Thanks for your work on the "proof" that it cannot be done. I copied
it and will try to understand it when I have time to really sit down
and digest it.

Meanwhile I have tried a few more times (using excel for the arithmatic) without success, of course. The thing that keeps me at
it is the fact that it was stated as a problem. This usually means
there is a solution. And if so, I enjoy working at it.

Whatever the outcome, it is fun.

Besides the fact that ehop did not include the 9 in his "solution",
I do not consider adding the 0 to be legit. I think the 0 must be part of a number - either as the second digit of a two digit number, or as part of a decimal number.

I have come as close as 99.9, but that is not hard.

Jack