Problem

Source: RMM 2024 Problem 4

Tags: RMM, number theory, remainder, size



Fix integers $a$ and $b$ greater than $1$. For any positive integer $n$, let $r_n$ be the (non-negative) remainder that $b^n$ leaves upon division by $a^n$. Assume there exists a positive integer $N$ such that $r_n < \frac{2^n}{n}$ for all integers $n\geq N$. Prove that $a$ divides $b$. Pouria Mahmoudkhan Shirazi, Iran