Maths Olympiad Prep

Track / Stage 5 / 387 of 400 #1627 of 2604

Problem 1627

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.

Next problem →

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,z∈Mx, 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,a−1),(2,a−2),…,(⌊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,
∣M∣≤a2+1≤1003+1=1004. |M| \le \frac{a}{2} + 1 \le 1003 + 1 = 1004.
Hence, the largest possible size of MM is 10041004.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.