Odd-length permutation forces an even product
Question
Let be odd and let be a rearrangement of . Prove that is even.
Short answer
The factors sum to zero. . If every factor were odd, the sum of an odd number of odd integers would be odd, not . So some factor is even, and so is the product.
Adapted from Joshi, Denson & Downes, Quant Job Interview Questions and Answers, Q6.11, p.190; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.
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