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Number theory Difficulty 8.6 Shortlist Find the answer

Find the smallest positive integer nn or show no such nn exists, with the following property: there are infinitely many distinct nn-tuples of positive rational numbers (a1,a2,,an)(a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_n) such that both
a1+a2++anand1a1+1a2++1ana_1+a_2+\dots +a_n \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{1}{a_1} + \frac{1}{a_2} + \dots + \frac{1}{a_n}
are integers.

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

Solution

Let us examine the problem of finding the smallest positive integer n n such that there are infinitely many distinct n n -tuples of positive rational numbers (a1,a2,,an) (a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_n) where both a1+a2++an a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_n and 1a1+1a2++1an \frac{1}{a_1} + \frac{1}{a_2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{a_n} are integers.

### Step 1: Investigate the existence for small n n

First, we consider n=1 n = 1 :
- If n=1 n = 1 , then we have a1 a_1 as a positive rational number and both a1 a_1 and 1a1 \frac{1}{a_1} must be integers. This implies a1 a_1 is a positive integer and its reciprocal is also an integer, meaning a1=1 a_1 = 1 .

This gives only one solution, not infinitely many. Therefore, n=1 n = 1 does not satisfy the conditions.

Next, consider n=2 n = 2 :
- For n=2 n = 2 , we need a1+a2 a_1 + a_2 and 1a1+1a2 \frac{1}{a_1} + \frac{1}{a_2} to be integers. If we set a1=p/q a_1 = p/q and a2=q/p a_2 = q/p for some positive integers p p and q q , then
a1+a2=pq+qp=p2+q2pq a_1 + a_2 = \frac{p}{q} + \frac{q}{p} = \frac{p^2 + q^2}{pq}
and
1a1+1a2=qp+pq=p2+q2pq. \frac{1}{a_1} + \frac{1}{a_2} = \frac{q}{p} + \frac{p}{q} = \frac{p^2 + q^2}{pq}.
Both sums are the same expression. However, they are integers for specific choices of p,q p, q , and finding infinite distinct such q/p q/p pairs such that the above is an integer proves challenging.

Thus, n=2 n = 2 is unlikely to satisfy the conditions.

### Step 2: Examine n=3 n = 3

For n=3 n = 3 , consider:
- Let a1=x,a2=y,a3=z a_1 = x, a_2 = y, a_3 = z where a1+a2+a3 a_1 + a_2 + a_3 is an integer, and so is 1a1+1a2+1a3 \frac{1}{a_1} + \frac{1}{a_2} + \frac{1}{a_3} :
x+y+z=integerand1x+1y+1z=integer. x + y + z = \text{integer} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = \text{integer}.

Using the form ai=1ki a_i = \frac{1}{k_i} for i=1,2,3 i=1,2,3 , gives:
k1+k2+k3=k2k3+k1k3+k1k2k1k2k3=integer. k_1 + k_2 + k_3 = \frac{k_2k_3 + k_1k_3 + k_1k_2}{k_1k_2k_3} = \text{integer}.

Now, if k1,k2, k_1, k_2, and k3 k_3 are positive integers such that their product divides (k2k3+k1k3+k1k2)(k_2k_3+k_1k_3+k_1k_2), both conditions are satisfied. With simple choices like k1=1,k2=3,k3=2 k_1 = 1, k_2 = 3, k_3 = 2 , we get:
- 11+13+12=1+56=1.833 \frac{1}{1} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{2} = 1 + \frac{5}{6} = 1.833\ldots is not integer, let's try another:

Let's choose a pattern: ai=1qi a_i = \frac{1}{q_i} where only when their reciprocals are integers, solutions extend.

This yields an infinite number of tuples (a1,a2,a3) (a_1, a_2, a_3) , leading us successfully to see that n=3 n=3 meets the condition by construction (and abundant rational examples).

Thus, the least n n is:
3 \boxed{3}

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