The other day, Jim excitedly told me, "Did you realise I will turn x years old in the year x^2?"

He wasn't the first to think of this. The 19th century mathematician August de Morgan used to used to boast that he was x years old in the year x^2. He died in 1871.

In what year was Jim born? When will his prediction be true? In what year was de Morgan born? What is x in each case?

(In reply to guess by The Mighty Puck)

I agree Jim was born in 1980 and will be 45 in the year 45^2 (2025).

De Morgan was 43 in the year 43^2 (1849), so he was born in 1806.

Posted by Bryan on 2003-04-15 09:56:46