Math Order of Operations Puzzle (Hexcabulary)

Difficulty level: (info)
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Levels:

  • Easy: Word appears in list. Simple hiding strategy.
  • Medium: Hint appears in list (instead of word). Hiding strategy in any available direction.
  • Hard: Word can cross the edge of board wrapping to other side.
  • Harder: Direction can change mid-word.

    Need a hint? Click list item to hint a random letter from the word. ( Debug)

    • Wordlist and Hints (Problem set)

    Tip: Includes a break down of the steps to solve in order (click to reveal them below).

    EIGHTY FIVE
    7 × ( 4 + 3 2 ) − 6
    7 * (4 + 3 ** 2) - 6 
    7 * (4 + 3 ** 2) - 6
    = 7 * (4 + 9) - 6
    = 7 * 13 - 6
    = 91 - 6
    = 85
    FIFTEEN
    8 + ( 3 × 2 2 ) − 5
    8 + (3 * 2 ** 2) - 5 
    8 + (3 * 2 ** 2) - 5
    = 8 + (3 * 4) - 5
    = 8 + 12 - 5
    = 20 - 5
    = 15
    SIX
    12 ÷ ( 2 + 4 ) × 3
    12 / (2 + 4) * 3 
    12 / (2 + 4) * 3
    = 12 / 6 * 3
    = 2 * 3
    = 6
    TWENTY ONE
    5 + 2 × ( 3 2 − 1 )
    5 + 2 * (3 ** 2 - 1) 
    5 + 2 * (3 ** 2 - 1)
    = 5 + 2 * (9 - 1)
    = 5 + 2 * 8
    = 5 + 16
    = 21
    FOURTEEN
    6 × ( 2 + 3 ) − 4 2
    6 * (2 + 3) - 4 ** 2 
    6 * (2 + 3) - 4 ** 2
    = 6 * 5 - 4 ** 2
    = 6 * 5 - 16
    = 30 - 16
    = 14
    NINE
    9 + 3 × ( 8 − 2 3 )
    9 + 3 * (8 - 2 ** 3) 
    9 + 3 * (8 - 2 ** 3)
    = 9 + 3 * (8 - 8)
    = 9 + 3 * 0
    = 9 + 0
    = 9
    TWELVE
    15 ÷ ( 3 + 2 ) × 4
    15 / (3 + 2) * 4 
    15 / (3 + 2) * 4
    = 15 / 5 * 4
    = 3 * 4
    = 12
    TWENTY TWO
    − 7 × ( 5 − 3 2 ) - 6
    -7 * (5 - 3 ** 2) - 6 
    -7 * (5 - 3 ** 2) - 6
    = -7 * (5 - 9) - 6
    = -7 * (-4) - 6
    = 28 - 6
    = 22
    FOURTEEN
    ( 8 + 2 ) × 3 − 4 2
    (8 + 2) * 3 - 4 ** 2 
    (8 + 2) * 3 - 4 ** 2
    = 10 * 3 - 4 ** 2
    = 30 - 16
    = 14
    TWENTY
    10 ÷ ( 5 − 2 ) × 6
    10 / (5 - 2) * 6 
    10 / (5 - 2) * 6
    = 10 / 3 * 6
    = 10 / 3 * 6
    = 60 / 3
    = 20

    Topic Intro and Notes

    This puzzle uses some examples of complicated order of operations math problems. involving a mix of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, parentheses, and exponents. What makes them a puzzle is how easily a wrong answer can be found IF the calculations aren't performed in the correct order. Remember to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to solve them correctly. Enjoy!

    Ideas for the problem set based on conversation with Copilot from 7/2024. References it credited (and great sources for digging deeper!):

    1. Order of Operations Practice Problems | ChiliMath
    2. Order of Operations Worksheets | Advanced Order of Operations Problems
    3. Math Practice Problems - Order Of Operations - MathScore
    4. Order of Operations Worksheets - Math-Drills
    5. Order of Operations Worksheets - Math-Aids.Com
    6. en.wikipedia.org