Lecture 6

The Secrets Behind
P Problem Posing &

Solving
Hara Gopal R
The Secrets Behind
Problem Posing &
Solving
Hara Gopal R
First edition © Author, 2014
Number of copies: 1000
No part of this publication can be reproduced in any

form or by any means without the prior written permission
from the author
Copies can be had from:

R. Hara Gopal, SA – Maths,
Municipal High School (Main),
Near old Control Room,
Kurnool
9885911608,
rharagopal@gmail.com
Price: 80/-
Preface
In the 12 years of my teaching experience I found

many students with lot of creative thinking as well as
those who lack creative thinking. When I started trying
to find the reason behind this gap, I came to know that
nowadays the mathematical education in schools is
restricting the students only up to solving problems
where most of the students are depending on the
teachers or any other reference sources for the solution.
This is the reason why nowadays most of the students
face problem with mathematics, where the problem
solving has become an added problem to them.
In the present competitive educational system
where only marks’ scoring is given importance, students
have restricted themselves only to the method given in
the textbook instead of exploring themselves to many
other ways of problem solving.
In order to make mathematics students friendly by
this book a conscious attempt has been made to simplify
concepts, to facilitate better understanding of the
subject, so that students would here by love to solve
problems through various methods and also improve
their creative thinking.
In this book along with the problems and their
solutions I have also included the concepts behind each
& every problem that would help the students for the
analysis, some interesting facts about mathematics
which really would surprise you and also create interest
towards the subject.
The book has been organized and executed with lot
of care and dedication. I hope every word in this book
would help you relish the real joy hidden in mathematics.
Constructive criticism and suggestions for further
improvement of the book would be most welcome.
- Hara Gopal R
rharagopal@gmail.com
Contents
Topic Page No
1. The Historical Problem of Ramanujan 1
2. Problem Set 1 5
3. Ramanujan’s view of squaring the circle. 27
4. Problem Set 2 31
5. Balancing numbers 55
6. Problem Set 3 59
7. Some Non Routine problems 73
8. Problems proposed by the students 79

The secrets behind problem posing & solving 1
The Historical Problem which changed the Indian Face in

Mathematics through Ramanujan
Everybody knows that after sending many results in his letters to

Cambridge University Ramanujan got the chance to do his researches in
Mathematics there. Mr. G.H. Hardy is the person who plays vital role in
this process. He was very much surprised and impressed a lot with the
results what Ramanujan sent. Here I am going to introduce one of those
interesting and most shocking result of mathematics.
That is …………..
1
1  2  3  4  .............    
12
It seems to be a foolish result which was sent by Ramanujan to the

Cambridge University.
Everybody laughed at this result, because
How the sum of positive numbers will be a negative quantity?
And how the sum of integers will be a fraction?
But Ramanujan gave an intellectual proof of this. Here I am posing an

alternate proof of this which is easy to understand even by the school
children.
2 The Secrets behind problem posing & solving
Let us assume the given series as S
1
i.e. S = 1  2  3  4  .............    
12
Let us consider the series
1  1  1  1  1  1  .......... .......... 
It seems to be either 1 or 0 is the value of entire sum, but which is ½
Let us assume the entire series
S1 = 1  1  1  1  1  1  .......... .......... 
= 1  (1  1  1  1  1  ....................)
= 1 - S1
2. S1 = 1
S1 = ½ ---- (1)
And let us consider another series of numbers
1  2  3  4  5  6  .......... .......... 
This series also easily misleads everyone to the wrong answer
Let us consider the entire series as S2

S2 = 1  2  3  4  5  6  .......... .......... 
S2 = 1  2  3  4  5  6  .......... .......... 
Let us add the both
2S2 = 1 – 1 + 1 - 1 + 1 - ………………..
2S2 = S1 = ½
1
S2 = ---- (2)
4
Now let us consider S – S2
S – S2 = ( 1  2  3  4  .......... ..........  ) – ( 1  2  3  4  5  6  .......... ..........  )
= 4 + 8 + 12 + 16 + ………
= 4 ( 1  2  3  4  .......... ..........  )
S – S2 = 4 S
S – 4S = S2
1
-3S = [From (2)]
4
1
S =-
12
1
 1  2  3  4  .............    
12
This is why Ramanujan is only mathematician came to be known as
“Man who knows Infinity?”

I take immense pleasure to start this small book with a great problem
of ever great genius.
I don’t want to take any risk to comment on the creation of this

problem. But this problem made my nights sleepless for a long time.
I was thinking for so many days that how he got the idea of this
problem. From which problem or situation he got inspired to think in the
way of infinity.
As I came to know that Ramanujan gone through the book named as

“Synopsis of Mathematics” which was written by G.S. Carr. From this book
he got inspired towards mathematics.
So I understood that every problem will be created just by inspiring

from some other problem or a situation.
I hope this book will create many such opportunities to you.

Problem Set 1
1. What is the sum of the following sequence

1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(……………….)))))))))))))))))))) – 2014 brackets
Sol:
Here we have to start with a small manipulation by taking less

number of brackets first
Let us consider the following
Observation 1: 1+ 2 = 3
Observation 2: 1+ 2(1+ 2) = 7
Observation 3: 1+ 2(1+2(1+2)) = 15
Observation4:1+ 2(1+2(1+2(1+2))) = 31
Now if you observe the above values
3 = 22-1, 7 = 23-1, 15 = 24-1, 31= 25-1 and so on
Now we try to establish the relation between the number of brackets

and the power
In 1st observation with 0 brackets power of 2 is 2
In 2nd observation with 1 bracket power of 2 is 3
In 3rd observation with 2 brackets power of 2 is 4
i.e. if n brackets were there the generalized solution is 2n+2 -1
So for the given question
1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(……………….)))))))))))))))))))) – 2014 brackets
The value is 22016-1

Extension:
Why the problem should be with only 1s &2s
We can change the problem in many ways each contains different

logic
Of course for some changes we may not get the answer. But in
posing the problem we have to come across so many things which
will give lot of boost towards mathematics.
Here are some more examples of extension of problem
Find the value of following sequence
1. (a) 3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(………………….))))))))))) - 2014

brackets
Why the problem should be only with2 numbers, let us try this way
1. (b) 1+2(3+4(1+2(3+4(1+2(3+4(………………….))))))))))) – 2013

brackets
1. ( c) 3+2(3-2(3+2(3-2(……………………)))))))- 2014 brackets.
Why don’t we try the problem with some other numbers like prime
numbers, perfect squares, Cubes or the combination of all such
numbers?
Try in that way.

2. Find the sum of digits of the value (3333………333)2 – 2014 digits
Sol:
This problem should be done as the previous problem
i.e. we have to observe the required result starting with less number
of digits
Let us observe the following
No. Of Digits Value Sum of Digits
1 32 =9 9
2 332 = 1089 18
3 3332 = 110889 27
4 33332 = 11108889 36
So if we observe 9 = 9x1, 18 = 9 x 2, 27= 9 x3 & 36 = 9 x 4and so on
Now we will observe the relation between the number of digits and
the sum of digits
It is clear that
I – digit sum of digits is 9 x 1
2 - digits sum of digits is 9 x 2
3 - digits sum of digits is 9 x 3
And so on
2014 digits sum of digits is 9 x 2014 = 18126
Extension:
After observing above we definitely get the thought of trying same

question for different digits.
Here are some examples
2. (a) Find the sum of digits of (6666……..66)2 – 2014 digits
Observe the another way questioning
2. (b) If the sum digits of the (aaaa…….aa)2 – 2014 digits is 18126

where a is any unitary digit. What are the possible values of ‘a’.
Why always there should be a repeated digit, why don’t we try this
problem in this way
2. ( c) Sum of digits of the number (121212121212….)2 -2014 digits
If it doesn’t gives a proper way to reach the answer we can try with
some other digits.
3. Let a, b, c, d, e be the 5 distinct integers such that

(6-a)(6-b)(6-c)(6-d)(6-e) = 45, find the value of a + b + c + d + e.
Sol:
The prime factorization of 45 is 3 x 3 x 5.
But it is given that 45 as the product of 5 different factors. And they

must be distinct.
So we can write 45 as 1 x -1 x -3 x 3 x 5
[The idea of taking the help of 1 & -1 is the great logic here]
Now given can be written as
(6-a)(6-b)(6-c)(6-d)(6-e) = 1 x -1 x 3 x -3 x 5
Now we will compare the factors on both sides
If 6 – a = 1 => a = 5
Similarly we get b = 7, c = 3, d = 9 and e = 1.
Therefore a + b + c + d + e = 5 + 7 + 3 + 9 + 1 = 25.
Here we need not to worry to choose the combination, whatever it

may be the combination the sum is always 25 only.
Extension:
Here we have to think how many different factors a number can
have. Depends on that we have to choose the number of brackets
on the left hand side.
3. (a) If (6-a)(6-b)(6-c)(6-d)(6-e)(6-f)(6-g) =180 find the value of
a + b + c + d + e + f + g.
Why always 6 should be taken? Yes! We can change the question

as
3 (b). (37-a)(37-b)(37-c)(37-d)(37-e)(37-f)(37-g) =180 which gives us

another answer
And why all the brackets should contain same number?
If the numbers are different like
3 ( c). (7-a)(37-b)(3-c)(35-d)(30-e)(73-f)(45-g) =180 can we get

unique answer?
If not how many possible sums will be there for
a + b + c + d + e + g +f?
Really this question is a good exercise for everyone.

The is…………….
Observe the list of Pythagorean triplets
(3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), (6, 8, 10), (7, 24, 25) (8, 15, 17), (9, 40, 41),
(10, 24, 26), (11, 60, 62) …………………….
Every Pythagorean triplet must contain at least one multiple of 3.
Why? How? Can we prove it?
The is……………
4. Find the positive integral value of ‘n’ such that

13  33  5 3  ...............  (2n  1) 3 199

2 3  4 3  6 3  ..........  (2n) 3 242
Sol:
a c ab cd
As we know    that if
b d b d
Given can be written as
13  2 3  33  4 3  5 3  ...............  (2n  1) 3  (2n) 3 199  242


2 3  4 3  6 3  ..........  (2n) 3 242
(2n) 3 441
 
n(2n  1)  212 2
2 3 n 3 242 2n(n  1)

2
2(11) 2
On simplifying we get
2n  1 21
  n  10
n  1 11
Extension:
By observing the above we can pose many simple questions like
1  3  5  7  9  ..........  199 n  1
4 (a). Find the value of 
2  4  6  8  10  ....200 n
4 (b). Express ‘a’ in terms of ‘b’ if
12  32  52  ..........  1992 a

2 2  42  6 2  ......  2002 b
5. Starting with the integer 7 and repeatedly doubling we obtain 7, 14, 28,
56, 112 …..
What is the largest integer less than 2014 that can be obtained by
repeatedly doubling a positive integer less than 100?
Sol:
Let the required integer that is less than 100 be ‘a’.
By repeatedly doubling we get a, 2a, 4a, 8a, 16a, 32a and so on….
Here a<100 and each one of the above should be maximum as well
as less than 2014.
a < 2014
2a < 2014  a < 1012
4a < 2014  a < 503.5
8a < 2014  a < 251.75
16a < 2014  a < 125.875
32a < 2014  a < 62.9
Therefore ‘a’ should be 62 which is less than 100 so that we get

largest value 1984 below 2014 by repeatedly doubling.
Extension:
Here if we observe the above problem, it is made with a simple
logic but not with any deeper concept.
And now you think how to change the question. Observe the
following
5. (a) Starting with 7 repeatedly doubling and adding 3 we get 7, 17,

37, 77, 157, ….
What largest number below 100 should be taken to get a maximum

value less than 2014?
5. (b) Starting with 7 repeatedly tripling and adding the

corresponding terms a arithmetic progression 3, 7, 11, 15, …. We
get 7, 24, 79, 248 …
What largest number below 100 should be taken to get a maximum

value less than 2014?
Any more extensions from your side…..

6. If the entire perfect squares are replaced with cube of its square roots
from the natural numbers set. Then still how many perfect squares we
can find below the natural number 2014?
Sol:
This problem easily misleads everyone to the answer “no perfect
square will be left as we are replacing them with cubes”.
But even after replacing squares with cubes, still we can find some
squares. This is possible because some numbers which are perfect
squares & cubes also.
Those numbers are called as “Sqube numbers”. Such as
1 = 12 = 13; 64= 82 = 43; 729= 272 = 93
i.e. a ‘Sqube number’ will be of the form n6 which can be written (n2)3
as well as (n3)2
Now coming to the problem, the numbers which are in the form of n4
can be replaced with the cube of their square roots. i.e. with n6
Therefore they are also perfect squares.
Now to get the answer we have to search for numbers of the form n4
in the natural number set.
There were 6 such numbers below 2014 (14, 24, 34, 44, 54 and 64)
So these numbers when replaced by cube their square roots will give
us perfect squares again.
The is……
There are infinitely many consecutive composite numbers without

any prime numbers in between them.
How? Can we prove it?
The is ……………………
7. How many numbers from 1 to 100 inclusive can be expressed as the sum
of a perfect square and a positive perfect cube?
Sol:
The inner meaning of this question is if you consider a number that
can be written as the sum a square and a cube.
For example 5 = 1 + 4 where 1 is a cube and 4 is a square.
If you observe, there are 9 squares and 4 cubes below 100.
By taking one from each group and make a sum we get 9x4 different
numbers
But the condition is all those sums should be blow 2014.
Group of Squares Group of Cubes

1 1
4 8
9 27
And so on.
For first square 1 every cube can be added so
For square 1 there are 4 possibilities
For square 4 there are 4 possibilities
Similarly for 9, 16 and 25 also there are 4 possibilities
For 36 there are only 3 possibilities why because 36 + 64 can’t be less

than 100
For 49, 64 also there are 3 possibilities only

But for 81 there are only 2 possibilities only because above

mentioned reason
Therefore totally there
4+4+4+4+4+3+3+3+2 =31 possibilities
i.e. there exists 31 numbers which can be expressed as the sum of a

square and a cube.
But still our answer is not correct. If we observe carefully
We get same number twice which is 1 + 64 & 64 + 1 as both 64 & 1

were there in both the groups.
So there exists only 30 numbers.
Extension:
Let us try same problem as
7 (a). Find the numbers which can expressed as the difference as a

square & a cube in any order.
Why to restrict within squares & cubes?
Let us try to find in this way……
Instead of squares take the combination of primes & squares, which

means…
7. (b) How many numbers from 1 to 100 can be expressed as the

sum of a prime and a perfect square?
7. (c) How many prime numbers below 100 can be represented as
sum of squares of consecutive integers?
8. What is the sum of digits of the numbers from 1 to 100?
Sol:
It seems to somewhat difficult to get the answer. But by following

simple logic we make it easy.
If we observe up to 99 there will be total 1 x 9 + 90 x 2 = 189 digits.
Among those 9 zeros and each non zero digit will be there for 10
times.
Therefore the sum of digits of the numbers up to 99 is
= 10 x 1 + 10 x 2 + 10 x 3 + ………….10 x 9
= 10 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ………..+ 9)
= 10 (45) = 450
And the sum digits of 100 are 1+ 0 + 0 is 1.
Therefore the answer is 450 + 1 = 451.

Extension:
This is problem seems to be very simple and innocent but we can

create many more problems on this problem.
8. (a) What is the sum of digits of the numbers from 1 to 2014?
As the discussed problem this problem is not a simple one. We have

to face little difficulty to get the proper way.
And there is another way of questioning.
8. (b) What is the sum of the series up to 1000 terms
1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+1+0+1+1+1+2+1+3+1+4+1+5+…….

9. What is the sum of the 2014 terms of the following series

1,2,1,2,2,1,2,2,2,1,2,2,2,2,1,2,2,2,2,2,1,……………..
Sol:
As we need to get the sum of terms
Given can be written as
(1) + (2+1) + (2+2+1) + (2+2+2+1) + ……..
Which gives us a series 1+3+5+7+………..
Now it is easy to get the sum of first n odd numbers. But we have to
observe that we need the sum 2014 terms.
So we have to check the number of odd numbers that we will get

below 2014 terms.
1st odd number can be formed with 1 term
2nd odd number can be formed with 2 terms
3rd odd number can be formed with 3 terms, and so on…
So here we have to consider sum n natural numbers should be less

than or equal to 2014.
n(n  1)
i.e.  2014 on solving it we get n = 62.
2
So up to 62nd term we get 1’s & 2’s together 1936 terms
Sum those terms is sum of 62 odd numbers.
And the remaining terms are 2014 – 1953.
i.e. after 1953 terms there will be 61 2’s
Therefore the sum of 2014 terms is 622 + 61 x 2 = 3966

Extension:
This problem is a good exercise in basic level problems. Please
observe some of the extensions of the problem.
9. (a). 1,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,5,5,5,5,……… Find the sum of 100 terms.
It looks so funny but it so simple problem to solve and typical to

create.
Just try this.
9. (b) 2,3,2,3,3,2,3,3,3,2,3,3,3,3,2,3,3,3,3,3,2,…………. Find the sum of

100 terms

The is…………..
1, 4, 9 are the square digits. 49, 144, 1444, 11449……. are

some perfect squares in which each digits is a perfect square.
Are they infinity?
And can we find any pattern or a procedure to generate such

numbers?
The is ………………
10.Sum of two numbers is 2014 and their HCF is 2014. How many such pairs
of numbers exist?
Sol:
This problem is based on a most neglected simplest point of HCF.
“When the two numbers divided by their HCF then quotients are
co-primes”
Let the 2 numbers be a, b

As the HCF of a, b is HCF, they can be written as
a = 106 x b = 106 y
Here the important point that play key role to solve the problem is
“x & y both are co-primes to each other”.
And now as the sum of two numbers is 2014
i.e. 106x + 106y = 2014
Which implies x + y = 19
Here we are supposed to take the positive integral values for x & y
such they both must be co primes & whose sum is 19.
Therefore the possible values for x & y are

(1, 18), (2, 17), (3, 16), (4, 15), (5, 14), (6, 13), (7, 12), (8, 11) & (9, 10)
Therefore the possible pairs of numbers whose HCF is 106 & sum is
2014.
(106, 1908), (212, 1802), (318, 1696), (424, 1590), (530, 1484),
(636, 1378), (742, 1272), (848, 1166) & (954, 1060)
Extension:
1. The sum of two co primes is 1000 and their LCM is 8919. Find the two
numbers.
Ramanujan’s view of the ‘Squaring the Circle’.

Squaring the circle: If a circle is given then we are supposed to construct a
square whose area is equal to circle area
For example you are given a unit circle. Then its area will be π sq. units,
and then the area square also must be π sq. units, so its side should be  .
For this many mathematician sacrificed their lives, among those here is
procedure which is given by Ramanujan.
Proof of Squaring circle with original hand writing of Ramanujan

Let us look the procedure
H is the midpoint of OP and T is the trisection

point of OR nearer to R.
TQ is perpendicular to PR, S is a point on circle

such that TQ = RS
Join PS, SR and draw TN & OM parallel to SR.

L is a point the ray which is perpendicular to RP

such that PL = MN.
And K is a point on circle such that PK = PM.
Join LR, LK, KR and take a point C on KR such that

RC = RH.
Draw CD parallel to LK such that D will be on line

RL.
Here area of square on RD is equal to area of circle
How? Can you prove it?

Problem Set 2
11. If a2+2b = 7, b2 +4c = -7 & c2+6a = -14 then find the value of a2 +b2 + c2.
Sol:
This problem is a simple tricky problem posed on algebraic identities
Just by adding given 3 equations we get
a2+2b + b2 +4c + c2+6a = 7-7-14 = -14
a2+2b + b2 +4c + c2+6a+14= 0
Here the key logic of entire problem is splitting the 14 as sum of 3

squares which are relevant
a2+2b + b2 +4c + c2+6a + 1 + 4 + 9= 0
Now by arranging the terms to form algebraic expressions we get
a2+6a + 9 + b2 +2b + 1 + c2+ 4c + 4 = 0
Now every three terms form a well known identity
(a+ 3)2 + (b + 1)2 + (c + 2)2 = 0
Here also we have to use very rare thing. That is no square is

negative.
I.e. none of above 3 terms is negative
But their sum is zero
This is possible only when each term is zero

i.e. (a+ 3)2 = 0 which implies a + 3 = 0

a = -3 similarly we get b = -1 & c = -2
Therefore a2 +b2 + c2 = 14
Extension:
This is a very simple and beautiful problem just based on algebraic
identities and a simple point that is no square is negative.
Why don’t take the property that no fourth power is negative.
Check it
12.Prove that 1280000401 is a composite number.
Sol:
Though it is a number theory problem we use algebraic way to solve
1280000401 = 1 x 109 + 2 x 108 + 8 x 107 + 4 x 102 + 1

= 128 x 107 + 4 x 102 + 1
= 27 x 107 + 22 x 102 + 1
= 207 + 202 + 1
Let us consider 20 = a, then the above can be written as
= a7 + a2+ 1
Now we have to prove that this expression can be factorized
= a7 + a2+ 1
Adding and subtracting a from above
= a7 + a2+ 1 + a - a
= a7 – a + a2+ 1 + a
= a (a6-1) + (a2+a+1)
= a (a3-1) (a3+1) + (a2+a+1)
= a (a-1) (a2+a+1) (a+1) (a2-a+1) + (a2+a+1)
= (a2+a+1) [a (a-1) (a3+1) + 1]
= (a2+a+1) (a5-a4+a2-a+1)
Now we can substitute the value of a in above
1280000401 = 421 x 3040381
Therefore 1280000401 is a composite.

Extension:
Observe a small thing here this problem is built on a little hard
algebraic expression that can be factorized.
So we can produce ‘n’ number of problems based on algebraic

expressions which are little hard to factorize.
Let us observe the following
12 (a). By taking an algebraic expression 12a2 – a -1 and considering

a = 103 we get a question
Prove that 9999999 + 1999000 is composite
12 (b). By taking another expression a3 – 6a2 -72a +320 which is little

difficult to factorize and assuming that a = 1001 we get the following
Prove that 989 x 1001 x 1007 + 320 is composite.

The is …………
The prime number in which each digit is a prime and each

permutation of its digits also prime is called as pure prime.
For an example 37 is such a number. In this 3 & 7 are primes and 73

also a prime. Therefore 37 is a pure prime.
Are there any such numbers? If so how to find them?
The is………
13. The symbol x means the greatest integer less than or equal to x.
Calculate the value of the following sum
 1   2    3    4   ...............    
2013  2014 
Sol:
We know above values produce a series
1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + …….
Which can be written as
3(1) + 5(2) + 7(3) + 9(4) + …….
As 1936 is largest perfect square in the series and after that there are
78 numbers were there up to 2014, given can be written as
3(1) + 5(2) + 7(3) + ………+ 87(43) + 79(44)
If we generalize the series, except last term we get
General term as (2n+1)n
For the sum we take as
43
=  (2n  1)n +79(44)

n 1
2n(n  1)(2n  1) n(n  1)
=   79(44)
6 2
If we substitute the value of n as 43, we get
43x 44 x87 43x 44

=   79(44)
3 2
= 59,290
Extension:
This is one of the most interesting problems that I have come across
Why don’t we take the problem by taking the + and – alternatively.
Then the problem becomes
13 (a). What is the value the series?
 1   2    3    4   ...............    
2013  2014 
Now one can think in this way. Instead of taking integral part
if we take decimal part of real numbers in the above series then the
question will be…….
13 (b). What is the value of
1  2  3  4  ......................  2025

Where the symbol x stands for the decimal part the x.
If we exclude the perfect squares in the above series what

happens in the solution.
14. What is the value of 6  6  6  6  .......... ...
Sol:
This is not a problem to discuss in this book, but extensions of
this problem are very beautiful. Let us see the solution first
Let the given expression is ‘x’
x = 6  6  6  6  .......... ...
On squaring on both sides we get
x2 = 6 + 6  6  6  6  .......... ...
If we take out one 6 from the infinite series there is no difference
x2 = 6 + x which gives us a quadratic equation
x2 – x – 6 = 0
On solving we get x = 3 or -2
Which means the value of 6  6  6  6  .......... ... is 3 or -2

Extension:
Though it is very simple problem we can pose this in different ways.
This simple problem turns into a higher order problem if we take as
14(a). Find the value of 6  6  6  6  .......... ...
One can pose the same problem as
14(b). Find the value of 9  6  9  6  .......... ...
14 (c). Find the value of 6  9  6  9  .......... ...
14(d). Find the value of 6 9  6 9  6 9  6 9  .......... ...
14 (e). Find the value of 9 6  9 6  9 6  9 6  .......... ...

15. If x2 +y2 +z2 = 25; a2 +b2+c2 = 36 and ax + by + cz = 30 then Find the value of
abc
.
x yz
Sol:
This is most logical problem that I have come across.
Suppose if a = b and if we ask to transpose the ‘b’ to other side

everybody write a – b = 0. But the thing is we can write the same as
a
 1.
b
Now look at the given problem.
x2  y2  z 2 x2 y 2 z 2
x2 +y2 +z2 = 25  1   1
25 25 25 25
2 2 2
 x  y  z
It can be written as          1 -- (1)
5  5  5
Similarly we get the remaining as
2 2 2
a b c
      1 -- (2)
6 6 6
 x  a   y  b   z  c 
And             1 -- (3)
 5  6   5  6   5  6 
Here taking following expression is the great logic
(1) + (2) – 2. (3) = 0

[As the value of above 3 expressions are equal to 1]
Now let us take the expressions in the above mentioned way
2 2 2 2 2 2
x  y  z a b c
      +       -
5  5 5 6 6 6
 x  a   y  b   z  c 
2    2    2    0
 5  6   5  6   5  6 
Now after arranging the terms we get
2 2 2 2 2 2
 x a  x  a   y   b   y  b   z   c   z  c 
      2          2          2    0
5 6  5  6   5   6   5  6   5   6   5  6 
Now this can be written as

2 2 2
 x a  y b  z c
          0
 5 6  5 6 5 6
As we know that no square is negative, above expression is possible only
when each term is zero
2
 x a  x a 5
i.e.     0      0  x  a
5 6 5 6 6
5 5
Similarly we get y  b and z = c
6 6
abc abc 6
Now let us consider = 5 =
x yz a  b  c  5
6
Extension:
This is problem is completely based on only one concept that is
“No square is negative”
But we know that any even power cannot be negative.
Can’t we frame the question on this?

The is ………….
Observe the pair (36, 12). It has a special property. That is
36 36 9
= 3 and sum of digits of both  =3
12 1 2 3
(48, 12), (24, 12) and (44,22)…………….
Can you try how many such 2-diigt pairs exist?
Is the same property applicable for any pair of 3- digit , 4-digit

numbers?
The is………..
16.Find the sum of the digits of the expression
(123456789)(76543211) + (23456789)2
Sol:
This problem is a very low level problem but it looks so beautiful
In general everybody starts the problem by multiplying the

first two brackets.
But we should follow in logical way.
We know that 123 = 100 + 23
So the value in first bracket also can be written as
= (100000000 + 23456789) (76543211) + (23456789)2
= (108 + 23456789) (76543211) + (23456789)2
Just by observing the value in second bracket, we can write it as
= (108 + 23456789) (108 – 23456789) + (23456789)2
So the first 2 brackets are in the form of (a + b) (a – b) and can be

written as (a2 – b2)
= 10 16 - 234567892 + 234567892
= 10 16 - 234567892 + 234567892
= 10 16
Therefore the sum of digits is 1.

Extension:
If we observe the above problem whole is based just on a
expression
a2 – b2 + b2 = a2
Why don’t we take the expression a3 – b3 + b3 = a3
Just look the following question
16. (a) Find the sum of digits of

(123456789)(7654321100000000+234567892) – (23456789)3
17.Find the positive integral solutions for ‘n’ such that n3 -8n2 +20n -13 is a
prime number.
Sol:
To find the value of n for which given expression is a prime.
We are supposed to factorize it first.
As the sum coefficients is zero (n-1) will be a definite factor of this.
i.e. n3 -8n2 +20n -13 = (n -1) (n2 -7n +13)
If we consider for some value of n given expression is prime
The two factors should be equal to 1 and the given expression itself.
Let n-1 = 1  n = 2
If we substitute n = 2 in the second factor we get
n2 -7n +13 = (2)2 – 7(2) +13 = 17 – 14 = 3
[* if we substitute n = 2 in the given expression we get same value*]
Let n2 -7n +13 = 1  n2 -7n +12 = 0

(n – 3) (n – 4) = 0
Which gives us n = 3, 4
On substituting in n-1 we get 2, 3 which are primes.

So for n = 2, 3 and 4 the given expression produces a prime number.
Extension:
This is problem just an algebraic factorization problem.
The only the thing is we have to take an algebraic expression which

can have positive integral zeros.
Now let us try with some other expressions. But the thing is better
to start with a simple quadratic expression which can have integral
zeros.
17 (a). For what positive integral values of n the expression
n2 – 8n + 15 =0 is a prime number?
18. Find the value of the following

 1  1  1  1   1 
1  1  1  1  .......... ...1  
 2  3  4  5   2015 
Sol:
This looks like a difficult problem to solve but actually it is just a

different problem to solve
Without using any logic directly if we start simplification of each

bracket, we get the following
 3  2  5  4  7  6   2014 
      ................. 
 2  3  4  5  6  7   2015 
Everybody can say what we get at last
That is 1
The reason for including such a simple problem in my book is just to

show the creation of this problem on a simple cancellation.
Extension:
By doing some modifications we can pose such easy problems
also in difficult way.
Just have a look at the following
18 (a). Find the value of
 1  1  1  1  1 
1  2 1  2 1  2 1  2 ...................1  2 
 2  3  4  5   2014 
18 (a). Find the sum of following series up to 200 terms
1 1 1 1
1     ..............................
3 6 10 15
The is…………
We know that the interior angle sum of any n-gon is (n-2)180o.

But the exterior angle sum of any n-gon is always 360o only.
Why?
Can we prove that?
The is…………..
19.Find the sum of the following series

1(1!) + 2(2!) + 3(3!) + 4(4!) + ……… + 2014(2014!)
Sol:
It is clear that if we start calculating the value of factorials it will not

lead to the answer.
Instead of that we have follow any logic to get the sum
Let us think in this way
99 (100!) is difficult to write but adding and subtracting 100 !
We get
100 (100!) + 100! – 100!
101 (100!) – 100!
101! – 100!
So we follow same logic in above series also
Adding and subtracting 1! , 2!, 3!, 4!………… 2014!, we get
1(1!) + 2(2!) + 3(3!) + ……… + 2014(2014!) + [1! +2! + 3!+ …. 2014!]
– [1! +2! +3!+……+2014!]
We get
2! + 3! + 4! +…… 2014! + 2015! – 1! - 2! - 3! - 4! - 5! .........-2014!
2! + 3! + 4! +…… 2014! + 2015! – 1! - 2! - 3! - 4! - 5! .........-2014!
2015! – 1
Therefore the value of sum is 2015! – 1.

20.Solve the following for x, y, z in positive integers

x – 50 = y2; x + 50 = z2
Sol:
This is problem has been created on only a small observation
Difference between any two consecutive squares is always an odd
But difference between any two squares need not be an odd.
When I observe 576 & 676 both are perfect squares and are differ
by 100. Means there should a number which is equidistance from
both. That is 626.
But we should follow a procedure to reach that answer.
Let us consider
x – 50 = y2 – (1) ; x + 50 = z2 --- (2).
Subtracting (1) from (2) we get
100 = z2 – y2
100 = (z - y) (z + y)
Here we are supposed to see in how many ways we can factorize 100
so that y, z are positive integers.
100 can be written as
1 x 100 (or) 2 x 50 (or) 4 x 25 (or) 5 x 20 (or) 10 x 10
Case 1: 1 x 100 = (z- y) (z +y) on comparing both sides

We get z–y=1 & z+ y = 100 but we won’t get

integers for z & y
Case 2: 2 x 50 = (z – y) x (z + y)
On comparing both sides
Z–y=2
Z + y = 50
On solving we get z = 26 & y = 24 and x = 626.
Therefore (x, y, z) = (626, 24, 26)
Case 3: 4 x 25 = (z – y) x (z + y)
On comparing both sides
Z – y = 4 & z + y = 25 we won’t get integers for y, z.
Case 4: even for 100 = 5 x 20 also we won’t get integers.
Case 5: for 10 x 10 = (z – y) x (z + y) we get y =0 & z = 100 and x =

50.
Therefore (x, y, z) = (50, 0, 10)
Extension:
Let us try with some big numbers
20. (a) Solve the following for x, y, z in positive integers

x – 2014 = y2; x + 2014 = z2
Conversation between Ramanujan & Mahalonobis:
Ramanujan (1887 – 1920) Prashantha Chandra Mahalonobis
(1893-1972)
Once Mahalonobis asked Ramanujan regarding a small

problem that is in the set of natural numbers how many numbers are there
which balances the sum of the numbers on either side of them up to
certain imit.
It means suppose if there are ‘n’ natural numbers, is there any

natural number ‘m’ below ‘n’ such that sum of natural numbers from 1 to
m-1 is equal to m+1 to n
Then Ramanujan replied immediately there are 2 such numbers

below 100.
First one is 6 which balance the sum on either side of it up to 8.
i.e. 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 7 + 8 = 15
Similarly second one is 35 which balance the sum on either side of it up to

49.
i.e. 1 + 2 + 3 + ….. + 34 = 36 + 37 + ….. + 45 = 595
Ramanujan used the concept of ‘continued fractions’. Later this topic

is known as ‘Balancing Numbers’. And there are many properties of
‘Balancing numbers’ are also discovered.
Here I am going to present some other simple way of generating such

‘Balancing numbers’, which is very easy to understand even by the school
children.
Just look at the following table
From Before & After Up to
1 1 1
1 6 8
1 35 49
1 204 288
1 1189 1641
1 6930 9800
And so on…..
To establish relationship between those numbers, I am taking the

factors of 6, 35, 204 ……..
Before & After Up to
1=1x1 1
6=2x3 8
35 = 5 x 7 49
204 = 12 x 17 288
Here observe carefully the factors, 1 x 1, 2 x 3, 5 x 7…..
2 x 3 = (1 + 1) x (2 + 1)
5 x 7 = (2 + 3) x (5 + 2)
12 x 17 = (5 + 7) x (12 + 5)
i.e. the first factor is the sum factors of previous term & second
factor is sum first factors of previous and present terms.
To generalize, let us assume the terms under first column as tn terms

under second column as Tn and the factor of tn be an & bn
Now tn = an x bn
And an = (a n-1 + bn-1) & bn = (2.an-1 + bn-1)
And observe the Tn 1, 8, 49, 288……..
1 = 12 (1 is b1)
8 = 32 – 1 (3 is b2)
49 = 72 -1 (7 is b3)
288 = 172 – 1 (17 is b4)
That is Tn = bn2 is n is odd
Tn = bn2 – 1 if n is even
Therefore, if we take a complete look at the table again
Before & After (tn) Up to (Tn)
(t1) 1=1x1 1 = 12 (T1)
(t2) 6=2x3 8 = 32 -1 (T2)
(t3) 35 = 5 x 7 49 = 72 (T3)
(t4) 204 = 12 x 17 288 = 172 - 1 (T4)
(t5) 1189 = 29 x 41 1681 = 412 (T5)
(t6) 6930 = 70 x 99 9800 = 992 -1 (T6)
And so on……………
In the above table there are so many interesting hidden facts are there.
1. Observe the factors of 35; 35 =5x7
= (6- 1) x (8 – 1)
= (t2 – t1) x (T2 – T1)
And (35 – 6) & (49 – 8) are the factors of 1189 = 29 x 41.
And many more are there try to find and prove them.
Problem Set 3
21. What is the sum of the series
1, (1+2), (1+2+4), (1+2+4+8), (1+2+4+8+16)……. up to 2014 terms.
Sol:
Here each term is a series of geometric progression.
And if we add up each term, we get
1, 3, 7, 15, 31……………
If we observe carefully, the above can be written as
21-1, 22-1, 23-1, 24-1………..
As we need sum of 2014 terms
The same can written as
2014
n
= 
(2  1)
n 1
So the value is
= (21+22+23+24+………+22014 – 2014)
Using sum of n terms of GP, we get
2(2 2014  1)
=
 2014
(2  1)
= 22015 – 2 – 2014
= 2 2015 – 2016.
Extension:
Easily you can change this problem as you like.
Just look at the following…….
21. (a). Find the sum of the following up to 100 terms

(1), (1+3), (1+3+9), (1+3+9+27)……………..
Why to stick on only geometric progression. Let us try with

arithmetic progression.
21. (b). Find the sum of the following up to 100 terms
(5), (5+9), (5+9+13), (5+9+13+17) …………

The is …………….
For every triangle we always use to work with the centers such as
Centroid, In centre, Ortho centre and Circum centre. Apart from these
there are some non routine centers also we use in the problems such as
Gorgon point, Nagel point, Fermat point and Napoleon point and so on.
But do you know as 1st December 2014 6134 centers discovered for
every triangle. Each center has its own properties towards triangle.
The is……………
22. Simplify the fraction

2 3
   
 1 33  1 4 3  1 .............. 100 3  1 
2 3
   
 1 3 3  1 4 3  1 .............. 100 3  1 
Sol:
This problem just based on the algebraic identities & and small
observation.
We know that a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2) and
a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2)
Now given can be written as

(2  1)(2 2  2.1  1)(3  1)(3 2  3.1  1).................(100  1)(100 2  100.1  1)
(2  1)(2 2  2.1  1)(3  1)(3 2  3.1  1).................(100  1)(100 2  100.1  1)
If we observe carefully, the values of
(22+2.1+1) & (32- 3.1+1) are equal to 7
If we generalize the above expressions
(n2+n+1) = [(n+1)2 - (n+1) + 1]
Therefore the expressions
(22+2.1+1), (32+3.1+1)(42+4.1+1)…..(992+99.1+1) gets cancelled with
(32- 3.1+1) (42- 4.1+1) (52- 5.1+1)… (1002- 100.1+1) respectively
So we remain with
(2  1)(3  1)(1002  100  1) 1.2.10101 10101

= = =
(22  2.1  1)(99  1)(100  1) 1.100.101 15150
Extension:
Why don’t we try the same with some other odd powers?
22 (a). Simplify the fraction
( 2 5 1)(35  1)(4 5  1)............(100 5  1)

( 2 5  1)(35  1)(4 5  1)...........(100 5  1)
Why to restrict with odd powers? Can’t we frame in this way?
22.(b) Simplify the fraction
( 2 4  1)(3 4  1)( 4 4  1)..........( 2014 4  1)

( 2 6  1)(3 6  1)( 4 6  1)..........( 2014 6  1)
23. Find the integer n that satisfies

n
1.1998 + 2. 1997 + 3. 1996 + ………….. + 1997. 2 + 1998. 1= c3
Sol:
This problem seems to be little difficult but actual thing it is little

different problem only.
If we observe there are totally 1998 terms in the given equation.
And first term is equal to last term; second term is equal to last but
one term and soon.
Therefore given can be written as
n
2 [1.1998 + 2.1997 + 3. 1996 + ……..+ 999.1000] = c3
If we generalize the above we get
999
n
2  n(1999  n) = c3
n 1
 999 999
 n
 
2  n 1
1999.n   n 2 
=
c3
n 1 
n
2.1999.
999.1000 2.999.1000.1999
 =
c3
2 6
n n!
999.1000.1999 999.1000.1999
 = c3 =
2 3 (n  3)!3!
2 n.(n  1)(n  2)(n  3)!
.999.1000.1999 
3 (n  3)!3.2.1
This is equal to
2.2.999.1000.1999 = n (n-1) (n-2)
1998. 1999. 2000 = (n-2) (n-1) n
On comparing both sides we get n = 2000.
Extension:
24. Sum of 4 numbers is 58. If 1 is added to first number, 2 is subtracted from 2nd
3 is multiplied with 3rd and 4th is divided by 4 the resulting sum remains
same. Find the numbers.
Sol:
This is one of the best problems that I have ever seen.
Solving of the problem I am leaving to the readers only.
This is very tricky problem. Just a small hint I want to mention here.
i.e. let a, b, c and d be the required numbers.
a + b + c + d = 58
After applying the operations
(a+1) + (b-2) + (3 x c) + (d/4) = 58
Which means unless d is a multiple of 4 we wouldn’t get same sum.
Now you proceed to the answer……………
Extension:
Every one will be impressed by the posing of this problem.
Why don’t we take some other operations?

25. What is the largest integer n that divides (1002 -992)(992-982)……(32-22)(22-12)

is divisible by 3n?
Sol:
On simplifying each bracket by using (a2 – b2) = (a - b) (a + b)
We get the above sequence as
(199) (197) (195) ……………….(3) (1)
Same can be written as
199!
=
2 x4 x6 x8 x10 x.................198
199!
=
2 x( 2 x 2) x( 2 x3) x(2 x 4) x(2 x5)...............x(2 x99)
199!
=
299 x99!
Now we calculate the highest power of 3 in 199! & 99!.
199! Contains 97 as highest power of 3 and 99! Contains 48 as

highest power of 3.
So the required answer is 97 – 48 = 49.
Extension:
This problem can be extended in many ways with many different
numbers. Try this ..
26. Find all triples of positive integers (a, b, c) such that a! = b! c!?
Sol:
It is always a challenge to solve problems which includes factorial.
On a small observation this problem has been made.

As no number exists whose factorial is a perfect square, b & c are
unequal integers.
Observe the following
6! = 5! X 3! This implies 720 = 120 x 6
Without giving mush explanation let me conclude one thing here
6 = 3! that means 6! = (3!)!
And 5 = (6-1) that means 5 = (3!)-1
So it means 6! = 5! X 3! Can be written as
(3!)! = (3!-1)! X 3!
If we generalize, the above can be written as
(a!)! = (a!-1)! X (a!)
So we say any triples of the form (k!, k!-1, k) satisfies the given
condition.
So the some solutions are (6, 5, 3), (
Extension:
Find all triples (a, b, c) of positive integers such that
a! + b3 = 18 + c3?
27. Find the HCF of 11111…………111 (2000 1’s), 11111……..111 (1200 1’s)
Sol:
This is also not a problem to discuss in this book.
But this problem made with simple HCF problem.
If the question is given as find the HCF of 2000, 1200.
Simply we say the answer is 400.
But this question made with same logic
Answer will be 11111…….11 (400 1’s)
Extension:
Look at the another way questioning
27 (a). Find the HCF of (2 120-1) & (2 100 -1)

28. Look at the given figure. ABCD is a square of side 4cm. Just in this figure we
can pose many questions? First we take one.
Find the length of PQ.
Sol:
As QDC & PBC are equilateral triangles.
 QCD = 60 and  PCB also 60
Now  QCB = 90 = 60 = 30.
Let us consider the triangle PCQ,  C = 30 + 60 = 90
And QC = CP = 4cm
Therefore applying Pythagoras theorem we get PQ = 4 2 cm.
Though it is very simple to solve just have look at the extensions of

the problem.
Extension:
Look at the figure.
28 (a). what is the area of shaded part?

28 (b). In the figure what is the area of triangle ABQ?
28 (c). Find the area of the shaded part in the figure?

Some other non routine problems:
Here are the some interesting problems which are like seeds, if seed them
in our brain they will grow like big tress, which gives many more problems and
lot of joy of mathematics?
1. If N = 1 + 11 + 101 +1001 + 10001 + 100001 + ………… + 10000……001 (2014

zeros between 1’s). Then calculate the sum of digits of N.
2. There are 4 unequal positive integers a, b, c & N = 5a + 3b + 5c. It is also

true that N = 4a +5b + 4c. If 131 < N < 150 then find the value of a + b + c.
3. Find the sum of the digits of N, if N = (7777……..77)2 – (22222…..223)2
There were 2014 7’s in 1st bracket & 2013 2’s in 2nd bracket.
4. a, b, c, d are positive integers such that ab +cd = 38; ac +bd = 34 and

ad +bc = 43 find a, b, c and d.
5. ABCD is a square. Three parallel lines l1, l2 and l3 are drawn which passes
through A, B and C respectively. The distance between l1 and l2 is 5cm, and
the distance between l2 and l3 is 7cm then find the area of the square.
6. Sum of lengths of 3 sides of a right triangle is 18cm and sum of the squares
of the 3 sides is 128cm. find the area of the triangle.
7. 100 numbers are written around a circle. Their sum is equal to 100. The
sum of any 6 neighboring numbers doesn’t exceed 6. The first number is 6.
The remaining numbers.
8. Prove that 174 + 3015 is a composite number.

9. Prove that 5501 + 5 502 + 3 500 is a composite number.
10. Prove that 2 186 +2 94 -2 62 +1 is a composite number.
11. Solve for x & y in real

xy2 = 15x2 + 17xy + 15y2; x2y = 20x2 + 3y2
12. Solve the following in real
(x2 + x - 2)3 + (2x2 – x - 1)3 = 27(x2 - 1)3
13. Solve x & y in positive integers
x2 + y2 +2xy -2013x – 2013 y -2014 = 0
14. If a, b, c, d and e are positive integers > 1 such that
a (b + c + d + e) = 128; b (a + c + d + e) = 155
c (a + b + d + e) = 203; d (a + b + c + e) = 243;
e (a + b + c + d) = 275.
15. If a = 11111…..111 (2002 1’s) and b = 100000…..005 (2001 0’s)

Find the value of ab  1
16. Find the value of the following sum

3 4 5 2008
   ............... 
1!2!3! 2!3!4! 3!4!5! 2006!2007!2008!
17. Is there any positive integral solutions for m, n such that m! = n2
18. Let A, B be the number of digits of 21998 and 51998 in the decimal system,
then find the value of A +B.
19. If x2 + y2 + z = 15, x + y + z2 + 27 and xy + yz + zx = 7 then find the range of

x + y + z.
20. How many ordered integer pairs (x, y) are there satisfying following
equation
y= x  1998  x  1998  x  1997  x  1997  ........ x  1  x  1  x  x
21. Let m = (abab) and n = (cdcd) be four digit numbers in the decimal system.
If (m + n) is a perfect square, what is the largest value of a.b.c.d?
22. How many real triples (x, y, z) satisfying following system.

x2+y2+z2 = 21, x + y + z + xyz = -3 and x2yz+y2xz+z2xy = -40
x x x
23. Find the sum of real roots of ( x x )  x .
24. What is the largest prime p that makes 17 p  625 an integer?

How many primes for p are there such that 39p + 1 is a perfect square?
25. Find the number of real triples (x, y, z) satisfying the following equations
(x + y)5 = z; (y + z)5 = x; (z + x)5 = y
2
6..
7
8
26. Find the last two digits of the decimal representation of 9 .
27. Find the sum of real roots of (2 + (2+ (2+x) 2)2)2 = 2000.
28. What is the least integer n>100 such that 77 divide 1+ 2 + 22+23+……. +2n?
29. What is the largest possible area of an isosceles trapezoid in which the
largest side is 13cm and the perimeter is 28cm?
30. What is the largest integer n such that 2n + 65 is equal to square of an

integer?
31. The thousands place digit of a 5-digit number which is divisible by 37 and
173 is 3. What is the hundreds digit of this number?
32. How many primes p are there such that (39p + 1) is a perfect square?
33. How many primes p are there such that 5p (2p+1 -1) is a perfect square?
34. What is the least integer n >2003 such that 5n + n5 is a multiple of 11?
35. How many positive integers which divide 5n11 -2n5 -3n for all positive
integers n are there?
36. How many solutions does the equation system
x 1 3 x y y2
 2 2
 have?
xy  3 7  x  y xy  4
37. How many solutions does the equation a! = b!c! have where a, b, c are
integers greater than 1?
m m
38. How many integers are there such that      ? (Where x  denotes
11 10 
the greatest integer not exceeding x).
2006!
39. What is the largest integer n such that 5n divides ?
(1003!) 2
40. What is the sum of the real numbers satisfying the equation
 6 x  5  15 x  7
 8   ?
5
41. What is the sum of real roots of the equation

 1  1  3 45
x   x   x   x  1 =
 4  2  4 32
42. What is the third digit after the decimal point of the decimal
representation of 3 2  5  3 2  5 ?
43. How many pairs of positive integers (x, y) are there such that
xy  71 x  30  0 ?
44. What is the last three digits of 49303 .3993202 .39606?
45. How many positive integers n are there such that n  n  n  n is an

integer?
2 2  3.2  1 3 2  3.3  1 4 2  3.4  1 10 2  3.10  1

46. Let A =    .......... ...  . What is
3!.4! 4!.5! 5!.6! 11!.12!
the remainder when A is divided by 11?
47. How many ordered integer pairs of (a, b) satisfying a2b +ab2 =
2013201420132014?
48. x + 19y  0 (mod 23) and x + y < 69. How many pairs of (x, y) are there in
positive integers?
49. How many ordered pairs of integers (x, y) are there such that 2011y2 =
2010x +3?
50. How many positive integers less than 2014 are there such that the sum
factorials of its digits is equal to itself?
51. If the real numbers x, y and z satisfies the equations

xyz xyz xyz
 1,  1, and  2 , what can be the value of xyz?
x y yz zx
2 3 2009
     
52. If N =  2    2    2   .......... ....   2  , what is the remainder when 22010
 5  5  5   5 
is divided by N?
53. Find the perimeter of the triangle whose altitudes are 3, 4 and 6.
54. If 10 divides the number 1.21 + 2.22+ 3.23+ 4.24+………+ n.2n, what least
integer n>2012?
55. If a 3 – digit number abc is prime prove that b2 – 4ac can’t be a perfect
square.
56. Is there exists any 3- digit number abc such that abc = a! + b! + c!.
2 3 4 5 100 9  403 
57. Show that 1      ...................   1 .
3 9 27 81 391 16  3101 
58. Does there exist a 2000-digit perfect square and has at least 1999 5’s in its
decimal representation?
59. What is the least possible number of positive integers such that the sum of
their squares equal to 2014?
60. What is the smallest number of the form 1111…111 which is divisible by
33…33 (100 3’s)
Problems Proposed by the students:
I strongly believe this book would be incomplete if I don’t mention a

student who is really enjoying the solving problems moreover creating many non
routine problems.
As I mentioned in fore ward, motivating the students towards creating new

problems is one of the best ways to make mathematics students friendly.
I am very happy and little proud to introduce K. Naga Harish of X standard,

and the problems created by him.
No matter how many of them are up to the mark. Please see the way of
innovative thinking of this boy. Here I am giving list of some problems proposed
by him.
1. Find the all 3 digit numbers ‘abc’ such that abc = ab + bc + ca.
2. Prove that there exists no 4-digit perfect squares such that 1. First digit of
that number is equal to 3rd digit and 2nd digit of the number is equal to 4th
digit.(Ex: abab is a 4-digit number)
3. If the roots of x1729 -1 = 0 are 1, a1, a2, a3, …………….., a1728 then show that
(1-a1)(1-a2)(1-a3)…………..(1-a1728) = 1729.
4. Prove that 20142015 + 20112014 is a composite number.
5. If the product of two prime numbers is expressed as n2 + 9n +20 then find

the value of n2 + n4+ n6+n8+………….+n2016.
6. Find all the values of ‘a’ such that 4 1729  16a 4 is an integer where ‘a’ is a
positive integer.
7. If K -1733 =  x  x  x  ..........  x x x.........  . If x = 6 then find the

 
K
number of zeros at the end of C (K+1)/2.
2014
8. Evaluate 
n 1
n
  2n   3n  ...........  
n  n n n

2014 n where x  denotes the
greatest integer less than or equal to x.
9. Find the value of the sum log 110   log 102   log 103   ....................  log 102014  where
x denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x.
10. If 3751 +3750 51 + 3749 512 +…………… 5151  x (mod) 53, then find the value
of x.
References:
i. Ramanujan Notebooks
ii. Crux mayhem
iii. Turkey National Olympiad
iv. Uzbekistan Mathematical Olympiad
v. INMO training Camp
vi. MAA Contest problems

About Author:
R. Hara Gopal
SA- Mathematics
I love mathematics as a subject, teaching as my

profession and love to spend my time with
children. Fortunately my life has been blend of
these three favorite things. I have been a
mathematics teacher for school children.
I would be overwhelmed if this trail of making
mathematics interesting for school children this
book is successful.
I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. S .R. Santhanam

& Mr. M. R. Govinda Reddi for their
encouragement.
In mathematics the art of proposing a question must

be held of higher value than solving it.
- Georg Cantor

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The Secrets Behind

P Problem Posing &

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In the 12 years of my teaching experience I found

3. Ramanujan’s view of squaring the circle. 27

7. Some Non Routine problems 73

8. Problems proposed by the students 79

The Historical Problem which changed the Indian Face in

Everybody knows that after sending many results in his letters to

It seems to be a foolish result which was sent by Ramanujan to the

Everybody laughed at this result, because

How the sum of positive numbers will be a negative quantity?

And how the sum of integers will be a fraction?

But Ramanujan gave an intellectual proof of this. Here I am posing an

Let us assume the given series as S

Let us consider the series

It seems to be either 1 or 0 is the value of entire sum, but which is ½

Let us assume the entire series

And let us consider another series of numbers

This series also easily misleads everyone to the wrong answer

Let us consider the entire series as S2

Let us add the both

Now let us consider S – S2

S – S2 = ( 1  2  3  4  .......... ..........  ) – ( 1  2  3  4  5  6  .......... ..........  )

This is why Ramanujan is only mathematician came to be known as

“Man who knows Infinity?”

I don’t want to take any risk to comment on the creation of this

As I came to know that Ramanujan gone through the book named as

So I understood that every problem will be created just by inspiring

I hope this book will create many such opportunities to you.

1. What is the sum of the following sequence

Here we have to start with a small manipulation by taking less

Let us consider the following

Now if you observe the above values

3 = 22-1, 7 = 23-1, 15 = 24-1, 31= 25-1 and so on

Now we try to establish the relation between the number of brackets

In 1st observation with 0 brackets power of 2 is 2

In 2nd observation with 1 bracket power of 2 is 3

In 3rd observation with 2 brackets power of 2 is 4

i.e. if n brackets were there the generalized solution is 2n+2 -1

So for the given question

1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(1+2(……………….)))))))))))))))))))) – 2014 brackets

The value is 22016-1

Why the problem should be with only 1s &2s

We can change the problem in many ways each contains different

Here are some more examples of extension of problem

Find the value of following sequence

1. (a) 3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(3+2(………………….))))))))))) - 2014

1. (b) 1+2(3+4(1+2(3+4(1+2(3+4(………………….))))))))))) – 2013

Try in that way.

2. Find the sum of digits of the value (3333………333)2 – 2014 digits

Let us observe the following

No. Of Digits Value Sum of Digits

So if we observe 9 = 9x1, 18 = 9 x 2, 27= 9 x3 & 36 = 9 x 4and so on

After observing above we definitely get the thought of trying same

Here are some examples

2. (a) Find the sum of digits of (6666……..66)2 – 2014 digits

Observe the another way questioning

2. (b) If the sum digits of the (aaaa…….aa)2 – 2014 digits is 18126

2. ( c) Sum of digits of the number (121212121212….)2 -2014 digits

3. Let a, b, c, d, e be the 5 distinct integers such that

The prime factorization of 45 is 3 x 3 x 5.

But it is given that 45 as the product of 5 different factors. And they