Let be 7 distinct positive integers less than or equal to 7. Determine all the prime numbers which can be represented in the form
Solution
Let , . Suppose the number is a prime. Then, we see that the numbers must belong to the same set or , because, otherwise, both and become even, and therefore must be even, and since , cannot be a prime. Also, the numbers and must belong to the same set or , because, otherwise becomes a multiple of and since , cannot be a prime.
Consequently, we see that and , and we conclude that the only prime number of the form is .
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