Sum of 100 Terms: Prove At Least 2 Numbers Equal

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematical problem involving natural numbers and their reciprocals' square roots. Participants are tasked with proving that at least two of the numbers among a set of 100 must be equal, given a specific sum condition.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Initial problem statement involves the sum of the reciprocals of the square roots of 100 natural numbers equaling 20.
  • Participants express confusion over a typographical error in the problem statement, which is clarified multiple times.
  • Some participants request hints to approach the problem.
  • One participant mentions a technical issue with their laptop affecting their ability to provide hints or sources for the problem.
  • A later post acknowledges a participant's contribution positively.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the corrected problem statement, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the proof itself.

Contextual Notes

There are multiple typographical errors noted in the problem statement, which may affect the clarity of the discussion. Additionally, the request for hints indicates uncertainty about the proof approach.

anemone
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The natural numbers $a_1,\,a_2,\,\cdots,\,a_{100}$ are such that

$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}=20$.

Prove that at least two of the numbers are equal.
 
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Hi, anemone
I´d expected the sum to be: $\frac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{a_2}}+...+\frac{1}{\sqrt{a_{100}}}$
- or am I wrong??
 
anemone said:
The natural numbers $a_1,\,a_2,\,\cdots,\,a_{100}$ are such that

$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}=20$.

Prove that at least two of the numbers are equal.

Ops...typo...again...sorry folks!:o

The problem should read:

The natural numbers $a_1,\,a_2,\,\cdots,\,a_{100}$ are such that

$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_2}}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_{100}}}=20$.

Prove that at least two of the numbers are equal.
 
A hint is requested :o
 
lfdahl said:
A hint is requested :o

Hello MHB!

Something irritating has happened to my laptop and it seems like the folder that contains all challenging problems that I have collected from all over the world is ... gone...(Sweating):mad:(Worried)

I will post back for any update on my effort to save the situation and for this challenge problem, I am afraid I may need some decent time to look for its source so I could post a hint based on the suggested solution I found online...sorry folks!
 
anemone said:
Ops...typo...again...sorry folks!:o

The problem should read:

The natural numbers $a_1,\,a_2,\,\cdots,\,a_{100}$ are such that

$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_1}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_2}}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_{100}}}=20$.

Prove that at least two of the numbers are equal.
let $a_1\neq a_2\neq a_3\neq ----------\neq a_{100}----(1)$
$$S=\dfrac {1}{\sqrt 1}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{3}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{5}}+----+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{100}}
<1+\int_{1}^{100}\dfrac{dx}{\sqrt{x}}=1+18=19--(2)$$
but we are given $S=20---(3)$
a contradiction between (2) and (3)
(1) is impossible
so at least two of the numbers are equal
 
Last edited:
Albert said:
let $a_1\neq a_2\neq a_3\neq ----------\neq a_{100}----(1)$
$$S=\dfrac {1}{\sqrt 1}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{3}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{5}}+----+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{100}}
<1+\int_{1}^{100}\dfrac{dx}{\sqrt{x}}=1+18=19--(2)$$
but we are given $S=20---(3)$
a contradiction between (2) and (3)
(1) is impossible
so at least two of the numbers are equal

Very well done Albert!(Cool)
 

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