□ ÷ □ □ ÷ □ ÷ □ = = □ ÷ □ □ ÷ □ ÷ □
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?
□ ÷ □ ÷ □ ÷ □ = □ ÷ □ ÷ □ ÷ □
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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?)
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Hint: Since 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 × 6 × 8 × 9 = 1 0 3 6 8 , what can we then conclude?
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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.
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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.
@Steven Perkins – You are correct. The answer is that there is no solution for equations with 7 terms.
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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 be distinct positive integers, such that A ÷ B ÷ C ÷ D = E ÷ F ÷ G ÷ H Multiplying both sides by the common denominators, we obtain A × F × G × H = B × C × D × E Note that 9 ! has 9 distinct positive integer factors from 1 to 9 . Looking at the factors, we see that there are 2 integers (5 and 7) that are all relatively prime with other 7 integers. But since we are filling all 8 boxes with distinct integers, either 5 or 7 is filled, contradiction.
Thus, there is no way to fill all boxes with positive integers.
Note: This illustrates pigeonhole principle