Mr. P wants to build a clock in which the twelve numbers on the face are written as expressions of 1, 2, and 3.

The numbers 1, 2, and 3 must be used in order in each expression.

You may use operations +, -, x, ÷ (or / for divided by), ^ (raised to a power), sqrt (square root),
    ! (factorial), and int (or [   ] for greatest integer function), along with grouping symbols.

For example, the number zero could have been written as 1 + 2 - 3.



Solution to the Problem:

Here is Mr. P's clock:



Some of the possible answers:

1:     1^23   or   -1 x 2 + 3
2:     1 - 2 + 3   or   12 / 3!
3:     1^2 x 3   or   (-1 + 2) x 3
4:     12 / 3   or   -1 + 2 + 3
5:     -1 + 2 x 3   or   1 x 2 + 3
6:     1 x 2 x 3   or   1^2 x 3!
7:     1 + 2 x 3
8:     1 x 2^3
9:     12 - 3   or   1 + 2^3
10:     1 x [sqrt((2 + 3)!)]
11:     -1 + 2 x 3!   or   sqrt(1 + (2 + 3)!)
12:     (1 + 2)! + 3!   or   1 x 2 x 3!




Correctly solved by:

1. James Alarie Flint, Michigan
2. Ivy Joseph Pune, Maharashtra, India
3. Jonathan Punke Joliet Central High School,
Joliet, Illinois
4. Kelly Stubblefield Mobile, Alabama
5. Bernice Rosales Delta High School,
Delta, Colorado
6. Nakoda Bird Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
7. Brijesh Dave Mumbai City, Maharashtra, India