How Number Target works

Number Target

Combine the numbers with + − × ÷ to make today’s target.

Interactive lesson1 / 5

Rule 01

Use every number once.

Each step takes two tiles and one operation and replaces them with one tile. You are done when one tile is left and it equals the target.

All rules

Rule 01Use every number once.

Each step takes two tiles and one operation and replaces them with one tile. You are done when one tile is left and it equals the target.

Rule 02Every step makes a positive whole number.

A step that would give zero, a negative or a fraction is not allowed, so ÷ is offered only when it divides exactly.

Rule 03Minus and divide work either way round.

Tap 3 then 8 with − and you get 5, never −5. Divide works the same way: the larger number is divided by the smaller.

Rule 04Every day has at least one answer.

Not happy with a tile? Tap it to split it back into the two tiles it came from. Stuck? A hint shows a next step; in ranked play, each hint adds 15 s.

Tap a tile, an operation, then a second tile · keyboard: arrows move, Enter picks, + − × ÷ choose the operation, Backspace splits, Esc clears