As my birthday approaches I start to collect leaves - a little bizarre perhaps, but I enjoy it! On the first day of the month I collect one leaf, on the second day I collect two and so on. So by my birthday I will have collected 276 leaves altogether. On which day of the month is my birthday?
2006-11-24 04:45:58 · 29 answers · asked by freddy197120032003 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It is not my real birthday just this puzzle answer. lol
2006-11-24 04:53:32 · update #1
The 23rd.
2006-11-24 04:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by ascloud@sbcglobal.net 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
On 23rd day of the month will be your birthday, for the sum of the leaves from day 1 till day 23 is 276. To solve this you have to use the equation of the summation of integers from 1 to x. The formula (as developed from Gauss) is S = (1+x)*x/2
x is the unknown number of the integers, in this case the number of the days, and S is the sum of the integers, in this case 276.
Based on the formula we have:
276 = (1+x)*x/2
x(x+1)=552
x^2+x-552=0 , we solve this second order equation to get the roots, and the answers are -24 and 23. Obvious the asnwer that we need is 23, since there is no -24 as a day.
Note: x^2 is x to the power of 2, or x square.
2006-11-24 13:02:19 · answer #2 · answered by Durres.AL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
December
2006-11-24 15:26:49 · answer #3 · answered by emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12
2006-11-24 12:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by chastityelizabeth 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The 24th. On the 23rd you will have collected 276 leaves. By the way, one, two, and so on is open to wide interpretation.
2006-11-24 12:51:33 · answer #5 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you add one leaf per day, or do you double the number in your hand and collect that many?
It makes a difference.
Most likley you birthday is on the 23rd
2006-11-24 12:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by draftboyg 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3. October?
2006-11-24 12:58:48 · answer #7 · answered by In love 4ever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let your birthday be on the n th day
So, n(n+1) = 2*276
n = 23
Birthday is on the 23rd.
2006-11-24 13:01:04 · answer #8 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 23rd.
Would you like an album to press your leaves into as a gift?
2006-11-24 12:51:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
February?
I thought it said which month and February is the only month that has a unique amount of days.
It's the 23rd day.
2006-11-24 12:46:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋