2050.44 – Parentheses Insert

Insert parentheses and arithmetic symbols (e.g +, -, x) any way you want to make the statement true.

$2 \quad 1 \quad 2 \quad 3 \quad 2 \quad 2 \quad 1 \ = \ 12$

Solution

Here's one way:

$2 \times (1 + 2 \times 3) - 2 \times (2 - 1) = 12.$

Any others?

If your students are just getting used to parentheses and if they liked figuring this problem out, you could make some more for them – even put one on a quiz as an extra-credit problem. Better, have the kids make some up to try on each other.