Question

John is playing a game in which he tries to obtain the highest number possible. He must put the symbols +, *, and - (plus, times, and minus) in the following blanks, using each symbol exactly once:
2_4_6_8
John cannot use parentheses or rearrange the numbers. What is the highest possible number that John could obtain?

Answer 1

Answer:

• 2 - 4 + 6*8 = 46

Step-by-step explanation:

There are 6 possible options:

• 2 - 4 + 6*8 = 46
• 2 - 4*6 + 8 = - 14
• 2 + 4 - 6*8 = - 42
• 2 + 4*6 - 8 = 18
• 2*4 - 6 + 8 = 10
• 2*4 + 6 - 8 = 6

As we the highest possible number is 46

Answer 2

Answer:

2*4*6*8

Step-by-step explanation:

384 is the answer.

Notice that if you do minus or plus, you get a smaller number. So, this is indeed the highest number John could obtain.

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