In the first numbers round, I saw Rachel's basic idea, but I did it this way: 50 - 4 = 46 46 x 4 = 184 184 + 3 = 187 187 x 5 = 935 However, my first solution was this: 50 + 5 = 55 25 - 4 - 4 = 17 55 x 17 = 935 The second numbers round was so easy that I challenged myself to use all of the numbers to make it more difficult: 50 / 5 = 10 10 - 9 = 1 25 + 1 = 26 6 - 2 = 4 26 x 4 = 104 25 - 6 = 19 50 x 19 = 950 5 x 2 = 10 950 / 10 = 95 95 + 9 = 104 In the third numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution but also had these: 75 x 9 = 675 50 x 5 = 250 675 + 250 = 925 925 - 8 = 917 75 + 9 = 84 84 x 8 = 672 50 x 5 = 250 672 + 250 = 922 922 - 5 = 917 The latter was suggested by the former. In the final numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution, but I think it's the only viable one.
I: Aieeee... About 10 seconds too late, the key went in the lock. After failing with the bigs, I took one final look at the 5 and figured that 187X5=935. So 4X50=200 200-25 is 175 The other 4X3=12 175+12 is the 187 required. II: At 29 seconds, I got a roundabout on that one. (9-5) = (6-2) = 4 Use the two interchangeably in 4X25 = 100 + 4 III: Got the contestant's 1 away, and then we watch Rachel make a fool out of us all. IV: And another one of those "you lose the plot when you have to add to a real off number and then find out..." Yeah...
I did the 935 also by multiplying 187x5. I got the 187 by multiplying 50 by 4, subtracting 25 and adding 3x4. Rachels way was prettier though, using only one 4
Bachelor in Mathematics from Oxford. As for the letters, I imagine having been on the show for 14 years gets you quite good at it, just like how Colin is getting better at the maths.
I have heard that a lot of mathematicians are good at anagrams. It might have something to do with manipulating symbols in their heads but who knows? It might also just be speed of thought. I can often get there but not in 30 seconds. Thank RU-vid for the pause button.
