TOBER

A youngster cuts a three-by-three What is the greatest possible Find the sum of this series:
square from a calendar page. If the perimeter of this triangle given that
1( 1!) + 2(2!) + 3(3!) + · · · + n(n!)
sum of the nine dates is divisible by the triangle is isosceles?
13, what is the date in the lower-left
corner of the square?

n
<t)

X+ 196
)(

6'

Show that the quartic equation Find all positive integral values of n Wbat is the length of the side of three A triangle has sides of length 30, 40,
for which (2n + 1) is a factor of (n 1 + identical equilateral corners cut off an and 50 meters. What is the length of
( ) x4 + ( ) x3 + ( ) x 2 + ( ) x + (
112 ). equilateral triangle of sides to reduce the shortest altitude of this triangle?
always has a rational root. when the the area of the original triangle by
numbers 1, -2, 3, 4, and -6 are one-half?
randomly assigned t.o fill the five
parentheses.

Which of these numbers is a perfect Determine the measure of LF. The scale on a map states that 1 em A circle is inscribed in a triangle that
square? represents 6 miles. How many square has sides of lengths 60, 80, and
miles would be represented by an area 100 em. Find the length of the radius
329476,389372,964328,326047,724203
on the map of 240 cm2? of the circle.
E
8

Determine which of the following Find a and b if (2°)(9b) equals the four- Find k given that Rather than use the cumbersome F =
statements are true: digit number 2a9b. 17 + 19 + 21 + 23 + ... + k =1700 + k. 9/5 C + 32 for converting from Celsius
to Fahrenheit, could you instead men-
1 +4 + 12+ 13 +20
tally double C and subtract 10 percent
=2+3+10+16+19 of the result before adding 32? Why or
12 +4 2 +122 + 132 +202 why not?
=22 + 32 + 102 + 162 + 192
13 +4 3 +123 +133 +203
2 3 + 3 3 ~.· 103 + 163 + l q 3
Consider an interesting five-digit Three distinct ways can be used to add If the parabola y = x2 - lOx passes You have brought two unmarked
number A. With a 1 after it, it is three four odd natural numbers to get 10: through the points (0, 0) and (10, 0) buckets to a stream. The buckets hold
times as large as with a 1 before it. and its vertex is (5, -25), determine 7 gallons and 3 gallons of water,
1 + 1 + 3 + 5, 1 + 1 + 1+ 7, 1 + 3 + 3 + 3 respectively. How can you obtain
What is it? the shaded area.
Try to find all eleven ways to add eight exactly 5 gallons of water to take
odd natural numbers to get 20. home?

Solve for N: Reconstruct this "faded document" Find x. In the follo,ving cryptarithm, each let-
division problem in *** * ter represents a different digit in base
6! 7! = N!
which the illegible ten.
digits are
** )*** *0* R~S
** 7 (FRYHAM l = 6 (HAMFRY)
represented
by asterisks.
*** v~T
v270 u Identify the digits.
(Hint: The ** 1
division is **
not done in 3*
-
base ten.) 0

Solve for x andy: A circle with center C has a diameter Nancy's momma had three daughters. A slackwire artist, 5' 2" tall with a 2"
of20 m and a chord RS of length 16m. She named the first Penny. She forehead (i.e., above eye level), is walk-
6751x + 3249y = 26751 Find the length of segment BM. named the second Nichole. What did ing between two platforms. Halfway
3249x + 6751y = 23249 she name the third? across, she notices that the platform
A she is approaching is at eye level. If
Hint: Pencil and paper are not

.~.
required! the rope.has stretched two feet, how
far apart are the platforms?
B

A perfect number equals the sum of its Two numbers share an unusual prop- Let an= Find distinct integral values fork, t,
factors excluding itself. For example, erty. They can be expressed as the w, x, y, and z in the diagram shown.
6 = 1 + 2 + 3. Show that 28 is a perfect product of three primes a, b, and ab -1 - - 1
n n+l

~
number. where a < b and ab is a two-digit
prime with a as the tens digit and bas Find (a 1 + a 2 + a3 + · · · + a 100).
the units digit. Find the numbers.
y

©National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1593

 Edited by John Grant McLoughlin, [email protected], Okanagan
Uniuersity College, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7
Problems 1, 6, 26, and 27 were contributed by Harry Simon, 701 Viola Stre~t, Eunice, LA 70535-4339. Problems 2, 7-11,
18 19 22 25 and 31 were prepared by Bob Tex Kenney, P. 0. Box 454, Sa1pan, MP 96950. Problems 3, 4, 5, 21, and 23
w~re ~dapted' from Mathematical Quickies by Charles W. Trigg (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1985). Problems
12-14 and 20 were offered by Morris Jack DeLeon, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Problem 15 was
submitted by Enrico Uva, Outreach Schools, 1741 de Biencou~t, Montrea~, PQ H4E 1T4. Pro~lems 16, 17, and 24 w~re
adapted from The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreatzons by Bons A. Kordemsky (Mineola, NY: Dover Publica-
tions, 1992). Problems 29 and 30 were contributed by Mark Harbison, 5737 College Avenue, #23, San Diego, CA 92120.

1 19. Let n be the date in the + (n + 1)(n!)- 1! - 2! - 3! - · · · 6 s.J6/6 units. Let the length of length. Therefore, (112)(50)(a) =
-(n - 1)! - n! 600. Hence, a = 24.
middle of the square. Then the the side of the smaller equilateral
nine dates can be represented as = (n + 1)! - 1 triangle be a.
follows: Note that 2(1!) = 2!, 3(2!) = 3!, and 8 329476. Note that 02 = 0, 12 =

~
so on. Hence, the terms in the se- 1, 22 = 4, 32 = 9, 42 = 12, 52 = 2Q.,
quence represented as 2(1!) + 3(2!) + 62 = 32, 72 = 4ft, 82 = 6.1, and 92 =
n-8 n-7 n-6 8.1. Therefore, all perfect squares
.. . + (n + 1) n! will cancel out with
the terms one over to the right be- end in 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9. Hence,
~
low them except for (n + 1)n! - 1!. a 329476 is the only number listed
n- 1 n n+1 that could be a perfect square.
Area of original triangle
4 In any polynomial f (x), f (1) Indeed, 5742 =329476.
n+6 n+7 n+8 equals the sum of the coefficients.
Hence, f (1) = 1 - 2 + 3 + 4- 6 = 2
.J3)
=!s(s =s 2 -/a
2 4
9 134 degrees. Two solutions
0. It follows that (x - 1) is a factor are offered here:
The total of the dates is 9n. For of f(x). Therefore, x = 1 is a root Area of each small triangle Solution A. Extend DC and AB
this total to be divisible by 13, of the quartic equation, regard- to meet at G.
the n factor must be divisible by less of how the numbers are 2..[3
13 and must, in fact, be 13. The assigned to the parentheses. =a- mLGCB = 56°
date in the lower-left corner of 4 mLCGB =34°
the square, n + 6, is 19. 5 Two is the only such value of Remaining area after cuts: By extending FA and using
n. Let FA II DG to find equal alternate
2 832 units. The perimeter s2 .J3- 3a2 .J3 = !s2 .J3 interior angles, 180- 34 = 146,
equals (5x + 20) + (3x + 76) +
(x + 196) = 9x + 292. Consider the
4
( ) n +n
2 n (n
2 2
+1) 4 4 2 4 and hence,
possible values of x: fn = 2n + l = 2n+1 s2
-= a2
mLA = 146°= mLD.
If 5x + 20 =3x + 76, then x = 28. 2 2 6 The sum of the measures of the
interior angles of a hexagon must
If 5x + 20 =x + 196, then x = 44. =n [4n +4]
4 2n+1 a= -
s.J6 equal 720 degrees. Therefore,
If 3x + 76 =x + 196, then x =60. 6 mLF= 134.
The maximum perimeter would
be 9(60) + 292, or 832, units. 7 24 meters. A 30-40-50 triangle
Readers can verify that this must be a right triangle with an
result represents a valid triangle. area of (1!2)(30X40) =600m2.
Clearly, nand 2n + 1 have no Therefore, each side multiplied
3 (n + 1)! - 1 common factor other than 1. So by half the height of the altitude
1(1!) + 2(2!) + 3(3!) + · · · + n(n!)
f(n ) cannot be an integer unless drawn to that side must equal
5/(2n + 1) is, that is, when n =2, 600. Since 50 m is the longest Solution B. Divide the hexagon
=2(1!) + 3(2!) + 4(3!) + ... 0, - 1, or-3. For the only positive length, the altitude, a, drawn to
+ n[(n -1)!] integral value, n = 2, f(n) = 4. that side will be the shortest (Continued on page 559)

The Editorial Panel of the Mathematics Teacher is considering sets of problems submitted by indiuiduals, classes of prospectiue teachers,
and mathematics clubs for publication in the calendar during the 1998-99 academic year. Please write to the senior journal editor, 1906
Association Driue, Reston, VA 20191 -1593, for guidelines, or send your request through e-mail to [email protected], or obtain guide-
lines as document 803 from NCTM's Fax-on-Demand Seruice Center, (800) 220-8483.
Two other sources of problems in calendar form are auailable from NCTM: "Calendars for the Calculating" (a set of nine monthly calendars
that originally appeared from September 1983 to May 1984, order number 344, $7.00) and "A Year of Mathematics" (one annual calendar
that originally appeared in. September 1982, order number 311, $3.50; set offiue, order number 312, $7.00). lndiuidual members receiue a
20 percent discount off these prices. Write to NCTM, Department P, or send e-mail to [email protected], for the catalog of educational
materials, which includes a listing for the publication Exploratory Problems in Mathematics.-Ed.

562 THE MATHEMATICS TEACHER

 SOLUTIONS TO CALENDAR - Continued from page 562

1 ~1:
into two pentagons, as shown, by tained by solving fork where 4 4 1 1 0 7 5 5
constructing..!_Perpendicular k > 17:
from AF to CD. The sums of the 3 0 3 0 1 1 3 0
measures of the interior angles of
the two pentagons must be equal.
(17;k)(k~17 +1)=1700+k
each bucket at successive steps. 450 X
Therefore, D. RSU- D.WTU - =-
The foregoing solution involved a+b a
Alternatively, some form of rea-
90 + 124 = 80 + mLF, filling the large bucket twice and
soned trial and error may be emptying the small bucket three 450a =a.x +bx
134 =mLF. quite efficient. Keep in mind that times. Note that 7(2) + 3(-3) = 5.
k is an odd integer less than 100. 270 X
In fact, any pair of integers (x, y) D.V US- D.WTS
Revising possible values of k a+b b
E satisfying the equation 7x + 3y =
based on actual sums would not
5 would produce a feasible 270b=ax+bx
be too cumbersome. For more
examples, see Samuel Young's sequence of steps.
article "An Arithmetical Problem :. 450a = 270b
Involving the Sum oflntegers in 20 10. Observe thatN> 7. a 3
1 0 8640. One cm represents 6 x A. P." (Mathematics Magazine 43 (10 X 96!X=8)720
2 Since = 10 x 9 x 8, 6! 7! = -=-
b 5
6 = 36 square miles; therefore, [1970]:89-92). 7! = 10!.
240 cm2 represents 240 x 36 = Alternatively, 6! can be broken Therefore, let a = 3 and b = 5, or
down into factors (2 x 4) x (3 x 3) x
8640 square miles. 15 Yes. (2CX0.90) + 32 = 1.8C + (2 x 5) to produce successively
any other numbers with a ratio of
3:5.
32 = (9/5)C + 32.
11 20cm larger values of factorials until
aU the factors have been used. 450 X
80 16 42 857. A with a 1 after it -= -
8 3
is lOA + 1. A with a 1 before it is
100 000 +A. Hence, lOA + 1 = 3 21 The legible digits establish x = 168.75
(100 000 +A). Solving the equa- that 3 + 1 = 10, so the computa-
tion, we get A= 42 857. tion is in base four, which has
only three nonzero digits. One of 23 F = 4, R = 6, Y = 1, H = 5,
60 these digits multiplying the divi- A = 3, and M = 8. Let FRY= x
17 The sums are as shown in sor must give **1, and another, and HAM = y. The
figure 1. 3*. Thus, 3(13) = 111, 3(23) =
201, 3(33) = 231, and 2(13) = 32, 7(1000x + y) = 6(1000y + x).
18 166.6, or 500/3 square 1(33) = 33. But 2(13) + 1 < 100, so 6994x = 5993y,
units. Archimedes showed that on the basis of the first subtrac-
a+c=80) the area of a parabolic segment tion, the divisor must be 33. It 538x =461y.
c-b =20 equals 4/3 of the area of the tri- follows that the quotient is 1031
angle formed by joining the end- Since the numerical coefficients
a+b=60 and the dividend is 102 003.
points of the segment and the are relatively prime, it follows
vertex of the parabola. The trian- 22 168.75 thatx =FRY= 461 andy=
c+b=100 HAM=538.
gle with vertices (0, 0), (10, 0),
2c=l20 and (5, -25) bas an area of
c=60 (1/2) (10)(25) = 125. The shaded 24 x = 3,y = 2. Adding, we get
a=20 area is (4/3)(125) = 166.6. 10 OOOx + 10 OOOy = 50 000.
Note: Readers may wish to prove Subtracting, we get
that a and rare equal, that is,
19 One possible sequence is
shown above. The numbers rep- 3 502x - 3 502y = 3 502.
sides of a square.
resent the number of gallons in Therefore,
12 All three statements are 13 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 x+y =5
true. The values of the sums are
50, 730, and 11990, respectively, 11 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 and
for the three equations. + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 x-y=l.
9 + 5
1 1 1 + 1 1 Sox =3,y = 2.
13
1
a= 5; b = 2. Observe that
2 3 4
7 + 7 + 1 + + + +
9 = 9, 9 = 81, 9 = 729, and 9 > 9 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
3000. Hence, b < 4, a '1- 0, and 1
25 4m
(2°)(9b) is even. Therefore, b = 0 or 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + + 1 A
2. If b = 2, we get (2°)(81) = 2a92. 5 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
We can check that a= 5 satisfies 7 + 3 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
this equation. Note that 2° must 1
equal approximately 30 if the 5 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 +
equation is to hold. The case of b = 5 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1
0 is impossible because it would 3 1 + 1
require a power of2 to end in 0. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + +
Fig. 1 B
14 85. This result may be ob- Eleven ways to add eight odd natural numbers to get 20 (Continued on page 563)

Vol. 90, No. 7 • October 1997 559

 SOLUTIONS TO CALENDAR -Continued from page 559

This sum simplifies to are two possible sets of distinct

Radius CS = !(20) = 10, integral values. Numerous possi-
2 1 1 99
ble solutions exist. Of course,
and 1 100 100 magnifying the scale of the dia-
1 gram would produce an infinite
MS =- (16) =8. 31 (k, t, w, x, y, z) =(5, 9, 15, number of solutions.
2 @
13, 14, 12)or (9, 16,20, 15, 25, 12)
Therefore
CM = .J102 -82 = 6.
Hence,
BM = 10 - 6= 4.

26 Nancy!

2 7 24 feet. The problem can be

represented by the diagram
shown here.
L B L A
'f
5
.J
c
Your Source for
If the original length of the rope
is 2L, then the stretched rope
Innovative, Research-
Based_ Curricul~
has length 2L + 2. Given the eye-
to-toe height of 5 feet, we have in
right triangle ABC the sides BC =
5, AB =L, and AC =(112) (2L + 2) =
L + 1. Thus,
L2 +52 = (L+1)
2
,
Mater1als ~
L2 +25= L2 +2L+1,
25 = 2L+1,
for K-sffiiiiiihematicsl
24 =2L. Contemporary Mathematics
The distance between the plat- in Context, developed by the
forms is 2L, or 24, feet. Core-Plus Mathematics
Project
28 The factors of28, excluding
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1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14. available from Janson
Publications:
29 138 and 777; 138 = 2 • 3 •
23, and 777 = 3 • 7 • 37. All other • texts for algebra, geometry,
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require at least one of a, b, and
lOa + b to be composite. • exciting supplements

30 99/100. Writing out the • professional resources

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development, call S00-322-MATH .
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Vol. 90, No. 7 • October 1997 563