How? 

I've always found maths riddles that challenge our conventional thinking to be incredibly engaging. Recently, I encountered a problem where a student claims to make a mathematical statement correct by inserting a single symbol or number without altering the order of the digits involved. This kind of puzzle encourages us to think outside the box, often requiring creative use of operations like factorials, decimal points, or even roots. When approaching such riddles, I try to consider all the basic symbols first: plus, minus, multiplication, division. Then I expand my thinking to include factorials (!), decimal points, exponents, or even combining digits to form two-digit numbers if allowed. For instance, adding a decimal point can drastically change a number's value, making an incorrect equation correct without rearranging digits. These puzzles are especially useful in educational settings, as they motivate students to explore mathematical operations deeply and understand how symbols affect calculations. They also enhance critical thinking by pushing learners to discover multiple perspectives rather than jumping to direct solutions. In practice, I’ve shared similar puzzles with students, encouraging them to experiment with different symbols and observe their effects. It's fascinating to see how a simple change can turn an incorrect statement into a valid one, highlighting the significance of mathematical notation. This approach undoubtedly strengthens problem-solving skills and builds confidence. If you're interested in similar brainteasers, I recommend exploring puzzles that focus on minimal changes to correct statements—such challenges are excellent for sharpening analytical thinking and adding fun to learning maths.