MathDB
n markers on a table, each of which is denoted by an integer

Source: Polish MO Finals 1981 p4

August 24, 2024
combinatorics

Problem Statement

On a table are given nn markers, each of which is denoted by an integer. At any time, if some two markers are denoted with the same number, say kk, we can redenote one of them with k+1k +1 and the other one with kāˆ’1k -1. Prove that after a finite number of moves all the markers will be denoted with different numbers.