For many years mathematicians, scientists, engineers and others interested in mathematics have played "year games" via e-mail and in newsgroups. We don't always know whether it is possible to write expressions for all the numbers from 1 to 100 using only the digits in the current year, but it is fun to try to see how many you can find. This year may prove to be a challenge.
As with many games, the rules for the Year Game can vary slightly. Teachers may wish to use different rules in their own classrooms. This Web page is intended for students in grades three through twelve with a general knowledge of mathematics.
Our rules: use the digits in the year 2001 and the operations of +, -, x, ÷, sqrt (square root), ^ (raise to a power), and ! (factorial), along with grouping symbols, to write expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100. This year we will also allow the use of decimal points and double-digit numbers. Please read and follow the rules carefully if you wish to have your solutions posted on this site.
Teachers may print out worksheets for students to record their findings, or may print sheets of manipulatives for students to use.
Student solutions may be submitted starting January 1, 2001, using the Web form at the bottom of this page. We will begin to post student solutions after February 1, 2001. Student names, school names, and grades will appear as you enter them if your solution is posted. Your e-mail address will not appear on the Web page.
UPDATE: Expressions have been found for 48 of the numbers from 1 through 100. At this time we are only accepting submissions for the missing numbers which are: 27, 28, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 53, 54, 56, 57, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97.
If you can write an expression that uses the digits 2,0,0,1 and is equal to one of our missing numbers please submit it.
You can use our Web form to enter as many different solutions as you find; however, you must complete the entire form for each submission. (You may not submit two solutions on one form.)