Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people!
Today I have for you a number-generating procedure using a random number and some addition and subtraction.
- Pick a number. (I picked 573 by squishing the keypad with my fingers.)
- Add 1. (I get 574.)
- Instead, subtract 1 from the number you started with. (I get 572.)
- Now add up those three numbers. (573+574+572=1719.)
Do this several times and make a list of just the final results, not the numbers you add.
- 1719
- 75
- 9
- 201
- etc.
Look for patterns in your list. Do you notice anything that they have in common? Once you notice something, try to decide whether what you\’ve noticed is reliable or a coincidence.
I\’ll let you know about mine once you\’ve had a while to work on this yourself.
Calc You Later!
Update: This post has a sequel in which I point out some patterns I saw, and put them to the test.
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