The sequence (an) is defined by a1=1 and an=n⋅(a1+⋯+an−1) for all n>1. Find all indices n for which an is divisible by 1⋅2⋅⋯⋅n. (Grade 12.)
Solution
For each n≥2 denote Sn=a1+⋯+an−1. Then an=Sn⋅n and for all n>2 we have Sn=Sn−1+an−1=Sn−1+Sn−1⋅(n−1)=Sn−1⋅n. Hence Sn=Sn−1⋅n=Sn−2⋅(n−1)n=⋯=S2⋅3⋅⋯⋅n=2n! because S2=1=21⋅2. Consequently an=Sn⋅n=n!⋅2n for all n≥2. Therefore, for n≥2, an is divisible by n! iff n is even, and n=1 also satisfies the condition.
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