Target Number: the daily math puzzle game for adults

Target Number is a daily math puzzle for adults, a bit like Wordle for numbers: you get six numbers and a three-digit target. Use + − × ÷ to write a formula that makes the target, or get as close to it as you can: a quick daily math challenge.

Each number can be used at most once, and every result along the way must be a positive whole number. PlayWord has a new puzzle every day, always exactly solvable, free and with no sign-up.

How to play

1. Tap the numbers, the operation signs and, if needed, the brackets to write a formula, for example (100 + 6) × 7 − 50. A used number greys out, because each number can be used only once.
2. × and ÷ come before + and −, and brackets come first of all. Every intermediate result must be a positive whole number: a division must have no remainder, and a subtraction can't give zero or less.
3. ⌫ deletes the last sign, and Start over clears the formula. Whenever the formula is complete, you see its value and how far it is from the target. Your best result so far is kept even when you delete.
4. Hit the target exactly for 3 stars. If you can't, Done ends the day: within 5 earns 2 stars, within 10 earns 1. At the end you'll see the shortest solution.

Tips

• Start with the large numbers: multiples of 25, 50, 75 or 100 get you near the target fast, and the small numbers fine-tune.
• Look for an easy number close to the target (like 600 or 750) and work out how much is missing or extra.
• Adding before you multiply works wonders: (7 + 1) × 75 = 600. Think in brackets.
• Don't spend the small numbers too early: you often need a 1 or a 2 for the last adjustment.

Strategy

• Work backwards: if the target is 570, that's 600 − 30 or 575 − 5. See which nearby number is easy to make from the large numbers, and what you need for the difference.
• Division is rare but sometimes the key: 50 ÷ 25 = 2 turns two large numbers into a small one, which may be just the multiplier you're missing.
• If you get stuck, delete the end of the formula with ⌫ and try other pairs or brackets. Your best result is kept, so you can experiment freely.

A worked example

The numbers are 75, 8, 6, 5, 2, 2 and the target is 570. First, 75 × 8 = 600, which is 30 too many.

Then 6 × 5 = 30, and finally 600 − 30 = 570. Three steps, four numbers and three stars; the two 2s weren't even needed. As one formula: 75 × 8 − 6 × 5 = 570.

History of the game

The target-number puzzle has been a TV quiz-show classic since the 1970s: a few random numbers, a three-digit target and the four basic operations. It trains planning as well as mental arithmetic, which is why it's also popular in maths lessons.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Target Number for?

Adults and older kids who enjoy mental arithmetic, math puzzles and a daily math challenge. It takes a few minutes a day and trains both calculation and planning.

Where can I see the solution of the day?

The shortest solution is shown at the end of the game. Earlier days are in the archive, each with its solution.

Can the target always be reached?

Yes. A program solves every puzzle before it's published, and only exactly reachable targets are used. The shortest solution is shown at the end of the game.

Do I have to use all six numbers?

No. Use as many as you need; the shortest solution often takes just three or four numbers.

Are fractions or negative results allowed?

No. Every intermediate result is a positive whole number: you can only divide without a remainder, and a subtraction can't give zero or less (so 3 − 10 isn't allowed).

How do I earn stars?

Exact hit: 3 stars. Within 5: 2 stars. Within 10: 1 star. Your best result so far counts.

Can I play earlier days?

Yes. The archive has every earlier day's puzzle, with its solution.