[b]p1.[/b] An organization decides to raise funds by holding a $\$60$ a plate dinner. They get prices from two caterers. The first caterer charges $\$50$ a plate. The second caterer charges according to the following schedule: $\$500$ set-up fee plus $\$40$ a plate for up to and including $61$ plates, and $\$2500$ $\log_{10}\left(\frac{p}{4}\right)$ for $p > 61$ plates. a) For what number of plates $N$ does it become at least as cheap to use the second caterer as the first? b) Let $N$ be the number you found in a). For what number of plates $X$ is the second caterer's price exactly double the price for $N$ plates? c) Let $X$ be the number you found in b). When X people appear for the dinner, how much profit does the organization raise for itself by using the second caterer? [b]p2.[/b] Let $N$ be a positive integer. Prove the following: a) If $N$ is divisible by $4$, then $N$ can be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive odd integers. b) If $N$ is a prime number, then $N$ cannot be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive odd integers. c) If $N$ is twice some odd integer, then $N$ cannot be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive odd integers. [b]p3.[/b] Let $S =\frac{1}{1^2} +\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+\frac{1}{4^2}+...$ a) Find, in terms of $S$, the value of $S =\frac{1}{2^2} +\frac{1}{4^2}+\frac{1}{6^2}+\frac{1}{8^2}+...$ b) Find, in terms of $S$, the value of$S =\frac{1}{1^2} +\frac{1}{3^2}+\frac{1}{5^2}+\frac{1}{7^2}+...$ c) Find, in terms of $S$, the value of$S =\frac{1}{1^2} -\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}-\frac{1}{4^2}+...$ [b]p4.[/b] Let $\{P_1, P_2, P_3, ...\}$ be an infinite set of points on the $x$-axis having positive integer coordinates, and let $Q$ be an arbitrary point in the plane not on the $x$-axis. Prove that infinitely many of the distances $|P_iQ|$ are not integers. a) Draw a relevant picture. b) Provide a proof. [b]p5.[/b] Point $P$ is an arbitrary point inside triangle $ABC$. Points $X$, $Y$ , and $Z$ are constructed to make segments $PX$, $PY$ , and $PZ$ perpendicular to $AB$, $BC$, and $CA$, respectively. Let $x$, $y$, and $z$ denote the lengths of the segments $PX$, $PY$ , and $PZ$, respectively. a) If triangle $ABC$ is an equilateral triangle, prove that $x + y + z$ does not change regardless of the location of $P$ inside triangle ABC. b) If triangle $ABC$ is an isosceles triangle with $|BC| = |CA|$, prove that $x + y + z$ does not change when $P$ moves along a line parallel to $AB$. c) Now suppose that triangle $ABC$ is scalene (i.e., $|AB|$, $|BC|$, and $|CA|$ are all different). Prove that there exists a line for which $x+y+z$ does not change when $P$ moves along this line. PS. You should use hide for answers. Collected [url=https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2760506p24143309]here[/url].

Let $a$ be an integer. Prove that for any real number $x, x^3 < 3$, both the numbers $\sqrt{3 -x^2}$ and $\sqrt{a - x^3}$ cannot be rational.

Consider $ p (x) = x ^ n + a_ {n-1} x ^ {n-1} + ... + a_ {1} x + 1 $ a polynomial of positive real coefficients, degree $ n \geq 2 $ e with $ n $ real roots. Which of the following statements is always true? a) $ p (2) <2 (2 ^ {n-1} +1) $ (b) $ p (1) <3 $ c) $ p (1)> 2 ^ n $ d) $ p (3 ) <3 (2 ^ {n-1} -2) $

The number $x$ from $[0,1]$ is written as an infinite decimal fraction. Having rearranged its first five digits after the point we can obtain another fraction that corresponds to the number $x_1$. Having rearranged five digits of $x_k$ from $(k+1)$-th till $(k+5)$-th after the point we obtain the number $x_{k+1}$. a) Prove that the sequence $x_i$ has limit. b) Can this limit be irrational if we have started with the rational number? c) Invent such a number, that always produces irrational numbers, no matter what digits were transposed.

Let $a,b,c$ be positive real numbers satisfying $a+b+c=3$.Prove that $\sum_{sym} \frac{a^{2}}{(b+c)^{3}}\geq \frac{3}{8}$

Let $a$ be a prime number and $n > 2$ an integer. Find all integer solutions of the equation $x^n +ay^n = a^2z^n$ .

From each vertex of triangle $ABC$ we draw 3 arbitary parrallell lines, and from each vertex we draw a perpendicular to these lines. There are 3 rectangles that one of their diagnals is triangle's side. We draw their other diagnals and call them $\ell_1$, $\ell_2$ and $\ell_3$. a) Prove that $\ell_1$, $\ell_2$ and $\ell_3$ are concurrent at a point $P$. b) Find the locus of $P$ as we move the 3 arbitary lines.

Let $\triangle ABC$ be a triangle, and let $P_1,\cdots,P_n$ be points inside where no three given points are collinear. Prove that we can partition $\triangle ABC$ into $2n+1$ triangles such that their vertices are among $A,B,C,P_1,\cdots,P_n$, and at least $n+\sqrt{n}+1$ of them contain at least one of $A,B,C$.

Let $Q(n)$ denote the sum of the digits of $n$ in its decimal representation. Prove that for every positive integer $k$, there exists a multiple $n$ of $k$ such that $Q(n)=Q(n^2)$.

A grid is called $k$-special if in each cell is written a distinct integer such that the set of integers in the grid is precisely the set of positive divisors of $k$. A grid is called $k$-awesome if it is $k$-special and for each positive divisor $m$ of $k$, there exists an $m$-special grid within this $k$-special grid (within meaning you could draw a box in this grid to obtain the new grid). Find the sum of the $4$ smallest integers $k$ for which no $k$-awesome grid exists. [i]Proposed by Oliver Hayman[/i]

Let $x,y,z\in \mathbb{R}^+_0$ such that $xy+yz+zx=1$. Prove that $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{x+y}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{y+z}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{z+x}}\ge 2+\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}.$$ [i](Anonymous314)[/i]

For all real numbers $x,y$ define $x\star y = \frac{ x+y}{ 1+xy}$. Evaluate the expression \[ ( \cdots (((2 \star 3) \star 4) \star 5) \star \cdots ) \star 1995. \] [i]Macedonia[/i]

Let $x_1,x_2,x_3 \ldots x_{2014}$ be positive real numbers such that $\sum_{j=1}^{2014} x_j=1$. Determine with proof the smallest constant $K$ such that \[K\sum_{j=1}^{2014}\frac{x_j^2}{1-x_j} \ge 1\]

Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ $f(f(x)f(y)+y)=f(x)y+f(y-x+1)$ For all $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$

Let $S$ be a finite set. $f$ is a function defined on the subset-group $2^S$ of set $S$. $f$ is called $\textsl{monotonic decreasing}$ if when $X \subseteq Y\subseteq S$, then $f(X) \geq f(Y)$ holds. Prove that: $f(X \cup Y)+f(X \cap Y ) \leq f(X)+ f(Y)$ for $X, Y \subseteq S$ if and only if $g(X)=f(X \cup \{ a \}) - f(X)$ is a $\textsl{monotonic decreasing}$ funnction on the subset-group $2^{S \setminus \{a\}}$ of set $S \setminus \{a\}$ for any $a \in S$.

Let $ABC$ be an acute-angled triangle with $AC > AB$, let $O$ be its circumcentre, and let $D$ be a point on the segment $BC$. The line through $D$ perpendicular to $BC$ intersects the lines $AO, AC,$ and $AB$ at $W, X,$ and $Y,$ respectively. The circumcircles of triangles $AXY$ and $ABC$ intersect again at $Z \ne A$. Prove that if $W \ne D$ and $OW = OD,$ then $DZ$ is tangent to the circle $AXY.$

Player $A$ places an odd number of boxes around a circle and distributes $2013$ balls into some of these boxes. Then the player $B$ chooses one of these boxes and takes the balls in it. After that the player $A$ chooses half of the remaining boxes such that none of two are consecutive and take the balls in them. If player $A$ guarantees to take $k$ balls, find the maximum possible value of $k$.

Find all pairs of positive integers $m,n\geq3$ for which there exist infinitely many positive integers $a$ such that \[ \frac{a^m+a-1}{a^n+a^2-1} \] is itself an integer. [i]Laurentiu Panaitopol, Romania[/i]

Does there exist a sequence of $2017$ consecutive integers which contains exactly $17$ primes?

Let $ ABCDE$ be a convex pentagon such that $ AB\plus{}CD\equal{}BC\plus{}DE$ and $ k$ a circle with center on side $ AE$ that touches the sides $ AB$, $ BC$, $ CD$ and $ DE$ at points $ P$, $ Q$, $ R$ and $ S$ (different from vertices of the pentagon) respectively. Prove that lines $ PS$ and $ AE$ are parallel.

Let $O$ be the circumcenter of an acute-angled triangle $ABC$ with ${\angle B<\angle C}$. The line $AO$ meets the side $BC$ at $D$. The circumcenters of the triangles $ABD$ and $ACD$ are $E$ and $F$, respectively. Extend the sides $BA$ and $CA$ beyond $A$, and choose on the respective extensions points $G$ and $H$ such that ${AG=AC}$ and ${AH=AB}$. Prove that the quadrilateral $EFGH$ is a rectangle if and only if ${\angle ACB-\angle ABC=60^{\circ }}$. [i]Proposed by Hojoo Lee, Korea[/i]

Ari chooses $7$ balls at random from $n$ balls numbered $1$ to$ n$. If the probability that no two of the drawn balls have consecutive numbers equals the probability of exactly one pair of consecutive numbers in the chosen balls, find $n$.

Compute the maximum integer value of $k$ such that $2^k$ divides $3^{2n+3}+40n-27$ for any positive integer $n$.

At the Lexington High School, each student is given a unique five-character ID consisting of uppercase letters. Compute the number of possible IDs that contain the string "LMT". [i]Proposed by Alex Li[/i]

Triangle $ABC$ is given. The points $D, E$, and $F$ are located on the sides $BC, CA$ and $AB$ respectively so that the lines $AD, BE$ and $CF$ intersect at point $O$. Prove that $\frac{AO}{AD} + \frac{BO}{BE} + \frac{CO}{ CF}=2$