Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Welcome to BrainDen.com - Brain Teasers Forum

Welcome to BrainDen.com - Brain Teasers Forum. Like most online communities you must register to post in our community, but don't worry this is a simple free process. To be a part of BrainDen Forums you may create a new account or sign in if you already have an account.
As a member you could start new topics, reply to others, subscribe to topics/forums to get automatic updates, get your own profile and make new friends.

Of course, you can also enjoy our collection of amazing optical illusions and cool math games.

If you like our site, you may support us by simply clicking Google "+1" or Facebook "Like" buttons at the top.
If you have a website, we would appreciate a little link to BrainDen.

Thanks and enjoy the Den :-)

Guest Message by DevFuse

Algebra Puzzles

Started by pavvi, Dec 13 2007 07:04 PM

Please log in to reply

4 replies to this topic

#1 pavvi

Newbie

Members
1 posts

Posted 13 December 2007 - 07:04 PM

ABCDEF*6=ABCDEF find ABCDEF if A=1.

0

Back to top

#2 spoxjox

Junior Member

Members
97 posts

Posted 13 December 2007 - 07:37 PM

ABCDEF*6=ABCDEF find ABCDEF if A=1.

No solution. x*6 = x only for x=0, which is impossible in your situation above.

0

Back to top

#3 bonanova

bonanova

Moderator
4782 posts

Gender:Male
Location:New York

Posted 14 December 2007 - 06:54 AM

ABCDEF*6=ABCDEF find ABCDEF if A=1.

If A=1 then ABCDEF = BCDEF

Spoiler for solution

0

The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.
- Bertrand Russell

Back to top

#4 spoxjox

Junior Member

Members
97 posts

Posted 14 December 2007 - 07:27 PM

ABCDEF*6=ABCDEF find ABCDEF if A=1.

If A=1 then ABCDEF = BCDEF
Spoiler for solution
Dividing both sides by A we have BCDEF*6 = BCDEF or BCDEF=0
Thus ABCDEF = 0. This is true no matter what value A takes.
If A is nonzero then BCDEF=0. If A=0 ABCDEF=0 by inspection.

We understand the puzzle differently. I interpreted ABCDEF as representing a six-digit number, each digit represented by a letter. In that case, no solution is possible. You seem to have understood ABCDEF to mean A * BCDEF, in which case the only solution is for BCDEF to be zero.