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Baltic Way 2019

Baltic Way 2019 counting and probability

Problem

Let be a positive integer. Consider the numbers A move consists of choosing three numbers , and replacing them with the single number After such moves, only two numbers will remain. Supposing one of these is , show that the other exceeds 4.
Solution
Denoting the new number its reciprocal is The sum of all reciprocals is therefore invariantly The other remaining number can then be calculated from the equation leading to

Techniques

Invariants / monovariantsTelescoping series