A $\emph{triangular number}$ is a positive integer that can be expressed in the form $t_n = 1+2+3+\cdots+n$, for some positive integer $n$. The three smallest triangular numbers that are also perfect squares are
$t_1 = 1 = 1^2$, $t_8 = 36 = 6^2$, and $t_{49} = 1225 = 35^2$. What is the sum of the digits of the fourth smallest triangular number that is also a perfect square?
$\textbf{(A) } 6 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 9 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 12 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 18 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 27$
We have $t_n = \frac{n (n+1)}{2}$.
If $t_n$ is a perfect square, then it can be written as
$\frac{n (n+1)}{2} = k^2$,
where $k$ is a positive integer.
Thus, $n (n+1) = 2 k^2$. Rearranging, we get $(2n+1)^2-2(2k)^2=1$, a Pell equation. So $\frac{2n+1}{2k}$ must be a truncation of the continued fraction for $\sqrt{2}$:
\begin{eqnarray*} 1+\frac12&=&\frac{2\cdot1+1}{2\cdot1}\\ 1+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac12}}&=&\frac{2\cdot8+1}{2\cdot6}\\ 1+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac12}}}}&=&\frac{2\cdot49+1}{2\cdot35}\\ 1+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac1{2+\frac12}}}}}}&=&\frac{2\cdot288+1}{2\cdot204} \end{eqnarray*}
Therefore, $t_{288} = \frac{288\cdot289}{2} = 204^2 = 41616$, so the answer is $4+1+6+1+6=\boxed{\textbf{(D) 18}}$.
- Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com) 
Edited by wzs26843545602
Edited by dad