What does this equation mean to you?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Willowz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mean
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a method proposed by a participant for calculating the square of numbers using a specific algebraic approach. The conversation explores the validity and application of this method, particularly in squaring integers, and includes attempts to clarify the underlying principles and relationships involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces a method to calculate squares of numbers using a series of equations involving variables a, b, c, etc.
  • Another participant questions how this method could be applied to find larger powers, specifically 2^8.
  • A clarification is made that the method is intended for squaring numbers rather than calculating powers of 2.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the relationships between the variables, including the assertion that c^2 can equal a^2 + 4b under certain conditions.
  • Examples are presented to demonstrate the method, including specific calculations for squaring the number 12.
  • Participants discuss the algebraic derivation of the relationships, including the use of even and odd integers in the context of the equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding the proposed method, with some seeking clarification and others attempting to refine the approach. No consensus is reached on the overall validity or utility of the method.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the need for clearer mathematical terminology and definitions to fully grasp the method being discussed. There are also indications that the method may depend on specific integer values and relationships that have not been universally established.

Willowz
Messages
197
Reaction score
1
Hi first time on this forum. Ok I was bored and found a way to calculate numbers to the power of 2:

a b c d e f [tex]\infty[/tex]
1 2 3 4 5 6 [tex]\infty[/tex]


b-1=a c-2=a d-3=a e-4=a f-5=a g-6=a

[tex]b^{2}=a^{2}+a+b \vee b^{2}=a^{2}+2a+1[/tex]
[tex]c^{2}=a^{2}+2(2a+2) \vee c^{2}=a^{2}+4b[/tex]
Same for the rest d,e,f,g,...[tex]\infty[/tex]

What am I getting at? Well I'm at my second year at high scool , and well I still don't have the "software" :-) to find any other mening of this. I don't really know what I made up exept counting powers in my head using what's above.

Thanks for any input!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Willowz said:
Hi first time on this forum. Ok I was bored and found a way to calculate numbers to the power of 2

I don't understand your method. How would it find 2^8, for example?
 
CRGreathouse said:
I don't understand your method. How would it find 2^8, for example?

What I meant is that you can raise any number with this equation but only to the power of ^2
 
Willowz said:
Hi first time on this forum. Ok I was bored and found a way to calculate numbers to the power of 2:

a b c d e f [tex]\infty[/tex]
1 2 3 4 5 6 [tex]\infty[/tex]


b-1=a c-2=a d-3=a e-4=a f-5=a g-6=a

[tex]b^{2}=a^{2}+a+b \vee b^{2}=a^{2}+2a+1[/tex]



[tex]c^{2}=a^{2}+2(2a+2) \vee c^{2}=a^{2}+4b[/tex]



Same for the rest d,e,f,g,...[tex]\infty[/tex]

What am I getting at? Well I'm at my second year at high scool , and well I still don't have the "software" :-) to find any other mening of this. I don't really know what I made up exept counting powers in my head using what's above.

Thanks for any input!
What you are doing is finding a relation between two numbers and their second powers (squares of the numbers), not powers of 2 which means 2 muptiplied by itself a certain number of times, 2,4,8,16,32, ... In algebra, there is a way to multiplied b^2 = (a+1)*(a+1) to get the square of b since b = a + 1. You got it right when you got the result a^2 + 2a + 1. Similaly c^2 = (a+2)*(a+2). You wrote c^2 = a^2 + 4b which is correct given your values for a,b and c. But a^2 + 4b = c^2 can Be true for whole values of a,b and c only if [tex]c = a + 2m[/tex] where m is also a whole number (or integer). Try it for different values of a and c. It is correct also if c = a+ 4 and b = 2a + 4. Try it for various values of a and c. You would be making a good start in number theory if you could show that c^2 could equal a^2 + 4b where a, b and c are each integers, if c = a + n where n = 2m (or an even number) but not if n = 2m + 1 (or an odd number).
 
Thanks ramsey2879 for the info, again sorry for my bad math lingo.
 
Willowz said:
What I meant is that you can raise any number with this equation but only to the power of ^2

Ah, I see. You can square any number. So can you show me how you would square 12 with this method?
 
CRGreathouse said:
Ah, I see. You can square any number. So can you show me how you would square 12 with this method?
:
a=11 b=12
b^2=121+11+12 or b^2=121+22+1
144=144 144=144

a=10 b=11 c=12
c^2=100+2(20+2) or c^2=100+4(11)
c^2=100+44 c^2=100+44
144=144 144=144
 
Last edited:
Willowz said:
:
a=11 b=12
b^2=121+11+12 or b^2=121+22+1
144=144 144=144

a=10 b=11 c=12
c^2=100+2(20+2) or c^2=100+4(11)
c^2=100+44 c^2=100+44
144=144 144=144
This is simple to show via algebra:

[tex]c = a + 2[/tex]
[tex]c^2 = (a+2)*(a+2)[/tex]
[tex]= a^2 + 4a + 4 = a^2 + 4(a + 1)[/tex]
[tex]= a^2 + 4b[/tex]

or if c = a + 2n then
[tex]c^2 = (a + 2n)(a+2n)[/tex]
[tex]= a^2 + 4na + 4n^2[/tex]
[tex]= a^2 + 4b \quad \| b = n(a+n)[/tex]
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K