$(USS 3)$ $(a)$ Prove that if $0 \le a_0 \le a_1 \le a_2,$ then $(a_0 + a_1x - a_2x^2)^2 \le (a_0 + a_1 + a_2)^2\left(1 +\frac{1}{2}x+\frac{1}{3}x^2+\frac{1}{2}x^3+x^4\right)$ $(b)$ Formulate and prove the analogous result for polynomials of third degree.

Let $ f(x)\equal{}\left(1\plus{}\frac{1}{x}\right)^{x}\ (x>0)$. Find $ \lim_{n\to\infty}\left\{f\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)f\left(\frac{2}{n}\right)f\left(\frac{3}{n}\right)\cdots\cdots f\left(\frac{n}{n}\right)\right\}^{\frac{1}{n}}$.

Determine all triples of real numbers $(x, y, z)$ which satisfy the following system of equations: \[ \begin{cases} x+y+z=0 \\ x^3+y^3+z^3 = 90 \\ x^5+y^5+z^5=2850. \end{cases} \]

There is a unique continuous function $f$ over the positive real numbers satisfying $f(4) = 1$ and \[ 9 - (f(x))^4 = \frac{x^2}{(f(x))^2} - 2xf(x) \] for all positive $x$. Compute the value of $\int_{0}^{140} (f(x))^3\,dx$.

Find all functions $f$ defined for all $x$ that satisfy the condition $xf(y) + yf(x) = (x + y)f(x)f(y),$ for all $x$ and $y.$ Prove that exactly two of them are continuous.

[b]a)[/b] Let $ a,b $ two non-negative integers such that $ a^2>b. $ Show that the equation $$ \left\lfloor\sqrt{x^2+2ax+b}\right\rfloor =x+a-1 $$ has an infinite number of solutions in the non-negative integers. Here, $ \lfloor\alpha\rfloor $ denotes the floor of $ \alpha. $ [b]b)[/b] Find the floor of $ m=\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\underbrace{\cdots}_{\text{n times}}+\sqrt{2}}} , $ where $ n $ is a natural number. Justify.

Prove that for any natural number $n$ and real numbers $a$ and $x$ satisfying $a^{n+1} \le x \le 1$ and $0 < a < 1$ it holds that $$\prod_{k=1}^n \left|\frac{x-a^k}{x+a^k}\right| \le \prod_{k=1}^n \frac{1-a^k}{1+a^k}$$

The positive integers $ \alpha, \beta, \gamma$ are the roots of a polynomial $ f(x)$ with degree $ 4$ and the coefficient of the first term is $ 1$. If there exists an integer such that $ f(\minus{}1)\equal{}f^2(s)$. Prove that $ \alpha\beta$ is not a perfect square.

Prove that for every integer $n$ ($n > 1$) there exist two positive integers $x$ and $y$ ($x \leq y$) such that $$\frac{1}{n} = \frac{1}{x(x+1)} + \frac{1}{(x+1)(x+2)} + \cdots + \frac{1}{y(y+1)}$$

If $a,b,c$ are positive numbers with $a^2 +b^2 +c^2 = 1$, prove that $a+b+c+\frac{1}{abc} \ge 4\sqrt3$

Let $a_1,a_2,a_3,\ldots$ be the sequence of real numbers defined by $a_1=1$ and $$a_m=\frac1{a_1^2+a_2^2+\ldots+a_{m-1}^2}\qquad\text{for }m\ge2.$$ Determine whether there exists a positive integer $N$ such that $$a_1+a_2+\ldots+a_N>2017^{2017}.$$

a) $P(x),R(x)$ are polynomials with rational coefficients and $P(x)$ is not the zero polynomial. Prove that there exist a non-zero polynomial $Q(x)\in\mathbb Q[x]$ that \[P(x)\mid Q(R(x)).\] b) $P,R$ are polynomial with integer coefficients and $P$ is monic. Prove that there exist a monic polynomial $Q(x)\in\mathbb Z[x]$ that \[P(x)\mid Q(R(x)).\]

Consider the function $f : N \to N$ given by (i) $f(1) = 1$, (ii) $f(2n) = f(n)$ for any $n \in N$, (iii) $f(2n+1) = f(2n)+1$ for any $n \in N$. (a) Find the maximum value of $f(n)$ for $1 \le n \le 1995$; (b) Find all values of $f$ on this interval.

Find (in terms of $n \ge 1$) the number of terms with odd coefficients after expanding the product: \[\prod_{1 \le i < j \le n} (x_i + x_j)\] e.g., for $n = 3$ the expanded product is given by $x_1^2 x_2 + x_1^2 x_3 + x_2^2 x_3 + x_2^2 x_1 + x_3^2 x_1 + x_3^2 x_2 + 2x_1 x_2 x_3$ and so the answer would be $6$.

Solve the equation in the set of real numbers: $$\left[ x+\frac{1}{x} \right] = \left[ x^2+\frac{1}{x^2} \right]$$ where $[a]$, represents the integer part of the real number $a$.

Find the number of distinct real roots of the following equation $x^2 +\frac{9x^2}{(x + 3)^2} = 40$. A. $0$ B. $1$ C. $2$ D. $3$ E. $4$

In some countries, automobile fuel efficiency is measured in liters per $100$ kilometers while other countries use miles per gallon. Suppose that $1$ kilometer equals $m$ miles, and $1$ gallon equals $\ell$ liters. Which of the following gives the fuel efficiency in liters per $100$ kilometers for a car that gets $x$ miles per gallon? $\textbf{(A) } \frac{x}{100\ell m} \qquad \textbf{(B) } \frac{x\ell m}{100} \qquad \textbf{(C) } \frac{\ell m}{100x} \qquad \textbf{(D) } \frac{100}{x\ell m} \qquad \textbf{(E) } \frac{100\ell m}{x}$

Consider a rectangular array of single digits $d_{i,j}$ with 10 rows and 7 columns, such that $d_{i+1,j}-d_{i,j}$ is always 1 or -9 for all $1 \leq i \leq 9$ and all $1 \leq j \leq 7$, as in the example below. For $1 \leq i \leq 10$, let $m_i$ be the median of $d_{i,1}$, ..., $d_{i,7}$. Determine the least and greatest possible values of the mean of $m_1$, $m_2$, ..., $m_{10}$. Example: [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/8/a/b77c0c3aeef14f0f48d02dde830f979eca1afb.png[/img]

Find all continuous functions $f: R \to R$ such that $g(g(x)) = g(x)+2x$ for all real $x$.

Let $ n\geq 3 $ be an integer and let $ \mathcal{S} \subset \{1,2,\ldots, n^3\} $ be a set with $ 3n^2 $ elements. Prove that there exist nine distinct numbers $ a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_9 \in \mathcal{S} $ such that the following system has a solution in nonzero integers: \begin{eqnarray*} a_1x + a_2y +a_3 z &=& 0 \\ a_4x + a_5 y + a_6 z &=& 0 \\ a_7x + a_8y + a_9z &=& 0. \end{eqnarray*} [i]Marius Cavachi[/i]

[b]p1.[/b] The least prime factor of $a$ is $3$, the least prime factor of $b$ is $7$. Find the least prime factor of $a + b$. [b]p2.[/b] In a Cartesian coordinate system, the two tangent lines from $P = (39, 52)$ meet the circle defined by $x^2 + y^2 = 625$ at points $Q$ and $R$. Find the length $QR$. [b]p3.[/b] For a positive integer $n$, there is a sequence $(a_0, a_1, a_2,..., a_n)$ of real values such that $a_0 = 11$ and $(a_k + a_{k+1}) (a_k - a_{k+1}) = 5$ for every $k$ with $0 \le k \le n-1$. Find the maximum possible value of $n$. (Be careful that your answer isn’t off by one!) [b]p4.[/b] Persons $A$ and $B$ stand at point $P$ on line $\ell$. Point $Q$ lies at a distance of $10$ from point $P$ in the direction perpendicular to $\ell$. Both persons intially face towards $Q$. Person $A$ walks forward and to the left at an angle of $25^o$ with $\ell$, when he is again at a distance of $10$ from point $Q$, he stops, turns $90^o$ to the right, and continues walking. Person $B$ walks forward and to the right at an angle of $55^o$ with line $\ell$, when he is again at a distance of $10$ from point $Q$, he stops, turns $90^o$ to the left, and continues walking. Their paths cross at point $R$. Find the distance $PR$. [b]p5.[/b] Compute $$\frac{lcm (1,2, 3,..., 200)}{lcm (102, 103, 104, ..., 200)}.$$ [b]p6.[/b] There is a unique real value $A$ such that for all $x$ with $1 < x < 3$ and $x \ne 2$, $$\left| \frac{A}{x^2-x - 2} +\frac{1}{x^2 - 6x + 8} \right|< 1999.$$ Compute $A$. [b]p7.[/b] Nine poles of height $1, 2,..., 9$ are placed in a line in random order. A pole is called [i]dominant [/i] if it is taller than the pole immediately to the left of it, or if it is the pole farthest to the left. Count the number of possible orderings in which there are exactly $2$ dominant poles. [b]p8.[/b] $\tan (11x) = \tan (34^o)$ and $\tan (19x) = \tan (21^o)$. Compute $\tan (5x)$. PS. You had better use hide for answers. Collected [url=https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2760506p24143309]here[/url].

Let $ P(x)$ be a quadratic polynomial with real coefficients satisfying \[x^2 \minus{} 2x \plus{} 2 \le P(x) \le 2x^2 \minus{} 4x \plus{} 3\] for all real numbers $ x$, and suppose $ P(11) \equal{} 181$. Find $ P(16)$.

[b]p1.[/b] There are $2024$ apples in a very large basket. First, Julie takes away half of the apples in the basket; then, Diane takes away $202$ apples from the remaining bunch. How many apples remain in the basket? [b]p2.[/b] The set of all permutations (different arrangements) of the letters in ”ABMC” are listed in alphabetical order. The first item on the list is numbered $1$, the second item is numbered $2$, and in general, the kth item on the list is numbered $k$. What number is given to ”ABMC”? [b]p3.[/b] Daniel has a water bottle that is three-quarters full. After drinking $3$ ounces of water, the water bottle is three-fifths full. The density of water is $1$ gram per milliliter, and there are around $28$ grams per ounce. How many milliliters of water could the bottle fit at full capacity? [b]p4.[/b] How many ways can four distinct $2$-by-$1$ rectangles fit on a $2$-by-$4$ board such that each rectangle is fully on the board? [b]p5.[/b] Iris and Ivy start reading a $240$ page textbook with $120$ left-hand pages and $120$ right-hand pages. Iris takes $4$ minutes to read each page, while Ivy takes $5$ minutes to read a left-hand page and $3$ minutes to read a right-hand page. Iris and Ivy move onto the next page only when both sisters have completed reading. If a sister finishes reading a page first, the other sister will start reading three times as fast until she completes the page. How many minutes after they start reading will both sisters finish the textbook? [b]p6.[/b] Let $\vartriangle ABC$ be an equilateral triangle with side length $24$. Then, let $M$ be the midpoint of $BC$. Define $P$ to be the set of all points $P$ such that $2PM = BC$. The minimum value of $AP$ can be expressed as $\sqrt{a}- b$, where $a$ and $b$ are positive integers. Find $a + b$. [b]p7.[/b] Jonathan has $10$ songs in his playlist: $4$ rap songs and $6$ pop songs. He will select three unique songs to listen to while he studies. Let $p$ be the probability that at least two songs are rap, and let $q$ be the probability that none of them are rap. Find $\frac{p}{q}$ . [b]p8.[/b] A number $K$ is called $6,8$-similar if $K$ written in base $6$ and $K$ written in base $8$ have the same number of digits. Find the number of $6,8$-similar values between $1$ and $1000$, inclusive. [b]p9.[/b] Quadrilateral $ABCD$ has $\angle ABC = 90^o$, $\angle ADC = 120^o$, $AB = 5$, $BC = 18$, and $CD = 3$. Find $AD^2$. [b]p10.[/b] Bob, Eric, and Raymond are playing a game. Each player rolls a fair $6$-sided die, and whoever has the highest roll wins. If players are tied for the highest roll, the ones that are tied reroll until one wins. At the start, Bob rolls a $4$. The probability that Eric wins the game can be expressed as $\frac{p}{q}$ where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $p + q$. [b]p11.[/b] Define the following infinite sequence $s$: $$s = \left\{\frac92,\frac{99}{2^2},\frac{999}{2^3} , ... , \overbrace{\frac{999...999}{2^k}}^{k\,\,nines}, ...\right\}$$ The sum of the first $2024$ terms in $s$, denoted $S$, can be expressed as $$S =\frac{5^a - b}{4}+\frac{1}{2^c},$$ where $a, b$, and $c$ are positive integers. Find $a + b + c$. [b]p12.[/b] Andy is adding numbers in base $5$. However, he accidentally forgets to write the units digit of each number. If he writes all the consecutive integers starting at $0$ and ending at $50$ (base $10$) and adds them together, what is the difference between Andy’s sum and the correct sum? (Express your answer in base-$10$.) [b]p13.[/b] Let $n$ be the positive real number such that the system of equations $$y =\frac{1}{\sqrt{2024 - x^2}}$$ $$y =\sqrt{x^2 - n}$$ has exactly two real solutions for $(x, y)$: $(a, b)$ and $(-a, b)$. Then, $|a|$ can be expressed as $j\sqrt{k}$, where $j$ and $k$ are integers such that $k$ is not divisible by any perfect square other than $1$. Find $j · k$. [b]p14.[/b] Nakio is playing a game with three fair $4$-sided dice. But being the cheater he is, he has secretly replaced one of the three die with his own $4$-sided die, such that there is a $1/2$ chance of rolling a $4$, and a $1/6$ chance to roll each number from $1$ to $3$. To play, a random die is chosen with equal probability and rolled. If Nakio guesses the number that is on the die, he wins. Unfortunately for him, Nakio’s friends have an anti-cheating mechanism in place: when the die is picked, they will roll it three times. If each roll lands on the same number, that die is thrown out and one of the two unused dice is chosen instead with equal probability. If Nakio always guesses $4$, the probability that he wins the game can be expressed as $\frac{m}{n}$ , where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime. Find $m + n$. [b]p15.[/b] A particle starts in the center of a $2$m-by-$2$m square. It moves in a random direction such that the angle between its direction and a side of the square is a multiple of $30^o$. It travels in that direction at $1$ m/s, bouncing off of the walls of the square. After a minute, the position of the particle is recorded. The expected distance from this point to the start point can be written as $$\frac{1}{a}\left(b - c\sqrt{d}\right),$$ where $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime, and d is not divisible by any perfect square. Find $a + b + c + d$. PS. You had better use hide for answers. Collected [url=https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2760506p24143309]here[/url].

Let $a,b,c $ be the lengths of the three sides of a triangle and $a,b$ be the two roots of the equation $ax^2-bx+c=0 $$ (a<b) . $ Find the value range of $ a+b-c .$

Given integer $ n$ larger than $ 5$, solve the system of equations (assuming $x_i \geq 0$, for $ i=1,2, \dots n$): \[ \begin{cases} \displaystyle x_1+ \phantom{2^2} x_2+ \phantom{3^2} x_3 + \cdots + \phantom{n^2} x_n &= n+2, \\ x_1 + 2\phantom{^2}x_2 + 3\phantom{^2}x_3 + \cdots + n\phantom{^2}x_n &= 2n+2, \\ x_1 + 2^2x_2 + 3^2 x_3 + \cdots + n^2x_n &= n^2 + n +4, \\ x_1+ 2^3x_2 + 3^3x_3+ \cdots + n^3x_n &= n^3 + n + 8. \end{cases} \]