There is, of course, no difference in _area_ between a mile square and a
square mile. But there may be considerable difference in _shape_. A mile
square can be no other shape than square; the expression describes a
surface of a certain specific size and shape. A square mile may be of
any shape; the expression names a unit of area, but does not prescribe
any particular shape.
125.--THE MINERS' HOLIDAY.
Bill Harris must have spent thirteen shillings and sixpence, which would
be three shillings more than the average for the seven men--half a
guinea.
126.--SIMPLE MULTIPLICATION.
The number required is 3,529,411,764,705,882, which may be multiplied by
3 and divided by 2, by the simple expedient of removing the 3 from one
end of the row to the other. If you want a longer number, you can
increase this one to any extent by repeating the sixteen figures in the
same order.
127.--SIMPLE DIVISION.
Subtract every number in turn from every other number, and we get 358
(twice), 716, 1,611, 1,253, and 895. Now, we see at a glance that, as
358 equals 2 x 179, the only number that can divide in every case
without a remainder will be 179. On trial we find that this is such a
divisor. Therefore, 179 is the divisor we want, which always leaves a
remainder 164 in the case of the original numbers given.
128.--A PROBLEM IN SQUARES.
The sides of the three boards measure 31 in., 41 in., and 49 in. The
common difference of area is exactly five square feet. Three numbers
whose squares are in A.P., with a common difference of 7, are 113/120,
337/120, 463/120; and with a common difference of 13 are 80929/19380,
106921/19380, and 127729/19380. In the case of whole square numbers the
common difference will always be divisible by 24, so it is obvious that
our squares must be fractional. Readers should now try to solve the case
where the common difference is 23. It is rather a hard nut.
129.--THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS.
Any number (not itself a square number) may be multiplied by a square
that will give a product 1 less than another square. The given number
must not itself be a square, because a square multiplied by a square
produces a square, and no square plus 1 can be a square. My remarks
throughout must be understood to apply to whole numbers, because
fractional soldiers are not of much use in war.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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