Does there exist a set $ M$ with the following properties? (i) The set $ M$ consists of 1992 natural numbers. (ii) Every element in $ M$ and the sum of any number of elements have the form $ m^k$ $ (m, k \in \mathbb{N}, k \geq 2).$
Problem
Source: IMO Shortlist 1992, Problem 15
Tags: number theory, Perfect Powers, Additive combinatorics, Additive Number Theory, IMO Shortlist, IMO Longlist
10.11.2009 15:53
We can choose $ M=\{t,2t,3t,...,1992t\}$ in such a way that all numbers $ t,2t,...,\frac{1992(1992+1)}{2}t$ are all perfect powers. You may use Chinese theorem in order to prove it.
10.11.2009 17:13
Well, take a space containing 1992 line segments of distinct length, and construct a 1992-hedron using these segments or the sum of the lengths of these segments.Now, statement (ii) will imply that there exists a polyhedron which is similar to our polyhedron. But this is impossible, which can easily be shown. Is my solution correct?! : [/quote]
11.01.2010 17:03
Just reposting my comment. Its fortified with LaTeX now! Well, take a space containing $ 1992$ line segments of distinct length, and construct a $ 1992$-hedron using these segments or the sum of the lengths of these segments.Now, statement (ii) will imply that there exists a polyhedron which is similar to our polyhedron. But this is impossible, which can easily be shown. Is my solution correct?!
26.04.2023 01:01
Yes. We will take \[ M = \left\{ n, 2n, 3n, \dots, 1992n \right\} \]for some positive integer $n$. It suffices to ensure that $kn$ is a perfect power for each $1 \le k \le C \coloneqq 1+2+\dots+1999$. Let $p_1 < p_2 < \dots < p_m < C$ be the primes less than $C$. Let $q_1 < q_2 < \dots < q_C$ be distinct primes. By the Chinese remainder theorem, for each $1 \le k \le C$, we can choose $\nu_{p_i}(n)$ such that \[ \nu_{p_i}(n) + \nu_{p_i}(k) \equiv 0 \pmod{p_k} \qquad i = 1, \dots, m \]This ensures $kn$ is a perfect $q_k$'th power as needed.