Maths Olympiad Prep

Library / /67 of 144

Combinatorics Difficulty 8.2 Shortlist Find the answer

The Fibonacci numbers F0,F1,F2,...F_0, F_1, F_2, . . . are defined inductively by F0=0,F1=1F_0=0, F_1=1, and Fn+1=Fn+Fn1F_{n+1}=F_n+F_{n-1} for n1n \ge 1. Given an integer n2n \ge 2, determine the smallest size of a set SS of integers such that for every k=2,3,...,nk=2, 3, . . . , n there exist some x,ySx, y \in S such that xy=Fkx-y=F_k.

[i]

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

Solution

The Fibonacci sequence is defined by starting values F0=0 F_0 = 0 and F1=1 F_1 = 1 , and for n1 n \geq 1 , each subsequent term is defined recursively by the relation:
Fn+1=Fn+Fn1. F_{n+1} = F_n + F_{n-1}.
Given an integer n2 n \geq 2 , we are tasked to find the smallest size of a set S S of integers such that for every k=2,3,,n k = 2, 3, \ldots, n , there exist integers x,yS x, y \in S with the property that xy=Fk x - y = F_k .

To solve this, we need to construct a set S S such that it has the minimum cardinality, with pairs x,y x, y in S S satisfying the condition xy=Fk x - y = F_k for each k k in the given range.

We aim to grasp the structure of the Fibonacci sequence and employ it effectively to determine such a set. The Fibonacci numbers increase rapidly, but we're aided by considering the nature of differences between consecutive and non-consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Based on the recursive formula, these differences relevant to the problem can be organized efficiently if the set S S is constructed with the right density and range.

Consider the following argument:

### Key Insight:

For small values of k k , such as k=2,3 k = 2, 3 , forming S S can be straightforward. But for larger k k , ensuring that every possible difference Fk F_k is covered requires understanding patterns in sums and differences of Fibonacci numbers.

By considering all integers from 0 to n2 \left\lceil \frac{n}{2} \right\rceil as elements of S S , each valid difference Fk F_k can be expressed through appropriately chosen pairs due to the recursive generation of Fibonacci values and symmetry in differences.

### Constructing and Bounding S S :

A suitable choice will be a consecutive interval of integers, S={0,1,,n2} S = \{ 0, 1, \ldots, \left\lceil \frac{n}{2} \right\rceil \} .

1. Size: This set includes n2+1 \left\lceil \frac{n}{2} \right\rceil + 1 elements.
2. Verification: By induction:
- For basic cases, verify manually that differences for small k k can be matched.
- Inductively prove that larger values k k achieve differences through indexed structure of Fibonacci and densely placed elements in S S .

### Result:
The minimum size of S S thus determined so that every needed difference is realized is:
n2+1. \boxed{\left\lceil \frac{n}{2} \right\rceil + 1}.

This solution leverages the doubling nature of Fibonacci differences, providing an efficient representation of required differences through dense, small sets S S .

Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.

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