Found problems: 190
2017 ELMO Shortlist, 4
nic$\kappa$y is drawing kappas in the cells of a square grid. However, he does not want to draw kappas in three consecutive cells (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). Find all real numbers $d>0$ such that for every positive integer $n,$ nic$\kappa$y can label at least $dn^2$ cells of an $n\times n$ square.
[i]Proposed by Mihir Singhal and Michael Kural[/i]
2017 ELMO Shortlist, 2
The edges of $K_{2017}$ are each labeled with $1,2,$ or $3$ such that any triangle has sum of labels at least $5.$ Determine the minimum possible average of all $\dbinom{2017}{2}$ labels.
(Here $K_{2017}$ is defined as the complete graph on 2017 vertices, with an edge between every pair of vertices.)
[i]Proposed by Michael Ma[/i]
2024 ELMO Shortlist, N1
Find all pairs $(n,d)$ of positive integers such that $d\mid n^2$ and $(n-d)^2<2d$.
[i]Linus Tang[/i]
2017 ELMO Shortlist, 2
An integer $n>2$ is called [i]tasty[/i] if for every ordered pair of positive integers $(a,b)$ with $a+b=n,$ at least one of $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{b}{a}$ is a terminating decimal. Do there exist infinitely many tasty integers?
[i]Proposed by Vincent Huang[/i]
2011 ELMO Shortlist, 3
Wanda the Worm likes to eat Pascal's triangle. One day, she starts at the top of the triangle and eats $\textstyle\binom{0}{0}=1$. Each move, she travels to an adjacent positive integer and eats it, but she can never return to a spot that she has previously eaten. If Wanda can never eat numbers $a,b,c$ such that $a+b=c$, prove that it is possible for her to eat 100,000 numbers in the first 2011 rows given that she is not restricted to traveling only in the first 2011 rows.
(Here, the $n+1$st row of Pascal's triangle consists of entries of the form $\textstyle\binom{n}{k}$ for integers $0\le k\le n$. Thus, the entry $\textstyle\binom{n}{k}$ is considered adjacent to the entries $\textstyle\binom{n-1}{k-1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n-1}{k}$, $\textstyle\binom{n}{k-1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n}{k+1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n+1}{k}$, $\textstyle\binom{n+1}{k+1}$.)
[i]Linus Hamilton.[/i]
2019 ELMO Problems, 2
Let $m, n \ge 2$ be integers. Carl is given $n$ marked points in the plane and wishes to mark their centroid.* He has no standard compass or straightedge. Instead, he has a device which, given marked points $A$ and $B$, marks the $m-1$ points that divide segment $\overline{AB}$ into $m$ congruent parts (but does not draw the segment).
For which pairs $(m,n)$ can Carl necessarily accomplish his task, regardless of which $n$ points he is given?
*Here, the [i]centroid[/i] of $n$ points with coordinates $(x_1, y_1), \dots, (x_n, y_n)$ is the point with coordinates $\left( \frac{x_1 + \dots + x_n}{n}, \frac{y_1 + \dots + y_n}{n}\right)$.
[i]Proposed by Holden Mui and Carl Schildkraut[/i]
2019 ELMO Problems, 3
Let $n \ge 3$ be a fixed integer. A game is played by $n$ players sitting in a circle. Initially, each player draws three cards from a shuffled deck of $3n$ cards numbered $1, 2, \dots, 3n$. Then, on each turn, every player simultaneously passes the smallest-numbered card in their hand one place clockwise and the largest-numbered card in their hand one place counterclockwise, while keeping the middle card.
Let $T_r$ denote the configuration after $r$ turns (so $T_0$ is the initial configuration). Show that $T_r$ is eventually periodic with period $n$, and find the smallest integer $m$ for which, regardless of the initial configuration, $T_m=T_{m+n}$.
[i]Proposed by Carl Schildkraut and Colin Tang[/i]
2024 ELMO Shortlist, A5
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]
2024 ELMO Shortlist, N8
Let $d(n)$ be the number of divisors of a nonnegative integer $n$ (we set $d(0)=0$). Find all positive integers $d$ such that there exists a two-variable polynomial $P(x,y)$ of degree $d$ with integer coefficients such that:
[list]
[*] for any positive integer $y$, there are infinitely many positive integers $x$ such that $\gcd(x,y)=1$ and $d(|P(x,y)|) \mid x$, and
[*] for any positive integer $x$, there are infinitely many positive integers $y$ such that $\gcd(x,y)=1$ and $d(|P(x,y)|) \mid y$.
[/list]
[i]Allen Wang[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, N4
Let \(d(n)\) denote the number of positive divisors of \(n\). The sequence \(a_0\), \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(\ldots\) is defined as follows: \(a_0=1\), and for all integers \(n\ge1\), \[a_n=d(a_{n-1})+d(d(a_{n-2}))+\cdots+ {\underbrace{d(d(\ldots d(a_0)\ldots))}_{n\text{ times}}}.\] Show that for all integers \(n\ge1\), we have \(a_n\le3n\).
[i]Proposed by Karthik Vedula[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, C4
Let \(n\) be a positive integer and consider an \(n\times n\) square grid. For \(1\le k\le n\), a [i]python[/i] of length \(k\) is a snake that occupies \(k\) consecutive cells in a single row, and no other cells. Similarly, an [i]anaconda[/i] of length \(k\) is a snake that occupies \(k\) consecutive cells in a single column, and no other cells.
The grid contains at least one python or anaconda, and it satisfies the following properties: [list] [*]No cell is occupied by multiple snakes. [*]If a cell in the grid is immediately to the left or immediately to the right of a python, then that cell must be occupied by an anaconda. [*]If a cell in the grid is immediately to above or immediately below an anaconda, then that cell must be occupied by a python. [/list]
Prove that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the snakes is at least \(n^2\).
[i]Proposed by Linus Tang[/i]
2017 Ukraine Team Selection Test, 12
Let $m_1,m_2,...,m_{2013} > 1$ be 2013 pairwise relatively prime positive integers and $A_1,A_2,...,A_{2013}$ be 2013 (possibly empty) sets with $A_i\subseteq \{1,2,...,m_i-1\}$ for $i=1,2,...,2013$. Prove that there is a positive integer $N$ such that
\[ N \le \left( 2\left\lvert A_1 \right\rvert + 1 \right)\left( 2\left\lvert A_2 \right\rvert + 1 \right)\cdots\left( 2\left\lvert A_{2013} \right\rvert + 1 \right) \]
and for each $i = 1, 2, ..., 2013$, there does [i]not[/i] exist $a \in A_i$ such that $m_i$ divides $N-a$.
[i]Proposed by Victor Wang[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, A2
Let \(\mathbb R_{>0}\) denote the set of positive real numbers. Find all functions \(f:\mathbb R_{>0}\to\mathbb R_{>0}\) such that for all positive real numbers \(x\) and \(y\), \[f(xy+1)=f(x)f\left(\frac1x+f\left(\frac1y\right)\right).\]
[i]Proposed by Luke Robitaille[/i]
2019 ELMO Shortlist, G2
Carl is given three distinct non-parallel lines $\ell_1, \ell_2, \ell_3$ and a circle $\omega$ in the plane. In addition to a normal straightedge, Carl has a special straightedge which, given a line $\ell$ and a point $P$, constructs a new line passing through $P$ parallel to $\ell$. (Carl does not have a compass.) Show that Carl can construct a triangle with circumcircle $\omega$ whose sides are parallel to $\ell_1,\ell_2,\ell_3$ in some order.
[i]Proposed by Vincent Huang[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, C8
Let \(n\ge3\) be a fixed integer, and let \(\alpha\) be a fixed positive real number. There are \(n\) numbers written around a circle such that there is exactly one \(1\) and the rest are \(0\)'s. An [i]operation[/i] consists of picking a number \(a\) in the circle, subtracting some positive real \(x\le a\) from it, and adding \(\alpha x\) to each of its neighbors.
Find all pairs \((n,\alpha)\) such that all the numbers in the circle can be made equal after a finite number of operations.
[i]Proposed by Anthony Wang[/i]
2024 ELMO Shortlist, A7
For some positive integer $n,$ Elmo writes down the equation
\[x_1+x_2+\dots+x_n=x_1+x_2+\dots+x_n.\]
Elmo inserts at least one $f$ to the left side of the equation and adds parentheses to create a valid functional equation. For example, if $n=3,$ Elmo could have created the equation
\[f(x_1+f(f(x_2)+x_3))=x_1+x_2+x_3.\]
Cookie Monster comes up with a function $f: \mathbb{Q}\to\mathbb{Q}$ which is a solution to Elmo's functional equation. (In other words, Elmo's equation is satisfied for all choices of $x_1,\dots,x_n\in\mathbb{Q})$. Is it possible that there is no integer $k$ (possibly depending on $f$) such that $f^k(x)=x$ for all $x$?
[i]Srinivas Arun[/i]
2019 ELMO Shortlist, A3
Let $m, n \ge 2$ be integers. Carl is given $n$ marked points in the plane and wishes to mark their centroid.* He has no standard compass or straightedge. Instead, he has a device which, given marked points $A$ and $B$, marks the $m-1$ points that divide segment $\overline{AB}$ into $m$ congruent parts (but does not draw the segment).
For which pairs $(m,n)$ can Carl necessarily accomplish his task, regardless of which $n$ points he is given?
*Here, the [i]centroid[/i] of $n$ points with coordinates $(x_1, y_1), \dots, (x_n, y_n)$ is the point with coordinates $\left( \frac{x_1 + \dots + x_n}{n}, \frac{y_1 + \dots + y_n}{n}\right)$.
[i]Proposed by Holden Mui and Carl Schildkraut[/i]
2011 ELMO Problems, 2
Wanda the Worm likes to eat Pascal's triangle. One day, she starts at the top of the triangle and eats $\textstyle\binom{0}{0}=1$. Each move, she travels to an adjacent positive integer and eats it, but she can never return to a spot that she has previously eaten. If Wanda can never eat numbers $a,b,c$ such that $a+b=c$, prove that it is possible for her to eat 100,000 numbers in the first 2011 rows given that she is not restricted to traveling only in the first 2011 rows.
(Here, the $n+1$st row of Pascal's triangle consists of entries of the form $\textstyle\binom{n}{k}$ for integers $0\le k\le n$. Thus, the entry $\textstyle\binom{n}{k}$ is considered adjacent to the entries $\textstyle\binom{n-1}{k-1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n-1}{k}$, $\textstyle\binom{n}{k-1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n}{k+1}$, $\textstyle\binom{n+1}{k}$, $\textstyle\binom{n+1}{k+1}$.)
[i]Linus Hamilton.[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, A4
Let \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) be a function such that for all real numbers \(x\neq1\), \[f(x-f(x))+f(x)=\frac{x^2-x+1}{x-1}.\] Find all possible values of \(f(2023)\).
[i]Proposed by Linus Tang[/i]
2019 ELMO Shortlist, A3
Let $m, n \ge 2$ be integers. Carl is given $n$ marked points in the plane and wishes to mark their centroid.* He has no standard compass or straightedge. Instead, he has a device which, given marked points $A$ and $B$, marks the $m-1$ points that divide segment $\overline{AB}$ into $m$ congruent parts (but does not draw the segment).
For which pairs $(m,n)$ can Carl necessarily accomplish his task, regardless of which $n$ points he is given?
*Here, the [i]centroid[/i] of $n$ points with coordinates $(x_1, y_1), \dots, (x_n, y_n)$ is the point with coordinates $\left( \frac{x_1 + \dots + x_n}{n}, \frac{y_1 + \dots + y_n}{n}\right)$.
[i]Proposed by Holden Mui and Carl Schildkraut[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, G7
Let \(\mathcal E\) be an ellipse with foci \(F_1\) and \(F_2\), and let \(P\) be a point on \(\mathcal E\). Suppose lines \(PF_1\) and \(PF_2\) intersect \(\mathcal E\) again at distinct points \(A\) and \(B\), and the tangents to \(\mathcal E\) at \(A\) and \(B\) intersect at point \(Q\). Show that the midpoint of \(\overline{PQ}\) lies on the circumcircle of \(\triangle PF_1F_2\).
[i]Proposed by Karthik Vedula[/i]
2019 ELMO Shortlist, G5
Given a triangle $ABC$ for which $\angle BAC \neq 90^{\circ}$, let $B_1, C_1$ be variable points on $AB,AC$, respectively. Let $B_2,C_2$ be the points on line $BC$ such that a spiral similarity centered at $A$ maps $B_1C_1$ to $C_2B_2$. Denote the circumcircle of $AB_1C_1$ by $\omega$. Show that if $B_1B_2$ and $C_1C_2$ concur on $\omega$ at a point distinct from $B_1$ and $C_1$, then $\omega$ passes through a fixed point other than $A$.
[i]Proposed by Max Jiang[/i]
2021 ELMO Problems, 3
Each cell of a $100\times 100$ grid is colored with one of $101$ colors. A cell is [i]diverse[/i] if, among the $199$ cells in its row or column, every color appears at least once. Determine the maximum possible number of diverse cells.
2023 ELMO Shortlist, A6
Let \(\mathbb R_{>0}\) denote the set of positive real numbers and \(\mathbb R_{\ge0}\) the set of nonnegative real numbers. Find all functions \(f:\mathbb R\times \mathbb R_{>0}\to \mathbb R_{\ge0}\) such that for all real numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(x\), \(y\) with \(x,y>0\), we have \[f(a,x)+f(b,y)=f(a+b,x+y)+f(ay-bx,xy(x+y)).\]
[i]Proposed by Luke Robitaille[/i]
2023 ELMO Shortlist, C6
For a set \(S\) of positive integers and a positive integer \(n\), consider the game of [i]\((n,S)\)-nim[/i], which is as follows. A pile starts with \(n\) watermelons. Two players, Deric and Erek, alternate turns eating watermelons from the pile, with Deric going first. On any turn, the number of watermelons eaten must be an element of \(S\). The last player to move wins. Let \(f(S)\) denote the set of positive integers \(n\) for which Deric has a winning strategy in \((n,S)\)-nim.
Let \(T\) be a set of positive integers. Must the sequence \[T, \; f(T), \; f(f(T)), \;\ldots\] be eventually constant?
[i]Proposed by Brandon Wang and Edward Wan[/i]