Define ⌊ x ⌋ = max { m ∈ Z ∣ ∣ m ≤ x } for all x ∈ R .
Now, let ρ be some real number—but not an integer—such that ρ − ⌊ ρ ⌋ = ρ 2 − ⌊ ρ 2 ⌋ . Can such a number exist?
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You're absolutely right! I forgot about specifying that you have to assume also ρ ∈ / Z .
Loosely speaking the problem is asking us if we can find at least one ρ with this property: all the digits following the dot of ρ are the same digits following the dot of ρ 2 . Now let's write this ρ − ⌊ ρ ⌋ = ρ 2 − ⌊ ρ 2 ⌋ ⇔ ρ 2 − ρ = ⌊ ρ 2 ⌋ − ⌊ ρ ⌋ . φ = 2 1 + 5 The golden ratio φ will do the trick for ρ because it's the positive solution for ρ 2 − ρ − 1 = 0 so 1 < φ < 2 ⇒ ⌊ φ ⌋ = 1 ⌊ φ 2 ⌋ = ⌊ φ + 1 ⌋ = 2 and hence φ 2 − φ = 1 = ⌊ φ 2 ⌋ − ⌊ φ ⌋ = 2 − 1 = 1 .
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