Problem:
Two number theorists, bored in a chemistry lab, played a game with a large flask containing 2 litres of a colourful chemical solution and an ultra-accurate pipette. The game was that they would take turns to recall a prime number p such that is also a prime number. Then, the first number theorist would pipette out 1/p litres of chemical and the second
litres. How many times do they have to play this game to empty the flask completely?
Hint:
A bit of real analysis is required.
Reference:
I will publish the reference when I post the solution. So that all students/readers can curb their impulse to see the solution immediately!!!
I hope you will be hooked to the problem in a second….!!! Here is a beautiful utility of pure math! 🙂
Cheers,
Nalin Pithwa
PS: I do not know if the above problem did (or, will?? )appear as RMO question. It is just my wild fun with math to kindle the intellect of students in analysis !! 🙂