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Not Continued Fractions

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Secondary curriculum
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  1. The key here is that $x$ has to be the integer part of $N$ because the 'continued fraction' part of the expression gives a value less than one.

    As $y$ and $z$ are positive integers (whole numbers), $y + 1/z > 1$ and $1/(y+1/z) < 1$ so we know that this must equal $3/7$ and $x = 1$.

    Hence $y + 1/z = 7/3$. Again $y$ has to be the integer part of $7/3$ so $y = 2$ and $z = 3$.
     
  2. As in the first part, if $N = 8/5$, then we must have $x = 1$ and $y + 1/z = 5/3$.

    To make $y$ and $z$ positive integers we must have $1/z < 1$ and $y = 1$.

    It then follows that $1/z = 2/3$ so it is impossible to find positive integer values for $x$, $y$ and $z$.

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There's a Limit

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Comparing Continued Fractions

Which of these continued fractions is bigger and why?

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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