Arguing by contradiction, suppose that every sum of k numbers from x1,x2,…,xn is strictly less than k. Then the numbers
aj=xj+xj+1+⋯+xj+k−1,j=1,2,…,n
are also less than k (where the indices from the sums aj are considered to be taken modulo n).
Adding up yields a1+a2+⋯+an<nk and, since
a1+a2+⋯+an=k(x1+x2+⋯+xn),
we get
x1+x2+⋯+xn<n.
But n2≤(∑k=1nxk)(∑k=1nxk1)<n∑k=1nxk1, so ∑k=1nxk1>n. It follows that
k=1∑nxk=k=1∑nxk21≥n1(k=1∑nxk1)2>n1⋅n2=n,
contradiction.
Alternative Solution:
Suppose that x1≤x2≤⋯≤xn; it is enough to prove that
xn−k+1+⋯+xn−1+xn≥k, for each k=1,2,…,n.