MathDB
Maximum length of strictly monotone sequence

Source: 2016 Korea Winter Camp 2nd Test #8

January 25, 2016
combinatorics

Problem Statement

Let a1,a2,a100a_1, a_2, \cdots a_{100} be a permutation of 1,2,1001,2,\cdots 100. Define l(k)l(k) as the maximum mm such that there exists i1,i2imi_1, i_2 \cdots i_m such that ai1>ai2>>aima_{i_1} > a_{i_2} > \cdots > a_{i_m} or ai1<ai2<<aima_{i_1} < a_{i_2} < \cdots < a_{i_m}, where i1=ki_1=k and i1<i2<<imi_1<i_2< \cdots <i_m
Find the minimum possible value for i=1100l(i)\sum_{i=1}^{100} l(i).