Make 26 with four 9s

The classic four nines puzzle: build an expression from exactly four 9s that equals 26. 26 cannot be made with + - × ÷, concatenation, or decimals (the solver checked every expression) — solutions need square roots, factorials, or exponents.

Solutions using only + - × ÷

No expression made of four plain 9s and + - × ÷ reaches 26 — the solver checked every possible expression.

Solutions with concatenation and decimals

Concatenation and decimals do not help for 26 either — every combination was checked.

Solutions with square roots, factorials, exponents

9 × sqrt(9) - 9 / 9 = 26
9 × sqrt(9) - .9 / .9 = 26
9 × sqrt(9) - 9! / 9! = 26
9 × sqrt(9) - (9 - 9)! = 26
(9 + 9) / .9 + sqrt(9)! = 26

…and 84 more at this tier.

89 distinct solutions found in total, after removing trivial rearrangements.

Make 25 with four 9s · Make 27 with four 9s

The Number Lab

Same idea, different constraints: four 9s, four 4s, or any four digits you like.

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