1980 AHSME Problems/Problem 30

Problem

A six digit number (base 10) is squarish if it satisfies the following conditions:

(i) none of its digits are zero;

(ii) it is a perfect square; and

(iii) the first of two digits, the middle two digits and the last two digits of the number are all perfect squares when considered as two digit numbers.

How many squarish numbers are there?

$\text{(A)} \ 0 \qquad  \text{(B)} \ 2 \qquad  \text{(C)} \ 3 \qquad  \text{(D)} \ 8 \qquad  \text{(E)} \ 9$

Solution

N = a^2*10000 + b^2*100 + c^2*1

 = (a*100 + c)^2

we get

  b^2 = 2*a*c

where 4<=a,b,c<=9


 b^2=2*a*c, so 
 a=2*2,   c=2*2*2,   b=8
 a=2*3,   c=3   (NO)
 a=2*2*2, c=3*3,     b=3*4=12 (NO)

Therefore, there are two solutions (4,8,8) or (8,8,4)

Wwei.yu (talk)Wei

See also

1980 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 29
Followed by
Problem 30
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