Olympiad problems

2008 Hong Kong TST, 2

Find the total number of solutions to the following system of equations: \[ \begin{cases} a^2\plus{}bc\equiv a\pmod {37}\\ b(a\plus{}d)\equiv b\pmod {37}\\ c(a\plus{}d)\equiv c\pmod{37}\\ bc\plus{}d^2\equiv d\pmod{37}\\ ad\minus{}bc\equiv 1\pmod{37}\end{cases}\]

2005 Silk Road, 4

Tags: inequalities , induction , algebra proposed , algebra

Suppose $\{a(n) \}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ is a sequence that: \[ a(n) =a(a(n-1))+a(n-a(n-1)) \ \ \ \forall \ n \geq 3\] and $a(1)=a(2)=1$. Prove that for each $n \geq 1$ , $a(2n) \leq 2a(n)$.

2006 Iran MO (3rd Round), 6

Tags: algebra , polynomial , function , complex analysis , domain , algebra proposed

$P,Q,R$ are non-zero polynomials that for each $z\in\mathbb C$, $P(z)Q(\bar z)=R(z)$. a) If $P,Q,R\in\mathbb R[x]$, prove that $Q$ is constant polynomial. b) Is the above statement correct for $P,Q,R\in\mathbb C[x]$?

1996 Turkey MO (2nd round), 3

Tags: function , induction , algebra proposed , algebra

Show that there is no function $f:{{\mathbb{R}}^{+}}\to {{\mathbb{R}}^{+}}$ such that $f(x+y)>f(x)(1+yf(x))$ for all $x,y\in {{\mathbb{R}}^{+}}$.

2022 Turkey Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: functional equation , Functional equation in R , algebra , algebra proposed

Find all functions $f: \mathbb{Q^+} \rightarrow \mathbb{Q}$ satisfying $f(x)+f(y)= \left(f(x+y)+\frac{1}{x+y} \right) (1-xy+f(xy))$ for all $x, y \in \mathbb{Q^+}$.

2011 ELMO Shortlist, 1

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

Let $n$ be a positive integer. There are $n$ soldiers stationed on the $n$th root of unity in the complex plane. Each round, you pick a point, and all the soldiers shoot in a straight line towards that point; if their shot hits another soldier, the hit soldier dies and no longer shoots during the next round. What is the minimum number of rounds, in terms of $n$, required to eliminate all the soldiers? [i]David Yang.[/i]

1996 Irish Math Olympiad, 3

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

A function $ f$ from $ [0,1]$ to $ \mathbb{R}$ has the following properties: $ (i)$ $ f(1)\equal{}1;$ $ (ii)$ $ f(x) \ge 0$ for all $ x \in [0,1]$; $ (iii)$ If $ x,y,x\plus{}y \in [0,1]$, then $ f(x\plus{}y) \ge f(x)\plus{}f(y)$. Prove that $ f(x) \le 2x$ for all $ x \in [0,1]$.

1996 All-Russian Olympiad, 4

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Show that if the integers $a_1$; $\dots$ $a_m$ are nonzero and for each $k =0; 1; \dots ;n$ ($n < m - 1$), $a_1 + a_22^k + a_33^k + \dots + a_mm^k = 0$; then the sequence $a_1, \dots, a_m$ contains at least $n+1$ pairs of consecutive terms having opposite signs. [i]O. Musin[/i]

2010 IMAR Test, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Show that a sequence $(a_n)$ of $+1$ and $-1$ is periodic with period a power of $2$ if and only if $a_n=(-1)^{P(n)}$, where $P$ is an integer-valued polynomial with rational coefficients.

2013 District Olympiad, 3

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Take the function $f:\mathbb{R}\to \mathbb{R}$, $f\left( x \right)=ax,x\in \mathbb{Q},f\left( x \right)=bx,x\in \mathbb{R}\backslash \mathbb{Q}$, where $a$ and $b$ are two real numbers different from 0. Prove that $f$ is injective if and only if $f$ is surjective.

2006 Iran MO (2nd round), 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Determine all polynomials $P(x,y)$ with real coefficients such that \[P(x+y,x-y)=2P(x,y) \qquad \forall x,y\in\mathbb{R}.\]

2007 Indonesia TST, 2

Tags: parameterization , algebra proposed , algebra

Solve the equation \[ x\plus{}a^3\equal{}\sqrt[3]{a\minus{}x}\] where $ a$ is a real parameter.

2002 China Western Mathematical Olympiad, 3

Tags: geometry , perimeter , algebra , polynomial , complex numbers , algebra proposed

In the complex plane, consider squares having the following property: the complex numbers its vertex correspond to are exactly the roots of integer coefficients equation $ x^4 \plus{} px^3 \plus{} qx^2 \plus{} rx \plus{} s \equal{} 0$. Find the minimum of square areas.

1998 Brazil Team Selection Test, Problem 3

Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Find all functions $f: \mathbb N \to \mathbb N$ for which \[ f(n) + f(n+1) = f(n+2)f(n+3)-1996\] holds for all positive integers $n$.

2006 ISI B.Stat Entrance Exam, 8

Tags: logarithms , limit , algebra proposed , algebra

Show that there exists a positive real number $x\neq 2$ such that $\log_2x=\frac{x}{2}$. Hence obtain the set of real numbers $c$ such that \[\frac{\log_2x}{x}=c\] has only one real solution.

2007 IberoAmerican, 1

Tags: function , ceiling function , induction , modular arithmetic , algebra proposed , algebra

Given an integer $ m$, define the sequence $ \left\{a_{n}\right\}$ as follows: \[ a_{1}\equal{}\frac{m}{2},\ a_{n\plus{}1}\equal{}a_{n}\left\lceil a_{n}\right\rceil,\textnormal{ if }n\geq 1\] Find all values of $ m$ for which $ a_{2007}$ is the first integer appearing in the sequence. Note: For a real number $ x$, $ \left\lceil x\right\rceil$ is defined as the smallest integer greater or equal to $ x$. For example, $ \left\lceil\pi\right\rceil\equal{}4$, $ \left\lceil 2007\right\rceil\equal{}2007$.

1982 Vietnam National Olympiad, 2

Tags: parameterization , algebra proposed , algebra

For a given parameter $m$, solve the equation \[x(x + 1)(x + 2)(x + 3) + 1 - m = 0.\]

1985 Balkan MO, 2

Tags: trigonometry , function , inequalities , quadratics , algebra proposed , algebra

Let $a,b,c,d \in [-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}]$ be real numbers such that $\sin{a}+\sin{b}+\sin{c}+\sin{d}=1$ and $\cos{2a}+\cos{2b}+\cos{2c}+\cos{2d}\geq \frac{10}{3}$. Prove that $a,b,c,d \in [0, \frac{\pi}{6}]$

2022 German National Olympiad, 1

Tags: algebra , system of equations , algebra proposed , quadratic equation , parameterization

Determine all real numbers $a$ for which the system of equations \begin{align*} 3x^2+2y^2+2z^2&=a\\ 4x^2+4y^2+5z^2&=1-a \end{align*} has at least one solution $(x,y,z)$ in the real numbers.

2008 Iran MO (3rd Round), 5

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Prove that the following polynomial is irreducible in $ \mathbb Z[x,y]$: \[ x^{200}y^5\plus{}x^{51}y^{100}\plus{}x^{106}\minus{}4x^{100}y^5\plus{}x^{100}\minus{}2y^{100}\minus{}2x^6\plus{}4y^5\minus{}2\]

2012 India IMO Training Camp, 3

Tags: function , inequalities , induction , algebra proposed , algebra

Let $\mathbb{R}^{+}$ denote the set of all positive real numbers. Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}^{+}\longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ satisfying \[f(x)+f(y)\le \frac{f(x+y)}{2}, \frac{f(x)}{x}+\frac{f(y)}{y}\ge \frac{f(x+y)}{x+y},\] for all $x, y\in \mathbb{R}^{+}$.

2011 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 11.1

Tags: trigonometry , algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Is there a real number $\alpha$ such that $\cos\alpha$ is irrational but $\cos 2\alpha$, $\cos 3\alpha$, $\cos 4\alpha$, $\cos 5\alpha$ are all rational? (Author: V. Senderov)

2008 Hong kong National Olympiad, 1

Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , induction , algebra proposed

Let $ f(x) \equal{} c_m x^m \plus{} c_{m\minus{}1} x^{m\minus{}1} \plus{}...\plus{} c_1 x \plus{} c_0$, where each $ c_i$ is a non-zero integer. Define a sequence $ \{ a_n \}$ by $ a_1 \equal{} 0$ and $ a_{n\plus{}1} \equal{} f(a_n)$ for all positive integers $ n$. (a) Let $ i$ and $ j$ be positive integers with $ i<j$. Show that $ a_{j\plus{}1} \minus{} a_j$ is a multiple of $ a_{i\plus{}1} \minus{} a_i$. (b) Show that $ a_{2008} \neq 0$

2014 Iran Team Selection Test, 4

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra , functional equation

Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}^{+}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}$ such that $x,y\in \mathbb{R}^{+},$ \[ f\left(\frac{y}{f(x+1)}\right)+f\left(\frac{x+1}{xf(y)}\right)=f(y) \]

2003 Turkey Team Selection Test, 4

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra , number theory

Find the least a. positive real number b. positive integer $t$ such that the equation $(x^2+y^2)^2 + 2tx(x^2 + y^2) = t^2y^2$ has a solution where $x,y$ are positive integers.