perplexus.info :: Numbers : Add down to One

Add down to One (Posted on 2003-05-21)

The numbers 0-9 are lined up in a row, like this:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

You have to put in + and - signs in the blanks, so that in the end it will all equal 1.

Also, if possible, try to make expressions resulting in 0 and -1.

Submitted by Jonathan Waltz

Rating: 2.5000 (6 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

0+1-2-3-4+5-6-7+8+9=1
Negative one is possible by reversing all the signs above.
Zero is not possible - there are five odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9), and they will always add up to and odd. The other numbers are even, and adding them to an odd number will keep the sum odd. Since 0 is even, it cannot be achieved.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
Puzzle Thoughts	K Sengupta	2022-09-06 00:45:22
re(2): Solution plus	Charlie	2003-06-05 09:58:15
Solution (it is easy)	Alpha Tiger	2003-05-27 00:12:18
re(4): Solution	Sanjay	2003-05-23 14:28:47
re(3): Solution	DJ	2003-05-22 11:48:56
re(2): Solution plus	Bryan	2003-05-22 09:52:40
re: Solution plus	Charlie	2003-05-22 06:52:24
re(2): Solution	Sanjay	2003-05-22 05:29:24
re: Solution	Dave Neary	2003-05-22 03:28:29
re(2): Solution	Sanjay	2003-05-21 22:12:17
Maybe	Gamer	2003-05-21 09:57:29
re(3): Solution plus	Charlie	2003-05-21 09:33:35
re(2): Solution plus	Bryan	2003-05-21 09:16:50
re: Solution plus	Chris	2003-05-21 08:58:39
Solution plus	Bryan	2003-05-21 04:57:12
re: Solution	peter	2003-05-21 03:00:21
Solution	Sanjay	2003-05-21 02:23:42

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