Number puzzle solution finds N equals 410256
5 reported
A number puzzle published earlier today by The Guardian has been solved. The puzzle asked for the lowest possible value of N, a number beginning with 4, such that moving the 4 to the end creates a new number that is a quarter of N. The solution, found by gradually increasing the number of digits, is N equals 410256. The puzzle was sourced from the Moscow Mathematical Olympiad 1983, via @mathematicsproblems and Kevin Gately.
What’s reported
The puzzle asks for a number N beginning with 4 such that moving the 4 to the end creates a new number that is a quarter of N.
The solution process started with two-digit numbers and increased digits until the answer was found.
The lowest possible value of N is 410256.
410256 divided by 4 equals 102564.
The puzzle originates from the Moscow Mathematical Olympiad 1983.
Key figures
Kevin Gately (credited via @mathematicsproblems)
Moscow Mathematical Olympiad 1983 (source of puzzle)
Sources: The Guardian
