Write down some numbers a1,a2,…,an from left to right on a line. Step 1, we write a1+a2 between a1,a2; a2+a3 between a2,a3, …, an−1+an between an−1,an, and then we have new sequence b=(a1,a1+a2,a2,a2+a3,a3,…,an−1,an−1+an,an). Step 2, we do the same thing with sequence b to have the new sequence c again…. And so on. If we do 2013 steps, count the number of the number 2013 appear on the line if
a) n=2, a1=1,a2=1000
b) n=1000, ai=i,i=1,2…,1000Sorry for my bad English
[color=#008000]Moderator says: alternate phrasing here: https://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=516134 inductioncombinatorics proposedcombinatorics