This is our solution and implementation to problem #88 on Project Euler.
Our code is written in TypeScript, a language which is built on-top of JavaScript and transpiles to it. We've included the problem statement, our code (which is commented for greater clarity), our video which outlines our analysis and implementation approach, and the solution + how long it took to calculate it.
Note: the code and contents here might be slightly different than what is in the video. We've made some improvements to some of the code since recording.
If you would like to view the original problem and solve it, please visit: Product-Sum Numbers on Project Euler. If you're having trouble solving this problem, or are just curious to see how others have solved it, feel free to take a look, but please put solid effort into solving this before viewing the actual solution to the problem.
Problem Statement
A natural number, N, that can be written as the sum and product of a given set of at least two natural numbers, {a1, a2, ... , ak} is called a product-sum number: N = a1 + a2 + ... + ak = a1 × a2 × ... × ak.
For example, 6 = 1 + 2 + 3 = 1 × 2 × 3.
For a given set of size, k, we shall call the smallest N with this property a minimal product-sum number. The minimal product-sum numbers for sets of size, k = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are as follows.
k=2: 4 = 2 × 2 = 2 + 2
k=3: 6 = 1 × 2 × 3 = 1 + 2 + 3
k=4: 8 = 1 × 1 × 2 × 4 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 4
k=5: 8 = 1 × 1 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2
k=6: 12 = 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 2 × 6 = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 6
Hence for 2≤k≤6, the sum of all the minimal product-sum numbers is 4+6+8+12 = 30; note that 8 is only counted once in the sum.
In fact, as the complete set of minimal product-sum numbers for 2≤k≤12 is {4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16}, the sum is 61.
What is the sum of all the minimal product-sum numbers for 2≤k≤12000?
Our Solution
Our solution is given in the TypeScript code below:
Results
This implementation found the solution in 4342ms.
If you would like to view the answer, click below to reveal. Please consider reviewing the implementation and trying to code your own solution before viewing the answer.
View Answer
The answer is 7587457.
All of our solutions are hosted on GitHub. The code on this page was pulled from the repo and the solution and execution time were calculated based on that code.