This article presents a set of mathematical challenges posed to celebrate the arrival of 2026. The puzzles involve creating expressions equal to 26 using specific numbers of digits (9s, 8s, 7s, 6s, 5s, 4s, 3s, and 2s) and only basic arithmetic operations, including exponentiation and concatenation.
Solutions to the Puzzles
Here are the solutions to the challenges, as provided by Inder Taneja from numbers-magic.com:
- Five 9s: 9 + 9 + 9 – (9 / 9) = 26
- Six 8s: 8 + 8 + 8 + ((8 + 8) / 8) = 26
- Six 7s: 7 + 7 + ((77 + 7) / 7) = 26
- Six 6s: 6 × 6 + (6 – 66) / 6 = 26
- Four 5s: 5 × 5 + (5 / 5) = 26
- Six 4s: 4 + (44 × 4 / (4 + 4)) = 26
- Four 3s: 33 – 3 / 3 = 26
- Four 2s: 22 + 2 + 2 = 26
Mathematical Tools Used
The solutions utilize the following mathematical tools:
- Basic Arithmetic Operations: Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (×), and division (÷)
- Brackets: To control the order of operations
- Exponentiation: Raising a digit to a power
- Concatenation: Joining digits together to form larger numbers (e.g., two 1s to make 11)
Conclusion
These puzzles provide a playful way to explore mathematical creativity while marking the approach of 2026. The solutions demonstrate how combining simple mathematical operations can yield complex results, making them an engaging exercise in number manipulation.
