Answer to August 28, 2000 Problem

de Morgan's Age Problem

 
Augustus de Morgan, when asked about his age, remarked, "I was x years old in the year x^2."

When was he born if he died in 1871?

 

Solution to Problem:

Answer is 1806

Examining possible squares, we find
41^2 = 1681
42^2 = 1764
43^2 = 1849
44^2 = 1936

Clearly, the only one which makes sense in this problem would be 43^2 = 1849. So de Morgan was 43 in 1849. Therefore, he was born in 1806.



Correctly solved by:

1. Eric Harding Ashburn, VA
2. Bob Hearn Winchester, VA
3. Christopher March Winchester, VA
4. Joe Vance Winchester, VA
5. Emily Gustin Winchester, VA
6. Ryan Charest Winchester, VA
7. Kirstine Wynn Winchester, VA
8. Elizabeth Cotter Oak Hill, VA
9. Trip Stallings Duke University
10. Brett Jones Duke University
11. Ankur Shah Winchester, VA