6⋅21n is a natural number not less than 3, f(n) represents the smallest natural number that is not a divisor of n (for example, f(12)=5). If f(n)⩾3, then f(f(n)) can also be made. Similarly, if f(f(n))⩾3, then f(f(f(n))) can also be made, and so on. If k f’sf(f(⋯f(n)⋯))=2,
then k is called the "length" of n. If ln represents the length of n, try to find ln for any natural number n(n⩾3), and prove your conclusion.
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
[Solution] For natural number n, we discuss by cases. Case 1: n is odd. In this case, f(n)=2, so ln=1. Case 2: n is even. In this case, we set n=2a(2m+1), where a⩾1,m⩾0. If all odd numbers t satisfying 1<t<2a+1 are divisors of n, then f(n)=2a+1,f(f(n))=3,f(f(f(n)))=2.
Therefore, ln=3. If not all odd numbers t satisfying 1<t<2a+1 are divisors of n, then there must be a smallest positive odd number t0(1<t0<2a+1) that is not a divisor of n. Thus we have f(n)=t0,f(f(n))=f(t0)=2.
Therefore, ln=2. In summary, we have ln=⎩⎨⎧1,n is odd, 3,n is even 2a(2m+1),a⩾1,m⩾0, and all odd numbers t satisfying 1<t<2a+1 are divisors of n,2,n is even 2a(2m+1),a⩾1,m⩾0, and there exists an odd number t0 that is not a divisor of n, satisfying 1<t0<2a+1.
Source: NuminaMath-1.5,
licensed Apache-2.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic, difficulty and ordering added
by this site.