Special 24
Problem
The number $24$ is special because it is just one short of being a square number.
So $24 + 1 = 25$ and $5^2 = 25$
AND when you double $24$ the answer is also one short of being a square
number.
So $24 \times 2 = 48$ and $48 + 1 = 49$ and $7^2 = 49$.
Find another number that is special in the same way as $24$.
Student Solutions
This one is tough! Susannah from Headington Junior School has given it a try...
"The closest I can get is 8 times 8 which is 64, - 1 = 63.
63 + 63 = 126, 121 is 11 squared.
8.5 times 8.5 = 72.25, rounded up to 73.
72 + 72 = 144 which is 12 squared".
Sara from East Bergholt VC Primary, Suffolk
"At first I thought it was hard, but in the end it was easy!
840 + 1 = 841
841 = 29 x 29
840 x 2 = 1680
1680 + 1 = 1681
1681 = 41 x 41
So the Special Number is 840."