Operator

You're dealt a handful of numbers and a target — wire them together with the four operations until the maths lands exactly on the goal.

How to play

Build an expression that uses every dealt number exactly once and evaluates to the target. Drop a number into the row, add an operator, and use parentheses as walls you draw so the order of operations becomes visible structure. The running value updates live and honours precedence, so you can see how close you are. Hit the target with all numbers used to solve.

• Use each number tile once; the expression must equal the target.
• Parentheses group operations and override the usual order.
• The live 'NOW' readout shows the current value as you build.
• A hint reveals one good first combination, at a small score cost.

Game modes

• Daily: the same puzzle for everyone, across Easy, Medium, and Hard.
• Practice: fresh random puzzles at your chosen difficulty.

Controls

• Desktop: click a number tile, then an operator or parenthesis; type digits and + − × ÷ ( ) on the keyboard; Backspace takes back your last tile.
• Phone & tablet: tap tiles and the operator buttons to build the row; ⌫ undoes, Clear resets.

Tips & strategy

• Work backwards from the target — look for a factor pair or a difference that gets you close.
• Park awkward leftover numbers inside parentheses so they don't wreck the precedence.
• Solve fast and avoid hints; both time and hints reduce your final score.

What you'll learn

Operator makes order of operations something you control — by drawing the parentheses yourself, you see exactly how grouping changes a calculation's result.

• Skills: order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), parentheses and grouping, mental arithmetic
• Best for: roughly grades 5–8 (ages 10–14)
• For parents & teachers: a hands-on way to make precedence click, with instant right/wrong feedback.

About Operator

Operator is an original, free browser number-combination puzzle that makes order of operations tangible by letting you draw the parentheses yourself. No sign-up needed.

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