The 2012 game!

Students at the IST have started the new year with one of our favourite number challenges - the 2012 puzzle. In this puzzle students have to try and calculate all of the numbers from 1 to 100 using the digits 2, 0, 1 and 2 only.  Each of the 4 digits can only be used once and they must all be used. Add, subtract, multiply, divide etc are all allowed along with some other operations like square root, inverse sin, cos and tan, recurring decimals and factorials! Full details of the game and a game sheet can be found at the link above to the game.

This is a fantastic puzzle because of they way it invites students to think laterally when they get stuck! Everyone can get a start and everyone has a challenge. Students have been working on their own solutions, but have been sharing them on a more public display! Solutions can now also be submitted through the website! One student has been given a commendation for finding solutions to 84 out of the 100 numbers and whilst some of these still need checking, this is looking like the best entry so far! How far can you get? Do you think any of the numbers are impossible? Comments, thoughts and contributions are welcome below! Happy puzzling!