When playing the 10 number game, we can use 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10(each number only one time), addition, multiplication, and parentheses. what is the largest number that we can create the 10-number game

option 1

data plot with   3 dots over 33, 1 dot over 34, 2 dots over 35, no dot over 36, 1 dot over 37, 2 dots over 38, 4 dots over 39, and 2 dot over 40.

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4