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set E of all fractions 1/n

Source: Argentina 1999 OMA L3 p6

May 13, 2024
algebranumber theory

Problem Statement

We consider the set E of all fractions 1n\frac{1}{n}, where nn is a natural number. A maximal arithmetic progression of length kk of the set E is an arithmetic progression of kk terms such that all its terms belong to the set E, and it is impossible to extend it to the right or to the left with another element of E.
For example, 120,18,15\frac{1}{20}, \frac{1}{8}, \frac{1}{5}, is an arithmetic progression in E of length 33, and it is maximal, since to extend it towards to the right you have to add 1140\frac{11}{40}, which does not belong to E, and to extend it to the left you have to add 140\frac{-1}{40} which does not belong to E either.
Prove that for every integer k> 2, there exists a maximal arithmetic progression of length kk of the set E.