Problem

Source: Nordic MO 2004 Q3

Tags: algebra unsolved, algebra



Given a finite sequence $x_{1,1}, x_{2,1}, \dots , x_{n,1}$ of integers $(n\ge 2)$, not all equal, define the sequences $x_{1,k}, \dots , x_{n,k}$ by \[ x_{i,k+1}=\frac{1}{2}(x_{i,k}+x_{i+1,k})\quad\text{where }x_{n+1,k}=x_{1,k}.\] Show that if $n$ is odd, then not all $x_{j,k}$ are integers. Is this also true for even $n$?