Try to Arrange Squares 1-24 into 70 Side Square Pyramid Puzzle

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    Puzzle Pyramid Square
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of arranging squares with side lengths from 1 to 24 into a larger square with a side length of 70. Participants explore the feasibility of this arrangement, share their experiences with attempts, and reference known mathematical solutions related to perfect squares.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that arranging the squares into a larger square is probably impossible but provides an applet for others to experiment with.
  • Another participant shares their experience, stating they managed to reduce the problem to leaving out squares 16 and 17, with 16 being close to fitting.
  • A participant mentions there are 27 known solutions for forming a perfect square using 24 smaller squares, listing specific side lengths associated with these solutions.
  • There is a query about whether solutions exist for configurations with 22 and 23 squares, and if solutions are available for all numbers starting from 21.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the arrangement, with some believing it is impossible while others reference known solutions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the existence of solutions for configurations with fewer than 24 squares.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about known solutions and their configurations depend on specific mathematical definitions and may not cover all potential arrangements. The discussion does not resolve whether all configurations from 21 to 24 squares have been thoroughly explored.

chronon
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Following a post in the Number theory forum, I got to thinking: is it possible to arrange the squares with sides 1 to 24 into one big square of side 70. I think its probably impossible, but I've written an applet at http://www.chronon.org/applets/pyramid.html for people to try it out.
 
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That's tough. I finally figured it out though... :biggrin: Yeah Right! The best I've been able to do so far was getting it down to the 16 and 17 squares as the only ones left. And the 16 square is actually pretty close to being able to fit in; but not the 17.

Cool App. How do you implement an Applet? I did a mortgage program and want to set it up as an applet.
 
there are 27 known solutions for for a perfect square made up of 24 other squares. The order 24 squares have side lengths as listed below and if a number is shown twice then two different solutions exist.
120 175 186 194 195 196 201 201 203 247 253 255 288 288 290 292 304 304 314 316 326 423 435 435 459 459 479

The least amount of perfect squares to make up a perfect square is 21 and the only known order 21 sqaure has sidelengths 112
 
AntonVrba said:
there are 27 known solutions for for a perfect square made up of 24 other squares. The order 24 squares have side lengths as listed below and if a number is shown twice then two different solutions exist.
120 175 186 194 195 196 201 201 203 247 253 255 288 288 290 292 304 304 314 316 326 423 435 435 459 459 479

The least amount of perfect squares to make up a perfect square is 21 and the only known order 21 sqaure has sidelengths 112

That's cool. Math is great. So did you configure one of the possible solutions? Are there solutions for 23 and 22? And if so, are there solutions for all numbers from 21 on? I guess I could do the math; but...
 

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