Math contest #9 Results and Solution
Solution:
The problem of the last contest was:

To find the solutions for this equation you need to think of ways to make both sides equal.
This can be done by:
- Setting y to zero and then find a way to make
x⁰ = x^x
This leads to the solutions(0, 0)and(1, 0) - Assume
y = z*xto make the equation simpler:
x^(zx) = ((z+1)*x)^x
→x^z = (z+1)*x
This leads to the solutions(2, 6),(-2, -6),(3, 6)and(-1, 2)
Mystery solution
The last contest also contained a secret message.
This message was encoded in the capital letters, similar to this:
tHis text contaIns a message → HI
Using that method I hid the following message in the contest:
CONGRATULATIONSYOUFOUNDITANDNOWTELLMEWHATYOUTHINKABOUTTHEMYSTERYDOYOUWANTMOREPROBLEMSLIKETHIS
Which is with a bit formatting:
Congratulations, you found it. And now tell me what you think about "The Mystery". Dou you want more problems like this?
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What is your chance of winning:
p(You Win) = 1/n, n = number of entries
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List of participants with their entries:
| Name | solutions found | hidden message |
|---|---|---|
| @tonimontana | (2, 6), (-2, -6), (3, 6), (0, 0) | GOODSECRET |
| @sidekickmatt | (1, 0), (-1, 2) | SURE |
Based on your responds to the message I will make similar problems in the future.
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Winner draw(First 2 for the mistery, other 3 for the equation):

That makes 2 SBI for @tonimontana and 3 SBI for @sidekickmatt:

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Hi @quantumdeveloper, as a holder of TULIPS, you have received a small upvote and this important message.
The TULIP Mania Game has now finished - please read this. You must sell your TULIPS during the following 7 days or they will wilt and die.
To stop receiving this messages, please reply to this comment.
Thanks for participating!
Next game will be announced by @Busbecq some days later.
Stop it! I sold them a week ago!