Olympiad problems

1987 IMO Longlists, 71

To every natural number $k, k \geq 2$, there corresponds a sequence $a_n(k)$ according to the following rule: \[a_0 = k, \qquad a_n = \tau(a_{n-1}) \quad \forall n \geq 1,\] in which $\tau(a)$ is the number of different divisors of $a$. Find all $k$ for which the sequence $a_n(k)$ does not contain the square of an integer.

2005 ISI B.Stat Entrance Exam, 6

Tags: function , limit , calculus , derivative , algebra proposed , algebra

Let $f$ be a function defined on $(0, \infty )$ as follows: \[f(x)=x+\frac1x\] Let $h$ be a function defined for all $x \in (0,1)$ as \[h(x)=\frac{x^4}{(1-x)^6}\] Suppose that $g(x)=f(h(x))$ for all $x \in (0,1)$. (a) Show that $h$ is a strictly increasing function. (b) Show that there exists a real number $x_0 \in (0,1)$ such that $g$ is strictly decreasing in the interval $(0,x_0]$ and strictly increasing in the interval $[x_0,1)$.

1988 India National Olympiad, 6

Tags: algebra , polynomial , modular arithmetic , algebra proposed

If $ a_0,a_1,\dots,a_{50}$ are the coefficients of the polynomial \[ \left(1\plus{}x\plus{}x^2\right)^{25}\] show that $ a_0\plus{}a_2\plus{}a_4\plus{}\cdots\plus{}a_{50}$ is even.

2008 All-Russian Olympiad, 5

Tags: algebra , system of equations , algebra proposed

Determine all triplets of real numbers $ x,y,z$ satisfying \[1\plus{}x^4\leq 2(y\minus{}z)^2,\quad 1\plus{}y^4\leq 2(x\minus{}z)^2,\quad 1\plus{}z^4\leq 2(x\minus{}y)^2.\]

2006 Indonesia MO, 1

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

Find all pairs $ (x,y)$ of real numbers which satisfy $ x^3\minus{}y^3\equal{}4(x\minus{}y)$ and $ x^3\plus{}y^3\equal{}2(x\plus{}y)$.

2008 District Olympiad, 1

Tags: inequalities , algebra proposed , algebra

Prove that for an integer $ n>\equal{}1$ we have $ n(1\plus{}\frac{1}{2}\plus{}\frac{1}{3}\plus{}\dots\plus{}\frac{1}{n})\geq (n\plus{}1)(\frac{1}{2}\plus{}\frac{1}{3}\plus{}\dots\frac{1}{n\plus{}1})$

2023 German National Olympiad, 6

Tags: algebra , number theory proposed , algebra proposed , ceiling function , cubic equation

The equation $x^3-3x^2+1=0$ has three real solutions $x_1<x_2<x_3$. Show that for any positive integer $n$, the number $\left\lceil x_3^n\right\rceil$ is a multiple of $3$.

2005 Romania National Olympiad, 4

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

For $\alpha \in (0,1)$ we consider the equation $\{x\{x\}\}= \alpha$. a) Prove that the equation has rational solutions if and only if there exist $m,p,q\in\mathbb{Z}$, $0<p<q$, $\gcd(p,q)=1$, such that $\alpha = \left( \frac pq\right)^2 + \frac mq$. b) Find a solution for $\alpha = \frac {2004}{2005^2}$.

2001 District Olympiad, 4

Tags: logarithms , algebra proposed , algebra

Solve the equation: \[2^{\lg x}+8=(x-8)^{\frac{1}{\lg 2}}\] Note: $\lg x=\log_{10}x$. [i]Daniel Jinga [/i]

2014 Contests, 1

Tags: trigonometry , modular arithmetic , algebra proposed , algebra

Show that \[\cos(56^{\circ}) \cdot \cos(2 \cdot 56^{\circ}) \cdot \cos(2^2\cdot 56^{\circ})\cdot . . . \cdot \cos(2^{23}\cdot 56^{\circ}) = \frac{1}{2^{24}} .\]

2015 China Team Selection Test, 4

Tags: function , algebra , algebra proposed , combinatorics

Let $n$ be a positive integer, let $f_1(x),\ldots,f_n(x)$ be $n$ bounded real functions, and let $a_1,\ldots,a_n$ be $n$ distinct reals. Show that there exists a real number $x$ such that $\sum^n_{i=1}f_i(x)-\sum^n_{i=1}f_i(x-a_i)<1$.

2011 All-Russian Olympiad, 1

Tags: quadratics , algebra proposed , algebra

A quadratic trinomial $P(x)$ with the $x^2$ coefficient of one is such, that $P(x)$ and $P(P(P(x)))$ share a root. Prove that $P(0)*P(1)=0$.

2008 ISI B.Math Entrance Exam, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Suppose that $P(x)$ is a polynomial with real coefficients, such that for some positive real numbers $c$ and $d$, and for all natural numbers $n$, we have $c|n|^3\leq |P(n)|\leq d|n|^3$. Prove that $P(x)$ has a real zero.

2010 Moldova Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Let $ p\in\mathbb{R}_\plus{}$ and $ k\in\mathbb{R}_\plus{}$. The polynomial $ F(x)\equal{}x^4\plus{}a_3x^3\plus{}a_2x^2\plus{}a_1x\plus{}k^4$ with real coefficients has $ 4$ negative roots. Prove that $ F(p)\geq(p\plus{}k)^4$

1991 Federal Competition For Advanced Students, P2, 4

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

The sequence $ (a_n)$ is given by $ a_1\equal{}1,a_2\equal{}0$ and: $ a_{2k\plus{}1}\equal{}a_k\plus{}a_{k\plus{}1}, a_{2k\plus{}2}\equal{}2a_{k\plus{}1}$ for $ k \in \mathbb{N}.$ Find $ a_m$ for $ m\equal{}2^{19}\plus{}91.$

2008 China Western Mathematical Olympiad, 4

Tags: induction , ceiling function , logarithms , algebra proposed , algebra

Given an integer $ m\geq 2$, and two real numbers $ a,b$ with $ a > 0$ and $ b\neq 0$. The sequence $ \{x_n\}$ is such that $ x_1 \equal{} b$ and $ x_{n \plus{} 1} \equal{} ax^{m}_{n} \plus{} b$, $ n \equal{} 1,2,...$. Prove that (1)when $ b < 0$ and m is even, the sequence is bounded if and only if $ ab^{m \minus{} 1}\geq \minus{} 2$; (2)when $ b < 0$ and m is odd, or when $ b > 0$ the sequence is bounded if and only if $ ab^{m \minus{} 1}\geq\frac {(m \minus{} 1)^{m \minus{} 1}}{m^m}$.

2007 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 4

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all continuous functions $f: \mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ such that for all real $x$ we have \[f(x)=f\left(x^{2}+\frac{x}{3}+\frac{1}{9}\right). \]

2008 Singapore Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all functions $ f : \mathbb R \rightarrow \mathbb R$ such that $ (x \plus{} y)(f(x) \minus{} f(y)) \equal{} (x \minus{}y)f(x \plus{} y)$ for all $ x, y\in \mathbb R$

2007 Junior Balkan Team Selection Tests - Romania, 1

Tags: analytic geometry , algebra proposed , algebra

Let us consider $a,b$ two integers. Prove that there exists and it is unique a pair of integers $(x,y)$ such that: \[(x+2y-a)^{2}+(2x-y-b)^{2}\leq 1.\]

2014 Greece Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Find all real non-zero polynomials satisfying $P(x)^3+3P(x)^2=P(x^{3})-3P(-x)$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$.

2005 Bulgaria National Olympiad, 3

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

Let $M=(0,1)\cap \mathbb Q$. Determine, with proof, whether there exists a subset $A\subset M$ with the property that every number in $M$ can be uniquely written as the sum of finitely many distinct elements of $A$.

2013 Uzbekistan National Olympiad, 3

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all functions $f:Q\rightarrow Q$ such that \[ f(x+y)+f(y+z)+f(z+t)+f(t+x)+f(x+z)+f(y+t)\ge 6f(x-3y+5z+7t) \] for all $x,y,z,t\in Q.$

2006 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: function , induction , algebra proposed , algebra

Let $\displaystyle M$ be a set composed of $\displaystyle n$ elements and let $\displaystyle \mathcal P (M)$ be its power set. Find all functions $\displaystyle f : \mathcal P (M) \to \{ 0,1,2,\ldots,n \}$ that have the properties (a) $\displaystyle f(A) \neq 0$, for $\displaystyle A \neq \phi$; (b) $\displaystyle f \left( A \cup B \right) = f \left( A \cap B \right) + f \left( A \Delta B \right)$, for all $\displaystyle A,B \in \mathcal P (M)$, where $\displaystyle A \Delta B = \left( A \cup B \right) \backslash \left( A \cap B \right)$.

2000 Iran MO (2nd round), 3

Tags: algebra proposed , algebra

[i]Super number[/i] is a sequence of numbers $0,1,2,\ldots,9$ such that it has infinitely many digits at left. For example $\ldots 3030304$ is a [i]super number[/i]. Note that all of positive integers are [i]super numbers[/i], which have zeros before they're original digits (for example we can represent the number $4$ as $\ldots, 00004$). Like positive integers, we can add up and multiply [i]super numbers[/i]. For example: \[ \begin{array}{cc}& \ \ \ \ldots 3030304 \\ &+ \ldots4571378\\ &\overline{\qquad \qquad \qquad }\\ & \ \ \ \ldots 7601682 \end{array} \] And \[ \begin{array}{cl}& \ \ \ \ldots 3030304 \\ &\times \ldots4571378\\ &\overline{\qquad \qquad \qquad }\\ & \ \ \ \ldots 4242432 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 212128 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 90912 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 0304 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 128 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 20 \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 6 \\ &\overline{\qquad \qquad \qquad } \\ & \ \ \ \ldots 5038912 \end{array}\] [b]a)[/b] Suppose that $A$ is a [i]super number[/i]. Prove that there exists a [i]super number[/i] $B$ such that $A+B=\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}$ (Note: $\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}$ means a super number that all of its digits are zero). [b]b)[/b] Find all [i]super numbers[/i] $A$ for which there exists a [i]super number[/i] $B$ such that $A \times B=\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}1$ (Note: $\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}1$ means the super number $\ldots 00001$). [b]c)[/b] Is this true that if $A \times B= \stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}$, then $A=\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}$ or $B=\stackrel{\leftarrow}{0}$? Justify your answer.

1988 Romania Team Selection Test, 6

Tags: vector , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all vectors of $n$ real numbers $(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n)$ such that \[ \left\{ \begin{array}{ccc} x_1 & = & \dfrac 1{x_2} + \dfrac 1{x_3} + \cdots + \dfrac 1{x_n } \\ x_2 & = & \dfrac 1{x_1} + \dfrac 1{x_3} + \cdots + \dfrac 1{x_n} \\ \ & \cdots & \ \\ x_n & = & \dfrac 1{x_1} + \dfrac 1{x_2} + \cdots + \dfrac 1{x_{n-1}} \end{array} \right. \] [i]Mircea Becheanu[/i]