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Hello! Here is a really fun problem I came up with.

 

You are given a perfect square n.

 

Define a superpair in n as a 2(n1)-tuple, (x1,x2,x3,...x2(n1))such that x1x2xn1=xnxn+1x2(n1), with 1xin.  In other words, all elements must be between 1 and n and the product of its first n1 elements equals the product of its last n1 elements.)

 

Find the set S of values of n that guarantee that it is possible to form list of n superpairs in n such that every number that appears in your superpair list appears exactly twice in your superpair list.

 

For example, we know that n=3 is in S because we can satisfy the conditions with the following superpair list:

(1,6,2,3)

(2,4,1,8)

(3,8,6,4)

 

Here, 16=23, 24=18, and 38=64. Additionally, every number present in the the superpair list, (1,2,3,4,6,8) appears exactly twice.

 

Notice that not all numbers from 1 to n need to be in your superpair list. Rather, you must only ensure that the ones that are in your superpair list, appear exactly twice. Hint: try using exactly n2n distinct numbers in your superpair list.

 

I hope you enjoy!

 Jan 22, 2022
 #1
avatar+31 
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What is your solution to this problem? I'm curious.

 Jan 23, 2022
 #2
avatar+118696 
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"What is your solution to this problem? I'm curious."

"Hint: try using exactly  n^2 -n distinct numbers in your superpair list.

 

 

How can you give us a hint if you do not know what the answer is ?

 

If you came up with it yourself and you do not know what the answer is then how can you claim it is 'beautiful'?

Melody  Jan 23, 2022

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