For many years mathematicians, scientists, engineers and others
interested in mathematics have played "year games" via e-mail and in
newsgroups. We don't always know whether it is possible to write
expressions for all the numbers from 1 to 100 using only the digits
in the current year, but it is fun to try to see how many you can
find. This year may prove to be a challenge.
As with many games, the rules for the Year Game can
vary slightly. Teachers may wish to use different rules in their own
classrooms. This Web page is intended for students in grades three
through twelve with a general knowledge of mathematics.
Our rules: use the digits in the year 2010 and the
operations +, -, x, ÷,
^ (raised to a power),
sqrt (square root),
along with grouping symbols, to write expressions for
the counting numbers 1 through 100. This year we will also allow the
use of decimal points and double-digit numbers. Please read and
follow the rules carefully if you wish
to have your solutions posted on this site.
This year we'd also like to challenge you to try to use the digits in the order 2, 0, 1, 0 in your expressions. We'll accept digits in any order, but we're more likely to publish an expression like 2 + 0 - 1 + 0 than 2 * 0 + 0 + 1.
Teachers may print out worksheets for students to record
their findings, or may print sheets of manipulatives for students to use.
Student solutions may be submitted starting January
1, 2010, using the Web form at the bottom of this page. We will begin
to post student solutions after
February 1, 2010. Student names, school names, and grades will appear
EXACTLY as you enter them if your solution is posted. Your
e-mail address will not appear on the Web page.
You can use our Web form to enter as many different
solutions as you find; however, you must complete the entire form for
each submission. (You may not submit two solutions on one form.)