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Mongolian Mathematical Olympiad

Mongolia counting and probability

Problem

Is it possible to divide set of numbers 55 digit numbers into parts with 4 numbers such that 54 digits of the numbers in every part are same and the remained digits are consecutive natural numbers?
Solution
Denote sum of digits of number . Consider the polynomial . It is obvious that .

.

If we suppose that one can divide 4 parts that satisfy the given condition then it follows root of unit of the degree is also root of the polynomial . . On the other hand and it follows that has no such roots. It is a contradiction. Therefore it is impossible to divide set of 55 digit numbers so that satisfy the given conditions.
Final answer
No, it is impossible.

Techniques

Generating functionsRoots of unity