Vianna and the Three Toys

One afternoon, I told Vianna’s father:

“Let me give her a few small toys. 24-point games: 5 6 6 9, 4 4 10 10. If she solves these, I’ll give her the next one.”

Her father admitted honestly that he had already given up on the second set, 4 4 10 10, and passed the first two “toys” directly to her.

Soon after, he sent me the results.

Both solved. And quickly.

So I sent the third “toy”:

1 3 4 6

A long time passed.

Then a message arrived:

“Is 6 × 4 × 1³ allowed? Can we use exponents?”

“No need ☀️”

I added context:

This problem once appeared in the preface of a book written by a well-known computer hacker. It is not about difficulty, but about flexible thinking.

We confirmed:

Only +, −, ×, ÷.

Then the conversation went quiet again.

23:04 — Vianna’s solution arrived 😄😄

Vianna is in 8th grade. She enjoys badminton, mathematics, baking, and K-pop dance. She does well in school — and when gently invited, she can go deeper.

This was not about speed. Not about competition.

Just a few simple toys, some time, and a thought slowly becoming her own.