Math Puzzle - The Ribbon Problem

The Ribbon Problem

If we take the ribbon by the ends and pull it out straight, we have the number 0588235294117647. This number has the peculiarity that, if we multiply it by any one of the numbers, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, we get exactly the same number in the circle, starting from a different place. For example, multiply by 4, and the product is 2352941176470588, which starts from the dart in the circle. So, if we multiply by 3, we get the same result starting from the star. Now, the puzzle is to place a different arrangement of figures on the ribbon that will produce similar results when so multiplied; only the 0 and the 7 appearing at the ends of the ribbon must not be removed.

Answer:

The solution is as follows: Place this rather lengthy number on the ribbon, 0212765957446808510638297872340425531914393617. It may be multiplied by any number up to 46 inclusive to give the same order of figures in the ring. The number previously given can be multiplied by any number up to 16. I made the limit 9 in order to put readers off the scent. The fact is these two numbers are simply the recurring decimals that equal 1/17 and 1/47 respectively. Multiply the one by seventeen and the other by forty-seven, and you will get all nines in each case.

In transforming a vulgar fraction, say 1/17, to a decimal fraction, we proceed as below, adding as many noughts to the dividend as we like until there is no remainder, or until we get a recurring series of figures, or until we have carried it as far as we require, since every additional figure in a never-ending decimal carries us nearer and nearer to exactitude.

17)	100	(.058823
	85
	——
		150
		136
		——
			140
			136
			——
				40
				34
				——
					60
					51
					——
					9

Now, since all powers of 10 can only contain factors of the powers of 2 and 5, it clearly follows that your decimal never will come to an end if any other factor than these occurs in the denominator of your vulgar fraction. Thus, ½, 1/4, and 1/8 give us the exact decimals, .5, .25, and .125; 1/5 and 1/25 give us .2 and .04; 1/10 and 1/20 give us .1 and .05: because the denominators are all composed of 2 and 5 factors. But if you wish to convert 1/3, 1/6, or 1/7, your division sum will never end, but you will get these decimals, .33333, etc., .166666, etc., and .142857142857142857, etc., where, in the first case, the 3 keeps on repeating for ever and ever; in the second case the 6 is the repeater, and in the last case we get the recurring period of 142857. In the case of 1/17 (in "The Ribbon Problem") we find the circulating period to be .0588235294117647.

Now, in the division sum above, the successive remainders are 1, 10, 15, 14, 4, 6, 9, etc., and these numbers I have inserted around the inner ring of the diagram. It will be seen that every number from 1 to 16 occurs once, and that if we multiply our ribbon number by any one of the numbers in the inner ring its position indicates exactly the point at which the product will begin. Thus, if we multiply by 4, the product will be 235, etc.; if we multiply by 6, 352, etc. We can therefore multiply by any number from 1 to 16 and get the desired result.

The kernel of the puzzle is this: Any prime number, with the exception of 2 and 5, which are the factors of 10, will exactly divide without remainder a number consisting of as many nines as the number itself, less one. Thus 999999 (six 9's) is divisible by 7, sixteen 9's are divisible by 17, eighteen 9's by 19, and so on. This is always the case, though frequently fewer 9's will suffice; for one 9 is divisible by 3, two by 11, six by 13, when our ribbon rule for consecutive multipliers breaks down and another law comes in. Therefore, since the 0 and 7 at the ends of the ribbon may not be removed, we must seek a fraction with a prime denominator ending in 7 that gives a full period circulator. We try 37, and find that it gives a short period decimal, .027, because 37 exactly divides 999; it, therefore, will not do. We next examine 47, and find that it gives us the full period circulator, in 46 figures, at the beginning of this article.

If you cut any of these full period circulators in half and place one half under the other, you will find that they will add up all 9's; so you need only work out one half and then write down the complements. Thus, in the ribbon above, if you add 05882352 to 94117647 the result is 99999999, and so with our long solution number. Note also in the diagram above that not only are the opposite numbers on the outer ring complementary, always making 9 when added, but that opposite numbers in the inner ring, our remainders, are also complementary, adding to 17 in every case. I ought perhaps to point out that in limiting our multipliers to the first nine numbers it seems just possible that a short period circulator might give a solution in fewer figures, but there are reasons for thinking it improbable.

Puzzle Types

The Ribbon Problem

Answer:

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