Numbers game

In the Countdown numbers game, one player chooses how many large numbers they want. They can choose 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 large numbers. The remaining numbers are small numbers, until a total of 6 numbers have been selected.

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The large numbers are 25, 50, 75, and 100. The small numbers are made up of two each of the numbers 1 to 10.

Once the 6 numbers have been selected, a random 3-digit target number is generated. The target is always between 100 and 999.

The players then have 30 seconds to get as close as possible to the target using the selected numbers and ordinary arithmetic.

Example: 100, 75, 8, 6, 3, 1 with a target of 927

One way to reach the target is:

100 + 3 = 103
8 + 1 = 9
103 * 9 = 927

That reaches the target exactly. The aim is to find the closest valid result, ideally the exact target.

You do not have to use all 6 numbers, but you can only use each number tile at most once. You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Intermediate results must be positive whole numbers: negative numbers and fractions are not allowed, and division is only allowed when it divides exactly.

Once the 30 seconds are up, the players each declare the result they reached. Whoever got closer to the target is asked to give their calculation first. (This in contrast to the letters game where the player with the shorter word declares it first). If that calculation is valid, they score points and the other player does not. If both players are equally close to the target, and both calculations are valid, they both score.

Points are scored as follows:

If a player has not written down their calculation in time, gives an invalid calculation, or takes too long to explain it, they score 0.