Question

what do i do to 8 4 2 1 in that order to equal 12 i can only do multiplication, adding, subtraction, division

Answer 1

Basic Operations

We are given the numbers 8 4 2 1 and we must combine them in that order to get 12.

The first two numbers 8 +4 add up to 12. Since that is already the required answer, we need to make 2 and 1 a factor such that it does not affect our sum.

It can be done by subtracting them and then multiplying or dividing by them.

Fist solution:

$(8+4)\cdot(2-1)=12$

Second solution:

$\frac{8+4}{2-1}=12$

There can be other combinations like:

$8+4\cdot(2-1)=12$

And also:

$8+\frac{4}{2-1}=12$