Question

Create an expression that equals 4. You can only use the numbers 1,2,3,4,5. Use all five numbers in each expression. Each number cannot be used more than once in an expression.

Answer 1

1×(2+3)×4/5

Explanation:

There are many ways to do this. You can take advantage of identity element properties (as above, where we multiply by 1 and by a ratio whose value is 1), and you can take advantage of multiples and factors.

4 = 8/2 = (5+3)/(4-1·2)

4 = 5-1 = 5 +(4-3-2)·1

4 = 4+0 = 4 + (5·1 -2 -3)