(Really) Random Problem

by v_Enhance, Oct 26, 2010, 12:36 AM

A hypothetical ARML team (which consists of 15 people) somewhere in the middle of someplace are having a practice session. Each student has been assigned a unique nonnegative integer $n \leq 14$.

At the start of the meeting, the coach opens a box of pizza, but finds it to be empty. He is silent for a moment, then says, "Okay, I was saving a pizza for the meeting. Who ate it!?"

Each student makes a response based on their number $n$:
  • If there exists a positive integer $j$ such that $nj \equiv 1 \pmod{15}$, then that student makes the statement: "It wasn't me!".
  • Otherwise, that student says: "The students with the numbers congruent to $n-1$ and $n+1$ mod 15 is telling the truth.", but makes no statement about themselves.
The coach knows exactly one person is lying, and that that person ate the pizza. (Don't ask me how.) Find, with proof, who ate the pizza.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by v_Enhance, Oct 26, 2010, 2:15 AM

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6 Comments

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By $x$, do you mean $n$?

by phiReKaLk6781, Oct 26, 2010, 12:50 AM

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Uh sure why not.

by v_Enhance, Oct 26, 2010, 12:51 AM

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Firstly, this problem isn't random; it is a stellar and amazing work of a problem, truly. You should be proud of yourself if you wrote it.

Clarification is needed though. By "or," do you mean "and"? It seems to make more sense that way. And if it is really "or," inclusive or exclusive?

by phiReKaLk6781, Oct 26, 2010, 12:53 AM

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Fixed.
Actually it's not my own work, it's a heavily modified version of someone else's. :D

by v_Enhance, Oct 26, 2010, 12:55 AM

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*students
*numbers
*are

I think I'm getting something wrong because...

by phiReKaLk6781, Oct 26, 2010, 2:11 AM

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Fixed, thanks.

Hint

by v_Enhance, Oct 26, 2010, 2:16 AM

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