Worksheet: 2_IncredibleKids-Hit-the-Target.doc
Snowy Day School Shutdown: Hit the Target!
Problem
In the winter 2000, the schools were closed for two weeks due to snow. So, the Incredible
kids, Dash and his sister Violet couldn’t go to school. But their teacher sent a challenge to
them via email to help them practice their math while they were out of school. The problem
a) Open the spreadsheet IncredibleKids-Hit-the_Target.xls.
1. Note the target numbers that need to be made using all four of the integers
surrounding the target. The challenge is to enter a formula in the center cell (the
yellow one) that references all four of the values. What formula do you enter for D10
to get the target of 13?
a
b
c
d
1
4
8
6
Formula in D10 to get the target
of 13
Algebraic expression using a,b,c,d
rather than cell references
2. The challenge is to now get that target a different way. What formula do you enter
into I10 that is different from D10. What is the algebraic expression for this formula?
a
b
c
d
1
4
8
6
Formula in I10 to get the target
of 13
Algebraic expression using a,b,c,d
rather than cell references
3. Now the target is 12. Enter formula in D16. Find the spreadsheet formula and
convert this formula to an algebraic expression
a
b
c
d
1
5
8
6
Formula in D16 to get the target
of 12
Algebraic expression using a,b,c,d
rather than cell references
4. For this problem the target is 6. Find the spreadsheet formula and convert this
formula to an algebraic expression
a
b
c
d
3
4
3
9
Formula in I16 to get the target
of 6
Algebraic expression using a,b,c,d
rather than cell references
5. The challenge now is to create your own target problem and challenge your brother or
sister to solve the problem.
Worksheet: 2_IncredibleKids-Hit-the-Target.doc
Target:
?
a
b
c
d
?
?
?
?
Formula in G26 to get the target
of ?
Algebraic expression using a,b,c,d
rather than cell references
b) Create a new worksheet in this workbook that displays another set of problems that
require the user to hit the target with values for the variables as in the Order of
Operations Problems worksheet