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Age of Augustus

Age 11 to 14
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Secondary curriculum
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Answer: 1806

Square numbers near 1871 (year of death)
40$\times$40 = 1600 too small
42$\times$42 = 1764, but if he was 42 in 1764 then by 1871 he was older than 140
43$\times$43 = 1849, 22 years before he died in 1871, which is reasonable
44$\times$44$\gt$1871 so there are no more possibilities
So he was born 43 years before 1849, in 1806

This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.

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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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