3. Let be a positive integer. If a sequence of positive integers (which can be the same) is called "full", then this sequence should satisfy the condition: for each positive integer , if is in this sequence, then is also in this sequence, and the first occurrence of is before the last occurrence of . How many "full" sequences are there for each ?
(Colombia provided)
Problem 766
Official solution
Solution: There are ! "full" sequences.
To prove this conclusion, we construct a "full" sequence that is in bijection with the permutations of the set .
Let be a "full" sequence, . Then, all integers from 1 to appear in this sequence. Let , then all are non-empty, and they form a partition of the set . For 2 , the "full" sequence also satisfies , and , and .
When , let , then the sequence , is a "full" sequence.
In summary, the set of "full" sequences is in bijection with the set of permutations of .