Prove that among any 100 integers there are always two whose difference is divisible by...
kokomocutie88r1
Answered
2022-07-16
Prove that among any 100 integers there are always two whose difference is divisible by 99. How can I prove this?
Answer & Explanation
phravincegrln2
Expert
2022-07-17Added 19 answers
Step 1 Let be the remainder when the i-th integer in our list is divided by 99. There are only 99 conceivable remainders, the numbers 0 to 98. Step 2 Since there are 100 integers in our list, and only 99 conceivable remainders, there must be two different numbers in our list which have the same remainder. This is a consequence of the Pigeonhole Principle, but the fact is clear even without a name for it. Finally, if two numbers have the same remainder on division by 99, their difference is divisible by 99.
phepafalowl
Expert
2022-07-18Added 4 answers
Step 1 Here's a proof requiring no knowledge of division or remainders. Suppose a counterexample exists, i.e. there are 100 integers such that . Then they are distinct, so we may index them so that they're strictly ordered . Now if then by replacing by and reordering we obtain a new counterexample of smaller interval length (), since the new sequence has the same min, by , but has smaller max , and the new sequence remains a counterexample, since . Step 2 Thus the least length counterexample must have length , hence its 100 integers all lie in the length 99 interval of consecutive integers . Therefore, by the pigeonhole (box) principle, two of the integers are equal, a contradiction.