Problem

Source: EMC 2024 Problem 2, seniors

Tags: combinatorics, emc



Let $n$ be a positive integer. The numbers $1, 2, \dots, 2n+1$ are arranged in a circle in that order, and some of them are marked. We define, for each $k$ such that $1\leq k \leq 2n+1$ , the interval $I_k$ to be the closed circular interval starting at $k$ and ending in $k+n$ (taking remainders mod(2n+1)). We call in interval magical if it contains strictly more than half of all the marked elements. Prove that the following two statements are equivalent: 1. At least $n+1$ of the intervals $I_1, I_2, \dots, I_{2n+1}$ are magical 2. The number of marked numbers is odd