Problem 1 of the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad 1981
For any real number t, denote by [t] the greatest integer which is less than or equal to t. For example: [8] = 8, [pi] = 3 and [-5/ 2] = -3. Show that the equation
[x] + [2x] + [4x] + [8x] + [16x] + [32x] = 12345
has no real solution.
Solution by Vo Duc Dien
Let x = i + f where i is the integer part or integral part and f the fractional part of x.
We have f < 1, and
[x] + [2x] + [4x] + [8x] + [16x] + [32x] = 63i + [f] + [2f] + [4f] + [8f] + [16f] + [32f]
since f < 1, [f] = 0, and we have
63i + [f] + [2f] + [4f] + [8f] + [16f] + [32f] = 63i + [2f] + [4f] + [8f] + [16f] + [32f]
= 12345 = 63 x 195 + 60
So i = 195 and [2f] + [4f] + [8f] + [16f] + [32f] = 60 (*)
Since max[nf] = n – 1, the maximum value of [2f] + [4f] + [8f] + [16f] + [32f] =
1 + 3 + 7 + 15 + 31 = 57. Equation (*) is impossible. Therefore, there is no f that can satisfy the equation in the problem, and thus there is no x.
Extension of problem: Once can change the number 12345 to 12344 or 12343 and the problem is still valid.