Problem of the Week:

January 26 – January
30, 2009
It is worth 10 extra credit points.

Problem of the Week is a weekly list of challenging problems

that any 10th thru 12th grader can solve. It requires some
investigating, some research, and gusto to solve. The teacher
cannot assist you in solving the problems. You make select one of
the three problems to do to earn 10 extra credit points (towards the
next test).

The problem of the week will be issued every Tuesday. The

person that has solved the most problem of the weeks will get
a prize at the end of this school year! The solutions must be handed
in on paper with work shown as to how you arrived to the solution!
If you work with a partner or in a group, please indicate that.

1. Given that x and y are integers, argue that the difference

between the expressions
x + y and x + y 3 is a multiple of six.
3

2. 2 2 − 1 = 3 , which is prime. Find the next example of a prime

which is one less than a square.

3. If 3a = 4 and 4b = 8 , then 9 a −b = ?