Sum of three cubes for 42 finally solved—using real life planetary computer

Phys.org ^ | September 6, 2019

[BenLurkin]

The original problem, set in 1954 at the University of Cambridge, looked for Solutions of the Diophantine Equation x3+y3+z3=k, with k being all the numbers from one to 100.

Beyond the easily found small solutions, the problem soon became intractable as the more interesting answers—if indeed they existed—could not possibly be calculated, so vast were the numbers required.

But slowly, over many years, each value of k was eventually solved for (or proved unsolvable), thanks to sophisticated techniques and modern computers—except the last two, the most difficult of all; 33 and 42.

Professors Booker and Sutherland's solution for 42 would be found by using Charity Engine; a 'worldwide computer' that harnesses idle, unused computing power from over 500,000 home PCs to create a crowd-sourced, super-green platform made entirely from otherwise wasted capacity.

The answer, which took over a million hours of calculating to prove, is as follows:

X = -80538738812075974 Y = 80435758145817515 Z = 12602123297335631

[BenLurkin]

[Lysandru]

Too bad Douglas Adams didn’t live to see this day...

[rktman]

Uh, eight. Using common core math of course.

[Raycpa]

I wonder if the computer is depressed now.

[be-baw]

I could’ve solved that in my head, had I known they were having a problem with it.

[Jim W N]

I’m flummoxed.

How is Y = 80435758145817515 actually “33” and

how is Z = 12602123297335631 actually “42”?

[ConservativeMind]

Why is this equation important?

[Rurudyne]

my reaction too.

[be-baw]

k=42. x,y and z are the numbers required to get to k=42.

[BenLurkin]

[BenLurkin]

[TexasGator]

“The answer, which took over a million hours of calculating to prove, is as follows:

X = -80538738812075974 Y = 80435758145817515 Z = 12602123297335631”

‘prove’ >> ‘solve’.

[TexasGator]

K

[10mm]

X^3 + Y^3 + Z^3 = k

X = -80538738812075974
Y = 80435758145817515
Z = 12602123297335631

Cube those numbers, add them together, you get 42.

[Vaquero]

[Rurudyne]

actually, it was.

but fear not: the universe will not end because as the other poster observed we still don’t know what the answer to the ultimate question MEANS even though we may know how the answer was canculated.

[Lazamataz]

[PIF]

I’m flummoxed.

How is Y = 80435758145817515 actually “33” and

how is Z = 12602123297335631 actually “42”?

---

33 is the highest masonic degree
42 is the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything.

Hope that helps

[Rio]

Infinitely improbable.