MathDB
pirates with total 2009 coins, each 1 more than the younger

Source: JBMO 2009 Shortlist N2

October 14, 2017
JBMOnumber theory

Problem Statement

A group of n>1n > 1 pirates of different age owned total of 20092009 coins. Initially each pirate (except the youngest one) had one coin more than the next younger. a) Find all possible values of nn. b) Every day a pirate was chosen. The chosen pirate gave a coin to each of the other pirates. If n=7n = 7, find the largest possible number of coins a pirate can have after several days.