Olympiad problems

1999 IMO Shortlist, 5

Let $n$ be an even positive integer. We say that two different cells of a $n \times n$ board are [b]neighboring[/b] if they have a common side. Find the minimal number of cells on the $n \times n$ board that must be marked so that any cell (marked or not marked) has a marked neighboring cell.

2022 IMO Shortlist, A3

Tags: IMO , Functional inequality

Let $\mathbb{R}^+$ denote the set of positive real numbers. Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R}^+ \to \mathbb{R}^+$ such that for each $x \in \mathbb{R}^+$, there is exactly one $y \in \mathbb{R}^+$ satisfying $$xf(y)+yf(x) \leq 2$$

1961 IMO, 1

Tags: algebra , system of equations , IMO , IMO 1961

Solve the system of equations: \[ x+y+z=a \] \[ x^2+y^2+z^2=b^2 \] \[ xy=z^2 \] where $a$ and $b$ are constants. Give the conditions that $a$ and $b$ must satisfy so that $x,y,z$ are distinct positive numbers.

1997 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: function , induction , algebra , functional equation , IMO 1981 , IMO , romania

function $f:\mathbb{N}^{\star} \times \mathbb{N}^{\star} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}^{\star}$ ($\mathbb{N}^{\star}=\mathbb{N}\cup \{0\}$)with these conditon: 1- $f(0,x)=x+1$ 2- $f(x+1,0)=f(x,1)$ 3- $f(x+1,y+1)=f(x,f(x+1,y))$(romania 1997) find $f(3,1997)$

1990 IMO Shortlist, 3

Tags: graph theory , combinatorics , Extremal combinatorics , Coloring , IMO , IMO 1990

Let $ n \geq 3$ and consider a set $ E$ of $ 2n \minus{} 1$ distinct points on a circle. Suppose that exactly $ k$ of these points are to be colored black. Such a coloring is [b]good[/b] if there is at least one pair of black points such that the interior of one of the arcs between them contains exactly $ n$ points from $ E$. Find the smallest value of $ k$ so that every such coloring of $ k$ points of $ E$ is good.

2000 IMO Shortlist, 2

Tags: geometry , circle , IMO , imo 2000 , Hi

Two circles $ G_1$ and $ G_2$ intersect at two points $ M$ and $ N$. Let $ AB$ be the line tangent to these circles at $ A$ and $ B$, respectively, so that $ M$ lies closer to $ AB$ than $ N$. Let $ CD$ be the line parallel to $ AB$ and passing through the point $ M$, with $ C$ on $ G_1$ and $ D$ on $ G_2$. Lines $ AC$ and $ BD$ meet at $ E$; lines $ AN$ and $ CD$ meet at $ P$; lines $ BN$ and $ CD$ meet at $ Q$. Show that $ EP \equal{} EQ$.

1994 IMO, 4

Tags: number theory , IMO

Find all ordered pairs $ (m,n)$ where $ m$ and $ n$ are positive integers such that $ \frac {n^3 \plus{} 1}{mn \minus{} 1}$ is an integer.

1994 IMO, 6

Tags: modular arithmetic , number theory , prime numbers , Combinatorial Number Theory , IMO , IMO 1994 , combinatorics

Show that there exists a set $ A$ of positive integers with the following property: for any infinite set $ S$ of primes, there exist [i]two[/i] positive integers $ m$ in $ A$ and $ n$ not in $ A$, each of which is a product of $ k$ distinct elements of $ S$ for some $ k \geq 2$.

1967 IMO Longlists, 29

Tags: geometry , Triangle , similar triangles , area of a triangle , IMO , IMO 1967

$A_0B_0C_0$ and $A_1B_1C_1$ are acute-angled triangles. Describe, and prove, how to construct the triangle $ABC$ with the largest possible area which is circumscribed about $A_0B_0C_0$ (so $BC$ contains $B_0, CA$ contains $B_0$, and $AB$ contains $C_0$) and similar to $A_1B_1C_1.$

2024 IMO, 5

Tags: IMO , combinatorics

Turbo the snail plays a game on a board with $2024$ rows and $2023$ columns. There are hidden monsters in $2022$ of the cells. Initially, Turbo does not know where any of the monsters are, but he knows that there is exactly one monster in each row except the first row and the last row, and that each column contains at most one monster. Turbo makes a series of attempts to go from the first row to the last row. On each attempt, he chooses to start on any cell in the first row, then repeatedly moves to an adjacent cell sharing a common side. (He is allowed to return to a previously visited cell.) If he reaches a cell with a monster, his attempt ends and he is transported back to the first row to start a new attempt. The monsters do not move, and Turbo remembers whether or not each cell he has visited contains a monster. If he reaches any cell in the last row, his attempt ends and the game is over. Determine the minimum value of $n$ for which Turbo has a strategy that guarantees reaching the last row on the $n$-th attempt or earlier, regardless of the locations of the monsters. [i]Proposed by Cheuk Hei Chu, Hong Kong[/i]

1997 IMO, 2

Tags: geometry , circumcircle , perpendicular bisector , IMO , IMO 1997 , isosceles , Hi

It is known that $ \angle BAC$ is the smallest angle in the triangle $ ABC$. The points $ B$ and $ C$ divide the circumcircle of the triangle into two arcs. Let $ U$ be an interior point of the arc between $ B$ and $ C$ which does not contain $ A$. The perpendicular bisectors of $ AB$ and $ AC$ meet the line $ AU$ at $ V$ and $ W$, respectively. The lines $ BV$ and $ CW$ meet at $ T$. Show that $ AU \equal{} TB \plus{} TC$. [i]Alternative formulation:[/i] Four different points $ A,B,C,D$ are chosen on a circle $ \Gamma$ such that the triangle $ BCD$ is not right-angled. Prove that: (a) The perpendicular bisectors of $ AB$ and $ AC$ meet the line $ AD$ at certain points $ W$ and $ V,$ respectively, and that the lines $ CV$ and $ BW$ meet at a certain point $ T.$ (b) The length of one of the line segments $ AD, BT,$ and $ CT$ is the sum of the lengths of the other two.

1966 IMO Longlists, 61

Tags: trigonometry , induction , algebra , Trigonometric Identities , IMO , IMO 1966

Prove that for every natural number $n$, and for every real number $x \neq \frac{k\pi}{2^t}$ ($t=0,1, \dots, n$; $k$ any integer) \[ \frac{1}{\sin{2x}}+\frac{1}{\sin{4x}}+\dots+\frac{1}{\sin{2^nx}}=\cot{x}-\cot{2^nx} \]

2008 IMO Shortlist, 1

Tags: algebra , functional equation , IMO Shortlist , IMO , IMO 2008 , Hi

Find all functions $ f: (0, \infty) \mapsto (0, \infty)$ (so $ f$ is a function from the positive real numbers) such that \[ \frac {\left( f(w) \right)^2 \plus{} \left( f(x) \right)^2}{f(y^2) \plus{} f(z^2) } \equal{} \frac {w^2 \plus{} x^2}{y^2 \plus{} z^2} \] for all positive real numbers $ w,x,y,z,$ satisfying $ wx \equal{} yz.$ [i]Author: Hojoo Lee, South Korea[/i]

1965 IMO Shortlist, 2

Tags: linear algebra , matrix , function , algebra , system of equations , IMO , IMO 1965

Consider the sytem of equations \[ a_{11}x_1+a_{12}x_2+a_{13}x_3 = 0 \]\[a_{21}x_1+a_{22}x_2+a_{23}x_3 =0\]\[a_{31}x_1+a_{32}x_2+a_{33}x_3 = 0 \] with unknowns $x_1, x_2, x_3$. The coefficients satisfy the conditions: a) $a_{11}, a_{22}, a_{33}$ are positive numbers; b) the remaining coefficients are negative numbers; c) in each equation, the sum ofthe coefficients is positive. Prove that the given system has only the solution $x_1=x_2=x_3=0$.

1963 IMO, 3

Tags: inequalities , geometry , polygon , angles , geometric inequality , IMO , IMO 1963

In an $n$-gon $A_{1}A_{2}\ldots A_{n}$, all of whose interior angles are equal, the lengths of consecutive sides satisfy the relation \[a_{1}\geq a_{2}\geq \dots \geq a_{n}. \] Prove that $a_{1}=a_{2}= \ldots= a_{n}$.

2022 IMO, 3

Tags: number theory , prime numbers , IMO , IMO 2022

Let $k$ be a positive integer and let $S$ be a finite set of odd prime numbers. Prove that there is at most one way (up to rotation and reflection) to place the elements of $S$ around the circle such that the product of any two neighbors is of the form $x^2+x+k$ for some positive integer $x$.

1974 IMO Shortlist, 1

Tags: combinatorics , game , algebra , system of equations , IMO , IMO 1974

Three players $A,B$ and $C$ play a game with three cards and on each of these $3$ cards it is written a positive integer, all $3$ numbers are different. A game consists of shuffling the cards, giving each player a card and each player is attributed a number of points equal to the number written on the card and then they give the cards back. After a number $(\geq 2)$ of games we find out that A has $20$ points, $B$ has $10$ points and $C$ has $9$ points. We also know that in the last game B had the card with the biggest number. Who had in the first game the card with the second value (this means the middle card concerning its value).

1968 IMO Shortlist, 2

Tags: trigonometry , algebra , Triangle , triangle inequality , IMO , IMO 1968

Find all triangles whose side lengths are consecutive integers, and one of whose angles is twice another.

2020 IMO Shortlist, G2

Tags: geometry , IMO

Consider the convex quadrilateral $ABCD$. The point $P$ is in the interior of $ABCD$. The following ratio equalities hold: \[\angle PAD:\angle PBA:\angle DPA=1:2:3=\angle CBP:\angle BAP:\angle BPC\] Prove that the following three lines meet in a point: the internal bisectors of angles $\angle ADP$ and $\angle PCB$ and the perpendicular bisector of segment $AB$. [i]Proposed by Dominik Burek, Poland[/i]

1979 IMO, 3

Tags: combinatorics , recurrence relation , Linear Recurrences , counting , IMO , IMO 1979

Let $A$ and $E$ be opposite vertices of an octagon. A frog starts at vertex $A.$ From any vertex except $E$ it jumps to one of the two adjacent vertices. When it reaches $E$ it stops. Let $a_n$ be the number of distinct paths of exactly $n$ jumps ending at $E$. Prove that: \[ a_{2n-1}=0, \quad a_{2n}={(2+\sqrt2)^{n-1} - (2-\sqrt2)^{n-1} \over\sqrt2}. \]

1970 IMO Shortlist, 2

Tags: inequalities , algebra , decimal representation , Digits , IMO , IMO 1970

We have $0\le x_i<b$ for $i=0,1,\ldots,n$ and $x_n>0,x_{n-1}>0$. If $a>b$, and $x_nx_{n-1}\ldots x_0$ represents the number $A$ base $a$ and $B$ base $b$, whilst $x_{n-1}x_{n-2}\ldots x_0$ represents the number $A'$ base $a$ and $B'$ base $b$, prove that $A'B<AB'$.

1988 IMO Longlists, 77

Tags: algebra , functional equation , binary representation , function , IMO , IMO 1988 , david monk

A function $ f$ defined on the positive integers (and taking positive integers values) is given by: $ \begin{matrix} f(1) \equal{} 1, f(3) \equal{} 3 \\ f(2 \cdot n) \equal{} f(n) \\ f(4 \cdot n \plus{} 1) \equal{} 2 \cdot f(2 \cdot n \plus{} 1) \minus{} f(n) \\ f(4 \cdot n \plus{} 3) \equal{} 3 \cdot f(2 \cdot n \plus{} 1) \minus{} 2 \cdot f(n), \end{matrix}$ for all positive integers $ n.$ Determine with proof the number of positive integers $ \leq 1988$ for which $ f(n) \equal{} n.$

1982 IMO Longlists, 36

Tags: geometry , Triangle , midpoint , incircle , concurrency , IMO , IMO 1982

A non-isosceles triangle $A_{1}A_{2}A_{3}$ has sides $a_{1}$, $a_{2}$, $a_{3}$ with the side $a_{i}$ lying opposite to the vertex $A_{i}$. Let $M_{i}$ be the midpoint of the side $a_{i}$, and let $T_{i}$ be the point where the inscribed circle of triangle $A_{1}A_{2}A_{3}$ touches the side $a_{i}$. Denote by $S_{i}$ the reflection of the point $T_{i}$ in the interior angle bisector of the angle $A_{i}$. Prove that the lines $M_{1}S_{1}$, $M_{2}S_{2}$ and $M_{3}S_{3}$ are concurrent.

1977 IMO Longlists, 27

Tags: number theory , prime numbers , prime factorization , Dirichlet s Theorem , IMO , IMO 1977

Let $n$ be a given number greater than 2. We consider the set $V_n$ of all the integers of the form $1 + kn$ with $k = 1, 2, \ldots$ A number $m$ from $V_n$ is called indecomposable in $V_n$ if there are not two numbers $p$ and $q$ from $V_n$ so that $m = pq.$ Prove that there exist a number $r \in V_n$ that can be expressed as the product of elements indecomposable in $V_n$ in more than one way. (Expressions which differ only in order of the elements of $V_n$ will be considered the same.)

1973 IMO, 2

Tags: combinatorics , point set , 3D geometry , straight lines , parallel , IMO , IMO 1973

Establish if there exists a finite set $M$ of points in space, not all situated in the same plane, so that for any straight line $d$ which contains at least two points from M there exists another straight line $d'$, parallel with $d,$ but distinct from $d$, which also contains at least two points from $M$.