Looks easy

Find the sum of all positive integers x x so that x ! \sqrt{x!} is a positive integer.


The answer is 1.

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3 solutions

Cantdo Math
Apr 24, 2020

The problem is equivalent to finding when x ! x! is going to be a square number. Bertrand's postulate is a theorem stating that for any integer n > 3 n>3 , there always exists at least one prime number p p with

n < p < 2 n 2. n<p<2n-2. So,we have x! will have a prime with power one when x 2 > 3 \frac{x}{2}>3 that is x > 6. x>6. Hence by bertrand's postulate, we have for x > 6 x>6 (roughly) there will be a prime which has exponent only one in n ! n! .So,we only need to consider small cases.

After working those small ones we get, 1 1 is the only solution

Hmm, not bad, not bad. I would recommend some deeper explaining though.

Speaking of which, I'm still wondering: Why is 6 6 there? Is that a necessary limit? Why?

Steven Jim - 1 year, 1 month ago

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edited.Though 6 need not be the necessary limit,it can be even smaller.Since 6 is not a big number,I didn't make it precise.

CANTDO MATH - 1 year, 1 month ago

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That is better.

Recommend you to try Latex-ing the solution for better visual.

Steven Jim - 1 year, 1 month ago

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@Steven Jim Thanks for your recommendation. I will keep that in mind.

CANTDO MATH - 1 year, 1 month ago
Mohammed Imran
Mar 28, 2020

We know that x ! x! will be a perfect square iff it can be decomposed to primes whose powers are all even. But, by Legendre's Theorem, we will find that there will be at least one prime whose power will be odd. And hence this completes the proof

Giorgos K.
Feb 20, 2018

Just searched the first 1000 integers using Mathematica

Select[Range@1000, IntegerQ[Sqrt[#!]] &]

No. Better solution is there.

Md Zuhair - 3 years, 3 months ago

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Problem is every factor you use have to be used an even time, but everytime you hit a prime, you have to take x at least the next number who has that prima as a factor. Apperantly under 1000 you hit a new prime everytime. Doesnt really prove its not possible for X above 1000. That prove might be pretty hard

Peter van der Linden - 3 years, 3 months ago

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About that, there’s already been a theorem that for all positive integers n n , there exist a prime p p so that n < p < 2 n n<p<2n . This is a straightforward use of that one.

Also, n > 1 n>1 .

Steven Jim - 3 years, 3 months ago

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@Steven Jim Probably that proof is hard ;p

Peter van der Linden - 3 years, 3 months ago

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@Peter van der Linden @Peter van der Linden It is known as Bertrand's Postulate...........

Aaghaz Mahajan - 2 years, 11 months ago

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@Aaghaz Mahajan Just because it bears someone's name, doenst make it an easy proof. But thanks for naming it, I can take a look at it now!

Peter van der Linden - 2 years, 11 months ago

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@Peter van der Linden See Pi Han Goh's comment on this................. https://brilliant.org/discussions/thread/quick-question/?ref_id=1461326

Aaghaz Mahajan - 2 years, 11 months ago

@Peter van der Linden Well, I'm pretty sure that it is 100% not an easy proof. Welp, at least not for a 9th grade student.

This is not basic.

Steven Jim - 2 years, 11 months ago

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