Make 24 Tricks: 5 Ways to See the Answer

Fast solvers don't search; they recognise. These habits build the recognition. New here? Read the rules first.

1. Learn the factor pairs

24 = 3 × 8 = 4 × 6 = 2 × 12 = 1 × 24. See a 6 in the deal? Try to make a 4 from the other three. See an 8? Make a 3.

2. Aim next to 24

24 = 25 − 1 = 23 + 1 = 20 + 4 = 30 − 6. If two numbers multiply to something near 24, the other two only need to make the difference.

3. Make small numbers

Two numbers can often make a 1, 2, 3 or 4 (9 − 7, 6 ÷ 3, 5 − 2…). A small number then multiplies or adds the rest into place.

4. The fraction trick

When nothing works with whole numbers, divide: 8 ÷ (3 − 8 ÷ 3) is the famous one, and 5 × (5 − 1 ÷ 5) is another. Hard deals on kawu often need this.

5. Work backwards

Pick the last operation first: "I'll finish with × 4, so I need a 6 from these three." Searching from the target is far faster than searching from the numbers.

Last updated 2026-10-20