Problem

Source: ToT 2019

Tags: algebra, number theory, Kvant



Consider the following sequence of positive real numbers $\dots<a_{-2}<a_{-1}<a_0<a_1<a_2<\dots$ infinite in both directions. For each positive integer $k$ let $b_k$ be the least integer such that the ratio between the sum of $k$ consecutive terms and the greatest of these $k$ terms is less than or equal to $b_k$(This fact occurs for any sequence of $k$ consecutive numbers). Prove that the sequence $b_1,b_2,b_3,...$ coincides with the sequence $1,2,3,...$ or is eventually constant.