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Problem 1467

AIME late
Number theory Difficulty 6.0 Prove it China Hong Kong Mathematical Olympiad · Hong Kong

Let MM be a subset of {1,2,,2006}\{1, 2, \dots, 2006\} with the following property: For any three elements x,yx, y and zz (x<y<zx < y < z) of MM, x+yx + y does not divide zz. Determine the largest possible size of MM. Justify your claim.

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.

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Official solution

The answer is 10041004.

When M={1003,1004,,2006}M = \{1003, 1004, \dots, 2006\}, the sum of any two elements in MM is at least 20072007, which is larger than the largest element in MM. Therefore, x+yx + y does not divide zz for any x,y,zMx, y, z \in M. This gives a possible case for M=1004|M| = 1004.

Next, consider any subset MM satisfying the constraint. Suppose the largest element of MM is aa. Then MM contains at most one element in each of the pairs
(1,a1),(2,a2),,(a2,a2) (1, a-1), (2, a-2), \dots, \left( \left\lfloor \frac{a}{2} \right\rfloor, \left\lceil \frac{a}{2} \right\rceil \right)
(note that the last pair may contain the same number, which does not affect the validity of our claim). Therefore, MM contains at most a2\frac{a}{2} elements smaller than aa. Since aa is the largest element, MM cannot contain elements larger than aa. Therefore,
Ma2+11003+1=1004. |M| \le \frac{a}{2} + 1 \le 1003 + 1 = 1004.
Hence, the largest possible size of MM is 10041004.

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