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number theory
Problem
For a real number , let stand for the largest integer that is less than or equal to . Prove that is even for every positive integer .
Solution
Consider four cases: - . Then is an even number.
- and are both composite (in particular, ). Then and for . Moreover, since and are coprime, are all distinct and smaller than , and one can choose such that exactly one of these four numbers is even. Hence is an integer. As , has at least three even factors, so is an even integer.
- is an odd prime. By Wilson's theorem, , that is, is an integer, as is. As before, is an even integer; therefore is an odd integer. Also, and are coprime and divides the odd integer , so is also an odd integer. Then is even.
- is an odd prime. Again, since is composite, is an even integer, and is an odd integer. By Wilson's theorem, . This means that divides , and since and are coprime, also divides . Then is also an odd integer and is even.
- and are both composite (in particular, ). Then and for . Moreover, since and are coprime, are all distinct and smaller than , and one can choose such that exactly one of these four numbers is even. Hence is an integer. As , has at least three even factors, so is an even integer.
- is an odd prime. By Wilson's theorem, , that is, is an integer, as is. As before, is an even integer; therefore is an odd integer. Also, and are coprime and divides the odd integer , so is also an odd integer. Then is even.
- is an odd prime. Again, since is composite, is an even integer, and is an odd integer. By Wilson's theorem, . This means that divides , and since and are coprime, also divides . Then is also an odd integer and is even.
Techniques
Fermat / Euler / Wilson theoremsGreatest common divisors (gcd)Prime numbersFloors and ceilings