MathDB
7 | Sum/Difference Combination of 6 Integers

Source: ILL 1970 - Problem 12.

May 24, 2011
algebrapolynomialnumber theory unsolvednumber theory

Problem Statement

Let {xi},1i6\{x_i\}, 1\le i\le 6 be a given set of six integers, none of which are divisible by 77. (a)(a) Prove that at least one of the expressions of the form x1±x2±x3±x4±x5±x6x_1\pm x_2\pm x_3\pm x_4\pm x_5\pm x_6 is divisible by 77, where the ±\pm signs are independent of each other. (b)(b) Generalize the result to every prime number.