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Math Puzzle

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  • R Ryan Binns

    Atlantys wrote: The largest number I can do is: 4194304 (2^22) Really?! What about 222! = approx 1.12*10426

    Ryan

    "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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    Ludvig A Norin
    wrote on last edited by
    #14

    Well then, try (2^22)! .... that ought to be quite big. Btw. the question was how to write any number, not the biggest... Part of the non-smoking generation since 12/5-2003 22.35.
    -- Opinions expressed do not neccecarily reflect those of my -- employer; I do think for myself. Resisting temptation is -- easier when you think you'll maybe get another chance -- later on.

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    • L Ludvig A Norin

      Well then, try (2^22)! .... that ought to be quite big. Btw. the question was how to write any number, not the biggest... Part of the non-smoking generation since 12/5-2003 22.35.
      -- Opinions expressed do not neccecarily reflect those of my -- employer; I do think for myself. Resisting temptation is -- easier when you think you'll maybe get another chance -- later on.

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      Ryan Binns
      wrote on last edited by
      #15

      Ludvig A. Norin wrote: Btw. the question was how to write any number, not the biggest... Yes I know. I was just surprised he couldn't get anything bigger :). See my reply to Dominik above :)

      Ryan

      "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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      • S Shree

        How can you write any positive integer using only three 2s and any mathematical operations?

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        Joaquin M Lopez Munoz
        wrote on last edited by
        #16

        0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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        • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

          0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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          Jorgen Sigvardsson
          wrote on last edited by
          #17

          You have a degree in mathematics, don't you? :) -- I am on fire. Do you need a light?

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          • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

            0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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            carrie
            wrote on last edited by
            #18

            haha, absolute genius :)

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            • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

              0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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              Ryan Binns
              wrote on last edited by
              #19

              Well done :)

              Ryan

              "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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              • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

                0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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                Brad Jennings
                wrote on last edited by
                #20

                Genius!:) Brad Jennings "You're mom is nice. Mind if I go out with her?" - Jörgen Sigvardsson

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                • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

                  0 is simple, so is 1. For the rest: n=-log2[log2(sqrt(sqrt(...n times...(2)...))))] Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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                  Shree
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #21

                  That's it!!

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                  • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                    You have a degree in mathematics, don't you? :) -- I am on fire. Do you need a light?

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                    Joaquin M Lopez Munoz
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #22

                    No I don't :) I'm a electrical engineer, but used to be fond of these kind of quizzes when I was younger. Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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                    • J Joaquin M Lopez Munoz

                      No I don't :) I'm a electrical engineer, but used to be fond of these kind of quizzes when I was younger. Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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                      Jorgen Sigvardsson
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #23

                      Have you read Gödel Escher Bach - The Eternal Golden Braid? Your solution reminded me a lot of the authors (Hofstadter) representation of the natural numbers. He defined it by an axiom 0 (zero) and an operation S (successor). Your log/sqrt solution for simulating S gave me a flashback.. :) -- I am on fire. Do you need a light?

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                      • S Shree

                        How can you write any positive integer using only three 2s and any mathematical operations?

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                        Wesner Moise
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #24

                        The answer would involve some constructed function f(x) that increases x by 1. Then, applying f(x) to itself would allow all the positive numbers be generated. IE, f(2) = 3, and f(f(2)) = 4, and f^n(2) = 2+n-1. Since 2 is the only number we are allow, f(2) is really the only possibility, unless you want to consider f(22) or f(222) or f(2/2) or etc, but then we wastes our valuable 2s. Some functions f(x) that satisfy, are: f(x) = -(~x) --> bitwise negation followed by arithmetic negation f(x) = combination of logs and sqrts of a prior post so, my solution, the first f(x), can obtain, for example, 5 which is -~-~-~2. Thanks, Wes

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                        • S Shree

                          That's it!!

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                          Wesner Moise
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #25

                          my answer -~-~...-~2 is simpler and requires only one 2.

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                          • W Wesner Moise

                            The answer would involve some constructed function f(x) that increases x by 1. Then, applying f(x) to itself would allow all the positive numbers be generated. IE, f(2) = 3, and f(f(2)) = 4, and f^n(2) = 2+n-1. Since 2 is the only number we are allow, f(2) is really the only possibility, unless you want to consider f(22) or f(222) or f(2/2) or etc, but then we wastes our valuable 2s. Some functions f(x) that satisfy, are: f(x) = -(~x) --> bitwise negation followed by arithmetic negation f(x) = combination of logs and sqrts of a prior post so, my solution, the first f(x), can obtain, for example, 5 which is -~-~-~2. Thanks, Wes

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                            Shree
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #26

                            Great!!

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                            • W Wesner Moise

                              The answer would involve some constructed function f(x) that increases x by 1. Then, applying f(x) to itself would allow all the positive numbers be generated. IE, f(2) = 3, and f(f(2)) = 4, and f^n(2) = 2+n-1. Since 2 is the only number we are allow, f(2) is really the only possibility, unless you want to consider f(22) or f(222) or f(2/2) or etc, but then we wastes our valuable 2s. Some functions f(x) that satisfy, are: f(x) = -(~x) --> bitwise negation followed by arithmetic negation f(x) = combination of logs and sqrts of a prior post so, my solution, the first f(x), can obtain, for example, 5 which is -~-~-~2. Thanks, Wes

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                              Ryan Binns
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #27

                              Brilliant! Well done :)

                              Ryan

                              "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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                              • W Wesner Moise

                                The answer would involve some constructed function f(x) that increases x by 1. Then, applying f(x) to itself would allow all the positive numbers be generated. IE, f(2) = 3, and f(f(2)) = 4, and f^n(2) = 2+n-1. Since 2 is the only number we are allow, f(2) is really the only possibility, unless you want to consider f(22) or f(222) or f(2/2) or etc, but then we wastes our valuable 2s. Some functions f(x) that satisfy, are: f(x) = -(~x) --> bitwise negation followed by arithmetic negation f(x) = combination of logs and sqrts of a prior post so, my solution, the first f(x), can obtain, for example, 5 which is -~-~-~2. Thanks, Wes

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                                W Offline
                                Wesner Moise
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #28

                                Regarding, my answer, -~-~-~ ... -~2, it is can be done with log n operations by appropriate using replacing some of the inner operations with the sqr or factorial functions. Thanks, Wes

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                                • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                                  Have you read Gödel Escher Bach - The Eternal Golden Braid? Your solution reminded me a lot of the authors (Hofstadter) representation of the natural numbers. He defined it by an axiom 0 (zero) and an operation S (successor). Your log/sqrt solution for simulating S gave me a flashback.. :) -- I am on fire. Do you need a light?

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Joaquin M Lopez Munoz
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #29

                                  Yes, that was a nice book. If you like this sort of stuff, a lighter, but equally fun book on logic matters is What is the Name of this Book? by Raymond Smullyan. It has some Gödelian discussions in the last chapters. Joaquín M López Muñoz Telefónica, Investigación y Desarrollo

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                                  • R Ryan Binns

                                    Atlantys wrote: The largest number I can do is: 4194304 (2^22) Really?! What about 222! = approx 1.12*10426

                                    Ryan

                                    "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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                                    A Offline
                                    Atlantys
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #30

                                    Doh! I was trying to use an operator that causes the system to grow large very quickly. Hence ^. I complete forget about !. Dammit! I suppose that's what staying up late does to the brain. Of course... you can then do ((222!)!), etc. :~ :~ I prefer to wear gloves when using it, but that's merely a matter of personal hygiene [Roger Wright on VB] Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. [Rich Cook]

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