On a late June afternoon, Jill sat on the green grass by a small lake at the university with a concentrated look on her face.\u00a0Some ducks were quacking nearby.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jill, I see you are thinking about something, anything important?\u201d said Jack, who had quietly walked up to her on the grass.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need a vacation and there’s this problem I’m trying to work out, Jack\u201d said Jill in an exasperated tone of voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems you are not progressing much. Tell me all about it,\u201d said Jack, sitting down beside her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe travel magazine \u2018Your Perfect Vacation\u2019 is holding a contest where the winner will get a two week, fully paid vacation for two at a bungalow in Curacao in the Caribbean, and I want to win the prize,\u201d she said with a determined look.<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds interesting. I enjoy basking in the sun and doing some snorkeling. Want some company on the trip if I help you?\u201d offered Jack eagerly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bet, Jack. Have a look at the problem, the deadline is tomorrow.\u201d Jill handed him the magazine, pointing to the advertisement.<\/p>\n
Jack began reading out loud: \u201cThere is a number that starts with a digit and is followed by four digits that are the same. Square this number and subtract one to give a ten digit number, none of whose digits are the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jill was looking expectantly at him, hoping to see a light turn on in his eyes.<\/p>\n
Jack\u2019s face brightened up. \u201cJill, this is no big problem. Some number theory that I know will make it easy,\u201d smiled Jack.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo glad to hear it, Jack. Let\u2019s go over to my place, work it out and enter the solution on the magazine\u2019s webpage,\u201c invited Jill.<\/p>\n
\u201cCuracao, here we come,\u201d said Jack, nimbly pulling Jill up on her feet.<\/p>\n
Jack and Jill gathered their things and walked off together down a tree-lined path.<\/p>\n
What do you figure is the number Jack and Jill are looking for?<\/em><\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>