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Let T ⊂ {1,2,…,2n} where T has n +1 elements. Then T contains two numbers such that one divided the other. [any number could be written uniquely as an odd number times a power of 2, m = (2k – 1)2^j. Consider the function f: T -> {1,2,…n} defined by f(m) = k]

2006-11-26 14:02:48 · 1 answers · asked by Ann T 1 in Science & Mathematics Mathematics

1 answers

As the hint says, every number is some power of two multiplied by an odd number, or 2^j * s, where s is odd.
Now, lets say you have written every number in the set T like that. What possible values for s have you come up with? They all have to be <= 2n-1, since the whole number is <= 2n. That means there are precisely n possibilities: 1, 3, .., 2n-1.
However, you have chosen n+1 numbers. So two of those numbers must have the same 's' part.
But then if the numbers were 2^a * s and 2^b * s, one of those numbers is a multiple of the other - assuming a>b, (2^a * s)/(2^b * s) = 2^(a-b) (and similarly for a<=b).

2006-11-26 14:08:25 · answer #1 · answered by stephen m 4 · 0 0

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