Arrange Digits 2,0,7,4 to Create Decimal Closest to 1/2

Question

Using the digits below (only once per digit)

2,0,7,4 2,0,7,4

Form the decimal which is closest in value to one half :

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll examine the combinations and their proximity to 0.5:

  • Step 1: Identify the available digits: 2, 0,7, and 4.
  • Step 2: Form potential decimals: 0.742, 0.274, 0.427, 0.472.
  • Step 3: Calculate the distance between each number and 0.5.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: Available Digits
We need to use each digit 2, 0, 7, and 4 exactly once to form a decimal number.

Step 2: Potential Combinations
- 0.742 0.742
- 0.274 0.274
- 0.427 0.427
- 0.472 0.472

Step 3: Calculate and Compare
We need to compare each decimal to 0.5:
- Difference between 0.742 0.742 and 0.5 0.5 is 0.7420.5=0.242 0.742 - 0.5 = 0.242
- Difference between 0.274 0.274 and 0.5 0.5 is 0.50.274=0.226 0.5 - 0.274 = 0.226
- Difference between 0.427 0.427 and 0.5 0.5 is 0.50.427=0.073 0.5 - 0.427 = 0.073
- Difference between 0.472 0.472 and 0.5 0.5 is 0.50.472=0.028 0.5 - 0.472 = 0.028

On comparing these differences, 0.472 0.472 has the smallest difference from 0.5 0.5 . Therefore, 0.472 is the decimal number closest to one half.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 0.472.

Answer

0.472