November 2012
Problem of the Month

Mr. P's Age



Mr. P made the following statement:

I will turn x + 34 years old in the year x2.

How old will Mr. P be on his birthday this year?



Solution to the Problem:

Mr. P will turn 66 this year (in 2012).

Examining a table of squares, you will find:

      x             x2      
      44           1936      
     45    2025
     46     2116


The only year that makes sense in this problem is 2025.

So, x = 45 and x2 = 2025.
That means Mr. P will turn x + 34 = 79 in the year 2025.
So, in 2012, he will turn 66.
P.S. It's still not too late to buy him a present!!   Or just send money!!

By the way, I got the idea for this problem from a quote by Augustus De Morgan when asked about his age.   He said,
"I was x years old in the year x2."

Augustus De Morgan (27 June 1806 - 18 March 1871) was a British mathematician and logician who developed DeMorgan's Laws.

Since he was born in 1806, he was 43 years old in 1869 (which is 432).



Correctly solved by:

1. Chad Fore Gate City, Virginia
2. James Alarie Flint, Michigan
3. Arian Toomer Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
4. Mike Bova Wallingford Connecticut
5. Alp Aribal Istanbul, Turkey
6. Jessie Schuttemeier Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher