Square bashing
I have in mind a list of consecutive positive integers. A second list of numbers is generated by squaring each of the numbers in my original list. The sum of the first 2500 of these squares is equal to the sum of the next 2499 in the list.
What is the smallest number in my original list?
WIN 拢15 will be awarded to the sender of the first correct answer opened on Wednesday 2 January 2013. The Editor鈥檚 decision is final. Please send entries to Enigma 1725, New 杏吧原创, Lacon House, 84 Theobald鈥檚 Road, London WC1X 8NS, or to enigma@newscientist.com (please include your postal address).
Advertisement
Answer to 1719 Taking averages: 8 counters
The winner Jan Hesketh of Peel, Isle of Man