Determine all integers $n \geq 2$ such that there exists a permutation $x_0, x_1, \ldots, x_{n - 1}$ of the numbers $0, 1, \ldots, n - 1$ with the property that the $n$ numbers $$x_0, \hspace{0.3cm} x_0 + x_1, \hspace{0.3cm} \ldots, \hspace{0.3cm} x_0 + x_1 + \ldots + x_{n - 1}$$are pairwise distinct modulo $n$.
Problem
Source: MEMO 2017 T7
Tags: number theory
25.08.2017 20:24
Clearly the first number in the sequence is $0$. With an odd $n$ is impossible, since $0\equiv \sum_{i=0}^{n-1} i=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$, since in the last formula the even factor is $n+1$ and so is divisible by $n$. With an even $n$ it works in many ways: the more simple is with the sequence $0, \ n-1, \ 2,\ n-3,\ 4,\ n-5,\ 6, \ \dots , n-4, \ 3, n-2,\ 1$.
27.08.2017 11:06
This problem was proposed by Burii.
30.08.2017 12:05
Problem is not original https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/q3h1365650p7504433
16.05.2018 16:10
Riemann00 wrote: Clearly the first number in the sequence is $0$. With an odd $n$ is impossible, since $0\equiv \sum_{i=0}^{n-1} i=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$, since in the last formula the even factor is $n+1$ and so is divisible by $n$. With an even $n$ it works in many ways: the more simple is with the sequence $0, \ n-1, \ 2,\ n-3,\ 4,\ n-5,\ 6, \ \dots , n-4, \ 3, n-2,\ 1$. Why does the first number has to be zero?
14.01.2020 16:46
Arc_archer wrote: Riemann00 wrote: Clearly the first number in the sequence is $0$. With an odd $n$ is impossible, since $0\equiv \sum_{i=0}^{n-1} i=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$, since in the last formula the even factor is $n+1$ and so is divisible by $n$. With an even $n$ it works in many ways: the more simple is with the sequence $0, \ n-1, \ 2,\ n-3,\ 4,\ n-5,\ 6, \ \dots , n-4, \ 3, n-2,\ 1$. Why does the first number has to be zero? Because if some other element is zero, say $x_k$, then $\sum_{i=0}^{k-1}x_i = \sum_{i=0}^{k}x_i$, therefore $x_0=0$
13.04.2020 08:57
The answer is $n$ even, achieved by $0$, $1$, $n-2$, $3$, $n-4$, $5$, $\ldots$. Assume $n$ is odd. The key claim: Claim: $x_0=0$. Proof. Assume not, so $x_k=0$ for $k>0$. Then $x_0+\cdots+x_{k-1}=x_0+\cdots+x_k$, absurd. $\blacksquare$ However $x_0+x_1+\cdots+x_{n-1}=\frac{n(n-1)}2\equiv0=x_0\pmod n$, contradiction.
10.08.2021 03:06