Maths Olympiad Prep

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Problem 1875

IMO Shortlist mid-range; USAMO P2/P5
Number theory Difficulty 8.9 Prove it Team selection tests for GMO 2018 · Saudi Arabia · 2018

Let nn be an odd positive integer with n>1n>1 and let a1,a2,,ana_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n} be positive integers such that gcd(a1,a2,,an)=1\operatorname{gcd}\left(a_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n}\right)=1. Let d=gcd(a1n+a1a2an,a2n+a1a2an,,ann+a1a2an)d=\operatorname{gcd}\left(a_{1}^{n}+a_{1} a_{2} \cdots a_{n}, a_{2}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}, \ldots, a_{n}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}\right). Show that the possible values of dd are d=1,d=2d=1, d=2.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

Official solution

Let pp be a prime with pdp \mid d. We know that pain+a1a2anp \mid a_{i}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} for all ii. If i\exists i such that paip \mid a_{i}, then pa1a2anp \mid a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}. Since pajn+a1a2anp \mid a_{j}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} for all jj, we find pajp \mid a_{j} for all jj, which contradicts to the hypothesis.

Thus we consider the case paip \nmid a_{i} for all ii, i.e. pa1a2anp \nmid a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}. We have the nn congruences
a1na1a2an(modp),a2na1a2an(modp),,anna1a2an(modp) \begin{aligned} & a_{1}^{n} \equiv -a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \pmod{p}, \\ & a_{2}^{n} \equiv -a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \pmod{p}, \ldots, \\ & a_{n}^{n} \equiv -a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \pmod{p} \end{aligned}
and by multiplying them, we obtain
(a1a2an)n(1)n(a1a2an)n(a1a2an)n(modp) \left(a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}\right)^{n} \equiv (-1)^{n} \cdot \left(a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}\right)^{n} \equiv -\left(a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n}\right)^{n} \pmod{p}
which yields p=2p=2.

This shows that dd must be a power of 22. Suppose, now, that 4d4 \mid d. Clearly, a1,a2,,ana_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n} must be all odd. We consider two cases

1. If a1a2an3(mod4)a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \equiv 3 \pmod{4}, then i\exists i such that ai3(mod4)a_{i} \equiv 3 \pmod{4} then ain+a1a2an3+32(mod4)a_{i}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \equiv 3+3 \equiv 2 \pmod{4} which contradicts with 4d4 \mid d.

2. If a1a2an1(mod4)a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \equiv 1 \pmod{4}, then i\exists i such that ai1(mod4)a_{i} \equiv 1 \pmod{4} then ain+a1a2an1+12(mod4)a_{i}^{n}+a_{1} \cdot a_{2} \cdots a_{n} \equiv 1+1 \equiv 2 \pmod{4} which also contradicts with 4d4 \mid d. (In both cases, we made use of 3n3(mod4)3^{n} \equiv 3 \pmod{4}.)

Therefore, d=1d=1 or d=2d=2. If a1,a2,,ana_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n} are all odd, then dd must be even, hence d=2d=2. If some of a1,a2,,ana_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n} are even and some of them odd, then dd must be odd, hence d=1d=1. As such, both of these values are realized.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic, difficulty and ordering added by this site.