RE: [Math4u] What kind of mathemtics does this question belong to and how do you answer it?

This is a puzzle, and as such, doesn't really belong to any branch of mathematics.  I found the answer by googling* on sequence and the values for n = 4.

 

What you have is a Skolem sequence.

 

From Mathworld:

A Skolem sequence of order is a sequence of integers such that

1. For every , there exist exactly two elements such that , and

2. If with , then .

... there are no Skolem sequences of order n when n = 4k + 2 or n = 4k + 3, hence nothing for n = 6 and n = 7

 

Now you can use mathematics to construct the sequence for n = 8.

 

 

* naughty me - trademark dilution.

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From: Math4u@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Math4u@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of hobolux1
Sent: 27 November 2007 09:22
To: Math4u@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Math4u] What kind of mathemtics does this question belong to and how do you answer it?

Hi everyone,

I saw this question and I didn't know how to even start to solve the
question(maybe because I have low iq) so please help!

If n = 4 I get 4 2 3 2 4 3 1 1
If n = 5 I get 3 5 2 3 2 4 5 1 1 4
I don't get anything for n = 6 or 7
What should I get for n = 8?

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