Olympiad problems

2023 Simon Marais Mathematical Competition, A4

Tags: algebra , sequence

Let $x_0, x_1, x_2 \dots$ be a sequence of positive real numbers such that for all $n \geq 0$, $$x_{n+1} = \dfrac{(n^2+1)x_n^2}{x_n^3+n^2}$$ For which values of $x_0$ is this sequence bounded?

2014 BAMO, 3

Tags: combinatorial game , game theory , game , proof , combinatorics

Amy and Bob play a game. They alternate turns, with Amy going first. At the start of the game, there are $20$ cookies on a red plate and $14$ on a blue plate. A legal move consists of eating two cookies taken from one plate, or moving one cookie from the red plate to the blue plate (but never from the blue plate to the red plate). The last player to make a legal move wins; in other words, if it is your turn and you cannot make a legal move, you lose, and the other player has won. Which player can guarantee that they win no matter what strategy their opponent chooses? Prove that your answer is correct.

2022 Pan-African, 2

Tags: number theory , perfect square , algebra

Find all $3$-tuples $(a, b, c)$ of positive integers, with $a \geq b \geq c$, such that $a^2 + 3b$, $b^2 + 3c$, and $c^2 + 3a$ are all squares.

1967 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 090

Tags: algebra , number theory

In the sequence of the natural (i.e. positive integers) numbers every member from the third equals the absolute value of the difference of the two previous. What is the maximal possible length of such a sequence, if every member is less or equal to $1967$?

1994 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 11.1

Tags: inequality , trigonometry , trigonometric inequality , inequalities

Prove that for all $x \in \left( 0, \frac{\pi}{3} \right)$ inequality $sin2x+cosx>1$ holds.

1983 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 367

Tags: combinatorics , number theory

Given $(2m+1)$ different integers, each absolute value is not greater than $(2m-1)$. Prove that it is possible to choose three numbers among them, with their sum equal to zero.

2019 IMAR Test, 3

Tags: abstract algebra , modular arithmetic , pythagorean triple , number theory

Consider a natural number $ n\equiv 9\pmod {25}. $ Prove that there exist three nonnegative integers $ a,b,c $ having the property that: $$ n=\frac{a(a+1)}{2} +\frac{b(b+1)}{2} +\frac{c(c+1)}{2} $$

1968 Miklós Schweitzer, 2

Tags: search , inequalities , real analysis

Let $ a_1,a_2,...,a_n$ be nonnegative real numbers. Prove that \[ ( \sum_{i=1}^na_i)( \sum_{i=1}^na_i^{n-1}) \leq n \prod_{i=1}^na_i+ (n-1) ( \sum_{i=1}^na_i^n).\] [i]J. Suranyi[/i]

2016 KOSOVO TST, 4

Tags: algebra , function

$f:R->R$ such that : $f(1)=1$ and for any $x\in R$ i) $f(x+5)\geq f(x)+5$ ii)$f(x+1)\leq f(x)+1$ If $g(x)=f(x)+1-x$ find g(2016)

1986 Brazil National Olympiad, 1

Tags: geometry , geometric transformation , reflection

A ball moves endlessly on a circular billiard table. When it hits the edge it is reflected. Show that if it passes through a point on the table three times, then it passes through it infinitely many times.

2010 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 11.3

Tags: geometry , perpendicular bisector , cyclic quadrilateral

Quadrangle $ABCD$ is inscribed in a circle with diameter $AC$. Points $K$ and $M$ are projections of vertices $A$ and $C$, respectively, onto line $BD$. A line parallel to $BC$ is drawn through point $K$ and intersecting $AC$ at point $P$. Prove that angle $KPM$ is a right angle.

1999 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 5

Tags: geometry

In triangle $BEN$ shown below with its altitudes intersecting at $X$, $NA = 7$, $EA = 3$, $AX = 4$, and $NS = 8$. Find the area of $BEN$. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/5/7/7e6dcbe6aa220821cb5020824b8aa6d4fc597d.png[/img]

2017 Middle European Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: algebra , functional equation

Determine all functions $f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ satisfying $$f(x^2 + f(x)f(y)) = xf(x + y)$$ for all real numbers $x$ and $y$.

2001 Tournament Of Towns, 1

Tags: greatest common divisor , number theory

Do there exist postive integers $a_1<a_2<\cdots<a_{100}$ such that for $2\le k\le100$ the greatest common divisor of $a_{k-1}$ and $a_k$ is greater than the greatest common divisor of $a_k$ and $a_{k+1}$?

2024 IFYM, Sozopol, 4

Tags: combinatorics

A collection of $ n $ balls is distributed in several boxes, with no box containing 100 or more balls. In one move, we can remove several (at least one, possibly all) balls from one box. Find the smallest positive integer $ n $ with the following property: regardless of the distribution, we can make moves such that each non-empty box contains the same number of balls and the total number of remaining balls is at least 100.

2018-2019 SDML (High School), 13

Tags: geometry , 3d geometry

A steel cube has edges of length $3$ cm, and a cone has a diameter of $8$ cm and a height of $24$ cm. The cube is placed in the cone so that one of its interior diagonals coincides with the axis of the cone. What is the distance, in cm, between the vertex of the cone and the closest vertex of the cube? [NEEDS DIAGRAM] $ \mathrm{(A) \ } \frac{12\sqrt6-3\sqrt3}{4} \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } \frac{9\sqrt6-3\sqrt3}{2} \qquad \mathrm {(C) \ } 5\sqrt3 \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 6\sqrt6 - \sqrt3 \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 6\sqrt6$

2017 Online Math Open Problems, 16

Tags:

Let $\mathcal{P}_1$ and $\mathcal{P}_2$ be two parabolas with distinct directrices $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ and distinct foci $F_1$ and $F_2$ respectively. It is known that $F_1F_2||\ell_1||\ell_2$, $F_1$ lies on $\mathcal{P}_2$, and $F_2$ lies on $\mathcal{P}_1$. The two parabolas intersect at distinct points $A$ and $B$. Given that $F_1F_2=1$, the value of $AB^2$ can be expressed as $\frac{m}{n}$ for relatively prime positive integers $m$ and $n$. Find $100m+n$. [i]Proposed by Yannick Yao

1990 Baltic Way, 17

Tags: floor function

There are two piles with $72$ and $30$ candies. Two students alternate taking candies from one of the piles. Each time the number of candies taken from a pile must be a multiple of the number of candies in the other pile. Which student can always assure taking the last candy from one of the piles?

2022 Bulgarian Spring Math Competition, Problem 9.3

Tags: algebra , system of equations , prime

Find all primes $p$, such that there exist positive integers $x$, $y$ which satisfy $$\begin{cases} p + 49 = 2x^2\\ p^2 + 49 = 2y^2\\ \end{cases}$$

2008 Chile National Olympiad, 6

Tags: algebra , transcendental

It is known that the number $\pi$ is transcendental, that is, it is not a root of any polynomial with integer coefficients. Using this fact, prove that the same is true for the number $\pi + \sqrt2$.

IMSC 2023, 1

Tags: number theory

Find all functions $f:\mathbb{Z} \rightarrow \mathbb{Z}$ such that $f(1) \neq f(-1)$ and $$f(m+n)^2 \mid f(m)-f(n)$$ for all integers $m, n$. [i]Proposed by Liam Baker, South Africa[/i]

LMT Accuracy Rounds, 2022 S10

Tags: combinatorics , number theory

In a room, there are $100$ light switches, labeled with the positive integers ${1,2, . . . ,100}$. They’re all initially turned off. On the $i$ th day for $1 \le i \le 100$, Bob flips every light switch with label number $k$ divisible by $i$ a total of $\frac{k}{i}$ times. Find the sum of the labels of the light switches that are turned on at the end of the $100$th day.

1997 All-Russian Olympiad, 3

Tags: geometry

Two circles intersect at $A$ and $B$. A line through $A$ meets the first circle again at $C$ and the second circle again at $D$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of the arcs $BC$ and $BD$ not containing $A$, and let $K$ be the midpoint of the segment $CD$. Show that $\angle MKN =\pi/2$. (You may assume that $C$ and $D$ lie on opposite sides of $A$.) [i]D. Tereshin[/i]

2013 Sharygin Geometry Olympiad, 8

Tags: geometry , distance , circles

Three cyclists ride along a circular road with radius $1$ km counterclockwise. Their velocities are constant and different. Does there necessarily exist (in a sufficiently long time) a moment when all the three distances between cyclists are greater than $1$ km? by V. Protasov

1991 China Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: invariant , induction , combinatorial geometry , combinatorics

$5$ points are given in the plane, any three non-collinear and any four non-concyclic. If three points determine a circle that has one of the remaining points inside it and the other one outside it, then the circle is said to be [i]good[/i]. Let the number of good circles be $n$; find all possible values of $n$.