- How do you play Number Forge?
- You get a row of whole numbers and one target. Tap a number, tap an operator (+, −, × or ÷), then tap a second number. The two are replaced by the result, which becomes a new number you can use. Each number can be used once. When any number on the board equals the target, you have solved it.
- Which moves are refused?
- Answers must be whole numbers from 0 to 9999. A subtraction that goes below zero, a division that leaves a remainder, a division by zero and an answer above 9999 are all refused, with a plain reason shown under the numbers. Nothing is counted against you for a refused move.
- How are medals decided?
- Gold: solved with no hint and at most two undos plus resets. Silver: solved with no hint, however many undos. Bronze: any solve, hints included.
- Can I get hints?
- Yes, three per puzzle. A hint does one correct step from a shortest route for you and says which. Using a hint rules out gold and silver. Give up shows one valid solution and completes the day with no medal — it still counts for your streak, but not as a puzzle solved.
- Is there only one right answer?
- No. The game checks the arithmetic, not one stored answer, so any route that makes the target counts. Every puzzle is built so that it cannot be solved with a single obvious sum or product.
- Is today's puzzle the same for everyone?
- Yes. Number Forge is generated from the calendar date (US Eastern), so everyone gets the same puzzle. Open a past day with ?d=YYYY-MM-DD.