Olympiad problems

2023 VN Math Olympiad For High School Students, Problem 2

Tags: algebra

a) Given a prime number $p$ and $2$ polynomials$$P(x)=a_nx^n+...+a_1x+a_0; Q(x)=b_mx^m+...+b_1x+b_0.$$ We know that the product $P(x)Q(x)$ is a polynomial whose coefficents are all divisible by $p.$ Prove that: at least $1$ in $2$ polynomials $P(x),Q(x)$ has all coefficents are all divisible by $p.$ b) Prove that the product of $2$ original polynomials is a original polynomial.

2021 Lusophon Mathematical Olympiad, 4

Tags: algebra

Let $x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4, x_5\in\mathbb{R}^+$ such that $$x_1^2-x_1x_2+x_2^2=x_2^2-x_2x_3+x_3^2=x_3^2-x_3x_4+x_4^2=x_4^2-x_4x_5+x_5^2=x_5^2-x_5x_1+x_1^2$$ Prove that $x_1=x_2=x_3=x_4=x_5$.

2017 Azerbaijan BMO TST, 2

Tags: algebra

Find the smallest constant $C > 0$ for which the following statement holds: among any five positive real numbers $a_1,a_2,a_3,a_4,a_5$ (not necessarily distinct), one can always choose distinct subscripts $i,j,k,l$ such that \[ \left| \frac{a_i}{a_j} - \frac {a_k}{a_l} \right| \le C. \]

2007 Germany Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: inequalities , function , algebra

Prove the inequality: \[\sum_{i < j}{\frac {a_{i}a_{j}}{a_{i} \plus{} a_{j}}}\leq \frac {n}{2(a_{1} \plus{} a_{2} \plus{}\cdots \plus{} a_{n})}\cdot \sum_{i < j}{a_{i}a_{j}}\] for positive reals $ a_{1},a_{2},\ldots,a_{n}$. [i]Proposed by Dusan Dukic, Serbia[/i]

2004 Tournament Of Towns, 3

Tags: combinatorics , algebra

Each day, the price of the shares of the corporation “Soap Bubble, Limited” either increases or decreases by $n$ percent, where $n$ is an integer such that $0 < n < 100$. The price is calculated with unlimited precision. Does there exist an $n$ for which the price can take the same value twice?

1980 IMO, 2

Tags: analytic geometry , geometry , algebra , polynomial

In a rectangular coordinate system we call a horizontal line parallel to the $x$ -axis triangular if it intersects the curve with equation \[y = x^4 + px^3 + qx^2 + rx + s\] in the points $A,B,C$ and $D$ (from left to right) such that the segments $AB, AC$ and $AD$ are the sides of a triangle. Prove that the lines parallel to the $x$ - axis intersecting the curve in four distinct points are all triangular or none of them is triangular.

2020 IMC, 4

Tags: algebra , polynomial

A polynomial $p$ with real coefficients satisfies $p(x+1)-p(x)=x^{100}$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}.$ Prove that $p(1-t) \ge p(t)$ for $0 \le t \le 1/2.$

2017 Korea Winter Program Practice Test, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Do there exist polynomials $f(x)$, $g(x)$ with real coefficients and a positive integer $k$ satisfying the following condition? (Here, the equation $x^2 = 0$ is considered to have $1$ distinct real roots. The equation $0 = 0$ has infinitely many distinct real roots.) For any real numbers $a, b$ with $(a,b) \neq (0,0)$, the number of distinct real roots of $a f(x) + b g(x) = 0$ is $k$.

2011 Rioplatense Mathematical Olympiad, Level 3, 6

Tags: number theory , algebra , divisor

Let $d(n)$ be the sum of positive integers divisors of number $n$ and $\phi(n)$ the quantity of integers in the interval $[0,n]$ such that these integers are coprime with $n$. For instance $d(6)=12$ and $\phi(7)=6$. Determine if the set of the integers $n$ such that, $d(n)\cdot \phi (n)$ is a perfect square, is finite or infinite set.

2005 Postal Coaching, 14

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Let $f(z) = a_m z^n + a_{n-1} z^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 z + a_0$ be a polynomial of degree $n \geq 3$ with real coefficients.Suppose all roots of $f(z) =0$ lie in the half plane ${\ z \in \mathbb{C} : Re(z) < 0 \}}$. Prove that $a_k a_{k+3} < a_{k+1}a_{k+2}$ for $k = 0,1,2,3,.... n-3$

2014 Contests, 1

Tags: algebra

Let $A$ be a subset of the irrational numbers such that the sum of any two distinct elements of it be a rational number. Prove that $A$ has two elements at most.

2005 Postal Coaching, 5

Tags: trigonometry , quadratic , angle bisector , algebra , geometry

Characterize all triangles $ABC$ s.t. \[ AI_a : BI_b : CI_c = BC: CA : AB \] where $I_a$ etc. are the corresponding excentres to the vertices $A, B , C$

2018 SG Originals, Q3

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Determine the largest positive integer $n$ such that the following statement is true: There exists $n$ real polynomials, $P_1(x),\ldots,P_n(x)$ such that the sum of any two of them have no real roots but the sum of any three does.

1993 Bulgaria National Olympiad, 1

Tags: functional , functional equation , algebra

Find all functions $f$ , defined and having values in the set of integer numbers, for which the following conditions are satisfied: (a) $f(1) = 1$; (b) for every two whole (integer) numbers $m$ and $n$, the following equality is satisfied: $$f(m+n)·(f(m)-f(n)) = f(m-n)·(f(m)+ f(n))$$

2006 Moldova National Olympiad, 11.6

Tags: limit , linear algebra , matrix , vector , algebra

Sequences $(x_n)_{n\ge1}$, $(y_n)_{n\ge1}$ satisfy the relations $x_n=4x_{n-1}+3y_{n-1}$ and $y_n=2x_{n-1}+3y_{n-1}$ for $n\ge1$. If $x_1=y_1=5$ find $x_n$ and $y_n$. Calculate $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{x_n}{y_n}$.

2000 Junior Balkan MO, 1

Tags: quadratic , algebra , quadratic formula

Let $x$ and $y$ be positive reals such that \[ x^3 + y^3 + (x + y)^3 + 30xy = 2000. \] Show that $x + y = 10$.

2024 China Team Selection Test, 23

Tags: polynomial , complex analysis , algebra

$P(z)=a_nz^n+\dots+a_1z+z_0$, with $a_n\neq 0$ is a polynomial with complex coefficients, such that when $|z|=1$, $|P(z)|\leq 1$. Prove that for any $0\leq k\leq n-1$, $|a_k|\leq 1-|a_n|^2$. [i]Proposed by Yijun Yao[/i]

2023 IFYM, Sozopol, 2

Tags: functional equation , algebra

Find all functions $f: \mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z}$ such that \[ f(x) + f(y - 1) + f(f(y - f(x))) = 1 \] for all integers $x$ and $y$.

2025 Belarusian National Olympiad, 11.7

Tags: algebra

Positive real numbers $a_1>a_2>\ldots>a_n$ with sum $s$ are such that the equation $nx^2-sx+1=0$ has a positive root $a_{n+1}$ smaller than $a_n$. Prove that there exists a positive integer $r \leq n$ such that the inequality $a_ra_{r+1} \geq \frac{1}{r}$ holds. [i]M. Zorka[/i]

2002 Regional Competition For Advanced Students, 2

Tags: system of equations , algebra

Solve the following system of equations over the real numbers: $2x_1 = x_5 ^2 - 23$ $4x_2 = x_1 ^2 + 7$ $6x_3 = x_2 ^2 + 14$ $8x_4 = x_3 ^2 + 23$ $10x_5 = x_4 ^2 + 34$

2021 SG Originals, Q5

Tags: diophantine equation , number theory , algebra

Find all $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $$2049^ba^{2048}-2048^ab^{2049}=1.$$ [i]Proposed by fattypiggy123 and 61plus[/i]

2017 Iran Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: algebra , inequalities

Let $a,b,c,d$ be positive real numbers with $a+b+c+d=2$. Prove the following inequality: $$\frac{(a+c)^{2}}{ad+bc}+\frac{(b+d)^{2}}{ac+bd}+4\geq 4\left ( \frac{a+b+1}{c+d+1}+\frac{c+d+1}{a+b+1} \right).$$ [i]Proposed by Mohammad Jafari[/i]

2009 German National Olympiad, 6

Tags: calculus , induction , algebra

Let a sequences: $ x_0\in [0;1],x_{n\plus{}1}\equal{}\frac56\minus{}\frac43 \Big|x_n\minus{}\frac12\Big|$. Find the "best" $ |a;b|$ so that for all $ x_0$ we have $ x_{2009}\in [a;b]$

2023 Euler Olympiad, Round 2, 5

Tags: inequalities , algebra , euler

Find the smallest constant M, so that for any real numbers $a_1, a_2, \dots a_{2023} \in [4, 6]$ and $b_1, b_2, \dots b_{2023} \in [9, 12] $ following inequality holds: $$ \sqrt{a_1^2 + a_2^2 + \dots + a_{2023}^2} \cdot \sqrt{b_1^2 + b_2^2 + \dots + b_{2023}^2} \leq M \cdot \left ( a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2 + \dots + a_{2023} b_{2023} \right) $$ [i]Proposed by Zaza Meliqidze, Georgia[/i]

2006 District Olympiad, 2

Tags: matrix , inequalities , algebra , polynomial , abstract algebra , linear algebra

Let $n,p \geq 2$ be two integers and $A$ an $n\times n$ matrix with real elements such that $A^{p+1} = A$. a) Prove that $\textrm{rank} \left( A \right) + \textrm{rank} \left( I_n - A^p \right) = n$. b) Prove that if $p$ is prime then \[ \textrm{rank} \left( I_n - A \right) = \textrm{rank} \left( I_n - A^2 \right) = \ldots = \textrm{rank} \left( I_n - A^{p-1} \right) . \]