Let
f(x) = \sqrt{x - \sqrt{x}}.
Find the largest three-digit value of x such that f(x) is an integer.
Set this as r.
r=√x−√x
r2=x−√x.
We see that because x is an integer, and r is an interger, then x must be a perfect square.
Suppose x=a2,a≥0
r2=a2−a.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this is possible.
We see a is larger than r, because you subtract from a larger number to get a smaller number.
Lets suppose a general case where a = r + n, where n > 0, because we know a > r.
Lets compare these two.
When comparing, and dealing with positives like we are now we generally use if ab>1, then a>b, if the opposite the opposite is true.
So we want to see if r2(r+n)2−(r+n) is greater than 1 or not.
Simplifying, r2r2+rn. We see that this is always less than one, because r and n and both positive, so therefore r2<(r+n)2−(r+n), so therefore substituting a back in, we see r2<a2−a, so it can't be equal.
So unless you are counting 0, as a 3 digit number, there is no solution.
Set this as r.
r=√x−√x
r2=x−√x.
We see that because x is an integer, and r is an interger, then x must be a perfect square.
Suppose x=a2,a≥0
r2=a2−a.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this is possible.
We see a is larger than r, because you subtract from a larger number to get a smaller number.
Lets suppose a general case where a = r + n, where n > 0, because we know a > r.
Lets compare these two.
When comparing, and dealing with positives like we are now we generally use if ab>1, then a>b, if the opposite the opposite is true.
So we want to see if r2(r+n)2−(r+n) is greater than 1 or not.
Simplifying, r2r2+rn. We see that this is always less than one, because r and n and both positive, so therefore r2<(r+n)2−(r+n), so therefore substituting a back in, we see r2<a2−a, so it can't be equal.
So unless you are counting 0, as a 3 digit number, there is no solution.