Number Puzzle

[Brenton1180]

I'm probably in the wrong category but here goes anyway. How do you make 21 using only two 8s and two3s? I really struggled to get 24 but 21 is eluding me. Many thanks in advance.

[cupid04]

add them all together?

[boxtops]

adding them up makes 22....

[cupid04]

oops, back to school!

[patricia53]

8 x 3 = 24 - 3 = 21 or do you have to use all the numbers?

[emeritus]

Following on from Patricia if you do need to use all the numbers could be

8 x 3 = 24 - ( 3/3 ) = 21

[emeritus]

Sorry ignore that

[Pea Pod]

Little tinker emeritus (not working for Gordon are you) making the figures fit LOL... where`s your other 8 and an extra 3.?

[bibblebub]

(3! + (8/8)) * 3 = (6+1)*3 = 7*3 = 21

[caslass]

Can you explain that again for those of us don't understand your working out

[bibblebub]

(I used the software symbol * for multiplication but I'll revert to x for this explanation)

3! (factorial) = 3 x 2 x 1 = 6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factorial

8/8 = 1 (division)

so 3! + (8/8) = 6 + 1 = 7

so (3! + (8/8)) x 3 = 7 x 3 = 21

[moonshadow]

8x8=64
6x4=24
2+4=8
8x3=24
-3 =21