Centered cube number

The centered cube number for a pattern with concentric layers around the central point is given by the formula :n^3 + (n + 1)^3 = (2n+1)\left(n^2+n+1\right). The same number can also be expressed as a trapezoidal number (difference of two triangular numbers), or a sum of consecutive numbers, as :\binom{(n+1)^2+1}{2}-\binom{n^2+1}{2} = (n^2+1)+(n^2+2)+\cdots+(n+1)^2. ==Properties==

Because of the factorization , it is impossible for a centered cube number to be a prime number. The only centered cube numbers which are also the square numbers are 1 and 9, which can be shown by solving , the only integer solutions being (x,y) from {(0,0), (1,2), (3,6), (12,42)}, By substituting a=(x-1)/2 and b=y/2, we obtain x^2=2y^3+3y^2+3y+1. This gives only (a,b) from {(-1/2,0), (0,1), (1,3), (11/2,21)} where a,b are half-integers. ==See also==