2021: Making numbers using all the four digits

A super activity where we can make the numbers from 1 to 27 using a few simple rules. Good for considering:

• order of operations
• positive powers
• power 0, ie numbers to power 0
• factorials including what they are
• conventions for consistency of mathematics, such as 0! = 1

Resources to support the activity

• Teacher notes pdf
• PowerPoint file
• ActivInspire File

Other resources related to four 4s activity

• Our four 4s
• Our 2017 version – has more activities but no PowerPoint
• Maths is fun
• Wikipedia
• Cut the Knot
• Numberphile video (uses log to base 4)
• David A Wheeler “Definitive Four Fours Answer Key”
• Heiner’s extension to years 1996-2009