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Using BODMAS/BIDMAS* and the numbers and signs 2,3,7,8, (), -,+,÷,× can you make 38, 44, 46. You can only use each number once. I can't figure it out myself

Brackets Order Division Multiply Add Subtract/Brackets, Indices, Division and Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction

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    $\begingroup$ Perhaps a bit clearer explanation of what BODMAS/BIDMAS is would be helpful. $\endgroup$
    – Jason V
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 18:22
  • $\begingroup$ A quick google search indicates that it's an acronym for order of evaluation - Brackets, Order/Indices (exponents and roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. By implication, those operations are permitted; however, the querent has barred roots by not including the root symbol $\endgroup$
    – Jeff Zeitlin
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 18:27

3 Answers 3

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The last one was a little bit tricky, I used exponent and non exponent for making 46:

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Square root and powers aren't included in the list of allowed operators $\endgroup$
    – Beastly Gerbil
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 19:23
  • $\begingroup$ "Orders/Indices" -- I learned it as BEDMAS, with the E Standing for Exponents. I'm not sure about the square root though, as that would be another 1/2 in the equation $\endgroup$
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 19:28
  • $\begingroup$ @BeastlyGerbil, I fixed it $\endgroup$
    – Seyed
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 20:00
  • $\begingroup$ @ChrisCudmore, Is it OK now? $\endgroup$
    – Seyed
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 20:00
  • $\begingroup$ It's absolutely amazing how we get blinded by "cleverness" and overlook the obvious. $\endgroup$
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 20:07
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38:

$(8×3)+(7×2)$

44:

$(7 - (3/2))×8$

46 (edit):

With an exhaustive search using a Python script, 46 is impossible without using exponentation/factorials/operators that are disallowed.

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  • $\begingroup$ See Seyed's answer. You're trying too hard! $\endgroup$
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 20:11
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    $\begingroup$ @ChrisCudmore to be fair, you said numbers, not digits. $\endgroup$
    – Jasen
    Commented Nov 4, 2017 at 7:39
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Further to existing answers, 38 is also

23+8+7

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