# n consecutive integers

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• October 8th 2007, 07:32 PM
ctvsurgn
n consecutive integers
Gene has 2n pieces of paper numbered 1 through 2n. He removes n pieces of paper
that are numbered consecutively. The sum of the numbers on the remaining pieces of paper
is 1615. Find all possible values of n.
• October 18th 2007, 03:53 PM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by ctvsurgn
Gene has 2n pieces of paper numbered 1 through 2n. He removes n pieces of paper
that are numbered consecutively. The sum of the numbers on the remaining pieces of paper
is 1615. Find all possible values of n.

Here is the key observation:

Let $a_1,a_2...,a_n$ be a consecutive block of intergers summing to $k$. Then if we shift over by one, i.e. $a_2,...,a_{n+1}$ this block would sum to $k+1$.

Okay let $n$ be some given number. If by removing first $n$ numbers then we have $n+1,n+2,...,n+n$ their sum is $(n+n+...+n)+(1+2+...+n) = \frac{3}{2}n^2+\frac{1}{2}n$. Now this is the highest possible attainable sum. So if $\frac{3}{2}n^2+\frac{1}{2}n < 1615$ then it is impossible to pick such a consecutive block. The solution to this inequality in integers is $1\leq n\leq 32$, thus if $n$ is any in these numbers then it is impossible because the highest possible sum cannot reac 1615. Thus we must have that $n\geq 33$.

Similarly if we remove the last $n$ numbers then we have $1,2,...,n$ their sum is $\frac{1}{2}n^2+\frac{1}{2}n$. Now this is the lowest possible attainable sum. So if $\frac{1}{2}n^2+\frac{1}{2}n > 1615$ thus if $n\geq 57$ this is impossible. Hence we require that $n\leq 56$.

Thus, the only possible values are $33\leq n\leq 56$.

So this is what we do we choose the lowest possible sum involving the first $n$ integers. If this is 1615 we are done. If not we shift blocks by 1 by the key observation above this sum is one more. If it is 1615 we are done. We continue doing this. The important thing is that the highest possible attainable sum is more than 1615 thus there is some point when we have to get exactly 1615. (This is like the intermediate value theorem for integers).
• October 18th 2007, 05:10 PM
SnipedYou
The only possible values of n are 34 and 38

This was taken from USAMTS round 1

Here's a transcript of a Math Jam on Artofproblemsolving where they discussed this problem and the other round 1 questions:
Math Jams
• October 22nd 2007, 06:23 PM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipedYou
The only possible values of n are 34 and 38

This was taken from USAMTS round 1

Here's a transcript of a Math Jam on Artofproblemsolving where they discussed this problem and the other round 1 questions:
Math Jams

Sorry for being a little late I did not see it before. I made a minor mistake in my first line. If we shift the sequence by 1 over it is not 1 more (like I mistakely said) but by k. Thus, we need to see if it is congruent by mod k. If you do that you should get that result.