Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Friday Puzzler -- Simple arithmetic
Alex Y
Using just the basic four arithmetic operators, parentheses for grouping and the four numbers 3,3,8,&8, form an expression that equals 24.
For instance, using the numbers 2,2,8,8, it would be easy:
(8/2)*(8-2) or (2*2*8)-8 and several others, probably.
But how do you get 24 with 3, 3, 8, and 8?
Hint 1
Alex Y
I'll give hints related to the solution I have seen. There may be other solutions, so don't let my hints prevent you from looking in other directions if you are so inclined.
The solution I have seen does not include addition.
Re: Friday Puzzler -- Simple arithmetic
Henry Higginbotham
I can get 23 and 25. Since it's kindasorta tax season, can I use some kind of income averaging? 
The actuary in me
Alex Y
says you have the answer. ;-)
Unfortunately, though, I can only accept an answer that results in exactly 24, without averaging. 
Re: Then how about
Henry Higginbotham
8/(3-8/3)
I just knew this was going to be a D'oh! moment. I'd looked at 8/3 = 2.6666 several times without noticing it was 1/3 away from 3.
Correct!
Alex Y
Impressive! I thought this one was exceptionally hard, and expected that my next hint (there is no multiplication) was going to be required for anyone to get this. Hard to let go of the need for addition or multiplication to get to 24!