For a positive integer $m$, let $f(m)$ denote the smallest power of $2024$ not less than $m$ (e.g. $f(1)=1, f(2023)=f(2024)=2024,$ and $f(2025)=2024^2$). Find all positive real numbers $c$ for which there exists a sequence $x_1,x_2,\cdots$ of real numbers in $[0,1]$ such that $$|x_m-x_n|\geq\frac{c}{f(m)}$$for all positive integers $m>n\geq1$. Proposed by Shantanu Nene
Problem
Source: India EGMO TST 2025 Day 2 P1
Tags:
16.12.2024 08:44
Didn't expect this problem to end up as P4 lol. Here's my original solution; however, a much simpler proof for the bound is possible.
25.12.2024 23:30
IZHO 2022/6, Balkan MO Shortlist 2023 and similar perhaps or not really?
27.12.2024 01:14
Solved with Silverblaze_sy .Dunno if it's correct or not.
01.01.2025 14:33
Solved with sanyalarnab (Only bound part) Let $r$ be a natural number .$s=2024^r$.Note that $f(s)=s$. Consider the sequence uptill $s$ i.e. $x_1,x_2,...,x_s$ Using the fact that $f$ is non decreasing Note that $|x_i-x_j| \geq \frac{c}{f(max(i,j))} \geq\frac{c}{f(s)}=\frac{c}{s}$ where $i,j \in \{1,...,s\}$. Let the sequence $x_1,x_2,...,x_s$ in increasing order be $y_1,y_2,...,y_s$.Then $1 \geq y_s-y_1=(y_s-y_{s-1})+(y_{s-1}-y_{s-2})+...+(y_2-y_1) \geq \frac{(s-1)c}{s}$ which implies $c \leq \frac{s}{s-1}$. As $r -> \infty$, $ s-> \infty$ and $\frac{s}{s-1}->1$. Thus $c \leq 1$.