Determine all postive integer k

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integer
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining all positive integers \( k \) for which the function \( f(k) \) is greater than \( f(k+1) \), where \( f(k) \) is defined as \( \left\lfloor{\dfrac{k}{\left\lfloor{\sqrt{k}}\right\rfloor}}\right\rfloor \). The focus is on exploring the behavior of this function and its implications for integer values of \( k \).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that for \( k=n^2+a \) with \( 0
  • There is a mention of the need to prove the non-decreasing nature of \( f(k) \) under certain conditions, although it is noted that this proof may be straightforward.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the overall behavior of \( f(k) \) and whether it leads to a definitive set of positive integers \( k \) that satisfy the initial condition. The discussion remains open with various viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of the function \( f(k) \) based on specific forms of \( k \), but these assumptions have not been fully validated or explored in all cases.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Determine all positive integers $k$ for which $f(k)>f(k+1)$ where $f(k)=\left\lfloor{\dfrac{k}{\left\lfloor{\sqrt{k}}\right\rfloor}}\right\rfloor$ for $k\in \Bbb{Z}^*$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
anemone said:
Determine all positive integers $k$ for which $f(k)>f(k+1)$ where $f(k)=\left\lfloor{\dfrac{k}{\left\lfloor{\sqrt{k}}\right\rfloor}}\right\rfloor$ for $k\in \Bbb{Z}^*$.

if k+1 is not a perfect square then the floor of square root of k and k+ 1 are same so
f(x) < f(x+1)
so we need to look at k+1 being a perfect square say $n^2$
$f(k) = \left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-1}{n-1}\right\rfloor= n + 1$
$f(k+1) = \left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2}{n}\right\rfloor= n$
so k is of the form $n^2-1$ for $n\gt 1$
 
kaliprasad said:
if k+1 is not a perfect square then the floor of square root of k and k+ 1 are same so
f(x) < f(x+1)
so we need to look at k+1 being a perfect square say $n^2$
$f(k) = \left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-1}{n-1}\right\rfloor= n + 1$
$f(k+1) = \left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2}{n}\right\rfloor= n$
so k is of the form $n^2-1$ for $n\gt 1$

Hey kaliprasad, thanks for participating and your answer is correct! I think it might be necessary(?) to prove that for $k=n^2+a$ with $0<a<2n$,

$f(k)=\left\lfloor{\dfrac{n^2+a}{n}}\right\rfloor=n+\left\lfloor{\dfrac{a}{n}}\right\rfloor$ which is non-decreasing.

But then this is an easy proof, so, there is no big deal here.:)
 
anemone said:
Hey kaliprasad, thanks for participating and your answer is correct! I think it might be necessary(?) to prove that for $k=n^2+a$ with $0<a<2n$,

$f(k)=\left\lfloor{\dfrac{n^2+a}{n}}\right\rfloor=n+\left\lfloor{\dfrac{a}{n}}\right\rfloor$ which is non-decreasing.

But then this is an easy proof, so, there is no big deal here.:)
Hello Anemone,
Both are effectively same as $k= n^2+ a$ with $0\lt a\lt2n$ is same as k+1 is not perfect square and I have mentioned that numerator is increasing and denominator is constant and I should have said $f(x) \le f(x+1)$ instead of $f(x) \lt f(x+1)$
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K