We are given a $4\times 4$ table. a) Place $7$ stars in the cells in such a way that the erasing of any two rows and two columns will leave at least one of the stars. b) Prove that if there are less than $7$ stars, you can always find two columns and two rows such that erasing them, no star remains in the table.

Of all the fractions $\frac{x}{y}$ that satisfy $$\frac{41}{2010}<\frac{x}{y}<\frac{1}{49}$$ find the one with the smallest denominator.

Allen and Alan play a game. A nonconstant polynomial $P(x,y)$ with real coefficients and a positive integer $d$ greater than the degree of $P$ are known to both Allen and Alan. Alan thinks of a polynomial $Q(x,y)$ with real coefficients and degree at most $d$ and keeps it secret. Allen can make queries of the form $(s,t)$, where $s$ and $t$ are real numbers such that $P(s,t)\neq0$. Alan must respond with the value $Q(s,t)$. Allen's goal is to determine whether $P$ divides $Q$. Find (in terms of $P$ and $d$) the smallest positive integer, $g$, such that Allen can always achieve this goal making no more than $g$ queries. [i]Linus Tang[/i]

The numbers $1,\, 2,\, \ldots\, , n^{2}$ are written in the squares of an $n \times n$ board in some order. Initially there is a token on the square labelled with $n^{2}.$ In each step, the token can be moved to any adjacent square (by side). At the beginning, the token is moved to the square labelled with the number $1$ along a path with the minimum number of steps. Then it is moved to the square labelled with $2,$ then to square $3,$ etc, always taking the shortest path, until it returns to the initial square. If the total trip takes $N$ steps, find the smallest and greatest possible values of $N.$

Moor and Samantha are drinking tea at a constant rate. If Moor starts drinking tea at $8:00$ am, he will finish drinking $7$ cups of tea by $12:00$ pm. If Samantha joins Moor at $10:00$ am, they will finish drinking the $7$ cups of tea by $11:15$ am. How many hours would it take Samantha to drink $1$ cup of tea?

Let $S$ be the set of degree $4$ polynomials $f$ with complex number coefficients satisfying $f(1)=f(2)^2=f(3)^3$ $=$ $f(4)^4=f(5)^5=1.$ Find the mean of the fifth powers of the constant terms of all the members of $S.$

Ayse knows the weights of nine balls with different colors are $1,2,\cdots, 9$ grams, but she doesn't know the weight of a specific ball. But Baris knows the weight of each ball. Baris wants to prove his knowledge to Ayse. There is a double pan balance which shows the heavier pan and the difference of the two pans. At least how many weighs are required for proof of Ali's knowledge? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 2 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 6 $

Find all functions $f: \mathbb{Q}\to \mathbb{Q}$ such that for all $x,y,z \in \mathbb{Q}$: \[f(x+y+z)+f(x-y)+f(y-z)+f(z-x)=3f(x)+3f(y)+3f(z).\]

Let $K$ and $K'$ be two squares in the same plane, their sides of equal length. Is it possible to decompose $K$ into a finite number of triangles $T_1, T_2, \ldots, T_p$ with mutually disjoint interiors and find translations $t_1, t_2, \ldots, t_p$ such that \[K'=\bigcup_{i=1}^{p} t_i(T_i) \ ? \]

Find all quadruplets $(a, b, c, d)$ of positive integers such that \[ \left( 1 + \frac{1}{a} \right) \left( 1 + \frac{1}{b} \right) \left( 1 + \frac{1}{c} \right) \left( 1 + \frac{1}{d} \right) = 4. \]

Suppose $x_1,x_2,...,x_{60}\in [-1,1]$ , find the maximum of $$ \sum_{i=1}^{60}x_i^2(x_{i+1}-x_{i-1}),$$ where $x_{i+60}=x_i$.

Let $p$ be an odd prime number. Prove that there exists a unique integer $k$ such that $0 \le k \le p^2$ and $p^2$ divides $k(k + 1)(k + 2) ... (k + p - 3) - 1$. Malik Talbi

Two circles $\Gamma_a$ and $\Gamma_b$ with their centres lying on the legs $BC$ and $CA$ of a right triangle, both touching the hypotenuse $AB$, and both passing through the vertex $C$ are given. Let the radii of these circles be denoted by $\gamma_a$ and $\gamma_b$. Find the greatest real number $p$ such that the inequality $\frac{1}{\gamma_a}+\frac{1}{\gamma_b}\ge p \left(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}\right)$ ($BC = a,CA = b$) holds for all right triangles $ABC$.

Integers $a_1, a_2, \dots a_n$ are different at $\text{mod n}$. If $a_1, a_2-a_1, a_3-a_2, \dots a_n-a_{n-1}$ are also different at $\text{mod n}$, we call the ordered $n$-tuple $(a_1, a_2, \dots a_n)$ [i]lucky[/i]. For which positive integers $n$, one can find a lucky $n$-tuple?

Each point on a circle is colored with one of $10$ colors. Is it true that for any coloring there are $4$ points of the same color that are vertices of a quadrilateral with two parallel sides (an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle)?

If $ \log_{10}{m} \equal{} b \minus{} \log_{10}{n}$, then $ m$= $\textbf{(A)}\ \dfrac{b}{n} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ bn \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 10^b n\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ b-10^n \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \dfrac{10^b}{n}$

Let $a,b,c$ be positive integers such that $a^2+b^2+c^2$ is divisble by $a+b+c$. Prove that at least two of the numbers $a^3,b^3,c^3$ leave the same remainder by division through $a+b+c$.

[b]p1.[/b] Let $A$ be the point $(-1, 0)$, $B$ be the point $(0, 1)$ and $C$ be the point $(1, 0)$ on the $xy$-plane. Assume that $P(x, y)$ is a point on the $xy$-plane that satisfies the following condition $$d_1 \cdot d_2 = (d_3)^2,$$ where $d_1$ is the distance from $P$ to the line $AB$, $d_2$ is the distance from $P$ to the line $BC$, and $d_3$ is the distance from $P$ to the line $AC$. Find the equation(s) that must be satisfied by the point $P(x, y)$. [b]p2.[/b] On Day $1$, Peter sends an email to a female friend and a male friend with the following instructions: $\bullet$ If you’re a male, send this email to $2$ female friends tomorrow, including the instructions. $\bullet$ If you’re a female, send this email to $1$ male friend tomorrow, including the instructions. Assuming that everyone checks their email daily and follows the instructions, how many emails will be sent from Day $1$ to Day $365$ (inclusive)? [b]p3.[/b] For every rational number $\frac{a}{b}$ in the interval $(0, 1]$, consider the interval of length $\frac{1}{2b^2}$ with $\frac{a}{b}$ as the center, that is, the interval $\left( \frac{a}{b}- \frac{1}{2b^2}, \frac{a}{b}+\frac{1}{2b^2}\right)$ . Show that $\frac{\sqrt2}{2}$ is not contained in any of these intervals. [b]p4.[/b] Let $a$ and $b$ be real numbers such that $0 < b < a < 1$ with the property that $$\log_a x + \log_b x = 4 \log_{ab} x - \left(\log_b (ab^{-1} - 1)\right)\left(\log_a (ab^{-1} - 1) + 2 log_a ab^{-1} \right)$$ for some positive real number $x \ne 1$. Find the value of $\frac{a}{b}$. [b]p5.[/b] Find the largest positive constant $\lambda$ such that $$\lambda a^2 b^2 (a - b)^2 \le (a^2 - ab + b^2)^3$$ is true for all real numbers $a$ and $b$. PS. You should use hide for answers. Collected [url=https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2760506p24143309]here[/url].

The arithmetic mean of a set of $50$ numbers is $38$. If two numbers of the set, namely $45$ and $55$, are discarded, the arithmetic mean of the remaining set of numbers is: $\textbf{(A)}\ 38.5 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 37.5 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 37 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 36.5 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 36$

Points $K$ and $L$ are on the sides $BC$ and $CD$, respectively of the parallelogram $ABCD$, such that $AB + BK = AD + DL$. Prove that the bisector of angle $BAD$ is perpendicular to the line $KL$.

Antonio and Beltran have impeccable logical reasoning, they put on a hat with a integer between $0$ and $19$ (including both) so that each of them sees the number that has the other (but cannot see his own number), and they must try to guess the number that have on their hat. They have a timer that a bell rings every minute and the moment it rings. This is when they must say if they know the number on their hat. A third person tells them: ''the sum of the numbers is $6$ or $11$ or $19$''. At that moment it begins to run time. After a minute the bell rings and neither of them says anything. The second minute passes , the doorbell rings and neither of us says anything. Time continues to pass and when the bell rings for the tenth time Antonio says that he already knows what is his number. Just determine the number each has in his hat.

Let $ABC$ and $AMN$ be two similar triangles with the same orientation, such that $AB=AC$, $AM=AN$ and having disjoint interiors. Let $O$ be the circumcenter of the triangle $MAB$. Prove that the points $O$, $C$, $N$, $A$ lie on the same circle if and only if the triangle $ABC$ is equilateral. [i]Valentin Vornicu[/i]

Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle with altitude $\overline{AH}$, and let $P$ be a variable point such that the angle bisectors $k$ and $\ell$ of $\angle PBC$ and $\angle PCB$, respectively, meet on $\overline{AH}$. Let $k$ meet $\overline{AC}$ at $E$, $\ell$ meet $\overline{AB}$ at $F$, and $\overline{EF}$ meet $\overline{AH}$ at $Q$. Prove that as $P$ varies, line $PQ$ passes through a fixed point.

Let $ n $ be an integer greater than or equal to $ 2 $. Prove that if the real numbers $ a_1 , a_2 , \cdots , a_n $ satisfy $ a_1 ^2 + a_2 ^2 + \cdots + a_n ^ 2 = n $, then \[\sum_{1 \le i < j \le n} \frac{1}{n- a_i a_j} \le \frac{n}{2} \] must hold.

Find the necessary and sufficient conditions for two conics that every tangent to one of them contains a real point of the other.