Three same-color integers
Statement
If are colored with colors, show that some two same-color integers differ by .
Hint
Consider pairs : pairs, each differing by .
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Solution
Pairs. pairs, each with difference .
Pigeonhole. Color each pair with colors. To avoid a same-color pair, we'd need (only colors). For , some pair has the same color.
Actually, the simple pigeonhole argument doesn't directly apply: colors across pairs doesn't force a same-color pair, since each pair can be different colors.
Better approach. Suppose no pair of same-color integers differs by . Then for each pair , the two colors differ. This forces the coloring pattern: color and color are opposite for each . But then color and ? We only have integers.
Conclusion. The statement is true by a parity argument for colors: color classes must pair up to have opposite colors, which is possible. Actually the statement is false: color the first red and the last blue; then each pair has one red, one blue — no same-color pair with difference .
Correction. The problem is false as stated. The correct Ramsey-type statement needs different parameters.