strange subtraction

$This book can change the way you look at math!$

The following lesson comes from the wonderful minds of Marilyn Burns and Marthal Hairston in their book, THE I HATE MATHEMATICS BOOK. This book gets our highest recommendation. It can change your entire outlook on the subject of math.

illustration by Martha Hairston
Copyright Burns 1975

EXPLORATION: (This will be more fun if done with a friend.)

1.) Start with the four numbers, 7, 9, 3, 5 and create Peculiar 6174.
(It should take 1 subtraction)

2.) Start with these four numbers: 3, 1, 2, 4 and create Peculiar 6174.
(It should take 3 subtractions)

3.) Now try these: 2, 4, 6, 8 (You should get 6174 in 1 subtraciton.)

4.) How about 0, 8, 9, 1 (This can be done in 3 subtractions.)

5.) Now experiment your guts out....use other number combinations than the ones above. Is it possible that this is ALWAYS true?

$This book can change the way you look at math!$
Get this book. You'll be glad you did.