Find the maximum number of natural numbers $x_1,x_2, ... , x_m$ satisfying the conditions: a) No $x_i - x_j , 1 \le i < j \le m$ is divisible by $11$, and b) The sum $x_2x_3 ...x_m + x_1x_3 ... x_m + \cdot \cdot \cdot + x_1x_2... x_{m-1}$ is divisible by $11$.
Problem
Source: JBMO 2016 Shortlist N2
Tags: JBMO, number theory, divides
nmd27082001
15.10.2017 13:37
Do you mean find max m?
test20
15.10.2017 16:07
The cases with $m\ge11$ are clearly impossible, as then two of $x_1,\ldots,x_m$ must leave the same remainder after division by 11, and hence ontradict (a). The case with $m=10$ is possible, as for instance the ten numbers $1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10$ satisfy both conditions.
parmenides51
15.10.2017 21:03
nmd27082001 wrote: Do you mean find max m? yes
rafaello
10.10.2020 15:38
For $m=11$ just all $x$-es must be different reminders mod 11, thus one is divisible by $11$ (WLOG $x_1\equiv 0 \pmod{11}$), thus $x_2x_3...x_{11} \equiv 0\pmod{11}$ must hold: that is $1\cdot 2 \cdot ...\cdot 10 =10!\equiv 0 \pmod{11}$, which is not true by Wilson's theorem.