7 steps to guess the number
Source: Argentina 2001 OMA L3 p1
May 12, 2024
combinatoricsnumber theory
Problem Statement
Sergio thinks of a positive integer , less than or equal to . Iván must guess the number that Sergio thought of, using the following procedure: in each step, he chooses two positive integers and less than , and asks Sergio what is the greatest common factor between and . Give a sequence of seven steps that ensures Iván guesses the number that Sergio thought of.Clarification:In each step, Sergio correctly answers Iván's question.