Question 666808
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If you go *[tex \LARGE x] paces north of Castle Rock and then turn and go *[tex \LARGE 2x\ +\ 4] paces east from that point, then you have described the two legs of a right triangle.  The other piece of the puzzle, *[tex \LARGE 2x\ +\ 6] must be the measure of the hypotenuse, so you know that the treasure must have been buried by that bloodthirsty swashbuckler (how does one buckle a swash, anyway?) Pegleg Pythagoras the Pirate and his faithful sidekick Polly the Parrot of Penzance.


The Theorem says:


*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ x^2\ +\ (2x\ +\ 4)^2\ =\ (2x\ +\ 6)^2]


A little algebra music there, Mr. Smee


*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ x^2\ -\ 8x\ -\ 20\ =\ 0]


Which of the two roots to the equation should you discard, if any?  Super Double Plus Piece of Eight Extra Credit:  What is the probability that they dig it up on the first try?


My name is Roger the Pirate; my favorite letter is <i>A-r-r-r</i>


John
*[tex \LARGE e^{i\pi}\ +\ 1\ =\ 0]
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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