Using only two 2s and any of the standard mathematical symbols, write an expression whose value is equal to 5.

An approach could be: sqrt((2 * 2)!) = 4.90

Standard mathematical symbols (for this problem) are: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation, square root, factorization, parenthesis, positive, negative, ln, log. Superfactorials and such are not excluded, but not part of the desired solution. Any symbol having a value of its own, such as e, pi, and infinity, is not authorized.

5 = sqrt(.2^-2)

And, 3 = sqrt(2 / .2´), where .2´ is the periodic .222222...

 

Posted by pcbouhid on 2008-09-16 14:06:01