I have chosen 3 different whole numbers less than 10, and have found several simple combinations that lead to perfect squares. Calling the numbers x,y, and z, the following combinations all yield a perfect square as the answer. (A perfect square is a number that has a whole number square root).

(x^2)y + (y^2)z + (z^2)x

x+y+z

z-y-x

xyz

(x^2)(z-1)

There are also several more complicated arrangements that lead to perfect squares, such as

x((z^2)-1)+z((y^2)-3)-x(yz-xy)

2xz+x+z

x((z^2)+x)+z(y^2)-(x^2)(z-y)

Given that these perfect squares are all different, and range between 0 and 100 (inclusive), can you determine x,y, and z?

I thought zero was not considered a whole number...

Posted by Bryan on 2003-03-31 05:49:08