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Re: [Phys-l] amusing puzzle + remarks



Here's an improved version of the puzzle. Again it has
two parts: a cut-and-dried calculation part, and a
more open-ended part. This version makes both parts
easier (I hope).

As preconditions, we are told that a, b, c, and d are
rational numbers. Given that, part 1 is to prove that:

a + b sqrt(2) = c + d sqrt(2) ...
if and only if a=c and b=d.

===============

Again the hint for part 2 is: In what way might part 1
be connected to complex numbers?

There is a definite, nontrivial answer to part 2, namely:
uggc://zngujbeyq.jbysenz.pbz/RkgrafvbaSvryq.ugzy




If you can't decode rot13 in your head you can refer to
http://www.faqintosh.com/risorse/en/othutil/webapps/rot13/