MathDB
Is 72^71 egyptian?

Source: Italy MO 2024 P3

May 15, 2024
number theorynumber theory proposedegyptian fractions

Problem Statement

A positive integer nn is called egyptian if there exists a strictly increasing sequence 0<a1<a2<<ak=n0<a_1<a_2<\dots<a_k=n of integers with last term nn such that 1a1+1a2++1ak=1.\frac{1}{a_1}+\frac{1}{a_2}+\dots+\frac{1}{a_k}=1. (a) Determine if n=72n=72 is egyptian. (b) Determine if n=71n=71 is egyptian. (c) Determine if n=7271n=72^{71} is egyptian.