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Challenges

Comments on 24 game automated solver

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24 game automated solver

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The goal is to write a program, whose byte size is minimized, that inputs four integers, not necessarily distinct, chosen from $1, 2, 3, ..., 9$ and then determines if it is possible to combine the inputted numbers using only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to form a mathematical expression whose value is $24$. Parentheses are allowed.

If it is possible, the program displays an expression whose value is $24$.

Otherwise, the program displays the word "Impossible", false, 0 or something similar; the choice is yours as long as you are consistent.

By "display", I mean any output (such as displaying on the screen or the return value of a function).

Clarifications:

You may choose any input format you like as long as you use the same format for all test cases.

You may choose any output format you like for expressions such as normal mathematical notation OR Reverse Polish Notation OR …

The expression you form must contain each inputted number exactly once.

You may only use the four arithmetic operations mentioned above, so no square roots, no factorials, …

Although subtraction is allowed, the use of a negative sign is not allowed. Similarly, negation of a number or expression is not allowed.

Decimal points are not allowed.

Assume everything is done in base $10$.

Concatenation in any form is not allowed.

Test cases:

There may be multiple ways for the inputted numbers to form $24$. Your program only needs to display one such expression, not necessarily the ones listed below.

3357 -> 3(3x5-7)
1346 -> 6/(1-3/4)
3377 -> 7(3+3/7)
3388 -> 8/(3-8/3)
1116 -> Impossible
1179 -> Impossible
1557 -> Impossible
1577 -> Impossible
1277 -> (7x7-1)/2
1668 -> 6/(1-6/8)
5599 -> 5x5-9/9
2244 -> 2(2x4+4)
2222 -> Impossible
3358 -> Impossible
3467 -> Impossible
7899 -> Impossible
3333 -> 3x3x3-3


If you wish you can try my 24 Game solver available here:

https://openprocessing.org/sketch/2927650

You interact with my program with finger taps or mouse clicks.

History

2 comment threads

Output format (6 comments)
Display (2 comments)
Output format
Shaggy‭ wrote 5 months ago

I'd recommend changing the cumbersome output format before anyone posts a solution. The core of this challenge is a decision problem, requiring such a specific ouput, in my opinion, adds nothing to it other than unnecessary overhead for all solutions.

Shaggy‭ What do you mean by, requiring such a specific output?

Shaggy‭ wrote 4 months ago

true or false (or truthy or falsey) is sufficient here to answer the challenge. Requiring that we output the equation if true or "Impossible" if false is just cumbersome. See https://codegolf.meta.stackexchange.com/a/8077/58974

Shaggy‭ I have modified my post slightly to relax the form of the output in the case where an expression equal to 24 does not exist.

However, for me, displaying the expression whose value is 24 is an essential part of the output.

wizzwizz4‭ wrote 4 months ago

will.octagon.gibson‭ Do we have to provide the input numbers in the output, or are we allowed to reference them indirectly? i.e., for the input 1346, could we output something like 4th / (1st - (2nd / 3rd))?

wizzwizz4‭ Your suggested output format is fine by me. You could even use something like #4 / (#1 - (#2 / #3)) or D/(A-(B/C)). If you use something like this I recommend that you document the output format in your post. Good luck with your coding.