Evening at Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, May 2015
and so does everything around... the situation, the people, the perspective, the needs.... and we too change.... the wise and courageous seek change.. because only change is constant!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

205. 6174

I was reading “Our Scientists”; National Book Trust Publication of 1986. Reading this book was long overdue, so I was determined to finish it. As the title says, the book introduces various scientists – from past to present – very briefly. If NBT has brought out this book for children, I wonder whether they would find this engrossing enough.

I came across an article where a process of finding a “Constant” is described.
Let us see it.

  1. Take any four digit number; which uses at least two different digits. Numbers like 1111, 2222 will not serve the purpose. (I write 4632)
  2. Arrange the digits in descending order. (I write 6432)
  3. Reverse the order of the digits. (I write 2346)
  4. Subtract step 3 from step 1. (4632-2346= 2286)
  5. For the number arrived at step 4, repeat steps 2 to 4.

So, I arrange the digits in descending order: 8622
Then I reverse the order of the digits: 2268
I subtract: 8622-2268= 6354
Repeat steps 2 to 4.

Here it goes.
6543
3456
6543-3456 = 3087

Repeat steps 2 to 4.
Here we go.

8730
0378
8730-0378=8352

Go on.

8532
2358
8532-2358=6174
  
Repeat.

7641
1467
7641-1467= 6174

Oh! 6174 is reappearing.

Let us try another number;

9423
9432-2349=7083
8730-0378=8352
8532-2358=6174
7641-1467=6174
Hmm...

Third try:
8417
8741-1478=7263
7632-2367=5265
6552-2556=3996
9963-3699=6264
6642-2466=4176
7641-1467=6174

This number 6174 is known as Kaprekar’s Constant.

I don’t know what the constant is used for. But it is fun.

I don’t know how and why Mr. Kaprekar arrived at this constant. Need to know more about him and his work.

For those who are interested, here are some links to know more about the number and the man.



3 comments:

  1. Maths is like that, most of the time intimidating but once in a while, it can be fun. I am really afraid of maths! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always look at Mathematics as fun .. so, I can't take it seriously enough :-)

      Delete
  2. I like your post very much i had nice time while reading your post

    ReplyDelete

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