Official Solution: Achilles's age is a 2-digit number \(ab\) and Hector's age is a 2-digit number \(cd\). A 4-digit number \(abcd\) is the square of an integer. In 11 years, Achilles's age will be a 2-digit number \(xy\) and Hector's age will be a 2-digit number \(wz\). A 4-digit number \(xywz\) will also be the square of an integer. What is Achilles's age now? A. \(18\)
B. \(20\)
C. \(22\)
D. \(25\)
E. \(30\)
\(xy=ab+11=(10a+b)+11\);
\(wz=cd+11=(10c+d)+11\);
\(abcd=1000a + 100b + 10c + d\);
\(xywz=100(10a + b + 11) + (10c+d+11)=(1000a + 100b + 10c + d) + 1111=abcd+1111\);
\(xywz - abcd=(abcd+1111)-abcd=1111\).
We are told that both \(abcd\) and \(xywz\) are perfect squares, say \(m^2\) and \(n^2\), respectively.
\(n^2-m^2=1111\);
\((n-m)(n+m)=1*1111=11*101\);
\(n-m=1\) and \(n+m=1111\) is not possible because in this case \(m = 555\) and \(n = 556\) but this numbers squared does not give a four-digit numbers (\(m^2=abcd\) and \(n^2=xywz\) ).
Thus, \(n-m=11\) and \(n+m=101\). Solving gives \(m=45\) and \(n=56\);
\(abcd=m^2=45^2=2025\);
Therefore, Achilles's age now is \(ab=20\) years.
Answer: B