Countdown Series 88 Finale - QF 3 (18 December 2023)

Colin Murray and Rachel Riley host as contestants race against the clock to pit their wits against vowels, consonants and numbers. Christopher Biggins joins Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner. Each day two contestants compete in 15 rounds of words and numbers to become the Countdown Champion.
#Channel4 #Countdown
BACKGROUND
Countdown is the channel’s longest running show and the first show ever broadcast on Channel 4 when it launched 40 years ago, in November 1982. The original version of Channel 4's Countdown is the French television programme « Des chiffres et des lettres » (literally "numbers and letters"), where the Numbers Round is referred to as « Le compte est bon » ("the total is right"). The show debuted in 1965 as « Le mot le plus long » using letters only, and reached its present format in 1972. This year marks the shows 51st anniversary.
Playlist: • The Original Countdown...
SPIN-OFF
"8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown" is hosted by Jimmy Carr, with Rachel Riley and Susie Dent assuming their Countdown roles. The formation of the crossover with "8 Out if 10 Cats" began as a series of specials, the first of which was broadcast on 2 January 2012, when Channel 4 orchestrated a special "mash-up night", merging two shows to form a special edition of the pair, as part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations eleven years ago.
Playlist: • Series 23 - 8oo10cdc (...

[@totaldramaaudio2149]

That 924 numbers round will be a blooper moment for funny gameshow moments in years to come.

[@peterkwan1448]

This episode is very funny, and I laughed so much when Rachel was astonished for the easy target that the math teachers missed.

[@bjoern.gumboldt]

I guess, I picked the right thumbnail then... 😜

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@bjoern.gumboldt 4:35 with the gasp and hands over both their mouths might be even funnier.

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

4:20 is the best bit, the last 5 seconds they both shake their heads. This will go down in history along with Roisin Conaty's "NEWS" and Catherine Tate's "100, so I'm 1 out!" I found another bit of numbers magic in there too, if you take the 75 and divide by 25 you get 3, tack that onto the 9 of 924 and you have 1224 😏 An Eve of Christmas present, THANK YOU Ben and Caroline AND BLESS ALL! 🙏

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@bjoern.gumboldt Thank you very much for posting this week's all at once, a great big present unwrapped slowly over the entire morning. 👍🤟

[@peterkwan1448]

For the first round, another way to make 108 is: 100 + 50 = 150 150 / 25 = 6 6 x 6 x 3 = 108 108 x 7 = 756 For the last round, the target is divisible by 11, so: 100 / 25 = 4 4 x 2 x 6 = 48 7 + 4 = 11 48 x 11 = 528

[@alos1978]

1. (100+6+50/25)x7=756 2. (100-5)x5-4+3=474 3. (9x100)+25-5/5=924 4. (100-25)x7+6/2=528 or (100+25+7)x4=528 Or (25+7)/2=16-4=12. (100-12)x6=528

[@bmcl364]

For the last one I did; (100-25+7+4+2)x6

[@paulkenney700]

I beat 2 maths teachers TWICE! and I was in the thick set at school lol . 528 was instant as I knew I needed 72 off 600 - so I took 12 off 100 and X by 6 - therefore 6X12 is 72.... to get the 88 I did 100-25 is 75 then added 7, 4 and 2 X 6

[@5114355]

100-25=75 75*7=525 6/2=3 525+3=528

[@mazza685]

You mean to tell me i got all 4 correct.... and they didnt? My problem lies with the letters... while i see 6 letter words they pull out 8 letter words that I've never heard of before!

[@RussellSmith91]

For 474, I started with the 500 as they did. Then I did the following: 4 x 3 = 12 12 + the other 5 + 9 = 26 500 - 26 = 474

[@Ineddiblehulk]

For the first one I did - 50+25 x (7+3) + 6. I don’t know how I missed the obvious version

[@dcnole]

528=(100+25)x(6-2)+(7x4)...slightly overcomplicated in hindsight, but it was what I saw within the 30 seconds!

[@medusa_404]

756: 100 * 7 = 700 700 + 50 + 6 = 756 50 + 25 = 75 (or 100 - 25 = 75) 7 + 3 = 10 75 * 10 = 750 750 + 6 = 756 50 / 25 = 2 100 + 6 + 2 = 108 108 * 7 = 756

[@RussellSmith91]

I went differently again for 756: 50 + 25 = 75 3 + 7 = 10 75 x 10 = 750 750 + 6 = 756

[@JackOfHarts96]

For the 474 one: 100-5=95 95*5=475 4-3=1

[@JoeGrohlDJ]

Round 1 7 x 100 + 50 + 6 Round 2 (100 - 9) x 5 + (3 x 5) + 4 (100 - 5) x 5 - 4 + 3 Round 3 9 x 100 + 25 - (5 / 5) Round 4 (100 + 25 + 7) x 4

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

25 + 7 = 32 32 / 2 = 16 16 - 4 = 12 (100 - 12) × 6 = 100×6 - 12×6 = 600 - 72 = 528

[@davidfearis7335]

The clip of Series 88 when two Maths Teachers couldn't solve possibly one of the easiest Numbers Games

[@mke723]

474= (100-4)×5 480-9+3 528 =7×(100-25) +6/2

[@Jothamvvw]

Same for the 528

[@Rastamouse619]

924 is also divisible by 14 so you could do 100/25 = 4 75-4-5 = 66 9 + the other 5 makes 14 14 x 66 =924

[@michaeluitermark4301]

Considering the final score and how evenly matched they were on the numbers, I wish I could see the entire episode to find out what happened with the letters.

[@bjoern.gumboldt]

You can watch the full episode here: www.channel4.com/programmes/countdown/on-demand/75050-199

[@jacobbelanger2648]

Sadly it's only for UK residents (with a valid UK credit card)

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@bjoern.gumboldt 💡Compilation IDEA 💡 Just the rounds where the target is divisible by 11 and another one for 9 and 7 Rachel's Favorites and the 4 large where you go way up there. Cut to the last 5 seconds of the clock then the solution for a quick fire practice if any one wants to work on them. I'm good with 9 and 11 but 7 and BIG biggies are my blind spot.

[@ChocolateDango1]

I did 528 a slightly different way. (100+7)*4 = 428 25*(6-2) = 100 428+100 = 528 Feels like the numbers in this episode is one of the easiest I have seen for a while.

[@tontonbeber4555]

End even another way ... 100-25+7+4+2=88 and 88*6

[@TANNAPON]

Oh yes, it was... OH NO, IT WASN'T!

[@easternbrown]

Mental arithmetic is maths but maths is not mental arithmetic

[@medusa_404]

474: 100 * 5 = 500 9 * 3 = 27 5 - 4 = 1 500 + 1 - 27 = 474 100 - 5 = 95 95 * 5 = 475 475 + 3 - 4 = 474 5 * 3 = 15 100 + 15 = 115 115 * 4 = 460 460 + 9 + 5 = 474

[@jonpinyan]

Took me beyond the time to find it, but I saw 528 was divisible by 6, so I wound up with (100+7+4+2 - 25) x 6 = 528

[@alanshand829]

this is the same as how i did it, but I worked backwards from 6*100-72 -> 6(100-12), making the 12 from 25-(7+4+2)

[@PiikachUwU_OSRS]

(25*6)+7=157, *4 for 628, -100

[@medusa_404]

528: 100 - 25 = 75 75 * 7 = 525 6 / 2 = 3 525 + 3 = 528 100 * 6 = 600 25 + 7 + 4 = 36 36 * 2 = 72 600- 72 = 528 100 + 25 + 7 = 132 132 * 4 = 528

[@davidfearis7335]

TARGET 756 7 X 100 = 700 700 + 50 + 6 = 756

[@davidfearis7335]

TARGET 924 100 X 9 = 900 5 -:- 5 = 1 25 - 1 = 24 900 + 24 = 924 I was shocked that I got this target & the 2 Maths Teacher didn't...aren't you

[@medusa_404]

924: 100 * 9 = 900 5 / 5 = 1 900 + 25 - 1 = 924 75 - 9 = 66 100 - 25 - 5 = 70 70 / 5 = 14 66 * 14 = 924 9 + 5 = 14 100 / 25 = 4 75 - 5 - 4 = 66 66 * 14 = 924

[@travelwell6049]

4:42 Colin points out that they're both math's teachers, but doesn't mention they're both former champions. Or am I confused because I'm watching out of order.

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

They are two of the top 8 for the entire season

[@NhanNguyen-vb6sr]

100 × 7 + 50 + 6 = 0 (nice quick start to the episode) 100 × 5 - [9 × 3 - (5 - 4)] = 0 (having fun) 100 × 9 + 25 - 5 ÷ 5 = 0 (I'm laughing myself silly, two seconds) 6 × {100 - [25 - (7 + 4 + 2)]} = 0 (barely make it in time)

[@vinay4886]

Interesting the two maths teachers didn’t go for 6 small or 6 large numbers- arguably the most difficult.. But this episode was funny, nevertheless 😄

[@Teverell]

They could have had six small... but there are only four large numbers to pick from: 25, 50, 75 or 100, so four large, two small is the maximum large they could get.

[@ArmadilloAl]

Caroline couldn't get a numbers round to save her life during her original run, so I'm not surprised she wasn't going for the difficult rounds.

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@ArmadilloAl My comparison would be two retired boxers just having a friendly sparing match, if you go in too hard you might be the one to get hurt. Might as well play it safe.

[@davidfearis7335]

TARGET 474 100 X 5 = 500 3 X 9 = 27 5 - 4 = 1 27 - 1 = 26 500 - 26 = 474

[@mremumerm]

i know we laugh at the champions missing obvious, by i totally missed that 528 was divisible by 4,..... (100-25)=75*7=525 +6/2=528

[@syntaxlost9239]

I hope this one becomes a meme in the Countdown/Apterous community. Bit disappointed no one edited it into the wiki.

[@einSteppenwolf]

756=7×100+50+6

[@einSteppenwolf]

756=7×(100+6+50/25)

[@einSteppenwolf]

924=9×100+25-5/5

[@Cowman9791]

I got that, so that's pretty hilarious that loads of people could beat a pair of maths teachers

[@einSteppenwolf]

474=5×100-3×9+5-4

[@einSteppenwolf]

474=(9-3)×(100-5×5+4)

[@einSteppenwolf]

528=(6-2)×(100+25)+4×7

[@einSteppenwolf]

528=2×6×(7+4)×100/25

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

756: Well let me just ultra flex on this... 474: Not even a whisper of sweat. Rachel: Lets try and get a CHALLENGE for you two, you could do better than what we've had.......... Rachel 924: already bored Colin 924: already got it Ben: I like chips 🙃 Caroline: Paint are the best kind of chips... 🤓

[@ntvstudios2393]

The whole thing was farcical; oh yes it was!

[@TANNAPON]

OH NO, IT WASN'T!

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Are they supposed to teach our kids? This was more than embarrassing.

[@evo3481]

You need to chill. Its a game show and they’re under pressure and people make mistakes. Its all meant to be for fun and not taken seriously

[@jacquesmertens3369]

@@evo3481 I don't need to do anything. This is just my opinion.

[@adavis1129]

@@jacquesmertens3369 Your opinion is shit. You should be embarrassed. Everyone has a bad day now and then.

[@Kellestial]

@@jacquesmertens3369KAREN ALERT 🚨 KAREN ALERT 🚨

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@jacquesmertens3369 IMHO there are far worse things taught to our students than an honest mistake made by other wise intelligent and accomplished people.

[@Adamdow95]

100 - 5 = 95 95 × 5 = 475 3 - 4 = 1 (475 - 1 = 474) 100 + 25 = 125 125 × 4 = 500 6 - 2 = 4 4 × 7 = 28 (500 + 28 = 528)

[@davidfearis7335]

TARGET 528 100 + 25 + 7 = 132 132 X 4 = 528 This one was the hardest of Today's Numbers Games, but after thinking it carefully I soon saw the solution

[@mazmellem2773]

25-2-4-7=12 100-12=88 88x6=528

[@boybawang1981]

100÷25 = 4+50 = 54 7X6 = 42X54 = 2,268÷3 = 756 100+50 = 150÷25 = 6X6 = 36 7X3 = 21X36 = 756 100X4 = 400-5 = 395 9-3 = 6X395 = 2,370÷5 = 474 5X5 = 25-4 = 21 100-21 = 79 9-3 = 6X79 = 474 100÷25 = 4 75-5 = 70-4 = 66 9+5 = 14X66 = 924 75÷5 = 15+9 = 24 100X9 = 900+24 = 924 100+25+7 = 132X4 = 528 7+4+2 = 13 25-13 = 12 100-12 = 88X6 = 528

[@zzzaphod8507]

528 = (100 - 25 + 7 + 4 + 2)* 6

[@Nullifidian]

In the first numbers round, I saw both contestants' solutions and also had this easy one: 100 - 25 = 75 7 + 3 = 10 75 x 10 = 750 750 + 6 = 756 However, by further factorization, you can also do this: 100 + 50 = 150 150 x 7 = 1050 1050 x 6 = 6300 6300 x 3 = 18900 18900 / 25 = 756 (100 + 50) / 25 = 6 and 7 x 6 x 6 x 3 = 756 In the second numbers round, I saw the contestants' solution, but also had these solutions. First, a result from factoring (79 x 3 x 2 = 474): 5 x 5 = 25 25 - 4 = 21 100 - 21 = 79 9 - 3 = 6 79 x 6 = 474 And then I had these: 100 - 5 = 95 95 x 5 = 475 4 - 3 = 1 475 - 1 = 474 9 - 3 = 6 100 - 6 = 94 94 x 5 = 470 470 + 4 = 474 That third numbers round was unbelievable, but I guess it's just a measure of how much stress there is on the contestants in the series championship. Fancier solutions based on factoring (11 x 7 x 3 x 2^2 = 924) were available if wanted, however: 75 - 9 = 66 100 / 25 = 4 5 + 5 + 4 = 14 66 x 14 = 924 And because you have two 5s, you can also do the same thing with them: 75 - 5 = 70 100 - 25 - 9 = 66 70 x 66 = 4620 4620 / 5 = 924 It works the same way since 70 / 5 = 14. In the final numbers round, I saw Rachel's solution, and I also had these solutions: 100 - 25 = 75 75 x 7 = 525 6 / 2 = 3 525 + 3 = 528 100 - 25 = 75 75 + 7 + 6 = 88 4 + 2 = 6 88 x 6 = 528 And like the first round it's another one of those solutions where factoring down all the way gives you a chance to make a five-digit number: 7 + 4 = 11 100 x 11 = 1100 1100 x 6 = 6600 6600 x 2 = 13200 13200 / 25 = 528