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Mental arithmetic

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  • J Jorgen Andersson

    There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

    Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

    W Offline
    W Offline
    W Balboos GHB
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

    Ravings en masse^

    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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    • J Jorgen Andersson

      There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

      Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

      R Offline
      R Offline
      Rick York
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      It appears to me the problem is summing the terms of numerator - not multiplying them. Isn't that a '+' between the terms? That's a considerably easier problem and one I can probably manage.

      "They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"

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      • R Rick York

        It appears to me the problem is summing the terms of numerator - not multiplying them. Isn't that a '+' between the terms? That's a considerably easier problem and one I can probably manage.

        "They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jorgen Andersson
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        :wtf: You're quite correct, fixed it.

        Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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        • J Jorgen Andersson

          There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

          Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

          OriginalGriffO Offline
          OriginalGriffO Offline
          OriginalGriff
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          About 160,000,000 - my mental arithmetic runs out of registers to remember digits in after 5 or 6 digits ... and long division starts using 'em up fast ... :laugh: But some of it is easy: 102*112*122*132*142 == 100 * 121 * 144 * 169 * 196 (10*10 is easy, and each square adds 2 more than the previous: 100 -> 121 Adds 21, 121 -> 144 adds 23, so the next two terms are 144 + 25 and 144 + 25 + 27) We were rote taught our "times tables" up to 12 by 12, so the first three are imprinted on my brain... long multiplication in your head is reasonably easy as long as you keep the decimal places straight. [edit] Oh, right, that's easier: 100 + 121 + 144 + 169 + 196 = 730 730 / 365 = 2 Easy peasy! [/edit]

          "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

          "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
          "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

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          • W W Balboos GHB

            Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

            Ravings en masse^

            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

            M Offline
            M Offline
            MarkTJohnson
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            This

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            • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

              About 160,000,000 - my mental arithmetic runs out of registers to remember digits in after 5 or 6 digits ... and long division starts using 'em up fast ... :laugh: But some of it is easy: 102*112*122*132*142 == 100 * 121 * 144 * 169 * 196 (10*10 is easy, and each square adds 2 more than the previous: 100 -> 121 Adds 21, 121 -> 144 adds 23, so the next two terms are 144 + 25 and 144 + 25 + 27) We were rote taught our "times tables" up to 12 by 12, so the first three are imprinted on my brain... long multiplication in your head is reasonably easy as long as you keep the decimal places straight. [edit] Oh, right, that's easier: 100 + 121 + 144 + 169 + 196 = 730 730 / 365 = 2 Easy peasy! [/edit]

              "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

              pkfoxP Offline
              pkfoxP Offline
              pkfox
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              :thumbsup:

              "We can't stop here - this is bat country" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

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              • J Jorgen Andersson

                There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

                J Offline
                J Offline
                Jon McKee
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                10^2 = 1 0*2 0^2 = 100 11^2 = 1 1*2 1^2 = 121 12^2 = 1 2*2 2^2 = 144 13^2 = 1 3*2 3^2 = 169 14^2 = 1 4*2 4^2 = 196 (the last term (16) carries the one over, so 4*2+1 = 9) Add those up: 365 + 365 (365 + 365)/365 = (365/365) ((1 + 1)/1) = 1 * 2 = 2

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                • W W Balboos GHB

                  Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

                  Ravings en masse^

                  "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                  "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  Jorgen Andersson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  W∴ Balboos, GHB wrote:

                  I pretty much know those squares by heart.

                  Obviously, why did I expect anything else. :)

                  Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                  • J Jorgen Andersson

                    There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                    Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

                    K Offline
                    K Offline
                    kmoorevs
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    I did not use a calculator or a notepad. :laugh: I've been working in JavaScript for too long. This is how I visualized it:

                            result = 0.0;
                            for (i = 10; i < 15; i++) {
                                result += Math.pow(i, 2);
                            }
                            result = result / 365;
                    

                    The question reminded me of writing my first basic programs to solve high school geometry and advanced math homework problems. (class of '85)

                    "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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                    • W W Balboos GHB

                      Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

                      Ravings en masse^

                      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                      J Offline
                      J Offline
                      James McCullough
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      I did it the same way. But then, I'm an accountant, so.... Kind of a nerd as-is.

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • J Jon McKee

                        10^2 = 1 0*2 0^2 = 100 11^2 = 1 1*2 1^2 = 121 12^2 = 1 2*2 2^2 = 144 13^2 = 1 3*2 3^2 = 169 14^2 = 1 4*2 4^2 = 196 (the last term (16) carries the one over, so 4*2+1 = 9) Add those up: 365 + 365 (365 + 365)/365 = (365/365) ((1 + 1)/1) = 1 * 2 = 2

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                        N Offline
                        Nelek
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        Elegant way to do it. :thumbsup:

                        M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • J Jorgen Andersson

                          There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                          Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

                          J Offline
                          J Offline
                          Joop Eggen
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          (12-2)²+(12-1)²+12²+(12+1)²+(12+2)² using (a+b)² = a²+2ab+b² will cancel those 2ab. Hence remains 5*12² + 2*4 + 2*1 = 5*146 = 10*73 = 730. Divided by 365 = 2. So the exercise is indeed for the application of (a+b)²+(a-b)² = 2a²+2b².

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                          • J Joop Eggen

                            (12-2)²+(12-1)²+12²+(12+1)²+(12+2)² using (a+b)² = a²+2ab+b² will cancel those 2ab. Hence remains 5*12² + 2*4 + 2*1 = 5*146 = 10*73 = 730. Divided by 365 = 2. So the exercise is indeed for the application of (a+b)²+(a-b)² = 2a²+2b².

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                            J Offline
                            Jorgen Andersson
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            Yeah! This was my solution as well.

                            Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                            • J Jorgen Andersson

                              There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                              Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                              C Offline
                              Caslen
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              1. Each square is approximately 20 more than the previous, so 5x100+20+40+60+80=700, estimating a correction for the approximation and assuming a whole number solution as it's a mental arithmetic problem then the total is 730 and the answer is 2. 2. What everyone else said.

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                              • J Jorgen Andersson

                                There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                                Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                                A Offline
                                aserrano
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                1^2 + 2^2 + ... + n^2 = n(n+1)(2n+1)/6 => (14*15*29 - 9*10*19)/6*365 => 30*(7*29 - 3*19)/6*365 => (7*29 - 3*19)/73 => 146/73 => 2 ;-)

                                Ariel Serrano Informatica Ambientale S.r.l. (www.iambientale.it) Via Teodosio, 13, 20131, MI Milan, Italy.

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                                • A aserrano

                                  1^2 + 2^2 + ... + n^2 = n(n+1)(2n+1)/6 => (14*15*29 - 9*10*19)/6*365 => 30*(7*29 - 3*19)/6*365 => (7*29 - 3*19)/73 => 146/73 => 2 ;-)

                                  Ariel Serrano Informatica Ambientale S.r.l. (www.iambientale.it) Via Teodosio, 13, 20131, MI Milan, Italy.

                                  J Offline
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                                  Jorgen Andersson
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  I even forgot this formula existed. I also wouldn't have done it in my head. :)

                                  Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                                  • J Jorgen Andersson

                                    Yeah! This was my solution as well.

                                    Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

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                                    Joop Eggen
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    Though one mistake, (a+b)² + (a-b)² = 2a² + 2b². Good we are still as intelligent as then (?). Probably the same trick the teacher would demonstrate. It would be interesting if some mathematician historian would check whether such tricks were indeed collected for instruction - of numerical math.

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                                    • J Jorgen Andersson

                                      There's an artwork by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky called Mental Arithmetic. In the Public School of S.Rachinsky, 1895 - Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky - WikiArt.org[^] The interesting part is the task on the blackboard. (102 + 112 + 122 + 132 + 142)/365 Like the Russian boys, you have no calculator and no paper. Upvotes for: 1. A good reasoned guess at the answer 2. The exact answer, with an explanation of how you got it by mental arithmetic. <edit> I should have expected you to brute force it in your heads. (You did do it without paper or calculator, right?) So from now on I will upvote elegant solutions!</edit>

                                      Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger

                                      M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      Member 12207222
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      Use squares of binomials: 10^2 = (12 - 2)^2 = 12^2 - 4*12 + 4 14^2 = (12 + 2)^2 = 12^2 + 4*12 + 4 11^2 = (12 - 1)^2 = 12^2 - 2*12 + 1 13^2 = (12 + 1)^2 = 12^2 + 2*12 + 1 12^2 = 12^2 Add them up, sum = 5*(12^2) + 5*2 = 5 * 146 Denominator = 365 = 5 * 73 Hence ratio = 146/73 = 2 The difference of squares is quicker: (14^2 - 12^2) + (10^2 -12^2) = 26*2 - 22*2 = 4*2 (13^2 - 12^2) + (11^2 -12^2) = 25*1 - 23*1 = 2*1 Hence 10^2 + 11^2 + 12^2 + 13^2 + 14^2 = 5*12^2 + 5*2 = 5 * 146 But this year is a leap year!

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                                      • W W Balboos GHB

                                        Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

                                        Ravings en masse^

                                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                                        Frank Malcolm
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        Exactly the same thought process, and I also know the squares in my head - up to 16 anyway. Above that there's a bit of mental arithmetic required.

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                                        • W W Balboos GHB

                                          Answer: 2 (ALL IN M'HEAD) I pretty much know those squares by heart. First 3 = 365 (already a hint): 1 Next two 169 + (200-4) = 365: 1 1 + 1 = 2

                                          Ravings en masse^

                                          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                                          D Offline
                                          Davyd McColl
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #22

                                          I was about to "guess" 2 based on the same premise: first three and a "feeling" about the last two (:

                                          ------------------------------------------------ If you say that getting the money is the most important thing You will spend your life completely wasting your time You will be doing things you don't like doing In order to go on living That is, to go on doing things you don't like doing Which is stupid. - Alan Watts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXTZM\_uPMY

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