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Where a^2+b^2+c^2=d^2, and I know the value of d, how do I work out possible integer values for a, b, c that are within a certain digit range (e.g. a is between 1 and 23, b is between 24 and 575, c is also between 24 and 575)?
 Aug 28, 2013
 #1
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Complete your question. What is the value of d "that you know"? Furthermore, a^2+b^2+c^2=d^2 is the Pythagorean theorem for 3dimensional space (a,b,c are lying on 3 axes Ox, Oy and Oz) and not a "quadruple".
 Aug 28, 2013
 #2
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Thanks for your reply. I have a series of 'clues' for a numerical puzzle, all with different values for d, but in this example d=427. The answers have to be given in base 24, with the number of base 24 digits being 1,2,2 for a,b,c respectively, hence the base 10 ranges given.

Any guidance on how to work out possible variants for a, b, and c would be very welcome.
 Aug 28, 2013
 #3
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Hmm, then I myself have to think properly.
 Aug 29, 2013
 #4
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You know, this is some kind of discrete optimization problem, because we know neither a, b or c. If we neglect the given characteristics of each parameter, there would be infinite possibilities.
e. g.
a + b + c = 10 with a = 3
So we know b + c = 10-3 = 7
This equation is satisfied with:
b=1,c=6: 1+6=7
b=6,c=1: 6+1=7
b=2,c=5: 2+5=7
and just to exaggerate (not discrete)
b=0.9,c=6.1: 0.9+6.1=7
b=0.99,c=6.01: 0.99+6.01=7
etc.
So using some methods like intelligent water drops or particle swarm optimization we could expect good results.

Here we have a quite large range of possibilities. Your only option is to insert and increment the numbers systematically.
At least you could try to simplify the problem.

If we set a to 1 (first possible value) we'll get:
b^2 + c^2 = d^2 - 1 with d = 427
=> b^2 + c^2 = 427^2 - 1 = 182329 - 1 = 182328
Futhermore:
Max. value of b^2 and c^2: 575^2 = 330625
Min. value of b^2 and c^2: 24^2 = 576
Watch out: 330625 > 182328. So the real max. value of b^2 and c^2 would be 182328-576 = 181752
-> You have to subtract 576 (=24^2) because b or c has to be at least 24.
So max. value out of the range for b and c: sqrt(181752) = 426 (discrete!)
With 426^2 = 181476 < 181752, the min value of b and c has to be 25.

Even though we don't have to go through 24 to 575 anymore, there is no guaranteed solution.

Well, at least the possible values for you:
a=6; b=58; c=423
a=6; b=87; c=418
a=6; b=418; c=87
a=6; b=423; c=58
a=18; b=103; c=414
a=18; b=166; c=393
a=18; b=274; c=327
a=18; b=327; c=274
a=18; b=393; c=166
a=18; b=414; c=103
a=21; b=168; c=392
a=21; b=392; c=168
a=22; b=54; c=423
a=22; b=297; c=306
a=22; b=306; c=297
a=22; b=423; c=54
a=23; b=102; c=414
a=23; b=270; c=330
a=23; b=330; c=270
a=23; b=414; c=102
 Aug 31, 2013
 #5
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Many thanks for your help - much appreciated!
 Sep 2, 2013

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