A story for the pythagorean-triplet exercise

Given that this can be quite a tricky problem for most people, perhaps we could motivate them a bit with a story?


You are an accomplished problem-solver, known for your ability to tackle the most challenging mathematical puzzles. One evening, you receive an urgent letter from an inventor called the Triangle Tinkerer, who is working on a groundbreaking new project. The letter reads:

—> start of letter (this line will be removed in final markdown)
Dear Mathematician,

I need your help. I am designing a device that relies on the unique properties of Pythagorean triplets — sets of three integers that satisfy the equation a² + b² = c². This device will revolutionize navigation, but for it to work, I must program it with every possible triplet where the sum of a, b, and c equals a specific number, N. Calculating these triplets by hand would take me years, but I hear you are more than up to the task.

Time is of the essence. The future of my invention — and perhaps even the future of mathematical innovation — rests on your ability to solve this problem.
← end of letter (this line will be removed in final markdown)

Motivated by the importance of the task, you set out to find all Pythagorean triplets that satisfy the condition. Your work could have far-reaching implications, unlocking new possibilities in science and engineering. Can you rise to the challenge and make history?

7 Likes

Nice. I like it. Thanks!

If others are happy in principle with this (let’s get a handful of :+1:s)
could you PR it and I’ll tweak it a bit :slight_smile:

2 Likes

Thanks everyone, i appreciate the support.