NRICH: Difference of Two Squares
What is special about the difference between squares of numbers adjacent to multiples of three?
You may wish to look at the problem What’s Possible? before trying this one.
Choose a number in the 3 times table.Take the numbers on either side of your chosen number and find the difference between their squares.
Can you prove it will always happen?Choose a number in the 5 times table.
Take the numbers on either side of your chosen number and find the difference between their squares.
Try it a few times. What do you notice?
Can you prove it will always happen?Is there a similar relationship for other times tables?ExtensionInstead of taking the numbers on either side of your starting number, investigate what happens if you take the numbers two above and two below your starting number and then work out the difference between their squares…
If you enjoyed this problem you may like to try Why 24? next.
Age 14 to 16
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What is special about the difference between squares of numbers adjacent to multiples of three?
You may wish to look at the problem What’s Possible? before trying this one.
Choose a number in the 3 times table.Take the numbers on either side of your chosen number and find the difference between their squares.
Can you prove it will always happen?Choose a number in the 5 times table.
Take the numbers on either side of your chosen number and find the difference between their squares.
Try it a few times. What do you notice?
Can you prove it will always happen?Is there a similar relationship for other times tables?ExtensionInstead of taking the numbers on either side of your starting number, investigate what happens if you take the numbers two above and two below your starting number and then work out the difference between their squares…
If you enjoyed this problem you may like to try Why 24? next.
Age 14 to 16