Olympiad problems

1994 AMC 12/AHSME, 27

A bag of popping corn contains $\frac{2}{3}$ white kernels and $\frac{1}{3}$ yellow kernels. Only $\frac{1}{2}$ of the white kernels will pop, whereas $\frac{2}{3}$ of the yellow ones will pop. A kernel is selected at random from the bag, and pops when placed in the popper. What is the probability that the kernel selected was white? $ \textbf{(A)}\ \frac{1}{2} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{5}{9} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \frac{4}{7} \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \frac{3}{5} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \frac{2}{3} $

2024 India IMOTC, 9

Tags: functional equation , algebra

Find all functions $f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ such that for all real numbers $a, b, c$, we have \[ f(a+b+c)f(ab+bc+ca) - f(a)f(b)f(c) = f(a+b)f(b+c)f(c+a). \] [i]Proposed by Mainak Ghosh and Rijul Saini[/i]

1999 Czech And Slovak Olympiad IIIA, 1

Tags: min , integer polynomial , algebra , fraction

We are allowed to put several brackets in the expression $$\frac{29 : 28 : 27 : 26 :... : 17 : 16}{15 : 14 : 13 : 12 : ... : 3 : 2}$$ always in the same places below each other. (a) Find the smallest possible integer value we can obtain in that way. (b) Find all possible integer values that can be obtained. Remark: in this problem, $$\frac{(29 : 28) : 27 : ... : 16}{(15 : 14) : 13 : ... : 2},$$ is valid position of parenthesis, on the other hand $$\frac{(29 : 28) : 27 : ... : 16}{15 : (14 : 13) : ... : 2}$$ is forbidden.

2023 Polish Junior Math Olympiad First Round, 4.

Tags: combinatorics

Each of the natural numbers from $1$ to $n$ is colored either red or blue, with each color being used at least once. It turns out that: – every red number is a sum of two distinct blue numbers; and – every blue number is a difference between two red numbers. Determine the smallest possible value of $n$ for which such a coloring exists.

2018 India IMO Training Camp, 1

Tags: sorting , distance , extremal combinatorics , radius , string , combinatorics

Let $n$ be a positive integer. Define a chameleon to be any sequence of $3n$ letters, with exactly $n$ occurrences of each of the letters $a, b,$ and $c$. Define a swap to be the transposition of two adjacent letters in a chameleon. Prove that for any chameleon $X$ , there exists a chameleon $Y$ such that $X$ cannot be changed to $Y$ using fewer than $3n^2/2$ swaps.

1988 IMO Longlists, 50

Tags: rectangle , combinatorics , geometry

Prove that the numbers $A,B$ and $C$ are equal, where: - $A=$ number of ways that we can cover a $2 \times n$ rectangle with $2 \times 1$ retangles. - $B=$ number of sequences of ones and twos that add up to $n$ - $C= \sum^m_{k=0} \binom{m + k}{2 \cdot k}$ if $n = 2 \cdot m,$ and - $C= \sum^m_{k=0} \binom{m + k + 1}{2 \cdot k + 1}$ if $n = 2 \cdot m + 1.$

2023 Euler Olympiad, Round 1, 4

Tags: euler , algebra

Let's consider a set of distinct positive integers with a sum equal to 2023. Among these integers, there are a total of $d$ even numbers and $m$ odd numbers. Determine the maximum possible value of $2d + 4m$. [i]Proposed by Gogi Khimshiashvili, Georgia[/i]

2001 Polish MO Finals, 2

Tags: geometry , parallelogram , geometric transformation , reflection , ratio , analytic geometry , angle bisector

Let $ABCD$ be a parallelogram and let $K$ and $L$ be points on the segments $BC$ and $CD$, respectively, such that $BK\cdot AD=DL\cdot AB$. Let the lines $DK$ and $BL$ intersect at $P$. Show that $\measuredangle DAP=\measuredangle BAC$.

2018 Bulgaria EGMO TST, 3

Tags: induction , function , algebra

Find all one-to-one mappings $f:\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ such that for all positive integers $n$ the following relation holds: \[ f(f(n)) \leq \frac {n+f(n)} 2 . \]

2009 F = Ma, 12

Tags:

Batman, who has a mass of $\text{M = 100 kg}$, climbs to the roof of a $\text{30 m}$ building and then lowers one end of a massless rope to his sidekick Robin. Batman then pulls Robin, who has a mass of $\text{m = 75 kg}$, up the roof of the building. Approximately how much total work has Batman done after Robin is on the roof? (A) $\text{60 J}$ (B) $\text{7} \times \text{10}^3 \text{J}$ (C) $\text{5} \times \text{10}^4 \text{J}$ (D) $\text{600 J}$ (E) $\text{3} \times \text{10}^4 \text{J}$

1983 Swedish Mathematical Competition, 6

Tags: system of equations , system , algebra

Show that the only real solution to \[\left\{ \begin{array}{l} x(x+y)^2 = 9 \\ x(y^3 - x^3) = 7 \\ \end{array} \right. \] is $x = 1$, $y = 2$.

1998 Putnam, 5

Tags:

Let $\mathcal{F}$ be a finite collection of open discs in $\mathbb{R}^2$ whose union contains a set $E\subseteq \mathbb{R}^2$. Show that there is a pairwise disjoint subcollection $D_1,\ldots,D_n$ in $\mathcal{F}$ such that \[E\subseteq\cup_{j=1}^n 3D_j.\] Here, if $D$ is the disc of radius $r$ and center $P$, then $3D$ is the disc of radius $3r$ and center $P$.

2005 Germany Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: number theory , equation , divisor

Let $\tau(n)$ denote the number of positive divisors of the positive integer $n$. Prove that there exist infinitely many positive integers $a$ such that the equation $ \tau(an)=n $ does not have a positive integer solution $n$.

2017 Kazakhstan NMO, Problem 4

Tags: geometry

The acute triangle $ABC$ $(AC> BC)$ is inscribed in a circle with the center at the point $O$, and $CD$ is the diameter of this circle. The point $K$ is on the continuation of the ray $DA$ beyond the point $A$. And the point $L$ is on the segment $BD$ $(DL> LB)$ so that $\angle OKD = \angle BAC$, $\angle OLD = \angle ABC$. Prove that the line $KL$ passes through the midpoint of the segment $AB$.

Kvant 2025, M2828

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Maxim has guessed a polynomial $f(x)$ of degree $n$. Sasha wants to guess it (knowing $n$). During a turn, Sasha can name a certain segment $[a;b]$ and Maxim will give in response the maximum value of $f(x)$ on the segment $[a;b]$. Will Sasha be able to guess $f(x)$ in a finite number of steps? [i]M. Didin[/i]

2004 Bosnia and Herzegovina Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: collinear , touching , geometry , circles

Circle $k$ with center $O$ is touched from inside by two circles in points $S$ and $T,$ respectively. Let those two circles intersect at points $M$ and $N$, such that $N$ is closer to line $ST$. Prove that $OM$ and $MN$ are perpendicular iff $S$, $N$ and $T$ are collinear

1969 IMO Longlists, 30

Tags: number theory , sophie germain identity , composite number

$(GDR 2)^{IMO1}$ Prove that there exist infinitely many natural numbers $a$ with the following property: The number $z = n^4 + a$ is not prime for any natural number $n.$

2014 Canada National Olympiad, 2

Tags: floor function , combinatorics

Let $m$ and $n$ be odd positive integers. Each square of an $m$ by $n$ board is coloured red or blue. A row is said to be red-dominated if there are more red squares than blue squares in the row. A column is said to be blue-dominated if there are more blue squares than red squares in the column. Determine the maximum possible value of the number of red-dominated rows plus the number of blue-dominated columns. Express your answer in terms of $m$ and $n$.

2005 USAMO, 4

Tags: 3d geometry , prism , parallelogram , geometry

Legs $L_1, L_2, L_3, L_4$ of a square table each have length $n$, where $n$ is a positive integer. For how many ordered 4-tuples $(k_1, k_2, k_3, k_4)$ of nonnegative integers can we cut a piece of length $k_i$ from the end of leg $L_i \; (i=1,2,3,4)$ and still have a stable table? (The table is [i]stable[/i] if it can be placed so that all four of the leg ends touch the floor. Note that a cut leg of length 0 is permitted.)

2016 Dutch IMO TST, 1

Tags: algebra , inequalities

Prove that for all positive reals $a, b,c$ we have: $a +\sqrt{ab}+ \sqrt[3]{abc}\le \frac43 (a + b + c)$

1994 Chile National Olympiad, 4

Tags: sphere , combinatorial geometry , combinatorics , circles , 3d geometry , geometry

Consider a box of dimensions $10$ cm $\times 16$ cm $\times 1$ cm. Determine the maximum number of balls of diameter $ 1$ cm that the box can contain.

2002 Chile National Olympiad, 1

Tags: number theory

A Metro ticket, which has six digits, is considered a "lucky number" if its six digits are different and their first three digits add up to the same as the last three (A number such as $026134$ is "lucky number"). Show that the sum of all the "lucky numbers" is divisible by $2002$.

2024 AMC 12/AHSME, 9

Tags: analytic geometry , number theory

A dartboard is the region B in the coordinate plane consisting of points $(x, y)$ such that $|x| + |y| \le 8$. A target T is the region where $(x^2 + y^2 - 25)^2 \le 49$. A dart is thrown at a random point in B. The probability that the dart lands in T can be expressed as $\frac{m}{n} \pi$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. What is $m + n$? $ \textbf{(A) }39 \qquad \textbf{(B) }71 \qquad \textbf{(C) }73 \qquad \textbf{(D) }75 \qquad \textbf{(E) }135 \qquad $

2017 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 6

Tags: geometry

Let $ABCD$ be a convex quadrilateral with $AC = 7$ and $BD = 17$. Let $M$, $P$, $N$, $Q$ be the midpoints of sides $AB$, $BC$, $CD$, $DA$ respectively. Compute $MN^2 + PQ^2$ [color = red]The official problem statement does not have the final period.[/color]

2000 Mongolian Mathematical Olympiad, Problem 2

Tags: geometry , circles

Circles $\omega_1,\omega_2,\omega_3$ with centers $O_1,O_2,O_3$, respectively, are externally tangent to each other. The circle $\omega_1$ touches $\omega_2$ at $P_1$ and $\omega_3$ at $P_2$. For any point $A$ on $\omega_1$, $A_1$ denotes the point symmetric to $A$ with respect to $O_1$. Show that the intersection points of $AP_2$ with $\omega_3$, $A_1P_3$ with $\omega_2$, and $AP_3$ with $A_1P_2$ lie on a line.