Puzzle enthusiasts, rejoice! As we bid adieu to 2025 and usher in the new year, our minds are preoccupied with its numerical charm - being a square number, no less. The curious pattern of numbers that make this possible has us intrigued.
To solve the puzzle, let's dissect the given expression for the year 2026: Six Seven! We're tasked with finding alternative expressions equal to 26 using various combinations of digits and basic operations (+, -, x, ÷, brackets, exponentiation, and concatenation).
From our list of options, five 9s would yield an interesting solution. But we need more than just numbers - the problem demands creativity! We can use six 8s or even six 7s, as long as we stick to the rules.
However, let's not get too carried away with calculations just yet. The puzzle master has already given us a tantalizing hint: what are your favorite things about the number 26? Perhaps it's its symmetry, or perhaps you simply appreciate its uniqueness.
Whatever the reason, we can't wait to dive into the solutions and see how clever puzzle-solvers will tackle this challenge. Stay tuned for our next installment at 5 pm UK, and remember - no spoilers allowed! For now, let's revel in the magic of numbers and see what wonders the new year brings.
In a fascinating aside, we'd like to thank Inder Taneja, author of numbers-magic.com, for sharing his expertise on this subject. If you have a favorite puzzle or math-related anecdote, feel free to share it with us via email! After all, that's what puzzles are all about - having fun and exercising our minds.
To solve the puzzle, let's dissect the given expression for the year 2026: Six Seven! We're tasked with finding alternative expressions equal to 26 using various combinations of digits and basic operations (+, -, x, ÷, brackets, exponentiation, and concatenation).
From our list of options, five 9s would yield an interesting solution. But we need more than just numbers - the problem demands creativity! We can use six 8s or even six 7s, as long as we stick to the rules.
However, let's not get too carried away with calculations just yet. The puzzle master has already given us a tantalizing hint: what are your favorite things about the number 26? Perhaps it's its symmetry, or perhaps you simply appreciate its uniqueness.
Whatever the reason, we can't wait to dive into the solutions and see how clever puzzle-solvers will tackle this challenge. Stay tuned for our next installment at 5 pm UK, and remember - no spoilers allowed! For now, let's revel in the magic of numbers and see what wonders the new year brings.
In a fascinating aside, we'd like to thank Inder Taneja, author of numbers-magic.com, for sharing his expertise on this subject. If you have a favorite puzzle or math-related anecdote, feel free to share it with us via email! After all, that's what puzzles are all about - having fun and exercising our minds.
The fact that we have to get creative with numbers and operations makes it even more exciting. I'm already thinking of some possible solutions, but I want to see what others come up with before I share mine. 5 pm UK can't come soon enough! 
, and six 7s or eight 8s will require some serious mental math skills 
. I'm sure the puzzle master is just trolling us by saying it's about "favourite things" - what does that even mean? 
... or maybe even four 6s and two 1s? 
what's your fave way to solve this puzzle? 
️... wait, no, I mean the number 6 
. Just kidding, let me draw a quick diagram to represent my thoughts:
! I love how the puzzle master is asking people to think about their favorite things about 26 - it's like a reflection of ourselves, you know? And five 9s using basic operations? Mind blown 
! Not gonna lie though, I'm also super curious about what kind of crazy solutions people will come up with 
). Can't wait to see what other clever solutions people come up with! 
anyway i was thinking maybe we can try using some other numbers like 25 or 27 since we're only allowed to use +, -, x, ÷, brackets, exponentiation, and concatenation? also what's with all the 9s? five 9s is gonna be super hard to work out 
i'm thinking maybe i can use six 8s instead?