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Matchstick Frenzy II (Posted on 2012-02-26) Difficulty: 3 of 5
A heap of a positive integer number of matches (that is, no broken matches) are divided into five groups.

If we take as many matches from the first group as there are in the second group and add them to the second, and then take as many from the second group as there are in the third group and add them to the third, and, so on ...... until finally, we take as many from the fifth group as there are in the first group and add them to the first group - the number of matches in each of the groups would be equal to the same positive integer.

What is the minimum number of matches in each group at the beginning?

  Submitted by K Sengupta    
Rating: 4.3333 (3 votes)
Solution: (Hide)
The minimum number of matches in each group are: 47,31, 30, 28, 24
For an explanation and generalization to the general form of n, refer to the solution submitted by Jer in this location.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
Some Thoughtsgeneral solutionLarry2012-03-09 20:41:55
Some Thoughtsre: General n pile solution with proofSteve Herman2012-02-27 16:30:33
SolutionGeneral n pile solution with proofJer2012-02-27 12:55:44
Possible solutionbroll2012-02-27 01:02:13
Solutionanswers and general approach- spoilerAdy TZIDON2012-02-26 15:25:28
Some ThoughtsthoughtsCharlie2012-02-26 13:19:46
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