Problem

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Tags: induction, number theory, greatest common divisor, algebra unsolved, algebra



Given integer $a_1\geq 2$. For integer $n\geq 2$, define $a_n$ to be the smallest positive integer which is not coprime to $a_{n-1}$ and not equal to $a_1,a_2,\cdots, a_{n-1}$. Prove that every positive integer except 1 appears in this sequence $\{a_n\}$.