Find all integers such that the following property holds: if we list the divisors of in increasing order as , then we have
Contents 1 Solution (Explanation of Video) 2 Solution 2 3 Video Solution 4
Solution
We claim only and are the only two solutions. First, it is clear that both solutions work.
Next, we claim that . For , let be the smallest such that is not a factor of . Let the smallest factor larger than be .
Now we consider , and . Since , if were to satisfy the conditions, then . However, note that this is not true for and .
Note that the inequality is equivalent to showing , which simplifies to , or . This implies , , a contradiction, since the set of numbers are all factors of , and the value of must exist. Hence, no solutions for .
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