All Math majors and other students are invited to participate in the Fall 2016 Problem of the Week competition. There are two divisions graduate and undergraduate (students who have not yet completed a Bachelor’s degree). Prizes will be awarded 1st place $50, 2nd place $30, and 3rd place $20 in each division. For more information about the Problem of the Week competition check out Professor Jackson’s google site. Fall 2016 SJSU Problem of the Week The first problem is listed below. Solutions are due by Wednesday Aug. 31 at noon. Submit your solutions including an explanation to Professor Jackson or the Math Dept office.

Problem 1 (5 points) A game starts with 1001 numbers 1016,1017, … , 2015,2016. During each turn two numbers are selected, say j and k. The two numbers j and k are removed and replaced by the single number jk + j + k. After 1000 turns you are left with a single number. What can you say about the final number?

Cheers, Brad J