First Solution. Let ∑a denote the sum over all n! permutations a=(a1,a2,…,an). We compute ∑aS(a)modn! in two ways, one of which assuming that the desired conclusion is false, and reach a contradiction.
Suppose, for the sake of contradiction, that the claim is false. Then each S(a) must have a different remainder modn!. Since there are exactly n! such permutations a, there exists exactly one permutation a such that S(a)≡s(modn!) for each s=1,2,…,n!. Since n>1, n! is even and n!+1 is odd. Hence,
a∑S(a)≡s=1∑n!s≡2n!⋅(n!+1)(modn!),
or
a∑S(a)≡2n!(modn!).(1)
On the other hand, for i,k∈{1,…,n}, we have ai=k in exactly (n−1)! permutations a. Thus, for 1≤i≤n,
a∑ai=(n−1)!(1+2+⋯+n)=n!⋅2n+1.
Hence,
a∑S(a)=a∑i=1∑nciai=a∑i=1∑nciai=i=1∑n(cia∑ai).
Because n+1 is even, n! divides ∑aai=n!⋅2n+1 for each i. It follows that n! divides ∑aS(a), contradicting (1). Therefore, the initial assumption was false, and there do exist distinct permutations b and c such that n! is a divisor of S(b)−S(c).
Second Solution. (by Liang Xiao, China) Let n=2m+1, and let r be the number of indices i such that ci is odd. For a permutation a=(a1,a2,…,an) of {1,2,…,n}, let
T(a)=i=1∑nicai=ca1+2ca2+⋯+ncan,
and let λa be the number of indices i such that both i and cai are odd. Note that T(a) is equal S(a) in a different order.
For any given positive integer λ, 0≤λ≤r, we count the number of permutations a of {1,2,…,n} with λa=λ. There are (λm+1) ways to choose λ numbers i1,i2,…,iλ from the set {1,3,…,2m+1} and (r−λm) ways to choose r−λ numbers j1,j2,…,jr−λ from the set {2,4,…,2m}. Once the numbers i1,…,iλ,j1,…,jr−λ have been chosen, there are r!(n−r)! permutations a=(a1,a2,…,an) of {1,2,…,n} such that cai1,…,caiλ and caj1,…,cajr−λ are all odd. Thus, there are
r!(n−r)!(λm+1)(r−λm)
permutations a of {1,2,…,n} such that λa=λ.
Let E and O be the number of permutations a of {1,2,…,n} such that S(a) is even and odd, respectively. Then
E=r!(n−r)!2∣λ∑(λm+1)(r−λm),
O=r!(n−r)!2∣λ∑(λm+1)(r−λm),
and
E−O=r!(n−r)!λ=0∑r(−1)λ(λm+1)(r−λm).
Denote by [xk]h(x) the coefficient of xk in a power series h(x). Let g1(x)=(1−x)m+1, g2(x)=(1+x)m, and f(x)=g1(x)g2(x). Then
[xr]f(x)=λ=0∑r([xλ]g1(x))([xr−λ]g2(x))
=λ=0∑r(−1)λ(λm+1)(r−λm).
On the other hand,
f(x)=(1−x2)m(1−x)=i=0∑m(im)(−1)ix2i(1−x)
=i=0∑m(im)((−1)ix2i+(−1)i+1x2i+1).
Therefore,
[xr]f(x)=⌊2r+1m⌋⋅(−1)⌊2r+1⌋=0,
implying that E−O=0.
In order for the desired result to be false, for each number i from 1 to n!, there must be exactly one permutation a of 1,2,…,n such that S(a)≡i(modn!). As n! is even, this implies that E=O, contradicting that fact E−O=0. Thus, we have proven the desired conclusion.