olymmath

ISL 2021 N8

    For a polynomial P(x)P(x) with integer coefficients let P1(x)=P(x)P^{1}(x)=P(x) and Pk+1(x)=P^{k+1}(x)= P(Pk(x))P\left(P^{k}(x)\right) for k⩾1k \geqslant 1. Find all positive integers nn for which there exists a polynomial P(x)P(x) with integer coefficients such that for every integer m⩾1m \geqslant 1, the numbers Pm(1),…,Pm(n)P^{m}(1), \ldots, P^{m}(n) leave exactly ⌈n/2m⌉\left\lceil n / 2^{m}\right\rceil distinct remainders when divided by nn.

    Official text Transcription from NuminaMath olympiads, checked word for word against the official paper. Quoted with source.

    Official text: IMO 2021 Shortlist booklet, page 10.

    Solutions

    Official solution Solution 1 by the IMO Problem Selection Committee

    The terms of the source let olymmath link to this solution but not copy it. Read the solution (IMO official site).

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