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Iranian Mathematical Olympiad

Iran counting and probability

Problem

Is it possible to write consecutive natural numbers on the edges of a complete graph with vertices such that for every path (or cycle) of length with edges ( lies between ) the greatest common divisor of the numbers of edges and divides the number of edge ?
Solution
First we claim that for every positive integer , the edges which their numbers are divisible by form a cluster. Indeed, suppose on the contrary that is the largest cluster such that the number of its edges is divisible by and is another such edge. Applying problem statement on edge and edges of cluster we get there exists a larger cluster with number on edges divisible by .

Now suppose that where is a prime number. Therefore the edges with numbers divisible by form a cluster and the number of such edges is . So



Thereby the only prime divisor of is three, so where . If and so and numbers satisfies problem statement. If there exist multiple of among numbers, but cannot be written in the form so for such numbers do not exist.
Final answer
Possible if and only if the graph has three vertices (n = 3); impossible for larger n.

Techniques

OtherGreatest common divisors (gcd)Algebraic properties of binomial coefficients