Can all natural numbers be expressed as the sum of two triangular numbers?

In summary, the numbers that can be expressed as the sum of two triangular numbers are those that can be written as 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 34, 36, or 37. This can also be seen as a pattern where some numbers are the sum of a smaller triangular number and 9 (e.g. 14 = 5 + 9). However, unlike the sum of two squares problem, there is no clear pattern or rule for determining which numbers can be expressed
  • #1
AKG
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
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Which number can be expressed as the sum of two triangular numbers? I don't even know how to start with this one. Here is some data:

If you don't count 0 as a triangular number, then the following can:

2
4
6
7
9
11
12
13
16
18
20
21
22
24
25
27
29
30
31
34
36
37

And these can't:

3
5
8
10
14
15
17
19
23
26
28
32
33
35

If you do count 0 as one, then the following can:

2
3
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
18
20
21
22
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
34
36
37

And these can't:

5
8
14
17
19
23
26
32
33
35

Unlike the sum of two squares problem, you don't get anything so nice like if a and b are the sum of two triangles, then so is ab. Also, with sums of two squares, there's the fact if p is an odd prime, then p is a sum of two squares iff p = 1 (mod 4). Again, nothing as nice appears to be true for triangle numbers (even if you replace mod 4 with mod 3 or other small primes, or so it seems).
 
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  • #2
5
8
14
17
19
23
26
32
33
35
One thing that strikes me about this list is that it has:
5, 8
14, 17 (= 5 + 9, 8 + 9)
23, 26 (= 14 + 9, 17 + 9)
32, 35 (= 23 + 9, 26 + 9)
With 19 and 33 the only ones remaining.

Maybe it's just a spurious pattern that arises because we're only looking at very small numbers, though.
 
  • #3
Another thing that may or may not be useful: observe that the sum of the m-th and n-th triangular numbers is:

[tex]\frac{m(m+1)}{2} + \frac{n(n+1)}{2}
= \frac{1}{2} \left( \left(m + \frac{1}{2}\right)^2 + \left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{1}{2} \right)[/tex]

Maybe you could apply some of the reasoning for the sum of two squares to this case, through an affine transformation.
 

1. What is the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers"?

The "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers" is a mathematical concept where two triangular numbers, which are numbers that can be represented as a triangle made up of evenly spaced points, are added together to get a larger triangular number. For example, 3 and 6 are triangular numbers, and their sum, 9, is also a triangular number.

2. How do you calculate the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers"?

The formula for calculating the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers" is (n*(n+1))/2 + (m*(m+1))/2, where n and m are the two triangular numbers being added together. This formula can be simplified to (n^2 + n + m^2 + m)/2.

3. What is the significance of the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers"?

The "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers" has many applications in mathematics, including number theory, geometry, and even cryptography. It also has connections to other mathematical concepts, such as perfect numbers and figurate numbers.

4. Are there any patterns or relationships between triangular numbers and their sums?

Yes, there are several patterns and relationships between triangular numbers and their sums. For example, the sum of two consecutive triangular numbers is always a perfect square. Additionally, the sum of two triangular numbers can also be expressed as a sum of consecutive natural numbers.

5. Can the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers" be used to solve real-world problems?

Yes, the "Sum of Two Triangular Numbers" can be used to solve various real-world problems, such as finding the number of possible routes in a triangular grid or calculating the number of objects in a triangular arrangement. It can also be used in optimization problems and in the study of patterns and sequences.

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