A mathematician who was exceedingly fond of the number five set to work trying to express as many consecutive integers using no numerals besides '5', and only up to five of them. She allowed herself to use any standard mathematical notation she knew, as long as it didn't contain any numerals. For example, she could use the symbol for 'square root', but not 'cube root' (because it contains a '3'). She determined that the highest consecutive integer she could express this way was 36. Her last few calculations were as follows:

• 31 = 5*5 + 5 + (5/5)
• 32 = 55*.5 + 5 - .5
• 33 = (55 + 5) * .55
• 34 = 5!/5 + 5/.5
• 35 = (5 + (5+5)/5) * 5
• 36 = 5*5 + 55/5
• 37 = ?

Was she correct in thinking 36 was the highest consecutive integer she could express this way? Can you express 37 using only up to five 5's?

Note: The intention here is to find an exact expression, so rounding expressions like [] "greatest integer" are not allowed.
Note: Can you do it without using letters of any kind (x, log, lim, sum, etc.)?

(In reply to my final(for today) words by Ady TZIDON)

"'Was she correct in thinking 36 was the highest consecutive integer she could express this way? Can you express 37 using only up to five 5's?'" lol @ Ady. I'm sorry, you were right, i copied and pasted the wrong thing. Not important anymore. I also think 555 is a good place to stop... but, who knows, maybe in a couple days i'll have a go at it again... maybe only four 5's this time...

josh - if you want i can help you with the list (correcting and improving it).

Posted by brad on 2005-10-15 07:28:32