Problem:
Find the largest integer (), for which there exists an integer () such that from any collection of consecutive positive integers one can always choose numbers, which verify the following conditions:
1. each chosen number is not divisible by , by and by ;
2. the positive difference of any two different chosen numbers is not divisible by at least one of the numbers , or .
Solution
Solution:
An integer is divisible by , and if and only if it is divisible by their Least Common Multiple, which equals .
Let be a positive integer and let be an arbitrary set of consecutive positive integers. Replace each number from with its remainder (mod ). The number is divisible by ( or ) if and only if its remainder is divisible by (respectively or ). The difference is divisible by if and only if their remainders .
Choosing numbers from the initial set , which verify the required conditions, is the same as choosing of their remainders (mod ) such that:
1. each chosen remainder is not divisible by , and ;
2. all chosen remainders are different.
Suppose we have chosen numbers from , which verify the conditions. Therefore, all remainders are different and (otherwise, there would be two equal remainders).
Denote by the set of all possible remainders (mod ) and by the subset of all elements of , which are divisible by . Compute the number of elements of the following subsets:
Denote by , the subset of all elements of , which are divisible by at least one of the numbers , or . By the Inclusion-Exclusion principle we get
Each chosen remainder belongs to the subset , since it is not divisible by , and . Hence, .
Let us show that the greatest possible value is . Consider . Given any collection of consecutive positive integers, replace each number with its remainder (mod ). Choose from these remainders numbers, which constitute the set . Finally, take numbers from the initial set , having exactly these remainders. These numbers verify the required conditions.