Math Help - Quick Calculation

1. Quick Calculation

Evaluate $\sqrt{2007\times2008\times2009\times2010-1}-2008^2$ without a calculator.

2. $n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) = [n(n+3)][(n+1)(n+2)]$ $= [n^2+3n][n^2 + 3n + 2] = [(n^2+3n+1)-1][(n^2+3n+1)+1]$ $= (n^2 + 3n+1)^2 - 1$.

So are you sure it is $n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) - 1$? If it was $n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) + 1$ it would turn into a square. As the above squares?

3. Hello, math sucks!

Could there be a typo?
If the first minus-sign is a plus, there's a neat answer . . .

Evaluate $\sqrt{2007\times2008\times2009\times2010 \:{\color{red}+}\:1}-2008^2$ without a calculator.
Let $x = 2008$

Under the radical, we have: . $(x-1)x(x+1)(x+2) +1$

. . . . . . $=\;[(x-1)(x+2)]\,[x(x+1)] + 1$

. . . . . . $= \;[x^2 + x - 2]\,[x^2 + x] + 1$

. . . . . . $=\;[x^2 + x - 1 - 1]\,[x^2+x-1 + 1] + 1$

. . . . . . $=\;\underbrace{[(x^2+x-1) - 1]\,[(x^2+x-1) + 1]}_{(a-b)(a+b)\:=\:a^2-b^2} + 1$

. . . . . . $=\;(x^2+x-1)^2 - 1^2 + 1$

. . . . . . $=\;(x^2+x-1)^2$

The problem becomes: . $\sqrt{x^2+x-1)^2} - x^2 \;=\;x^2+x-1-x^2 \;=\;x-1$

Therefore, the value is: . $2008 - 1 \;=\;{\color{blue}2007}$

4. Yes, there should be a $+$ instead of $-$. Apologies for the mistake and thank you all for helping.

5. Originally Posted by Soroban
Hello, math sucks!

Could there be a typo?
If the first minus-sign is a plus, there's a neat answer . . .
Might I point out that even if there is a minus, the answer stays 2007. I did it on my calculator just now.

6. Originally Posted by janvdl
Might I point out that even if there is a minus, the answer stays 2007. I did it on my calculator just now.
How can it possible be the same. You are subtracting a number. It should only get smaller.

7. Originally Posted by ThePerfectHacker
How can it possible be the same. You are subtracting a number. It should only get smaller.
I promise you the answer stays 2007, whether it's a plus or minus. Do it on a calculator and see.

8. Originally Posted by janvdl
I promise you the answer stays 2007, whether it's a plus or minus. Do it on a calculator and see.
For some reason it seems my calculator ignores any constants I put under the square root. Ignore my last posts. There must be a problem with my calculator.

EDIT: Ah I think I know what it is. The product under the square root is a very large number and subtracting or adding 1 does not change it much. Therefore when finding the root, one gets the same answer.

9. Originally Posted by janvdl
I promise you the answer stays 2007, whether it's a plus or minus. Do it on a calculator and see.
I do not have to see anything. If $\sqrt{n}$ happens to be an integer then $\sqrt{n-2}$ shall not be an integer (where $n\geq 2$). So there is no way how you can get the same answer (which is an integer).

It is time to buy an new calculator.

10. Originally Posted by janvdl
Might I point out that even if there is a minus, the answer stays 2007. I did it on my calculator just now.
You aren't carrying enough digits on your calculator. I get 2006.99999980 using the - sign.

-Dan

11. Originally Posted by topsquark
You aren't carrying enough digits on your calculator. I get 2006.99999980 using the - sign.

-Dan
Realised that just now. You will notice I edited my post.