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PrintArgentine National Olympiad 2015
Argentina 2015 counting and probability
Problem
A or is written at each vertex of a regular -gonal prism so that the product of numbers on each face is . For which is this possible?
Solution
Call vertical the edges that join corresponding vertices of the two bases. A vertical edge is odd if it has different number at its endpoints and even otherwise. Take two adjacent vertical edges and . They determine a lateral face which is a rectangle with opposite sides and . The product of the numbers at the vertices of is known to be . It is also the product of the numbers at the endpoints of multiplied by the respective product for . Hence and are of different kinds, one is odd and the other is even. Thus odd and even vertical edges alternate, which is possible only if is even. Let and be the numbers of at the vertices of the two bases. Both and are odd by hypothesis, hence the total number of is even. On the other hand has the same parity as the number of odd vertical edges, which by the above equals . Hence is even, meaning that is divisible by .
So such an assignment of and 's is possible only if is a multiple of . Conversely, let , . Let the two bases and . Assign a to each of the vertices ( of them), and also to . Write a at all remaining vertices. The product of numbers on each face is . A vertical edge is odd or even according as is odd or even, hence the product of numbers on each lateral face is also . So the assignment has the necessary properties. In conclusion, the answer to the question is: for all divisible by .
So such an assignment of and 's is possible only if is a multiple of . Conversely, let , . Let the two bases and . Assign a to each of the vertices ( of them), and also to . Write a at all remaining vertices. The product of numbers on each face is . A vertical edge is odd or even according as is odd or even, hence the product of numbers on each lateral face is also . So the assignment has the necessary properties. In conclusion, the answer to the question is: for all divisible by .
Final answer
All n that are multiples of 4
Techniques
Invariants / monovariantsColoring schemes, extremal arguments