For positive integers $a$ and $b$, an $(a,b)$-shuffle of a deck of $a+b$ cards is any shuffle that preserves the relative order of the top $a$ cards and the relative order of the bottom $b$ cards. Let $n$, $k$, $a_1$, $a_2$, $\dots$, $a_k$, $b_1$, $b_2$, $\dots$, $b_k$ be fixed positive integers such that $a_i+b_i=n$ for all $1\leq i\leq k$. Big Bird has a deck of $n$ cards and will perform an $(a_i,b_i)$-shuffle for each $1\leq i\leq k$, in ascending order of $i$. Suppose that Big Bird can reverse the order of the deck. Prove that Big Bird can also achieve any of the $n!$ permutations of the cards. [i]Linus Tang[/i]

There are two airlines A and B and finitely many airports. For each pair of airports, there is exactly one airline among A and B whose flights operates in both directions. Each airline plans to develop world travel packages which pass each airport exactly once using only its flights. Let $a$ and $b$ be the number of possible packages which belongs to A and B respectively. Prove that $a-b$ is a multiple of $4$. The official statement of the problem has been changed. The above is the form which appeared during the contest. Now the condition 'the number of airports is no less than 4'is attached. Cite the following link. [url]https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6h2923697p26140823[/url]

Let $w$ be the circumcircle of non-isosceles acute triangle $ABC$. Tangent lines to $w$ in $A$ and $B$ intersect at point $S$. Let M be the midpoint of $AB$, and $H$ be the orthocenter of triangle $ABC$. The line $HA$ intersects lines $CM$ and $CS$ at points $M_a$ and $S_a$, respectively. The points $M_b$ and $S_b$ are defined analogously. Prove that $M_aS_b$ and $M_bS_a$ are the altitudes of triangle $M_aM_bH$.

The diagonals of trapezoid $ABCD$ with bases $AB$ and $CD$ meet at $P$. Prove the inequality $S_{PAB} + S_{PCD} > S_{PBC} + S_{PDA}$, where $S_{XYZ}$ denotes the area of triangle $XYZ$.

In a triangle $ABC$, let $D$, $E$ and $F$ be the touchpoints of the inscribed circle and the sides $AB$, $BC$ and $CA$. Show that the triangles $DEF$ and $ABC$ are similar if and only if $ABC$ is equilateral.

If $M=\{(x,y)||\tan\pi x|+\sin^2\pi x=0\},N=\{(x,y)|x^2+y^2\leq2\}$, then $|M\cap N|$ is equal to $\text{(A)}4\qquad\text{(B)}5\qquad\text{(C)}8\qquad\text{(D)}9$

In triangle $ABC$ the angular bisector from $A$ intersects the side $BC$ at the point $D$, and the angular bisector from $B$ intersects the side $AC$ at the point $E$. Furthermore $|AE| + |BD| = |AB|$. Prove that $\angle C = 60^o$ [img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ARqn8mLn24/XzP3P5319TI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/t71-imNuS18CSxTTLzYXpd806BlG5hXxACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/2018%2BMohr%2Bp5.png[/img]

Suppose that the differentiable functions $a, b, f, g:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R} $ satisfy \[ f(x)\geq 0, f'(x) \geq 0,g(x)\geq 0, g'(x) \geq 0 \text{ for all } x \in \mathbb{R}, \] \[\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty} a(x)=A\geq 0,\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty} b(x)=B\geq 0, \lim_{x\rightarrow \infty} f(x)=\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty} g(x)=\infty,\] and \[\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}+a(x)\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=b(x).\] Prove that $\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\frac{B}{A+1}$.

The incircle of a triangle $ABC$ has centre $I$ and touches sides $AB, BC, CA$ in points $C_1, A_1, B_1$ respectively. Denote by $L$ the foot of a bissector of angle $B$, and by $K$ the point of intersecting of lines $B_1I$ and $A_1C_1$. Prove that $KL\parallel BB_1$. [b]proposed by L. Emelyanov, S. Berlov[/b]

Solve: $a, b, m, n\in \mathbb{N}$ $a^2+b^2=m^2-n^2, ab=2mn$

If \[2011^{2011^{2012}} = x^x\] for some positive integer $x$, how many positive integer factors does $x$ have? [i]Author: Alex Zhu[/i]

A frog is at the center of a circular shaped island with radius $r$. The frog jumps $1/2$ meters at first. After the first jump, it turns right or left at exactly $90^\circ$, and it always jumps one half of its previous jump. After a finite number of jumps, what is the least $r$ that yields the frog can never fall into the water? $ \textbf{(A)}\ \frac{\sqrt 5}{3} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{\sqrt {13}}{5} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \frac{\sqrt {19}}{6} \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \frac{1}{\sqrt 2} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \frac34 $

In the triangle $ABC$, the altitude $BH$ and the angle bisector $BL$ are drawn, the inscribed circle $w$ touches the side of the $AC$ at the point $K$. It is known that $\angle BKA = 45^o$. Prove that the circle with diameter $HL$ touches the circle $w$. (Anton Trygub)

Every positive integer can be represented as a sum of one or more consecutive positive integers. For each $n$ , find the number of such represententation of $n$.

A convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ is such that $\angle B = \angle D$ and are both acute angles. $E$ is on $AB$ such that $CB = CE$ and $F$ is on $AD$ such that $CF = CD$. If the circumcenter of $CEF$ is $O_1$ and the circumcenter of $ABD$ is $O_2$. Prove that $C,O_1,O_2$ are collinear. [i]Proposed by Kapil Pause[/i]

Left focal point and right focal point of a hyperbola are $F_1,F_2$, left focal point and right focal point of a hyperbola are $M,N$. If $P$ is a point on the hyperbola, then the tangent point of inscribed circle of $\triangle PF_1F_2$ on $F_1F_2$ is $\text{(A)}$a point on segment $MN$ $\text{(B)}$a point on segment $F_1M$ or $F_2N$ $\text{(C)}$point $M$ or $N$ $\text{(D)}$not sure

Let $P, Q$ be points taken on the side $BC$ of a triangle $ABC$, in the order $B, P, Q, C$. Let the circumcircles of $\vartriangle PAB$, $\vartriangle QAC$ intersect at $M$ ($\ne A$) and those of $\vartriangle PAC, \vartriangle QAB$ at N. Prove that $A, M, N$ are collinear if and only if $P$ and $Q$ are symmetric in the midpoint $A' $ of $BC$.

Given real numbers $0=x_1<x_2<\ldots<x_{2n}<x_{2n+1}=1$ such that $x_{i+1}-x_i\le h$ for $1\le i\le2n$, show that $$\frac{1-h}2<\sum_{i=1}^nx_{2i}(x_{2i+1}-x_{2i-1})<\frac{1+h}2.$$

A circle is divided into $n$ sectors ($n \geq 3$). Each sector can be filled in with either $1$ or $0$. Choose any sector $\mathcal{C}$ occupied by $0$, change it into a $1$ and simultaneously change the symbols $x, y$ in the two sectors adjacent to $\mathcal{C}$ to their complements $1-x$, $1-y$. We repeat this process as long as there exists a zero in some sector. In the initial configuration there is a $0$ in one sector and $1$s elsewhere. For which values of $n$ can we end this process?

Let $0 \leq k < n$ be integers and $A=\{a \: : \: a \equiv k \pmod n \}.$ Find the smallest value of $n$ for which the expression \[ \frac{a^m+3^m}{a^2-3a+1} \] does not take any integer values for $(a,m) \in A \times \mathbb{Z^+}.$

When simplified, $ (x^{ \minus{} 1} \plus{} y^{ \minus{} 1})^{ \minus{} 1}$ is equal to: $ \textbf{(A)}\ x \plus{} y \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac {xy}{x \plus{} y} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ xy \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \frac {1}{xy} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \frac {x \plus{} y}{xy}$

Determine all positive integers $n$ for which there exists an integer $m$ such that ${2^{n}-1}$ is a divisor of ${m^{2}+9}$.

A circle moves so that it is continually in the contact with all three coordinate planes of an ordinary rectangular system. Find the locus of the center of the circle.

In a $m\times n$ square grid, with top-left corner is $A$, there is route along the edges of the grid starting from $A$ and visits all lattice points (called "nodes") exactly once and ending also at $A$. a. Prove that this route exists if and only if at least one of $m,\ n$ is odd. b. If such a route exists, then what is the least possible of turning points? *A turning point is a node that is different from $A$ and if two edges on the route intersect at the node are perpendicular.

Two polynomials $P(x)=x^4+ax^3+bx^2+cx+d$ and $Q(x)=x^2+px+q$ have real coefficients, and $I$ is an interval on the real line of length greater than $2$. Suppose $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ take negative values on $I$, and they take non-negative values outside $I$. Prove that there exists a real number $x_0$ such that $P(x_0)<Q(x_0)$.