(9 + 3 + 1 x 2) / (9 – 2) = 2

Maybe there is an easier way, but this is how I figured it out. I worked backward. There are only 3 possible choices for the (9….2) part of the equation:

(9 x 2)

(9 + 2)

(9 – 2)

(9 / 2) doesn’t make sense for this equation.

Then, I continued backward for each possible answer. I need to know what the first part of the equation must total in order for (9 x 2) = 2. There are only two possibilities, 36 or 20:

36 / (9 x 2) = 2; or 20 – (9 x 2) = 2

To continue for the other possibilities:

22 / (9 + 2) = 2; or 13 – (9 + 2) = 2

14 / (9 – 2) = 2; or 9 – (9 – 2) = 2

Then, I tried to fit the remaining operations into one of the above possibilities until I got an answer that worked. Just remember, multiplication/division equations are done before addition and subtraction. So, in the answer, the 1 x 2 part is figured before doing the add/subtracts:

9 + 3 + (1 x 2) = 14

Here’s the second one:

(91 / 7) – 4 – (1 x 2) = 7

Again, I worked backwards.

(1 + 2) doesn’t work because there is no + in equation

(1 – 2) doesn’t seem likely

(1 / 2) not likely

(1 x 2) only likely answer to last part of equation

Now, you’re left with a division sign and two minuses.

Good luck on the third one, you can do it! Can’t really work backwards on this one, but because the 2 is such a small number in comparison to some of the other numbers, it’s a good bet you’ll have to divide down the biggest number.