Express Sumthing 7Th April

[beastra]

Hi all

can anybody solve this sumthing from today's express newspaper. It is driving me mad

? + ? = ? ?
+ - +
? + 6 =? ?
= = =
? x ? = ? ?

with the numbers 0 1 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 9

Any help would be great

[Buenchico]

The way your question has come out doesn't make sense.

This should make it clearer:
http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/760086Sumthing.jpg

While I've got a maths degree, I've also got most of a bottle of Sauvignon Blance inside me, so I can't be bothered to work it out. However it occurs to me that the 1st number n the third row must be greater than three in order to generate a double-digit answer on that row. It can't be 9 (because there's no 5 available for the answer), so it must be 4, 7 or 8.

Similarly, the 3rd column requires 7, 8 or 9 at the top in order to generate a permissible answer.

They look like good starting points to me.

[JJ109]

It is impossible (there is something wrong!)
the first two sums are two digits, therefore they hve to be 1? and 1? respectively.
This means that the grand total at the bottom has to be 2? or possibly 3?
To generate a 2 digit number for the grand total the digit in the bottom of the middle column must equal at least 3.
As ? - 6 = this figure, then the only possibility is the middle digit in the top column = 9 so 9 - 6 = 3
The next question is where do you put the zero?
it clearly cannot go in either of the first two columns, nor can it go in rows one or two of the total as 10 + 1? = 2?
and following the placement of one NINE in column 2 there is no longer any doubletons tht we can use.
Therefore the only place it can go is at the very bottom of the grand total 20.
BUT 1? + 1? is greater than 20
IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE

[fiction-factory]

Had a quick look and I think I agree with JJ109.
I haven't yet thought though about whether there is a trick here and one of the two digit numbers may be actually a one digit number written in the form "0?"

[mallyh]

the only way I could work it is if they put a 9 instead of a nother 3
top row.............1+9=10
middle ..............7+6=13
bottom...............8x3 =24
your sum shows a + above the 6, in the paper its a minus sign

[fiction-factory]

The nearest I got was for everything to work except the last column showed 10+14=27 which messed it all up

[fiction-factory]

Just realised my first solution was right. In column 3 it is only the first pair that need to add up. The positioning of the + and equals sign is under teh first digit only
Horizontally
1=9=10
8+6=14
9x3=27

vertically
1+8=9
9-6=3
1+1=2
(the fact that the final column of 0+4 does not equal 7 is not relevant)

[fiction-factory]

I put an = instead of a + in line one.

Should read:

Horizontally
1+9=10
8+6=14
9x3=27

vertically
1+8=9
9-6=3
1+1=2
(the fact that the final column of 0+4 does not equal 7 is not relevant)

[JJ109]

If that is the case - it is a STUPID puzzle, and clarification should have been given by the paper. However, I still think there is an error, but well done FF if that is indeed the correct interprettion.

[fiction-factory]

I suppose regulars will know the setter's style. It certainly threw us. I feel a bit cheated now having got that solution within a minute and then spending 30 mins trying to tweak it

[mallyh]

you are right faction ,the last line down isn't a sum xx

[mallyh]

your horizontal answer is correct well done xx

[beastra]

you fabulous fabulous people. spotting my idiotic mistakes. This is my first time posting this. It is often crossword clues. Thanks Fiction, Buen, JJ, and Mally . Great one and all

[fiction-factory]

You're welcome, beastra