{
  "index": "1954-B-6",
  "type": "NT",
  "tag": [
    "NT",
    "ALG"
  ],
  "difficulty": "",
  "question": "6. Prove that every positive rational number is the sum of a finite number of distinct terms of the series\n\\[\n1+\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{3}+\\cdots+\\frac{1}{n}+\\cdots\n\\]",
  "solution": "Solution. Consider first rational numbers \\( r, 0 \\leq r<1 \\). We shall prove that such a rational number \\( r \\) can be represented as the sum of a finite number (zero if \\( r=0 \\) ) of distinct terms of the harmonic series.\n\nThe result is obviously true for \\( r=0 \\). If \\( r=p / q \\), where \\( p \\) and \\( q \\) are positive integers, then the result is also true for those cases where \\( p=1 \\). We make the inductive hypothesis that the desired representation is possible for all rational numbers \\( p / q(<1) \\) for which \\( p<P \\). Now consider a rational number \\( r=P / q<1 \\). Let \\( m \\) be the least positive integer for which \\( 1 / m \\leq P / q \\). Then since \\( P / q<1, m \\geq 2 \\), and we have\n\\[\n\\frac{1}{m} \\leq \\frac{P}{q}<\\frac{1}{m-1}\n\\]\n\nTherefore \\( m P-P<q \\leq m P \\), so \\( 0 \\leq m P-q<P \\). Let \\( R=(P / q)- \\) \\( (1 / m) \\). Then \\( R=(m P-q) / q m \\), and \\( R \\) is by our inductive hypothesis representable by a finite sum of distinct terms from the harmonic series. Since\n\\[\nR<\\frac{1}{m-1}-\\frac{1}{m}=\\frac{1}{m(m-1)} \\leq \\frac{1}{m}\n\\]\nwe see that none of the terms used in the expansion of \\( R \\) could be \\( 1 / \\mathrm{m} \\). Hence \\( r=p / q=R+1 / m \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. Thus rational numbers less than one with numerator \\( P \\) have the desired representation also. It follows by induction that all rational numbers less than one have the desired representation. Now let \\( r \\) be a rational, \\( r \\geq 1 \\). Let \\( S_{n} \\) denote the \\( n \\)th partial sum of the harmonic series. Evidently \\( S_{n} \\) is rational. Since \\( S_{n} \\rightarrow \\infty \\) as \\( n \\rightarrow \\infty \\), there is an integer \\( n \\geq 1 \\) such that \\( S_{n} \\leq r<S_{n+1} \\). Then \\( r-S_{n} \\) is a rational number, and\n\\[\nr-S_{n}<S_{n+1}-S_{n}=\\frac{1}{n+1}<1\n\\]\n\nSo \\( r^{\\prime}=r-S_{n} \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. In view of (1), none of these terms can be in the set \\( \\left\\{1, \\frac{1}{2}, \\frac{1}{3}, \\ldots, \\frac{1}{n}\\right\\} \\). Hence \\( r \\) is the sum of the first \\( n \\) terms of the harmonic series and those additional terms needed to express \\( r^{\\prime}=r-S_{n} \\) in the desired form, and all these are different.\n\nRemarks. The proof shows that given \\( r \\), if we always pick the largest term that will not make the sum too large, we will eventually make the sum exactly \\( r \\). With a very slight modification the proof shows that we can forbid the use of any fixed finite number of terms. Hence it follows that every positive rational has infinitely many representations of the desired type.\nJ. C. Owings, American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 75 (1968), pages 777-778, gives a different proof of the original problem.\n\nThe ancient Egyptians seemed to prefer to represent a rational fraction as a sum of fractions with unit numerators, for example \\( \\frac{4}{7}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{14} \\), \\( \\frac{4}{5}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{4}+\\frac{1}{20} \\), etc. For that reason the terms in the harmonic series are frequently called Egyptian fractions. They have been studied by professional and amateur mathematicians alike. One recent problem [Walter Penney, Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 3 (July 1970), page 170] asks\n(a) for a representation using the least number of distinct fractions, and (b) for a representation using the smallest maximum denominator.\n\nExample: The minimum number of terms needed for \\( 67 / 120 \\) is three:\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{18}+\\frac{1}{360}\n\\]\nis one such representation, and the smallest maximum denominator is ten,\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{3}+\\frac{1}{8}+\\frac{1}{10} .\n\\]\n[See Bernhardt Wohlgemuth, \"Egyptian Fractions,\" Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 5 (1972) pages 55-58].",
  "vars": [
    "r",
    "p",
    "q",
    "m",
    "R",
    "n",
    "S_n",
    "S_n+1"
  ],
  "params": [
    "P"
  ],
  "sci_consts": [],
  "variants": {
    "descriptive_long": {
      "map": {
        "r": "rational",
        "p": "numerator",
        "q": "denominator",
        "m": "leastint",
        "R": "residual",
        "n": "indexer",
        "S_n": "partialsum",
        "S_n+1": "nextpartial",
        "P": "fixnumer"
      },
      "question": "6. Prove that every positive rational number is the sum of a finite number of distinct terms of the series\n\\[\n1+\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{3}+\\cdots+\\frac{1}{indexer}+\\cdots\n\\]",
      "solution": "Solution. Consider first rational numbers \\( rational, 0 \\leq rational<1 \\). We shall prove that such a rational number \\( rational \\) can be represented as the sum of a finite number (zero if \\( rational=0 \\) ) of distinct terms of the harmonic series.\n\nThe result is obviously true for \\( rational=0 \\). If \\( rational=numerator / denominator \\), where \\( numerator \\) and \\( denominator \\) are positive integers, then the result is also true for those cases where \\( numerator=1 \\). We make the inductive hypothesis that the desired representation is possible for all rational numbers \\( numerator / denominator(<1) \\) for which \\( numerator<fixnumer \\). Now consider a rational number \\( rational=fixnumer / denominator<1 \\). Let \\( leastint \\) be the least positive integer for which \\( 1 / leastint \\leq fixnumer / denominator \\). Then since \\( fixnumer / denominator<1, leastint \\geq 2 \\), and we have\n\\[\n\\frac{1}{leastint} \\leq \\frac{fixnumer}{denominator}<\\frac{1}{leastint-1}\n\\]\n\nTherefore \\( leastint fixnumer-fixnumer<denominator \\leq leastint fixnumer \\), so \\( 0 \\leq leastint fixnumer-denominator<fixnumer \\). Let \\( residual=(fixnumer / denominator)-(1 / leastint) \\). Then \\( residual=(leastint fixnumer-denominator) /(denominator leastint) \\), and \\( residual \\) is by our inductive hypothesis representable by a finite sum of distinct terms from the harmonic series. Since\n\\[\nresidual<\\frac{1}{leastint-1}-\\frac{1}{leastint}=\\frac{1}{leastint(leastint-1)} \\leq \\frac{1}{leastint}\n\\]\nwe see that none of the terms used in the expansion of \\( residual \\) could be \\( 1 / leastint \\). Hence \\( rational=numerator / denominator=residual+1 / leastint \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. Thus rational numbers less than one with numerator \\( fixnumer \\) have the desired representation also. It follows by induction that all rational numbers less than one have the desired representation. Now let \\( rational \\) be a rational, \\( rational \\geq 1 \\). Let \\( partialsum \\) denote the \\( indexer \\)th partial sum of the harmonic series. Evidently \\( partialsum \\) is rational. Since \\( partialsum \\rightarrow \\infty \\) as \\( indexer \\rightarrow \\infty \\), there is an integer \\( indexer \\geq 1 \\) such that \\( partialsum \\leq rational<nextpartial \\). Then \\( rational-partialsum \\) is a rational number, and\n\\[\nrational-partialsum<nextpartial-partialsum=\\frac{1}{indexer+1}<1\n\\]\n\nSo \\( rational^{\\prime}=rational-partialsum \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. In view of (1), none of these terms can be in the set \\( \\left\\{1, \\frac{1}{2}, \\frac{1}{3}, \\ldots, \\frac{1}{indexer}\\right\\} \\). Hence \\( rational \\) is the sum of the first \\( indexer \\) terms of the harmonic series and those additional terms needed to express \\( rational^{\\prime}=rational-partialsum \\) in the desired form, and all these are different.\n\nRemarks. The proof shows that given \\( rational \\), if we always pick the largest term that will not make the sum too large, we will eventually make the sum exactly \\( rational \\). With a very slight modification the proof shows that we can forbid the use of any fixed finite number of terms. Hence it follows that every positive rational has infinitely many representations of the desired type.\nJ. C. Owings, American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 75 (1968), pages 777-778, gives a different proof of the original problem.\n\nThe ancient Egyptians seemed to prefer to represent a rational fraction as a sum of fractions with unit numerators, for example \\( \\frac{4}{7}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{14} \\), \\( \\frac{4}{5}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{4}+\\frac{1}{20} \\), etc. For that reason the terms in the harmonic series are frequently called Egyptian fractions. They have been studied by professional and amateur mathematicians alike. One recent problem [Walter Penney, Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 3 (July 1970), page 170] asks\n(a) for a representation using the least number of distinct fractions, and (b) for a representation using the smallest maximum denominator.\n\nExample: The minimum number of terms needed for \\( 67 / 120 \\) is three:\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{18}+\\frac{1}{360}\n\\]\nis one such representation, and the smallest maximum denominator is ten,\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{3}+\\frac{1}{8}+\\frac{1}{10} .\n\\]\n[See Bernhardt Wohlgemuth, \"Egyptian Fractions,\" Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 5 (1972) pages 55-58]."
    },
    "descriptive_long_confusing": {
      "map": {
        "r": "galaxyone",
        "p": "orchidfog",
        "q": "cabbagese",
        "m": "lanternly",
        "R": "harborbee",
        "n": "quartzsun",
        "S_n": "silentsky",
        "S_n+1": "mistyhawk",
        "P": "marbledew"
      },
      "question": "6. Prove that every positive rational number is the sum of a finite number of distinct terms of the series\n\\[\n1+\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{3}+\\cdots+\\frac{1}{n}+\\cdots\n\\]",
      "solution": "Solution. Consider first rational numbers \\( galaxyone, 0 \\leq galaxyone<1 \\). We shall prove that such a rational number \\( galaxyone \\) can be represented as the sum of a finite number (zero if \\( galaxyone=0 \\) ) of distinct terms of the harmonic series.\n\nThe result is obviously true for \\( galaxyone=0 \\). If \\( galaxyone=orchidfog / cabbagese \\), where \\( orchidfog \\) and \\( cabbagese \\) are positive integers, then the result is also true for those cases where \\( orchidfog=1 \\). We make the inductive hypothesis that the desired representation is possible for all rational numbers \\( orchidfog / cabbagese(<1) \\) for which \\( orchidfog<marbledew \\). Now consider a rational number \\( galaxyone=marbledew / cabbagese<1 \\). Let \\( lanternly \\) be the least positive integer for which \\( 1 / lanternly \\leq marbledew / cabbagese \\). Then since \\( marbledew / cabbagese<1, lanternly \\geq 2 \\), and we have\n\\[\n\\frac{1}{lanternly} \\leq \\frac{marbledew}{cabbagese}<\\frac{1}{lanternly-1}\n\\]\n\nTherefore \\( lanternly\\,marbledew-marbledew<cabbagese \\leq lanternly\\,marbledew \\), so \\( 0 \\leq lanternly\\,marbledew-cabbagese<marbledew \\). Let \\( harborbee=(marbledew / cabbagese)-(1 / lanternly) \\). Then \\( harborbee=(lanternly\\,marbledew-cabbagese) / (cabbagese\\,lanternly) \\), and \\( harborbee \\) is by our inductive hypothesis representable by a finite sum of distinct terms from the harmonic series. Since\n\\[\nharborbee<\\frac{1}{lanternly-1}-\\frac{1}{lanternly}=\\frac{1}{lanternly(lanternly-1)} \\leq \\frac{1}{lanternly}\n\\]\nwe see that none of the terms used in the expansion of \\( harborbee \\) could be \\( 1 / lanternly \\). Hence \\( galaxyone=orchidfog / cabbagese=harborbee+1 / lanternly \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. Thus rational numbers less than one with numerator \\( marbledew \\) have the desired representation also. It follows by induction that all rational numbers less than one have the desired representation. Now let \\( galaxyone \\) be a rational, \\( galaxyone \\geq 1 \\). Let \\( silentsky \\) denote the \\( quartzsun \\)th partial sum of the harmonic series. Evidently \\( silentsky \\) is rational. Since \\( silentsky \\rightarrow \\infty \\) as \\( quartzsun \\rightarrow \\infty \\), there is an integer \\( quartzsun \\geq 1 \\) such that \\( silentsky \\leq galaxyone<mistyhawk \\). Then \\( galaxyone-silentsky \\) is a rational number, and\n\\[\ngalaxyone-silentsky<mistyhawk-silentsky=\\frac{1}{quartzsun+1}<1\n\\]\n\nSo \\( galaxyone^{\\prime}=galaxyone-silentsky \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. In view of (1), none of these terms can be in the set \\( \\left\\{1, \\frac{1}{2}, \\frac{1}{3}, \\ldots, \\frac{1}{quartzsun}\\right\\} \\). Hence \\( galaxyone \\) is the sum of the first \\( quartzsun \\) terms of the harmonic series and those additional terms needed to express \\( galaxyone^{\\prime}=galaxyone-silentsky \\) in the desired form, and all these are different.\n\nRemarks. The proof shows that given \\( galaxyone \\), if we always pick the largest term that will not make the sum too large, we will eventually make the sum exactly \\( galaxyone \\). With a very slight modification the proof shows that we can forbid the use of any fixed finite number of terms. Hence it follows that every positive rational has infinitely many representations of the desired type.\nJ. C. Owings, American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 75 (1968), pages 777-778, gives a different proof of the original problem.\n\nThe ancient Egyptians seemed to prefer to represent a rational fraction as a sum of fractions with unit numerators, for example \\( \\frac{4}{7}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{14} \\), \\( \\frac{4}{5}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{4}+\\frac{1}{20} \\), etc. For that reason the terms in the harmonic series are frequently called Egyptian fractions. They have been studied by professional and amateur mathematicians alike. One recent problem [Walter Penney, Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 3 (July 1970), page 170] asks\n(a) for a representation using the least number of distinct fractions, and (b) for a representation using the smallest maximum denominator.\n\nExample: The minimum number of terms needed for \\( 67 / 120 \\) is three:\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{18}+\\frac{1}{360}\n\\]\nis one such representation, and the smallest maximum denominator is ten,\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{3}+\\frac{1}{8}+\\frac{1}{10} .\n\\]\n[See Bernhardt Wohlgemuth, \"Egyptian Fractions,\" Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 5 (1972) pages 55-58]."
    },
    "descriptive_long_misleading": {
      "map": {
        "r": "irrationalnumber",
        "p": "denominator",
        "q": "numerator",
        "m": "fractionvalue",
        "R": "wholenumber",
        "n": "continuousvar",
        "S_n": "partialproduct",
        "S_n+1": "partialproductnext",
        "P": "negativecount"
      },
      "question": "6. Prove that every positive rational number is the sum of a finite number of distinct terms of the series\n\\[\n1+\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{3}+\\cdots+\\frac{1}{n}+\\cdots\n\\]",
      "solution": "Solution. Consider first rational numbers \\( irrationalnumber, 0 \\leq irrationalnumber <1 \\). We shall prove that such a rational number \\( irrationalnumber \\) can be represented as the sum of a finite number (zero if \\( irrationalnumber =0 \\) ) of distinct terms of the harmonic series.\n\nThe result is obviously true for \\( irrationalnumber =0 \\). If \\( irrationalnumber = denominator / numerator \\), where \\( denominator \\) and \\( numerator \\) are positive integers, then the result is also true for those cases where \\( denominator =1 \\). We make the inductive hypothesis that the desired representation is possible for all rational numbers \\( denominator / numerator (<1) \\) for which \\( denominator < negativecount \\). Now consider a rational number \\( irrationalnumber = negativecount / numerator <1 \\). Let \\( fractionvalue \\) be the least positive integer for which \\( 1 / fractionvalue \\leq negativecount / numerator \\). Then since \\( negativecount / numerator <1, fractionvalue \\geq 2 \\), and we have\n\\[\n\\frac{1}{fractionvalue} \\leq \\frac{negativecount}{numerator}<\\frac{1}{fractionvalue-1}\n\\]\n\nTherefore \\( fractionvalue\\, negativecount - negativecount < numerator \\leq fractionvalue\\, negativecount \\), so \\( 0 \\leq fractionvalue\\, negativecount - numerator < negativecount \\). Let \\( wholenumber =(negativecount / numerator)-(1 / fractionvalue) \\). Then \\( wholenumber =(fractionvalue\\, negativecount - numerator) / (numerator\\, fractionvalue) \\), and \\( wholenumber \\) is by our inductive hypothesis representable by a finite sum of distinct terms from the harmonic series. Since\n\\[\nwholenumber < \\frac{1}{fractionvalue-1}-\\frac{1}{fractionvalue}=\\frac{1}{fractionvalue(fractionvalue-1)} \\leq \\frac{1}{fractionvalue}\n\\]\nwe see that none of the terms used in the expansion of \\( wholenumber \\) could be \\( 1 / fractionvalue \\). Hence \\( irrationalnumber = denominator / numerator = wholenumber + 1 / fractionvalue \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. Thus rational numbers less than one with numerator \\( negativecount \\) have the desired representation also. It follows by induction that all rational numbers less than one have the desired representation.\n\nNow let \\( irrationalnumber \\) be a rational, \\( irrationalnumber \\geq 1 \\). Let \\( partialproduct \\) denote the \\( continuousvar \\)th partial sum of the harmonic series. Evidently \\( partialproduct \\) is rational. Since \\( partialproduct \\rightarrow \\infty \\) as \\( continuousvar \\rightarrow \\infty \\), there is an integer \\( continuousvar \\geq 1 \\) such that \\( partialproduct \\leq irrationalnumber < partialproductnext \\). Then \\( irrationalnumber - partialproduct \\) is a rational number, and\n\\[\nirrationalnumber - partialproduct < partialproductnext - partialproduct = \\frac{1}{continuousvar+1} <1\n\\]\n\nSo \\( irrationalnumber^{\\prime}=irrationalnumber - partialproduct \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. In view of (1), none of these terms can be in the set \\( \\left\\{1, \\frac{1}{2}, \\frac{1}{3}, \\ldots, \\frac{1}{continuousvar}\\right\\} \\). Hence \\( irrationalnumber \\) is the sum of the first \\( continuousvar \\) terms of the harmonic series and those additional terms needed to express \\( irrationalnumber^{\\prime}=irrationalnumber - partialproduct \\) in the desired form, and all these are different.\n\nRemarks. The proof shows that given \\( irrationalnumber \\), if we always pick the largest term that will not make the sum too large, we will eventually make the sum exactly \\( irrationalnumber \\). With a very slight modification the proof shows that we can forbid the use of any fixed finite number of terms. Hence it follows that every positive rational has infinitely many representations of the desired type.\n\nJ. C. Owings, American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 75 (1968), pages 777-778, gives a different proof of the original problem.\n\nThe ancient Egyptians seemed to prefer to represent a rational fraction as a sum of fractions with unit numerators, for example \\( \\frac{4}{7}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{14} \\), \\( \\frac{4}{5}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{4}+\\frac{1}{20} \\), etc. For that reason the terms in the harmonic series are frequently called Egyptian fractions. They have been studied by professional and amateur mathematicians alike. One recent problem [Walter Penney, Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 3 (July 1970), page 170] asks (a) for a representation using the least number of distinct fractions, and (b) for a representation using the smallest maximum denominator.\n\nExample: The minimum number of terms needed for \\( 67 / 120 \\) is three:\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{18}+\\frac{1}{360}\n\\]\nis one such representation, and the smallest maximum denominator is ten,\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{3}+\\frac{1}{8}+\\frac{1}{10} .\n\\]\n[See Bernhardt Wohlgemuth, \"Egyptian Fractions,\" Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 5 (1972) pages 55-58]."
    },
    "garbled_string": {
      "map": {
        "r": "qzxwvtnp",
        "p": "hjgrksla",
        "q": "mdfkxlso",
        "m": "vqzplmne",
        "R": "zrbqwtuv",
        "n": "skprldjf",
        "S_n": "uvxqzltp",
        "S_n+1": "bkqvwzma",
        "P": "gsldnqwe"
      },
      "question": "6. Prove that every positive rational number is the sum of a finite number of distinct terms of the series\n\\[\n1+\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{3}+\\cdots+\\frac{1}{skprldjf}+\\cdots\n\\]",
      "solution": "Solution. Consider first rational numbers \\( qzxwvtnp, 0 \\leq qzxwvtnp<1 \\). We shall prove that such a rational number \\( qzxwvtnp \\) can be represented as the sum of a finite number (zero if \\( qzxwvtnp=0 \\) ) of distinct terms of the harmonic series.\n\nThe result is obviously true for \\( qzxwvtnp=0 \\). If \\( qzxwvtnp=hjgrksla / mdfkxlso \\), where \\( hjgrksla \\) and \\( mdfkxlso \\) are positive integers, then the result is also true for those cases where \\( hjgrksla=1 \\). We make the inductive hypothesis that the desired representation is possible for all rational numbers \\( hjgrksla / mdfkxlso(<1) \\) for which \\( hjgrksla<gsldnqwe \\). Now consider a rational number \\( qzxwvtnp=gsldnqwe / mdfkxlso<1 \\). Let \\( vqzplmne \\) be the least positive integer for which \\( 1 / vqzplmne \\leq gsldnqwe / mdfkxlso \\). Then since \\( gsldnqwe / mdfkxlso<1, vqzplmne \\geq 2 \\), and we have\n\\[\n\\frac{1}{vqzplmne} \\leq \\frac{gsldnqwe}{mdfkxlso}<\\frac{1}{vqzplmne-1}\n\\]\n\nTherefore \\( vqzplmne\\,gsldnqwe-gsldnqwe<mdfkxlso \\leq vqzplmne\\,gsldnqwe \\), so \\( 0 \\leq vqzplmne\\,gsldnqwe-mdfkxlso<gsldnqwe \\). Let \\( zrbqwtuv=(gsldnqwe / mdfkxlso)- (1 / vqzplmne) \\). Then \\( zrbqwtuv=(vqzplmne\\,gsldnqwe-mdfkxlso) / mdfkxlso\\,vqzplmne \\), and \\( zrbqwtuv \\) is by our inductive hypothesis representable by a finite sum of distinct terms from the harmonic series. Since\n\\[\nzrbqwtuv<\\frac{1}{vqzplmne-1}-\\frac{1}{vqzplmne}=\\frac{1}{vqzplmne(vqzplmne-1)} \\leq \\frac{1}{vqzplmne}\n\\]\nwe see that none of the terms used in the expansion of \\( zrbqwtuv \\) could be \\( 1 / vqzplmne \\). Hence \\( qzxwvtnp=hjgrksla / mdfkxlso=zrbqwtuv+1 / vqzplmne \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. Thus rational numbers less than one with numerator \\( gsldnqwe \\) have the desired representation also. It follows by induction that all rational numbers less than one have the desired representation.\n\nNow let \\( qzxwvtnp \\) be a rational, \\( qzxwvtnp \\geq 1 \\). Let \\( uvxqzltp \\) denote the \\( skprldjf \\)th partial sum of the harmonic series. Evidently \\( uvxqzltp \\) is rational. Since \\( uvxqzltp \\rightarrow \\infty \\) as \\( skprldjf \\rightarrow \\infty \\), there is an integer \\( skprldjf \\geq 1 \\) such that \\( uvxqzltp \\leq qzxwvtnp<bkqvwzma \\). Then \\( qzxwvtnp-uvxqzltp \\) is a rational number, and\n\\[\nqzxwvtnp-uvxqzltp<bkqvwzma-uvxqzltp=\\frac{1}{skprldjf+1}<1\n\\]\nSo \\( qzxwvtnp^{\\prime}=qzxwvtnp-uvxqzltp \\) can be expressed as a finite number of distinct terms of the harmonic series. In view of (1), none of these terms can be in the set \\( \\left\\{1, \\frac{1}{2}, \\frac{1}{3}, \\ldots, \\frac{1}{skprldjf}\\right\\} \\). Hence \\( qzxwvtnp \\) is the sum of the first \\( skprldjf \\) terms of the harmonic series and those additional terms needed to express \\( qzxwvtnp^{\\prime}=qzxwvtnp-uvxqzltp \\) in the desired form, and all these are different.\n\nRemarks. The proof shows that given \\( qzxwvtnp \\), if we always pick the largest term that will not make the sum too large, we will eventually make the sum exactly \\( qzxwvtnp \\). With a very slight modification the proof shows that we can forbid the use of any fixed finite number of terms. Hence it follows that every positive rational has infinitely many representations of the desired type.\n\nThe ancient Egyptians seemed to prefer to represent a rational fraction as a sum of fractions with unit numerators, for example \\( \\frac{4}{7}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{14} \\), \\( \\frac{4}{5}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{4}+\\frac{1}{20} \\), etc. For that reason the terms in the harmonic series are frequently called Egyptian fractions. They have been studied by professional and amateur mathematicians alike. One recent problem [Walter Penney, Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 3 (July 1970), page 170] asks\n(a) for a representation using the least number of distinct fractions, and (b) for a representation using the smallest maximum denominator.\n\nExample: The minimum number of terms needed for \\( 67 / 120 \\) is three:\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{2}+\\frac{1}{18}+\\frac{1}{360}\n\\]\nis one such representation, and the smallest maximum denominator is ten,\n\\[\n\\frac{67}{120}=\\frac{1}{3}+\\frac{1}{8}+\\frac{1}{10} .\n\\]\n[See Bernhardt Wohlgemuth, \"Egyptian Fractions,\" Journal of Recreational Mathematics, vol. 5 (1972) pages 55-58]."
    },
    "kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Fixed integer   N≥1.  Prove that every positive rational number r can be written as a finite sum of pairwise–distinct reciprocals of integers that are all larger than N; that is, show that there exist distinct integers\n   m1,m2,…,mk>N such that\n   r = 1/m1 + 1/m2 + ⋯ + 1/mk.",
      "solution": "Let N≥1 be fixed and let r>0 be rational.  We give a two–phase construction of the desired expansion.\n\nNotation.  For any integer s≥0 put\n        H_s := Σ_{i=N+1}^{N+s} 1/i   (H_0:=0).\nBecause Σ_{n>N}1/n diverges, H_s→∞ as s→∞.\n\nPhase I – removing an initial block of terms.\nChoose the smallest non–negative integer t such that\n        H_t ≤ r < H_{t+1}=H_t+1/(N+t+1).\nPut  r_0 := r−H_t (so 0≤r_0<1/(N+t+1)).  \nIf r_0=0 we already have\n        r = 1/(N+1)+…+1/(N+t)\nwhich is a suitable representation (all denominators exceed N and are distinct).  Hence assume r_0>0.\n\nPhase II – greedy expansion of the small remainder.\nSet R_0:=r_0 and L_0:=N+t+1.  While R_{j−1}>0 perform\n  (G1)  m_j = min{ integer m > L_{j−1} | 1/m ≤ R_{j−1} };\n  (G2)  R_j = R_{j−1} − 1/m_j;\n  (G3)  L_j = m_j.\n\nJustification of the step.\nBecause R_{j−1} < 1/L_{j−1}, such an m_j exists, and by minimality\n        1/m_j ≤ R_{j−1} < 1/(m_j−1).           (1)\nWrite R_{j−1}=a/b in lowest terms.  Then\n        R_j = a/b − 1/m_j = (a m_j − b)/(b m_j).\nFrom (1) we obtain (m_j−1) < b/a ≤ m_j, hence\n        0 ≤ a m_j − b < a,                          (2)\nso the new numerator is strictly smaller than the previous one.\nMoreover, (1) gives\n        0 ≤ R_j < 1/(m_j(m_j−1)) < 1/m_j,          (3)\nso at the next round the chosen denominator strictly exceeds m_j; therefore the sequence m_1<m_2<… is strictly increasing.\nBecause the numerators in (2) form a strictly decreasing sequence of non–negative integers, the process must terminate after finitely many steps, say at step s with R_s=0.  Consequently\n        r_0 = 1/m_1 + … + 1/m_s\nwith\n        N+t+1 ≤ m_1 < m_2 < … < m_s.               (4)\n\nPhase III – assembling the two parts.\nCombine the identities r = H_t + r_0 and (4):\n   r = 1/(N+1) + … + 1/(N+t) + 1/m_1 + … + 1/m_s.\nThe denominators N+1,…,N+t,m_1,…,m_s are pairwise distinct and all exceed N, completing the proof.\n\nRemarks.\n1.  Only Phase I uses that r may be large; it guarantees that the remainder r_0 is smaller than 1/(N+1), hence the greedy procedure of Phase II never re-uses any denominator chosen earlier.\n2.  When r<1/(N+1) Phase I does nothing (t=0) and the construction reduces to an ordinary Egyptian-fraction greedy algorithm with the single extra constraint m>N.",
      "_meta": {
        "core_steps": [
          "Split case: if r<1 handle directly, else subtract a suitable harmonic partial sum so remainder <1",
          "Greedy choice for r<1: pick smallest m with 1/m ≤ r (largest admissible unit fraction)",
          "Compute remainder R = r − 1/m; note R < 1/m and numerator of R is smaller, enabling induction on numerator",
          "Inductively repeat greedy step until remainder 0, giving expansion in distinct unit fractions",
          "For r≥1, divergence of harmonic series guarantees an n with S_n ≤ r < S_{n+1}; write r = S_n + (r−S_n) and apply previous case to the remainder (terms stay distinct)"
        ],
        "mutable_slots": {
          "slot1": {
            "description": "Exact bound used to prove the chosen 1/m cannot re-appear in the recursive step (currently R < 1/[m(m−1)])",
            "original": "1/(m(m−1))"
          },
          "slot2": {
            "description": "Specific harmonic partial sum chosen for r≥1 (any S_n such that S_n ≤ r and r−S_n <1 works)",
            "original": "first n with S_n ≤ r < S_{n+1}"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "checked": true,
  "problem_type": "proof",
  "iteratively_fixed": true
}