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There's a class of puzzles that require the solver to arrange a set of numbers so that they result in a desired outcome by manipulating mathematical operators. Example:

Using the numbers [1,3,5,7,9] find an equation that results in 31

which could be solved as

(9 * 5) - 7 * (3 - 1) = 31

Is there a specific term for this type of puzzle and if so what is it?

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    $\begingroup$ It's called sorry-I-had-no-better-idea puzzles. $\endgroup$
    – Arnaud Mortier
    Commented Mar 15, 2019 at 7:56

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As far as I know, they are called Operator Search Puzzles. You can refer to this link: https://brilliant.org/wiki/arithmetic-puzzles-operator-search/

The "24_puzzle" is an extended puzzle of this category.

PS: I am new to SE, so any constructive criticism is much appreciated :)

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to PSE! This is a good answer (+1). Although, you know, just a joke in the comments section would have been ok too here. $\endgroup$
    – Arnaud Mortier
    Commented Mar 15, 2019 at 8:02
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On PSE these puzzles are tagged as "formation-of-numbers".

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