Maths puzzle

[BazLegg]

Using the numbers 2 7 12 24 (once each)

Using + - x ./. (as many times as you like, one symbol 3 times or once each it doesn't matter)

end up with the number 24 as an answer!

[Dinkypuzzled]

24 divided by 7 minus (12 divided by 2). Do the bit in brackets first.

[mohill]

Another possibility is 2 x 7 + 12 - 24/12
You must first do 2 x 7 then 24/12
This gives you 14 + 12 - 2

[BazLegg]

Thanks for your prompt responses guys but am I missing something here...

"24 divided by 7 minus (12 divided by 2). Do the bit in brackets first." - gives me 3.4285714 (24 divided by 7) minus 6 (12 divided by 2) which equals -2.5714286 not the required answer of "24"

and
"Another possibility is 2 x 7 + 12 - 24/12 You must first do 2 x 7 then 24/12 This gives you 14 + 12 - 2" - unfortunately this uses the number 12 twice.

The closest I've got so far is 28 but I'll keep plugging away .... thanks

[squarebear]

24 / (7 - (12 / 2)) = 24

[Dinkypuzzled]

Thanks squarebear, that's what I was trying to illustrate.

[nescio]

If you are allowed to use exponentiation, one solution is

24 x 7 - 12^2

[BazLegg]

thanks guys --- I can now concentrate on the Sunday Telegraph prize crosswords