Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: HOLY CRAP!


Long-term Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 214
Date:
HOLY CRAP!
Permalink   


I've been doing about 2-3 NS tests a day. I've figured out all sorts of cool problems, but this one beats me every time.


If 125 = x^2 - y^2 and x > y are positive integers then x = ___________________


I figured this one out by thinking 15^2 - 10^2 = 125, but I did this rather arbitrarily... How do you do harder versions of this quickly and accurately? 


 


   - Zack -



__________________
-- x Signatures are useless --


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 142
Date:
Permalink   

These ones are weird because they have multiple answers sometimes.


For these I do difference of squares that are one apart(only works when x^2 - y^2 = odd number)-find two consecutive integers that add to the number. in this case its 63 and 62. Did the answer key say 15 or 63?


2-3 tests a day is a solid amount. I was doing that before district and regionals and that's when my scores really rose. I've finished all the tests from '90-'05 and am going through dr. numsen tests now. Some of the problems on the thursday tests (they are the hardest tests yet he ranks them medium? ) are impossible



-- Edited by bradp at 10:47, 2006-07-05

__________________
fht


Long-term Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 208
Date:
Permalink   

Note that 125 = 15^2 - 10^2, and 10 is the 4th triangular # and 15 is the 5th, and 125 is 5^3. Thus, we can say 1331 = 66^2 - 55^2 because....


I remember how excited I was after figuring this one out.


Best Wishes



__________________
Best Wishes


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 142
Date:
Permalink   

1331 = x^2 - y^2 x>y could also be x = 666 and y = 665


I don't like questions with multiple answers


edit: don't these questions sometimes say positive triangular numbers? that might be it.



-- Edited by bradp at 15:58, 2006-07-05

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard