Problem

Source: Argentina Cono Sur TST 2013, Problem 4

Tags: linear algebra, matrix, number theory proposed, number theory



Show that the number $\begin{matrix} \\ N= \end{matrix} \underbrace{44 \ldots 4}_{n} \underbrace{88 \ldots 8}_{n} - 1\underbrace{33 \ldots3 }_{n-1}2$ is a perfect square for all positive integers $n$.