Project Euler Forum

Problem 968 (View Problem)
For the example P(2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2), as I apparently misread the problem, all variables a,b,c,d,e must equal 1, because, for example, X_a,b = 2 and the only non-negative values of a and b that sum to 2 or less are a=1 and b=1.
I'm hoping it's not out of line to ask someone to clear up my misunderstanding.

I think there's 1 or 2 details you're overlooking. Hopefully, it will clarify things if I mention that 1 is an element of the sum.

Ted wrote: Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:48 amthe only non-negative values of a and b that sum to 2 or less are a=1 and b=1

Also a=0, b=0; a=0, b=1; a=0, b=2; a=1, b=0; a=1, b=1; a=2, b=0.

Thank you all. I read non-negative as positive, apparently. I thought about and excluded 0, more times than I want to admit!