Rearrange characters from '74 = 29' to form true statement.

[van]

You may rearrange each of the five individual digits and equal sign, but may not add anything that isn't already there. (no negatives).

. . .74 = 29

Does anyone know how to make this statement true?

My instructor asked us to solve this for extra credit, but I cannot figure it out.

 

[jonboy]

I see 4 digits: 7,4,2 and 9 not five digits.

Anyway,

7 + 4 = 9 + 2

11 = 11

but may not add anything

I think this will work because there's already an imaginary plus sign.

 

[van]

the "five digits and equal sign" refers to:

one --> 7

two --> 4

three -> =

four --> 2

five --> 9

the rules were to imagine each separate digit (or symbol "=") on five individual cards. these cards may be rearranged, but no symbols may be added... including -, +, *, /, %, <, ?, etc, etc....

 

[jonboy]

Ok thanks for the reclarification.

 

[jwpaine]

I don't see how this is possible.

You cannot re-arrange the numbers so that both sides are equal

 

[jonboy]

I think I've got it.

I actually put the digits on 5 cards. Take the 2 and put it diagonally above the 7 which is 7 squared and that equals 49.

 

[jwpaine]

Is that legal? lol

 

[jonboy]

Is that legal? lol

I think so. I didn't add anything, I just moved the card up, diagonally to the 7, hence 7² = 49

 

[Denis]

Hey, very nice jonboy!!

 

[van]

sounds good to me.
nice work.
i'll let you know on tuesday if you were correct.

 

[jonboy]

Hey, very nice jonboy!!

Thanks Denis. This "riddle" was a nice experiment!

 

[Denis]

Try this one (same rules):

II = VI

 

[jonboy]

Try this one (same rules):

II = VI

Way to make it interesting by throwing in the roman numerals.

I^VI=I

 

[Denis]

NICE!
I was doing it this way: I = VT (square root of 1)
Make a square root sign with the V and a I !

 

[jonboy]

NICE!
I was doing it this way: I = VT (square root of 1)
Make a square root sign with the V and a I !

Now that's even COOLER!