Math Help Forum

Math Help Forum Feed Site Feed

Go Back   Math Help Forum > MHF Lounge > Problem of the Week
Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 5th, 2007, 08:00 AM
CaptainBlack's Avatar
Grand Panjandrum
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: South of England
Posts: 11,375
Country:
Thanks: 667
Thanked 3,618 Times in 2,915 Posts
CaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond repute
Default Problem 18

Two easy ones this week:

1.Let n be a positive integer. Prove that the numbers n+2 and n^2+n+1 cannot both be perfect cubes.

2. Which regular n-gons can be inscribed in a non-circular ellipse?

RonL
__________________
Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.

Giordano Bruno
Advertisement
 
  #2  
Old February 11th, 2007, 12:05 PM
ThePerfectHacker's Avatar
Global Moderator

 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 11,186
Country:
Thanks: 482
Thanked 3,754 Times in 3,070 Posts
ThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainBlank
1.Let n be a positive integer. Prove that the numbers n+2 and n^2+n+1 cannot both be perfect cubes.
n+2=a^3
n^2+n+1=b^3
Thus,
(n^2+n+1)(n+2)=a^3b^3=(ab)^3=m^3
(n^2+n+1)((n-1)+3)=m^3
(n^2+n+1)(n-1)+3(n^2+n+1)=m^3
n^3-1+3n^2+3n+3=m^3
(n^3+3n^2+3n+1)+1=m^3
(n+1)^3+1^3=m^3
Fermat's Last Theorem n=3.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"Democracy has proved only that the best way to gain power
over people is to assure the people that they are ruling
themselves. Once they believe that, they make wonderfully
submissive slaves." - Joseph Sobran


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  #3  
Old February 12th, 2007, 11:14 AM
CaptainBlack's Avatar
Grand Panjandrum
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: South of England
Posts: 11,375
Country:
Thanks: 667
Thanked 3,618 Times in 2,915 Posts
CaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond reputeCaptainBlack has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainBlack View Post
Two easy ones this week:

1.Let n be a positive integer. Prove that the numbers n+2 and n^2+n+1 cannot both be perfect cubes.
If both n+2 and n^2+n+1 are both cubes then so is their product, but:

(n+2)(n^2+n+1)=(n+1)^3+1

but this is imposible as no two cubes of integers differ by 1.

Quote:
2. Which regular n-gons can be inscribed in a non-circular ellipse?
A regular n-gon can be inscribed in a circle, but the vetices also lie on
the non-circular ellipse. But a pair of distinct conics intersect at no more
than four points, so n<=4.

RonL
__________________
Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.

Giordano Bruno
  #4  
Old February 12th, 2007, 12:36 PM
ThePerfectHacker's Avatar
Global Moderator

 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 11,186
Country:
Thanks: 482
Thanked 3,754 Times in 3,070 Posts
ThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond reputeThePerfectHacker has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainBlack View Post
A regular n-gon can be inscribed in a circle, but the vetices also lie on
the non-circular ellipse. But a pair of distinct conics intersect at no more
than four points, so n<=4.

RonL
For some reason it seemed to me you where asking for which regular n-gons are constructable on a non-circular ellipse with a compass and straightedge.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"Democracy has proved only that the best way to gain power
over people is to assure the people that they are ruling
themselves. Once they believe that, they make wonderfully
submissive slaves." - Joseph Sobran


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Closed Thread
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.
©2005 - 2009 Math Help Forum


Math Help Forum is a community of maths forums with an emphasis on maths help in all levels of mathematics.
Register to post your math questions or just hang out and try some of our math games or visit the arcade.