Home

Countdown

 

Countdown is a game show running on Channel 4 T.V.

Six  numbers are produced and a computer does a random calculation producing a Target Number. Contestants are given 30 seconds to explain how the target number can be made using the 6 numbers supplied. A number can only be used once. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can be used to make the target. The target can be made using some or all of the available numbers.

Some examples of sets of numbers and targets are shown below.

 

                                    Numbers                             Target

1

3

6

7

7

10

100

 

108

 

 

    Numbers                             Target

2

1

2

5

7

10

100

906

 

 

    Numbers                             Target

3

3

7

8

9

10

25

 

715

 

Countdown provides an excellent source of short, non-routine problem solving activities.

Even when the target number has not been found exactly, whole class discussion and explanation  about how the nearest answer to the target was found can be useful.

 

To download a set of 120 countdown problems plus solutions

click on this link   countdown.zip