Define a sequence $\{a_n\}_{n\ge 1}$ such that $a_1=1,a_2=2$ and $a_{n+1}$ is the smallest positive integer $m$ such that $m$ hasn't yet occurred in the sequence and also $\text{gcd}(m,a_n)\neq 1$. Show all positive integers occur in the sequence.
Problem
Source: Tournament of Towns, Fall 2002, Senior A Level, P6
Tags: number theory, greatest common divisor, number theory proposed
18.05.2014 00:47
There must be something missing, since this is trivial. We don't even need to know $a_2=2$ since it follows from the definition. Assume $a_k=k$ for all $1\leq k \leq n$. Then since $\gcd(a_n, n+1) = \gcd(n,n+1)=1$ it means we must take $a_{n+1} = n+1$. Maybe, since the first two terms are given, the condition is that $a_{n+1}$ is the least $m$ not yet in the sequence, and such that $\gcd(a_{n-1},m)=1$. Indeed, all primes will clearly belong to the sequence, and so any skipped number will become coprime with some second-to-the-left, and thus become eligible for the sequence.
18.05.2014 02:29
Actually, it's supposed to say $\gcd(m,a_n) \neq 1$. Edit: Just for the record, all Tournament of Town problems in English from 2001 onward can be found on this site: http://www.math.toronto.edu/oz/turgor/archives.php
18.05.2014 10:53
Sorry for that dreadful typo@mavropnevma. And thank you for the link but I am posting the problems for the resource page @sabbasi.
21.05.2014 13:44
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=575422