Max Min Puzzle: Complete Guide to Number Optimization

Overview

Max Min Puzzle is a math optimization brain teaser that challenges your number sense and strategic thinking. Each round presents a mathematical expression with empty slots and a set of digits. Your mission is to place the digits into the slots to either maximize or minimize the result, depending on the challenge.

Rules

• Each round shows a math expression with empty digit slots and a challenge type (MAXIMIZE or MINIMIZE).
• You are given a specific set of digits to use. Each digit must be placed exactly once.
• Place all digits, then click Check to verify if your arrangement achieves the optimal result.
• If your result equals the best possible value, you score points and advance to the next round.
• Multiple arrangements may produce the same optimal value - all are considered correct.

Controls

• Select & Place: Tap a digit in the bank, then tap an empty slot to place it.
• Remove: Tap a filled slot to return the digit to the bank.
• Check: Verify your answer once all slots are filled.
• Hint: Reveals one correct digit placement (costs some potential bonus points).
• Undo: Reverses your last placement or removal.
• New: Generate a fresh puzzle at the current difficulty.

Scoring

• Correct optimal answer: +100 base points.
• Speed bonus: Up to +50 points if solved within 15 seconds.
• No-hint bonus: +25 points if solved without using any hints.
• Using Hint does not prevent scoring, but reduces the bonus.
• Incorrect answers score 0 points for that round. You can retry or skip to the next puzzle.

Tips & Strategy

• For MAXIMIZE with multiplication, put the largest digits where they multiply together.
• For MINIMIZE with subtraction, think about which arrangement produces the smallest difference.
• Multi-digit slots (like ▢▢) form numbers: placing 7 then 3 gives 73. Digit order matters!
• With parentheses, consider order of operations carefully. (a + b) × c is very different from a + b × c.
• Start with the operation that has the most impact on the result (usually multiplication).

FAQ

What if multiple arrangements give the same optimal result? Any arrangement that achieves the optimal value is accepted as correct.

Can I rearrange digits after placing them? Yes! Tap a filled slot to remove the digit back to the bank, or use Undo.

Do multi-digit slots work left to right? Yes. The leftmost slot is the tens (or hundreds) place, and the rightmost is the ones place.

Is there a penalty for wrong answers? No penalty, but you don't earn points. You can retry the same puzzle.