Elvis Presley turned 90 years of age on Jan. 8. I keep track of that because that is also my birthday, although I am nine years younger at 81 years.
Your attention is drawn to this because the …
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Elvis Presley turned 90 years of age on Jan. 8. I keep track of that because that is also my birthday, although I am nine years younger at 81 years.
Your attention is drawn to this because the number 81 is a “perfect square.” My age is important to me and a few others but the number opens an interesting, if somewhat “nerdy” discussion of our times.
The term “perfect square” is defined on the website “Cuemath” as a “positive integer that is obtained by multiplying an integer by itself. In simple words, we can say that “perfect squares” are numbers that are the products of integers by themselves.” For example, the positive integer 81 is the product of the integer 9 times the integer 9. (You knew that though, didn’t you?)
The next closest perfect square is 64, the product of 8 times 8, and it is 17 numbers away so that last time my age was a perfect square was 17 years ago. The next one is 100, 10 times 10, even further away at 19 integers. Friends, I just might not make the next “perfect square.”
I encourage you to recognize the unique nature of these numbers as you go through your own life. You might realize that you will experience fewer and fewer of them as you age. The first perfect square you get is 1, yes, it is 1 times 1. The next one is not until 4 and then 9 and then 16 with the gap until your next perfect square getting bigger with each perfect square you experience.
So, I turned 81 and it is a perfect square. In addition, as I said, I share my birthday with Elvis. It is sad we haven’t seen him around for awhile. You could think that my age now being a “perfect square” and my birthday being the same day as Elvis’ would be enough status for one’s life. However, there is much more to share with you.
Friends, this year, 2025, is also a perfect square! Yes, 45 times 45 equals the perfect square 2025. The last time the year was a perfect square was 1936, that is 44 times 44, 89 years ago. The next time the year is a perfect square is 2116, that is 46 times 46, 91 years from now.
So, if you are less than 89 years old now, you did not experience the last perfect square. In addition, if you were born today and have a health profile like Jimmy Carter’s, you might see the next perfect square in 2116. However, the odds that you experienced the last one in 1936 or will experience the next one in 2116 are pretty low.
As a result, realize how special and unique this year is for all of us. Embrace it for all of the year’s gifts whatever those might be.
Finally, you may have already deduced that I was born in 1944. More importantly Smokey Bear was born in 1944 when the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council agreed that a fictional bear named Smokey would be their symbol for forest fire prevention. Of course, given the subject of this column it is also noteworthy that each of the digits in the year 1944 is itself a “perfect square.” Go ahead, check it out.
This is what I get for having a wife who is a math major, a daughter who is a math professor, and a son with math skills — not to mention the grandsons! OMG! May you avoid being quite this square and still, may we all enjoy a perfectly square 2025. Finally, for those of you aware of the problems I have been having with my back, the surgery was last week. So, I might not have a “perfect” 2025, but I suspect it will be much better!
Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!