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Solution of the Week #471 - Continued Fraction

June 17, 2024 Elliott Line

The fractional part x-a will necessarily be less than 1, and so if we want to maximise x, we should use our highest number as a, so a=7. To maximise the fractional part (x-a) we need to minimise b+1/(c+1/d), and so we should use our smallest possible value for b, so b=1. Then c should be the larger of what is left, c=5, and so d=4.

Then working backwards to evaluate the fraction:

x=7+1/(1+1/(5+1/4))

x=7+1/(1+4/21)

x=7+21/25

x=7.84

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