2014 OIM Problems/Problem 6

Problem

Given a set $X$ and a function $f: X \to X$, we say that for each $x \in X$, $f^1(x)=f(x)$, and for each $j \ge 1$, $f^{j+1}=f(f^j(x))$. We say that $a \in X$ is a fixed point of $f$ if $f(a) = a$. For each real number $x$, we define $\pi (x)$ as the number of smaller positive primes less or equal to $x$. Given a positive integer $n$, we say that $f : \left\{1, 2, \cdots , n\right\} \to \left\{1, 2, c\dots , n\right\}$ it's "catracha" if $f^{f(k)}(k)=k$ for all $k \in \left\{ 1,2,\cdots,n\right\}$ Prove:

1. If $f$ is catracha, then $f$ has at least $\pi (x)-\pi (\sqrt{x})+1$ fixed points

2. If $n\ge36$, there exist a catracha function with exactly $\pi (x)-\pi (\sqrt{x})+1$ fixed points

~translated into English by Tomas Diaz. ~orders@tomasdiaz.com

Solution

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See also

OIM Problems and Solutions

Side note

"Catracha" is a fried tortilla, covered in fried beans and grated cheese, originating from Honduras.