Olympiad problems

2016 Putnam, A1

Find the smallest positive integer $j$ such that for every polynomial $p(x)$ with integer coefficients and for every integer $k,$ the integer \[p^{(j)}(k)=\left. \frac{d^j}{dx^j}p(x) \right|_{x=k}\] (the $j$-th derivative of $p(x)$ at $k$) is divisible by $2016.$

2010 Putnam, A1

Tags: Putnam , ceiling function , pigeonhole principle , floor function , college contests , Putnam easy

Given a positive integer $n,$ what is the largest $k$ such that the numbers $1,2,\dots,n$ can be put into $k$ boxes so that the sum of the numbers in each box is the same? [When $n=8,$ the example $\{1,2,3,6\},\{4,8\},\{5,7\}$ shows that the largest $k$ is [i]at least[/i] 3.]

2004 Putnam, A1

Tags: Putnam , induction , inequalities , percent , college contests , Putnam easy

Basketball star Shanille O'Keal's team statistician keeps track of the number, $S(N),$ of successful free throws she has made in her first $N$ attempts of the season. Early in the season, $S(N)$ was less than 80% of $N,$ but by the end of the season, $S(N)$ was more than 80% of $N.$ Was there necessarily a moment in between when $S(N)$ was exactly 80% of $N$?

1998 Putnam, 1

Tags: Putnam , geometry , 3D geometry , rectangle , college contests , Putnam easy

A right circular cone has base of radius 1 and height 3. A cube is inscribed in the cone so that one face of the cube is contained in the base of the cone. What is the side-length of the cube?

2010 Contests, A1

Tags: Putnam , ceiling function , pigeonhole principle , floor function , college contests , Putnam easy

Given a positive integer $n,$ what is the largest $k$ such that the numbers $1,2,\dots,n$ can be put into $k$ boxes so that the sum of the numbers in each box is the same? [When $n=8,$ the example $\{1,2,3,6\},\{4,8\},\{5,7\}$ shows that the largest $k$ is [i]at least[/i] 3.]