Is there any sense with these squares?

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In summary, 225 = 15^2.}$$ $$\color{red}{n=13:\ 82944 = 288^2.}$$ $$\color{red}{n=14:\ 176400 = 420^2.}$$ $$\color{red}{n=15:\ 215296 = 464^2.}$$ $$\color{red}{n=16:\ 3444736 = 1856^2.}$$
  • #1
kpkkpk
5
0
1 = 1^2
1 = 1^2
9 = 3^2
1 = 1^2
81 = 9^2
729 = 27^2
225 = 15^2
324 = 18^2
X
82944 = 288^2
176400 = 420^2
215296 = 464^2
3444736 = 1856^2

So, I am trying to find short method to find factorials. In order to achieve this, I imagined factorials as squares, one edge of which corresponding square root of said factorial. However, as these square roots tend not to be natural numbers but have decimal extension, I chose the next bigger number mimicking factorial edge. That slightly bigger edge I then squared and from it I subtracted the real factorial value in a hope to find a series of natural numbers of some sense...And actually at first I was quite delighted while finding series presented above corresponding factorials 4!, 5!, 6!, 7!, 8!, 9!, 10!, 11!, 13!, 14!, 15!, 16!
As an example, please, look at number 225 (=15^2) in the list above. It associates with 10! (=3628800) in the following way:
10! squared (=10^(1/2)) = 1904,940944...
So, I chose 1905 as enlarged edge of square: 1905^2 = 3629025
From that I subtracted the real value of 10!: 3629025 - 3628800 = 225 = 15^2.

In an analogous way I found other squares presented in the list...but not that one corresponding 12! as 12!^(1/2) = 21886,10518... and 21887^2 - 12! = 39169 is not a square of any natural number. The same problem continued with bigger factorials (17!, 18!, 19!, perhaps more?) as well.

Can someone find any sense with this list or is this just natures cruel joke to lead us into desperation?
 
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  • #2
kpkkpk said:
1 = 1^2
$\color{red}{n=4:\ \bigl(\lceil\sqrt {4!}\rceil\bigr)^2 - 4! = 25 - 24 =} 1 = 1^2$
$\color{red}{n=5:\ \bigl(\lceil\sqrt {5!}\rceil\bigr)^2 - 5! = 121 - 120 =} 1 = 1^2$
$\color{red}{n=6:\ 27^2 - 6! = 729 - 720 =} 9 = 3^2$
$\color{red}{n=7:\ 71^2 - 7! = 5041 - 5040 =} 1 = 1^2$
$\color{red}{n=8:\ 201^2 - 8! = 49491 - 40320 =} 81 = 9^2$
$\color{red}{n=9:\ }729 = 27^2$
$\color{red}{n=10:\ }225 = 15^2$
$\color{red}{n=11:\ }324 = 18^2$
X
$\color{red}{n=13:\ }82944 = 288^2$
$\color{red}{n=14:\ }176400 = 420^2$
$\color{red}{n=15:\ }215296 = 464^2$
$\color{red}{n=16:\ }3444736 = 1856^2$

So, I am trying to find short method to find factorials. In order to achieve this, I imagined factorials as squares, one edge of which corresponding square root of said factorial. However, as these square roots tend not to be natural numbers but have decimal extension, I chose the next bigger number mimicking factorial edge. That slightly bigger edge I then squared and from it I subtracted the real factorial value in a hope to find a series of natural numbers of some sense...And actually at first I was quite delighted while finding series presented above corresponding factorials 4!, 5!, 6!, 7!, 8!, 9!, 10!, 11!, 13!, 14!, 15!, 16!
As an example, please, look at number 225 (=15^2) in the list above. It associates with 10! (=3628800) in the following way:
10! squared (=10^(1/2)) = 1904,940944...
So, I chose 1905 as enlarged edge of square: 1905^2 = 3629025
From that I subtracted the real value of 10!: 3629025 - 3628800 = 225 = 15^2.

In an analogous way I found other squares presented in the list...but not that one corresponding 12! as 12!^(1/2) = 21886,10518... and 21887^2 - 12! = 39169 is not a square of any natural number. The same problem continued with bigger factorials (17!, 18!, 19!, perhaps more?) as well.

Can someone find any sense with this list or is this just natures cruel joke to lead us into desperation?
This is a neat investigation, based on the fact that for each integer $n$ from $4$ to $16$, apart from $12$, $\bigl(\lceil\sqrt {n!}\rceil\bigr)^2 - n!$ is a perfect square (where the ceiling symbols $\lceil\ \ \rceil$ indicate the next integer above the enclosed number). I have added some comments in red to the above quote, to emphasise the pattern.

So, why does this work for some integers but not for others?

We can write the equation $\bigl(\lceil\sqrt {n!}\rceil\bigr)^2 - n! = \text{square}$ as $n! = a^2-b^2$, where we want $a^2$ to be as close as possible to $n!$ (so that $a = \lceil\sqrt {n!}\rceil$) and therefore $b^2$ should be as small as possible. If we factorise the right side as $n! = (a+b)(a-b)$ then what we are trying to do is to express $n!$ as a product of two integers that are as close as possible to each other. This can be done as follows, starting with $n=4$: $$4! = 4\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 1 = (3\cdot 2)(4\cdot 1) = 6\cdot 4 = (5+1)(5-1) = 5^2 - 1^2.$$ In the same way, $$5! = (4\cdot 3)(5\cdot 2) = (11+1)(11-1) = 11^2 - 1^2,$$ $$6! = (5\cdot 3\cdot 2)(6\cdot 4\cdot 1) = (27+3)(27-3) = 27^2 - 3^2,$$ $$7! = (6\cdot 4\cdot 3)(7\cdot 5\cdot 2) = 71^2-1^2,$$ $$8! = (8\cdot 6\cdot 4\cdot 1)(7\cdot 5\cdot 3\cdot 2) = 201^2 - 9^2,$$ $$9! = (9\cdot 7\cdot 5\cdot 2)(8\cdot 6\cdot 4\cdot 3) = 603^2 - 27^2,$$ $$10! = (10\cdot 8\cdot 6\cdot 4\cdot 1)(9\cdot 7\cdot 5\cdot 3\cdot 2) = 1905^2 - 15^2,$$ $$11! = (11\cdot 8\cdot 6\cdot 4\cdot 3)(10\cdot 9\cdot 7\cdot 5\cdot 2) = 6318^2 - 18^2.$$ The way that I factorised $(n+2)!$ was to take the factorisation for $n!$, multiply the smaller of its two factors by $n+2$ and multiply the larger of its two factors by $n+1$. That way, I would hope to get a factorisation of $(n+2)!$ into two nearly equal factors. When we get to $n=12$, the result is $$12! = (12\cdot 9\cdot 7\cdot 5\cdot 3\cdot 2)(11\cdot 10\cdot 8\cdot 6\cdot 4\cdot 1) = 21900^2 - 780^2.$$ Here, for the first time, the larger of the two squares is not $\bigl(\lceil\sqrt {n!}\rceil\bigr)^2$. In fact $\lceil\sqrt {12!}\rceil = 21887 < 21900.$

So I think the best one can say is that (for $n\geqslant 4$) $n!$ can always be expressed as the difference of two squares, the larger of which is fairly close to $\bigl(\lceil\sqrt {n!}\rceil\bigr)^2$ but cannot necessarily be chosen to be equal to it.
 
  • #3
Many thanks for you Opalg for detailed answer.
I also found this same series of squares from Online Ensyclopedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS) with code A038202.
 

FAQ: Is there any sense with these squares?

What is the purpose of studying squares?

The study of squares falls under the field of mathematics and geometry. It helps us understand geometric concepts and relationships, and has practical applications in fields such as architecture, engineering, and computer graphics.

Can squares have any meaning or significance beyond their mathematical properties?

While squares themselves may not have inherent meaning or significance, they can be used to represent and symbolize various concepts and ideas. For example, a square can represent stability, balance, or fairness.

How do squares relate to other shapes?

Squares are a type of quadrilateral, which means they have four sides and four angles. They are also considered a special type of rectangle, with all sides being equal in length. In terms of area, a square is the largest quadrilateral with the same perimeter.

Are there any cultural or historical meanings associated with squares?

In some cultures, squares are seen as symbols of protection and safety. In ancient Chinese philosophy, the square represents earth, while the circle represents heaven. In ancient Greek philosophy, squares were associated with the element of earth and the virtue of justice.

Why do we use squares instead of other shapes in certain situations?

Squares have unique properties that make them useful in various situations. For example, their equal sides and angles make them ideal for creating grids and mazes. Their symmetry also makes them visually appealing and easy to work with in design and art.

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