MathDB
Perfect squares in weird sequence

Source: Kvant Magazine No. 1 2023 M2731

March 7, 2023
Kvantnumber theoryPerfect Squares

Problem Statement

There are 2023 natural written in a row. The first number is 12, and each number starting from the third is equal to the product of the previous two numbers, or to the previous number increased by 4. What is the largest number of perfect squares that can be among the 2023 numbers?
Based on the British Mathematical Olympiad