Problem
of the
Week

PROBLEM 230

This is the last problem for the semester. This problem is from Dr. Michael Lang's Problem Solving Group.   Wishing you a happy winter break!

The numbers 11 and 17 are written on a board. Each minute, each number is (independently) either incremented by 1 or squared. Is it possible for the numbers to become identical at some time?  If so, what is the soonest it will happen; if not, why not?

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