On the intervals for the non-existence of covering systems with distinct moduli

TL;DR

This paper extends previous results by proving that for every integer n ≥ 3, there is no distinct covering system with all moduli in the interval [n, 10n], improving the known bounds.

Contribution

The authors generalize prior bounds on the intervals for non-existence of covering systems, establishing the interval [n, 10n] as a limit for such systems.

Findings

No distinct covering system exists with moduli in [n, 10n] for n ≥ 3

Improves previous bounds from [n, 9n] to [n, 10n]

Builds on earlier methods to extend the non-existence interval

Abstract

In a research seminar in $2006$, M. Filaseta, O. Trifonov, and G. Yu showed for each integer $n\geq3$ there is no distinct covering with all moduli in the interval $[n, 6n]$. In $2022$, this interval was subsequently improved to $[n, 8n]$ by the first author and O. Trifonov. The first author then improved this bound to $[n, 9n]$ in $2023$. Building off their method, we show that for each integer $n\geq 3$, there does not exist a distinct covering system with all moduli in the interval $[n, 10n]$.