Open Middle®
Directions: Using the digits 0 to 9 at most one time each, place a digit in each box to make a product that’s as close to 500 as possible.
Hint
How can you tell where the zero will go? How can your knowledge of multiplying one-digit numbers help you here?
Answer
The closest you can get to 500 is 480 from multiplying 8 x 60 or 6 x 80.
Source: Robert Kaplinsky
Doesn’t the Answer use the number 8 twice?
6 x 80=480
The answer given uses 8 twice. I think 9 x 60 = 540 or 6 x 90 = 540 may be the closest.
My students noticed that your answer suggestion uses the digit “8” twice.