Difference between revisions of "2007 USAMO Problems/Problem 1"

 
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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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Let <math>n</math> be a positive integer.  Define a sequence by setting <math>a_1 = n</math> and, for each <math>k>1</math>, letting <math>a_k</math> be the unique integer in the range <math>0 \le a_k \le k-1</math> for which <math>a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_k</math> is divisible by <math>k</math>.  For instance, when <math>n=9</math> the obtained sequence is <math>9, 1, 2, 0, 3, 3, 3, \ldots</math>.  Prove that for any <math>n</math> the sequence <math>a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots</math> eventually becomes constant.
  
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
  
 
{{USAMO newbox|year=2007|before=First question|num-a=2}}
 
{{USAMO newbox|year=2007|before=First question|num-a=2}}

Revision as of 16:56, 25 April 2007

Problem

Let $n$ be a positive integer. Define a sequence by setting $a_1 = n$ and, for each $k>1$, letting $a_k$ be the unique integer in the range $0 \le a_k \le k-1$ for which $a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_k$ is divisible by $k$. For instance, when $n=9$ the obtained sequence is $9, 1, 2, 0, 3, 3, 3, \ldots$. Prove that for any $n$ the sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ eventually becomes constant.

Solution

2007 USAMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
First question
Followed by
Problem 2
1 2 3 4 5 6
All USAMO Problems and Solutions