2 and 3 Imply 4

Logic Level 3

÷ = ÷ ÷ ÷ = ÷ ÷ \begin{array}{rcl} \Large \square \div \square &\Large=& \Large \square \div \square\\\\ \Large \square \div \square \div \square &\Large=& \Large \square \div \square \div \square \end{array}

Each of the two equations above can be filled with distinct numerical digits. Is it possible that we do the same for the equation below?

÷ ÷ ÷ = ÷ ÷ ÷ \Large \square \div \square \div \square \div \square\ =\ \square \div \square \div \square \div \square

Yes, it is possible No, it's not possible

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1 solution

Michael Huang
Aug 21, 2017

Let's prove this by contradiction.

Suppose that it is possible to fill all boxes with positive values. Let A , B , C , D , E , F , G , H A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H be distinct positive integers, such that A ÷ B ÷ C ÷ D = E ÷ F ÷ G ÷ H \Large A \div B \div C \div D = E \div F \div G \div H Multiplying both sides by the common denominators, we obtain A × F × G × H = B × C × D × E \Large A\times F \times G \times H = B \times C \times D \times E Note that 9 ! 9! has 9 9 distinct positive integer factors from 1 1 to 9 9 . Looking at the factors, we see that there are 2 2 integers (5 and 7) that are all relatively prime with other 7 7 integers. But since we are filling all 8 8 boxes with distinct integers, either 5 5 or 7 7 is filled, contradiction.

Thus, there is no \boxed{\text{no}} way to fill all boxes with positive integers.

Note: This illustrates pigeonhole principle

Then can you have 7 numbers that form an equation, 4 on one side and 3 on the other?

A x F x G = B x C x D x E

(Or the equivalent using division?)

Steven Perkins - 3 years, 9 months ago

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Hint: Since 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 × 6 × 8 × 9 = 10368 1 \times 2 \times 3 \times 4 \times 6 \times 8 \times 9 = 10368 , what can we then conclude?

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 9 months ago

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I could tell it wouldn't work. We still have an odd power of 2 to deal with!

So there are two sets of 6 digits to form a legitimate multiplicative (or divisive :-) ) equation. And thus they provide solutions for the second equation example in the original problem.

It was an interesting problem for me to think about.

Steven Perkins - 3 years, 9 months ago

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@Steven Perkins Great observation!

I was thinking of "product has to be a perfect square", as a necessary but not sufficient condition.

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 9 months ago

@Steven Perkins You are correct. The answer is that there is no solution for equations with 7 7 terms.

Michael Huang - 3 years, 9 months ago

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