How to Play Digits
Digits is a numbers game inspired by Countdown and popularized by The New York Times. You receive six starting numbers and a target value. Your goal is to combine the numbers through standard basic arithmetic to land as close to the target as possible.
★★★ 3 Stars (Exact)
Hit the exact target number using any sequence of valid operations.
★★ 2 Stars (Close)
End with a number that is within 5 of the target value.
★ 1 Star (Decent)
End with a number that is within 10 of the target value.
Strategy Tips for Digits
- Multiply Big Numbers First: Look at your largest numbers (e.g., 25, 50, 75, 100). Multiply them by smaller single digits (3, 4, 5) to leap into the ballpark of the target.
- Save Small Numbers for Fine-Tuning: Numbers like 1, 2, 3, and 4 are invaluable at the end to nudge your intermediate total into the exact target.
- Work Backwards: If target is 438, notice 438 is divisible by 6 (73) or close to 425 (25 × 17). Thinking in factors unlocks clever combinations.
- Undo is Free: Experiment freely with branch calculations. If a path leads to a dead end, tap Undo or Reset to try an alternative branch.