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Ireland algebra
Problem
Let be a set of distinct integers and suppose that has exactly distinct elements. Prove that, when arranged in increasing order, the elements of form an arithmetic progression.
Solution
Write where . The elements account for all the elements of . Now lies between and , so it must be . So , say. Proceeding by induction, having shown that , for some , observe that lies between and , so , giving .
Techniques
IntegersColoring schemes, extremal argumentsOther