# Make 38, 44, 46 using 2,3,8,7?

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

• Perhaps a bit clearer explanation of what BODMAS/BIDMAS is would be helpful. Nov 3 '17 at 18:22
• 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 Nov 3 '17 at 18:27

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

• Square root and powers aren't included in the list of allowed operators Nov 3 '17 at 19:23
• "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 Nov 3 '17 at 19:28
• @BeastlyGerbil, I fixed it Nov 3 '17 at 20:00
• @ChrisCudmore, Is it OK now? Nov 3 '17 at 20:00
• It's absolutely amazing how we get blinded by "cleverness" and overlook the obvious. Nov 3 '17 at 20:07

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.

• See Seyed's answer. You're trying too hard! Nov 3 '17 at 20:11
• @ChrisCudmore to be fair, you said numbers, not digits. Nov 4 '17 at 7:39

Further to existing answers, 38 is also

23+8+7