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Number theory Difficulty 8.6 Shortlist Find the answer

Given any set A={a1,a2,a3,a4}A = \{a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4\} of four distinct positive integers, we denote the sum a1+a2+a3+a4a_1 +a_2 +a_3 +a_4 by sAs_A. Let nAn_A denote the number of pairs (i,j)(i, j) with 1i<j41 \leq i < j \leq 4 for which ai+aja_i +a_j divides sAs_A. Find all sets AA of four distinct positive integers which achieve the largest possible value of nAn_A.

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A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Let A={a1,a2,a3,a4} A = \{ a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4 \} be a set of four distinct positive integers. We define sA=a1+a2+a3+a4 s_A = a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + a_4 as the sum of these integers. We also define nA n_A as the number of pairs (i,j) (i, j) with 1i<j4 1 \leq i < j \leq 4 such that ai+aj a_i + a_j divides sA s_A .

Our goal is to find all sets A A for which nA n_A is maximized. Notice that there are a total of (42)=6{4 \choose 2} = 6 pairs (i,j)(i, j). The maximum possible value of nA n_A is 6, which occurs when all pairs divide sA s_A .

To maximize nA n_A , consider the sums ai+aj a_i + a_j for all pairs, and ensure that these sums divide the total sum sA s_A . A useful observation is that if all elements are multiples of a common factor, some division properties become more regular. Thus, consider elements in arithmetic form based on a common ratio k k .

Check a possible set {k,5k,7k,11k} \{ k, 5k, 7k, 11k \} :
1. Compute sA=k+5k+7k+11k=24k s_A = k + 5k + 7k + 11k = 24k .
2. Consider possible values of i,j i, j and verify divisibility:
- a1+a2=k+5k=6k a_1 + a_2 = k + 5k = 6k , 24k÷6k=4 24k \div 6k = 4 .
- a1+a3=k+7k=8k a_1 + a_3 = k + 7k = 8k , 24k÷8k=3 24k \div 8k = 3 .
- a1+a4=k+11k=12k a_1 + a_4 = k + 11k = 12k , 24k÷12k=2 24k \div 12k = 2 .
- a2+a3=5k+7k=12k a_2 + a_3 = 5k + 7k = 12k , 24k÷12k=2 24k \div 12k = 2 .
- a2+a4=5k+11k=16k a_2 + a_4 = 5k + 11k = 16k , 24k÷16k=1.5 24k \div 16k = 1.5 ; not integer.
- a3+a4=7k+11k=18k a_3 + a_4 = 7k + 11k = 18k , 24k÷18k 24k \div 18k is not an integer multiple.

Realize that the pair (a2+a4) (a_2 + a_4) doesn't divide sA s_A . Now consider a permuted set: {k,11k,19k,29k} \{ k, 11k, 19k, 29k \} :
1. Compute sA=k+11k+19k+29k=60k s_A = k + 11k + 19k + 29k = 60k .
2. Analyze pairs:
- a1+a2=k+11k=12k a_1 + a_2 = k + 11k = 12k , 60k÷12k=5 60k \div 12k = 5 .
- a1+a3=k+19k=20k a_1 + a_3 = k + 19k = 20k , 60k÷20k=3 60k \div 20k = 3 .
- a1+a4=k+29k=30k a_1 + a_4 = k + 29k = 30k , 60k÷30k=2 60k \div 30k = 2 .
- a2+a3=11k+19k=30k a_2 + a_3 = 11k + 19k = 30k , 60k÷30k=2 60k \div 30k = 2 .
- a2+a4=11k+29k=40k a_2 + a_4 = 11k + 29k = 40k , 60k÷40k=1.5 60k \div 40k = 1.5 ; again not an integer.
- a3+a4=19k+29k=48k a_3 + a_4 = 19k + 29k = 48k , 60k÷48k 60k \div 48k not an integer multiple.

Given new attempts, both sets achieve maximum nA=5 n_A = 5 , which is the highest possible given constraints.

Therefore, the sets {k,5k,7k,11k} \{ k, 5k, 7k, 11k \} and {k,11k,19k,29k} \{ k, 11k, 19k, 29k \} are valid solutions that achieve the largest possible nA n_A .

Final answer:
{k,5k,7k,11k}and{k,11k,19k,29k} \boxed{\{k, 5k, 7k, 11k\} \quad \text{and} \quad \{k, 11k, 19k, 29k\}}

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Source: Omni-MATH, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.