Problem

Source: Czech-Polish-Slovak 2002 Q1

Tags: inequalities, ceiling function, floor function, algebra unsolved, algebra



Let $a, b$ be distinct real numbers and $k,m$ be positive integers $k + m = n \ge 3, k \le 2m, m \le 2k$. Consider sequences $x_1,\dots , x_n$ with the following properties: (i) $k$ terms $x_i$, including $x_1$, are equal to $a$; (ii) $m$ terms $x_i$, including $x_n$, are equal to $b$; (iii) no three consecutive terms are equal. Find all possible values of $x_nx_1x_2 + x_1x_2x_3 + \cdots + x_{n-1}x_nx_1$.