The Art of Problem Solving

1. Using only five 5’s and any mathematical operations, obtain the number from 1-15. Grouping
symbols may be used.

Number/ Answer Equation

1 = (55 *.5)5-5
2 = (5-5) + (5+5) / 5
3 = (5+5)/5+5/5
4 = (5 * 5)/5 – 0.5/ 0.5
5 = 55-55 +5
6 = (5/5) 5-5 + 5
7 = (5/5) + 5 +5 /5
8 = 55/5
9 = 5 +5 -55-5
10 = .5 + .5 + (5-.5)/.5
11 = 55/5 – 0.5 + 0.5
12 = 55/5 +.5+.5
13 = .5 * (5*5 +5/5)
14 = 5+5+5 - (.5+.5)
15 = 5 + 5 +5/5 *5