Problem:
For any set of five distinct positive integers denote by the sum of its elements, and denote by the number of triples with for which divides .
Find the largest possible value of .
Solution
Solution:
We will prove that the maximum value that can attain is . Let be a set of five positive integers such that . Call a triple with good if divides . None of the triples is good, since, for example
which is impossible since and . Analogously we can show that any triple of form where isn't good.
By above, the number of good triples can be at most and only triples , can be good. But if triples and are simultaneously good we have that:
and
which is impossible. Therefore, .
Alternatively, one can prove the statement above by adding up the two inequalities and that are derived from the divisibilities.
To show that is possible, consider the numbers . This works because , and .
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