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scumtk
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Homework Statement
Prove by induction that no matter how one chooses a set of n+1 positive integers from the first 2n positive integers, one integer in the set divides another integer in the set.
2. The attempt at a solution
Tried direct induction. Base case easy to prove. P(n+1) is with n+2 integers from the first 2n+2. Suppose that at most one is 2n+1 or 2n+2 => there are at least n+1 to be chosen from the first 2n integers (which P(n) guarantees will contain two that divide each other). Therefore, I reduced the problem to "n integers from the first 2n, plus 2n+1 and 2n+2".
So now I have to prove that: given any set of n integers from 1 to 2n (EDIT: such that none divides another in the set), one of them divides 2n+1 OR 2n+2. I am clueless from here on. Maybe my whole approach is misguided? I have to emphasize that using induction is a necessity.
Thank you in advance for your help!
EDIT 2: I know the solution that does not require induction, with the bins based on 2^k * (2i+1) factorization of all the numbers there, and I can use that in the place where I am stuck, but that is extremely artificial because the same argument that I would use in the inductive step could be used completely not modified in the initial problem, so the induction would be superfluous. I am looking for a "real" inductive solution. Here's a link to non-inductive solution: http://www.mathnerds.com/best/NonDividingSets/index.aspx
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