MathDB
Divisibility of LCM

Source: 239 2004 J P6

May 15, 2020
number theoryleast common multiple

Problem Statement

Given distinct positive integers a1,a2,,ana_1,\,a_2,\,\dots,a_n. Let bi=(aia1)(aia2)(aiai1)(aiai+1)(aian)b_i = (a_i - a_1) (a_i-a_2) \dots (a_i-a_{i-1}) (a_i-a_{i+1})\dots(a_i-a_n). Prove that the least common multiple [b1,b2,,bn][b_1,b_2,\dots,b_n] is divisible by (n1)!.(n-1)!.