Olympiad Maths Prep

Track / Stage 7 / 169 of 300 #1569 of 2000

Problem 1569

National olympiad second round; IMO P1/P4
Number theory Difficulty 7.3 Prove it

10. Write the first 2n2 n natural numbers in any order in a row, and number them sequentially as 1,2,,2n1,2, \cdots, 2 n. Then, find the sum of each number and its position number, resulting in 2n2 n sum numbers. Next, divide each sum number by 2n2 n, obtaining 2n2 n quotients and remainders. Prove that at least two of the remainders are the same.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, read the official solution, then mark yourself honestly — the ladder only means something if the record is true.

Official solution

10. Proof: Let the first 2n2n natural numbers be written in any order as a1,a2,a3,,a2n1,a2na_{1}, a_{2}, a_{3}, \cdots, a_{2n-1}, a_{2n}, where 1ai2n1 \leqslant a_{i} \leqslant 2n, aiaj(ij),(i,j=1,2,3,,2n)a_{i} \neq a_{j}(i \neq j),(i, j=1,2,3, \cdots, 2n), then the corresponding sum numbers are 1+a1,2+a2,,2n1+a2n11+a_{1}, 2+a_{2}, \cdots, 2n-1+a_{2n-1}, 2n+a2n2n+a_{2n}.

These sum numbers, when divided by 2n2n, can only result in one of the following 2n2n remainders: 0,1,2,,2n2,2n10,1,2, \cdots, 2n-2,2n-1.

If we can prove that all 2n2n remainders cannot appear, the problem is solved. A direct approach is difficult, so we consider the opposite.

Suppose these 2n2n remainders all appear, then their sum is r2n=0+1+2++(2n1)=2n2n>0r_{2n}=0+1+2+\cdots+(2n-1)=2n^2-n>0.
This sum should be congruent modulo 2n2n to the sum of the 2n2n sum numbers divided by 2n2n (i.e., the remainders are the same), which indicates a remainder of zero. This is a contradiction.

Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic, difficulty and ordering added by this site.