Difference between revisions of "1990 AIME Problems/Problem 1"

(Problem)
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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
 
{{solution}}
 
{{solution}}
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Because there aren't that many perfect squares or cubes, let's look for the smallest perfect square greater than <math>500</math>. This happens to be <math>23^2=529</math>. Notice that there are <math>23</math> squares and <math>8</math> cubes less than or equal to <math>529</math>, but <math>1</math> and <math>2^6</math> are both squares and cubes. Thus, there are <math>529-23-8+2=500</math> numbers in our sequence less than <math>529</math>. Magically, we want the <math>500th</math> term, so our answer is the smallest non-square and non-cube less than <math>529</math>, which is <math>528</math>.  (courtesy of 4everwise)
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
* [[1990 AIME Problems]]
 
* [[1990 AIME Problems]]

Revision as of 22:16, 25 February 2007

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Problem

The increasing sequence $2,3,5,6,7,10,11,\ldots$ consists of all positive integers that are neither the square nor the cube of a positive integer. Find the 500th term of this sequence.

Solution

This problem needs a solution. If you have a solution for it, please help us out by adding it. Because there aren't that many perfect squares or cubes, let's look for the smallest perfect square greater than $500$. This happens to be $23^2=529$. Notice that there are $23$ squares and $8$ cubes less than or equal to $529$, but $1$ and $2^6$ are both squares and cubes. Thus, there are $529-23-8+2=500$ numbers in our sequence less than $529$. Magically, we want the $500th$ term, so our answer is the smallest non-square and non-cube less than $529$, which is $528$. (courtesy of 4everwise)

See also