Given a pile of n chips, n > 1. This pile is randomly split into two piles with, say, k > 0 and (n-k) > 0 chips. The product k(n-k) is computed. A pile with a single chip is called trivial. While there are nontrivial piles, one is selected in random, randomly
split into two, the product of the number of chips in the parts is taken and all such
products are summed up. By the time only trivial piles are left, the number will be equal
to (n-1)n/2 regardless of how the piles have been split.
Proof
Tie each chip to every other chip by a thread. In all, there are going to be (n-1)n/2 threads.
When you split a pile into two parts of x and y chips each, you have to cut xy threads connecting chips
from the two parts. Which is exactly the number you will add to the total. To reach the stage of no nontrivial piles you will have to
cut all the original threads.
Reference
A.Engel, Exploring Mathematics with Your Computer, MAA, 1993
