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Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Once Again, the Same Puzzle
Find the number of integral solutions to the following equation. 1/x + 1/y = 1/12
13 solutions. The equation may be written as (x -12)(y-12) = 144. Now any decomposition of the RHS into two factors results in a solution of the equation. For example 144 = 8*18, thus x-12 = 8 and y-12 =18 gives x=20 and y=30. In all, there are 13 ways to decompose 144 into product of factors.
13 solutions. The equation may be written as (x -12)(y-12) = 144. Now any
ReplyDeletedecomposition of the RHS into two factors results in a solution of the equation.
For example 144 = 8*18, thus x-12 = 8 and y-12 =18 gives x=20 and y=30. In all,
there are 13 ways to decompose 144 into product of factors.