible it requires lateral thinking 

EmeryPearson

@Dee

Lateral thinking cannot change how math functions.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addition
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_number

Dee

@EmeryPearson

Yes I know that thank you 

EmeryPearson

@Dee

Then you've admitted your claim is false.

The set of natural numbers 1-9 cannot equal to 100 if your limited to the function of addition.

Dee

@EmeryPearson

Then you've admitted your claim is false.

Did I indeed ? Where exactly did I “ admit “ that ?

The set of natural numbers 1-9 cannot equal to 100 if your limited to the function of addition.

That makes you incorrect again , maybe you should actually read the question again ? 

EmeryPearson

You can provide no evidence and can be demonstrated to be false.

someone234

@EmeryPearson Focus on the semantics of 'number' and 'digit'.

He has no case if you do this.

EmeryPearson

@someone234

I already have by specifically referring to 'natural numbers'.


He labels
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
As numbers.

Dee

@EmeryPearson

You can provide no evidence and can be demonstrated to be false 

I certainly can but I choose carefully who I give it to 

EmeryPearson

@Dee

Even if true, that still leaves you unable to provide evidence. Argument from ignorance.

Dee

@someone234

Oh dear , still no solution old buddy ?

I didn’t know you and Emery Peahead were buddies ? 

EmeryPearson

@Dee

That still leaves your claim fallacious.

someone234

@Dee I could copy and paste one of the solutions form what BaconToes posted but that's cheating.

I also know it's not a real solution as you used the word 'numbers' which renders the trick futile.

Dee

@EmeryPearson

That still leaves your claim fallacious.

That still leaves your claim fallacious.

Dee

@someone234

Dee

@someone234


still no  solution buddy ?