How Do Floor Functions Affect the Results of Square Roots in Sequence Problems?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter anemone
  • Start date
In summary, the purpose of POTW #357 is to explore the concepts of floor function and square roots from 1 to 2016 through a series of mathematical problems and puzzles. A floor function is a mathematical function that rounds a real number down to the nearest integer. The square root of a number is the inverse of the floor function. The range of the floor function from 1 to 2016 was chosen because 2016 is a highly composite number with interesting mathematical properties. This number also holds significance as it is the year in which the problem was originally published.
  • #1
anemone
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MHB
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Compute \(\displaystyle \frac{\left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{1}}\right\rfloor \cdot \left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{3}}\right\rfloor \cdot\left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{5}}\right\rfloor \cdots \left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{2015}}\right\rfloor}{\left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{2}}\right\rfloor \cdot \left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{4}}\right\rfloor \cdot\left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{6}}\right\rfloor \cdots \left\lfloor{\sqrt[4]{2016}}\right\rfloor}\).

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Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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  • #2
Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution!(Cool)

1. Olinguito
2. castor28
3. Opalg
4. lfdahl
5. kaliprasad

Solution from castor28:
The expression can be written as:
$$
P=\prod_{n=0}^{1007}{\frac{\lfloor\sqrt[4]{2n+1}\rfloor}{\lfloor\sqrt[4]{2n+2}\rfloor}}
$$
Each fraction in the product is different from $1$ only when $2n+2=a^4$ for some integer $a$ (necessarily even). In that case, the fraction is equal to $\dfrac{a-1}{a}$.
As $6^4 < 2016 < 7^4$, this happens for $a=2,4,6$, and the expression is equal to:
$$
P = \frac12\times\frac34\times\frac56= \bf\frac{5}{16}
$$
 

FAQ: How Do Floor Functions Affect the Results of Square Roots in Sequence Problems?

What is the floor function?

The floor function, denoted as ⌊x⌋, is a mathematical function that rounds a real number down to the nearest integer. It essentially "chops off" the decimal part of a number, leaving only the integer part.

How is the floor function related to square roots?

The floor function is often used in conjunction with square roots because it can help determine the largest integer that, when squared, is less than or equal to a given number. For example, the floor of the square root of 10 is 3, because 3 squared is 9, which is less than 10.

What is the range of values for the floor function?

The range of the floor function is all integers, from negative infinity to positive infinity. This is because any real number can be rounded down to an integer using the floor function.

How is the floor function used in real-world applications?

The floor function has various applications in fields such as computer science, engineering, and finance. It can be used to determine the maximum number of items that can fit in a given space, to approximate the time it takes for a task to be completed, and to calculate compound interest rates, among other uses.

Why is the floor function important in mathematics?

The floor function is important in mathematics because it allows for more precise calculations and helps solve problems that involve real numbers. It also has connections to other mathematical concepts, such as modular arithmetic and number theory.

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