Let's start with a triplet of integers, say (1, 2, 5) and a set of mathematical operations (+, -, *, /, ^, sqrt, fact!, concatenation, brackets).

Our task will be to represent all (or almost all - as explained below) integers from 1 to n using some or all of the initial triplet and any quantity of operations defined above.

So:
1=1
6=1+5
9=5*2-1
13=15-2
27=51-4!
60=12*5 etc

Let's define n as the first occurrence of not being able to find a valid representation for n+1 and for n+2. I believe that in our case n=17 (15+2), since neither 18 nor 19 get valid solutions.

You are requested to find a triplet of integers (a,b,c) enabling a maximal n.

99+(sqrt9)

Posted by Kathie on 2020-09-15 16:10:04