Fourmulator
Turn three starting numbers into the day's target with operations like split, merge and reverse, in seven moves.
Every day: One puzzle a day, seeded from the date: three starting numbers and a target to reach with a set of operations in seven moves or fewer, the same for everyone on that date. New puzzle: Midnight, your local time.
Fourmulator is a daily math puzzle. You start with three numbers and a target, and use a panel of operations, from adding and doubling to splitting, merging and reversing digits, to make new numbers until you hit the target. You have seven moves, and every puzzle can be solved in four.
About Fourmulator
Fourmulator is a small browser puzzle by WaterVeil Games, made in Godot. Each day it gives you three starting numbers and a target number. You pick a number, pick an operation, and, for operations that need two numbers, pick a second one; the result becomes a new number you can use in the next step.
The operations go beyond plain arithmetic. As well as add, multiply, difference and divide, you can double or halve a number, square it, split off its first digit (81 becomes 8 and 1), merge two numbers by adding the overlapping digits (7 and 4 make 74, 13 and 27 make 157), or reverse its digits (73 becomes 37). Those digit tricks are often the shortcut: a number that looks far from the target may be one reverse or split away.
You have seven moves to reach the target, but every puzzle is built so that it can be done in four steps or fewer. Finding any route is the first goal; finding a four-step route is the real one.
The puzzle is generated from the date on your device, so everyone playing on the same day gets the same numbers and target. It plays with the mouse in the browser on its itch.io page.
How to play Fourmulator
- Open Fourmulator on itch.io to load today's three starting numbers and target.
- Select a number, then an operation; for two-number operations select the second number too.
- Use the new number in later steps, along with the ones you still have.
- Reach the target within seven moves.
- Try again for a solution in four steps or fewer.
Tips
- Look at the target's digits: if they appear in a starting number, split, merge or reverse may get you there faster than arithmetic.
- Squaring and doubling grow numbers quickly, so use them when the target is far above your starting numbers.
- Work backwards: think which two numbers, or which single operation, would produce the target.
Questions
Is Fourmulator the same puzzle for everyone?
Yes. The puzzle is generated from the date, so everyone playing on the same day gets the same numbers and target.
How many moves do I get?
Seven, though every puzzle can be solved in four or fewer.
What does Merge do?
It joins two numbers by adding their overlapping digits: 7 and 4 make 74, and 13 and 27 make 157.
Is it free?
Yes. It plays free in the browser on itch.io.
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