Clues for the fifth puzzle

You can use the same algebraic technique that you saw for the last two puzzles. Unfortunately, you'll need more than two unknowns. Try to select three squares to designate as x, y, and z so that the sizes of the rest of the squares are determined. You'll have to be very careful with your arithmetic, especially towards the end when large numbers start to appear.

It's a good idea to perform the computations twice. Either two people, or just yourself doing them a second time on a separate sheet of paper. Start with the same designated squares x, y, and z (or more if you need them), and compare your steps to see if they match. That way, you can catch any mistakes.

       
   
     
 
   
 
   
 

See the answer.

Back to Puzzle 4.

1999. This page may be printed for classroom use.
David E. Joyce

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Clark University
Worcester, MA 01610

The address of this file is http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoye/puzzles/square1.html