How did we find out that 14 is the only number that repeated in the sum of the factors of 72, or that it is even one of the numbers that are repeating? Was it by trial and error, or some other method?
How to find the repeating sum
@tayalaks2001
when we list down all 3 numbers whoose product is 72.
we will find that 14 is only sum which is repeated twice and rest every other sum are unique (it is not trial and error if u list down all numbers u find that all sum are uniques except 14).
so we go for 14 now to find which among these two 14 { (6,6,2) ,(8,3,3) } is showing correct ages. we will use hint (oldest daughter started going to piano) whch means there should be only one daughter whose age is maximum so we take (8,3,3) as correct ages of daughter
But there are so many combinations possible…
Also, if it were a bigger number, we wouldn’t be able to list all the possibilities! Isn’t there any other method we could use?
for given problem
these are only possible combination
yeah your point is valid that if product will be bigger then so many combinations are possible .
but the question is framed on 72 only.
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