Olympiad problems

2021-2022 OMMC, 8

Isaac repeatedly flips a fair coin. Whenever a particular face appears for the $2n+1$th time, for any nonnegative integer $n$, he earns a point. The expected number of flips it takes for Isaac to get $10$ points is $\tfrac ab$ for coprime positive integers $a$ and $b$. Find $a + b$. [i]Proposed by Isaac Chen[/i]

2019 Germany Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: symmetry , angle chasing , miquel point , geometry

Let $ABC$ be a triangle with $AB=AC$, and let $M$ be the midpoint of $BC$. Let $P$ be a point such that $PB<PC$ and $PA$ is parallel to $BC$. Let $X$ and $Y$ be points on the lines $PB$ and $PC$, respectively, so that $B$ lies on the segment $PX$, $C$ lies on the segment $PY$, and $\angle PXM=\angle PYM$. Prove that the quadrilateral $APXY$ is cyclic.

1968 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 099

Tags: geometry , diagonal

The difference between the maximal and the minimal diagonals of the regular $n$-gon equals to its side ( $n > 5$ ). Find $n$.

1988 Romania Team Selection Test, 16

Tags: combinatorics

The finite sets $A_1$, $A_2$, $\ldots$, $A_n$ are given and we denote by $d(n)$ the number of elements which appear exactly in an odd number of sets chosen from $A_1$, $A_2$, $\ldots$, $A_n$. Prove that for any $k$, $1\leq k\leq n$ the number \[{ d(n) - \sum\limits^n_{i=1} |A_i| + 2\sum\limits_{ i<j} |A_i \cap A_j | - \cdots + (-1)^k2^{k-1} \sum\limits_{i_1 <i_2 <\cdots < i_k} | A_{i_1} \cap A_{i_2} \cap \cdots \cap A_{i_k}}| \] is divisible by $2^k$. [i]Ioan Tomescu, Dragos Popescu[/i]

2017 India IMO Training Camp, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Suppose $f,g \in \mathbb{R}[x]$ are non constant polynomials. Suppose neither of $f,g$ is the square of a real polynomial but $f(g(x))$ is. Prove that $g(f(x))$ is not the square of a real polynomial.

2022-23 IOQM India, 15

Tags: algebra , inequalities

Let $x,y$ be real numbers such that $xy=1$. Let $T$ and $t$ be the largest and smallest values of the expression \\ $\hspace{2cm} \frac{(x+y)^2-(x-y)-2}{(x+y)^2+(x-y)-2}$\\. \\ If $T+t$ can be expressed in the form $\frac{m}{n}$ where $m,n$ are nonzero integers with $GCD(m,n)=1$, find the value of $m+n$.

1998 National Olympiad First Round, 4

Tags: quadratic , function

$ x,y,z\in \mathbb R$, find the minimal value of $ f\left(x,y,z\right) = 2x^{2} + 5y^{2} + 10z^{2} - 2xy - 4yz - 6zx + 3$. $\textbf{(A)}\ 0 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ -3 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 1 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{None}$

2013 India IMO Training Camp, 2

Tags: modular arithmetic , number theory , equation

An integer $a$ is called friendly if the equation $(m^2+n)(n^2+m)=a(m-n)^3$ has a solution over the positive integers. [b]a)[/b] Prove that there are at least $500$ friendly integers in the set $\{ 1,2,\ldots ,2012\}$. [b]b)[/b] Decide whether $a=2$ is friendly.

LMT Speed Rounds, 8

Tags: combinatorics

To celebrate the $20$th LMT, the LHSMath Team bakes a cake. Each of the $n$ bakers places $20$ candles on the cake. When they count, they realize that there are $(n -1)!$ total candles on the cake. Find $n$. [i]Proposed by Christopher Cheng[/i]

2000 Mongolian Mathematical Olympiad, Problem 6

Tags: geometry , angle bisector , ratio , cyclic quadrilateral

In a triangle $ABC$, the angle bisector at $A,B,C$ meet the opposite sides at $A_1,B_1,C_1$, respectively. Prove that if the quadrilateral $BA_1B_1C_1$ is cyclic, then $$\frac{AC}{AB+BC}=\frac{AB}{AC+CB}+\frac{BC}{BA+AC}.$$

1997 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: algebra , logarithm

Find all pairs of positive real numbers $ (a, b)$ such that for every $ n \in\mathbb{N}^*$ and every real root $ x_n$ of the equation $ 4n^2x \equal{} \log_2(2n^2x \plus{} 1)$ we always have $ a^{x_n} \plus{} b^{x_n} \ge 2 \plus{} 3x_n$.

2024 Pan-African, 2

Tags: geometry

In triangle $ABC$,let $M$ be the midpoint of the side $BC$,and $N$ is the midpoint of the segment $AM$,the circle going through $N$ and tangent the line $AC$ at $A$ intersects the segment $AB$ again in $P$. prove that the circumcircle of triangle $BPM$ is tangent the line $AM$

1988 Putnam, A3

Tags:

Determine, with proof, the set of real numbers $x$ for which \[ \sum_{n=1}^\infty \left( \frac{1}{n} \csc \frac{1}{n} - 1 \right)^x \] converges.

2012 USA TSTST, 7

Tags: circumcircle , vector , symmetry , rhombus , gliding principle , geometry

Triangle $ABC$ is inscribed in circle $\Omega$. The interior angle bisector of angle $A$ intersects side $BC$ and $\Omega$ at $D$ and $L$ (other than $A$), respectively. Let $M$ be the midpoint of side $BC$. The circumcircle of triangle $ADM$ intersects sides $AB$ and $AC$ again at $Q$ and $P$ (other than $A$), respectively. Let $N$ be the midpoint of segment $PQ$, and let $H$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $L$ to line $ND$. Prove that line $ML$ is tangent to the circumcircle of triangle $HMN$.

2010 Paenza, 3

Tags: limit , trigonometry , real analysis

Let $(x_n)_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ be the sequence defined as $x_n = \sin(2 \pi n! e)$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$. Compute $\lim_{n \to \infty} x_n$.

2014 ELMO Shortlist, 6

Tags: inequalities

Let $a,b,c$ be positive reals such that $a+b+c=ab+bc+ca$. Prove that \[ (a+b)^{ab-bc}(b+c)^{bc-ca}(c+a)^{ca-ab} \ge a^{ca}b^{ab}c^{bc}. \][i]Proposed by Sammy Luo[/i]

2005 Spain Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: algebra , number theory

Let $a$ and $b$ be integers. Demonstrate that the equation $$(x-a)(x-b)(x-3) +1 = 0$$ has an integer solution.

1999 Miklós Schweitzer, 3

Tags: graph theory

Prove that for any finite graph G there is a constant c(G)>0 such that for every n-point graph that does not have an induced subgraph isomorphic to G, there are two disjoint sets of vertices, each with at least $n^{c(G)}$ elements, between which either all edges are connected, or none of the edges are.

2011 Stars Of Mathematics, 3

Tags: induction , inequalities

For a given integer $n\geq 3$, determine the range of values for the expression \[ E_n(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n) := \dfrac {x_1} {x_2} + \dfrac {x_2} {x_3} + \cdots + \dfrac {x_{n-1}} {x_n} + \dfrac {x_n} {x_1}\] over real numbers $x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n \geq 1$ satisfying $|x_k - x_{k+1}| \leq 1$ for all $1\leq k \leq n-1$. Do also determine when the extremal values are achieved. (Dan Schwarz)

2017 Princeton University Math Competition, A7

Tags: geometry , cyclic quadrilateral , circumcircle , number theory , relatively prime

Let $ACDB$ be a cyclic quadrilateral with circumcenter $\omega$. Let $AC=5$, $CD=6$, and $DB=7$. Suppose that there exists a unique point $P$ on $\omega$ such that $\overline{PC}$ intersects $\overline{AB}$ at a point $P_1$ and $\overline{PD}$ intersects $\overline{AB}$ at a point $P_2$, such that $AP_1=3$ and $P_2B=4$. Let $Q$ be the unique point on $\omega$ such that $\overline{QC}$ intersects $\overline{AB}$ at a point $Q_1$, $\overline{QD}$ intersects $\overline{AB}$ at a point $Q_2$, $Q_1$ is closer to $B$ than $P_1$ is to $B$, and $P_2Q_2=2$. The length of $P_1Q_1$ can be written as $\frac{p}{q}$, where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $p+q$.

2012 China Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: circumcircle , trigonometry , geometry

In an acute-angled $ABC$, $\angle A>60^{\circ}$, $H$ is its orthocenter. $M,N$ are two points on $AB,AC$ respectively, such that $\angle HMB=\angle HNC=60^{\circ}$. Let $O$ be the circumcenter of triangle $HMN$. $D$ is a point on the same side with $A$ of $BC$ such that $\triangle DBC$ is an equilateral triangle. Prove that $H,O,D$ are collinear.

1979 Romania Team Selection Tests, 2.

Tags: geometry , 3d geometry , pyramid

Let $VA_1A_2A_3A_4$ be a pyramid with the vertex at $V$. Let $M,\, N,\, P$ be the midpoints of the segments $VA_1$, $VA_3$, and $A_2A_4$. Show that the plane $(MNP)$ cuts the pyramid into two parts with the same volume. [i]Radu Gologan[/i]

1981 Dutch Mathematical Olympiad, 2

Tags: equilateral , geometry

Given is the equilateral triangle $ABC$ with center $M$. On $CA$ and $CB$ the respective points $D$ and $E$ lie such that $CD = CE$. $F$ is such that $DMFB$ is a parallelogram. Prove that $\vartriangle MEF$ is equilateral.

2014 Saudi Arabia Pre-TST, 1.4

Tags: combinatorics , coloring , chessboard

Majid wants to color the cells of an $n\times n$ chessboard into white and black so that each $2\times 2$ subsquare contains two white cells and two black cells. In how many ways can Majid color this $n\times n$ chessboard?

1981 Miklós Schweitzer, 1

Tags: advanced fields

We are given an infinite sequence of $ 1$'s and $ 2$'s with the following properties: (1) The first element of the sequence is $ 1$. (2) There are no two consecutive $ 2$'s or three consecutive $ 1$'s. (3) If we replace consecutive $ 1$'s by a single $ 2$, leave the single $ 1$'s alone, and delete the original $ 2$'s, then we recover the original sequence. How many $ 2$'s are there among the first $ n$ elements of the sequence? [i]P. P. Palfy[/i]