This website contains problems from math contests. Problems and corresponding tags were obtained from the Art of Problem Solving website.

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Found problems: 1311

2014 Baltic Way, 2
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
Let $a_0, a_1, . . . , a_N$ be real numbers satisfying $a_0 = a_N = 0$ and \[a_{i+1} - 2a_i + a_{i-1} = a^2_i\] for $i = 1, 2, . . . , N - 1.$ Prove that $a_i\leq 0$ for $i = 1, 2, . . . , N- 1.$

1993 Baltic Way, 6
Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra
Suppose two functions $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ are defined for all $x$ with $2<x<4$ and satisfy: $2<f(x)<4,2<g(x)<4,f(g(x))=g(f(x))=x,f(x)\cdot g(x)=x^2$ for all $2<x<4$. Prove that $f(3)=g(3)$.

2010 ELMO Shortlist, 5
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
Given a prime $p$, let $d(a,b)$ be the number of integers $c$ such that $1 \leq c < p$, and the remainders when $ac$ and $bc$ are divided by $p$ are both at most $\frac{p}{3}$. Determine the maximum value of \[\sqrt{\sum_{a=1}^{p-1}\sum_{b=1}^{p-1}d(a,b)(x_a + 1)(x_b + 1)} - \sqrt{\sum_{a=1}^{p-1}\sum_{b=1}^{p-1}d(a,b)x_ax_b}\] over all $(p-1)$-tuples $(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_{p-1})$ of real numbers. [i]Brian Hamrick.[/i]

2009 China Team Selection Test, 3
Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra
Consider function $ f: R\to R$ which satisfies the conditions for any mutually distinct real numbers $ a,b,c,d$ satisfying $ \frac {a \minus{} b}{b \minus{} c} \plus{} \frac {a \minus{} d}{d \minus{} c} \equal{} 0$, $ f(a),f(b),f(c),f(d)$ are mutully different and $ \frac {f(a) \minus{} f(b)}{f(b) \minus{} f(c)} \plus{} \frac {f(a) \minus{} f(d)}{f(d) \minus{} f(c)} \equal{} 0.$ Prove that function $ f$ is linear

2011 Iran MO (3rd Round), 4
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
The escalator of the station [b]champion butcher[/b] has this property that if $m$ persons are on it, then it's speed is $m^{-\alpha}$ where $\alpha$ is a fixed positive real number. Suppose that $n$ persons want to go up by the escalator and the width of the stairs is such that all the persons can stand on a stair. If the length of the escalator is $l$, what's the least time that is needed for these persons to go up? Why? [i]proposed by Mohammad Ghiasi[/i]

1993 All-Russian Olympiad, 3
Tags: quadratics , algebra proposed , algebra
Quadratic trinomial $f(x)$ is allowed to be replaced by one of the trinomials $x^2f(1+\frac{1}{x})$ or $(x-1)^2f(\frac{1}{x-1})$. With the use of these operations, is it possible to go from $x^2+4x+3$ to $x^2+10x+9$?

2009 Moldova Team Selection Test, 1
Tags: geometry , rectangle , quadratics , algebra , algebra proposed
Let $ m,n\in \mathbb{N}^*$. Find the least $ n$ for which exists $ m$, such that rectangle $ (3m \plus{} 2)\times(4m \plus{} 3)$ can be covered with $ \dfrac{n(n \plus{} 1)}{2}$ squares, among which exist $ n$ squares of length $ 1$, $ n \minus{} 1$ of length $ 2$, $ ...$, $ 1$ square of length $ n$. For the found value of $ n$ give the example of covering.

2011 Kosovo Team Selection Test, 5
Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that $ \forall x\notin\{-1,1\}$ holds: \[\displaystyle{f\Big(\frac{x-3}{x+1}\Big)+f\Big(\frac{3+x}{1-x}\Big)=x}\]

2011 Stars Of Mathematics, 1
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
For positive real numbers $a,b,c,d$, with $abcd = 1$, determine all values taken by the expression \[\frac {1+a+ab} {1+a+ab+abc} + \frac {1+b+bc} {1+b+bc+bcd} +\frac {1+c+cd} {1+c+cd+cda} +\frac {1+d+da} {1+d+da+dab}.\] (Dan Schwarz)

2012 China Western Mathematical Olympiad, 2
Tags: limit , logarithms , algebra proposed , algebra
Define a sequence $\{a_n\}$ by\[a_0=\frac{1}{2},\ a_{n+1}=a_{n}+\frac{a_{n}^2}{2012}, (n=0,\ 1,\ 2,\ \cdots),\] find integer $k$ such that $a_{k}<1<a_{k+1}.$ (September 29, 2012, Hohhot)

2013 Korea National Olympiad, 4
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
$\{a_n\}$ is a positive integer sequence such that $ a_{i+2} = a_{i+1} + a_{i} (i \ge 1) $. For positive integer $n$, define $\{b_n\}$ as \[ b_n = \frac{1}{a_{2n+1}} \sum_{i=1}^{4n-2} { a_i } \] Prove that $b_n$ is positive integer, and find the general form of $b_n$.

2008 Junior Balkan Team Selection Tests - Moldova, 8
Tags: induction , algebra proposed , algebra
Archipelago consists of $ n$ islands : $ I_1,I_2,...,I_n$ and $ a_1,a_2,...,a_n$ - number of the roads on each island. $ a_1 \equal{} 55$, $ a_k \equal{} a_{k \minus{} 1} \plus{} (k \minus{} 1)$, ($ k \equal{} 2,3,...,n$) a) Does there exist an island with 2008 roads? b) Calculate $ a_1 \plus{} a_2 \plus{} ... \plus{} a_n.$

1977 IMO Longlists, 24
Tags: function , algebra , functional equation , algebra proposed
Determine all real functions $f(x)$ that are defined and continuous on the interval $(-1, 1)$ and that satisfy the functional equation \[f(x+y)=\frac{f(x)+f(y)}{1-f(x) f(y)} \qquad (x, y, x + y \in (-1, 1)).\]

2002 Vietnam National Olympiad, 1
Tags: complex numbers , algebra proposed , algebra
Solve the equation $ \sqrt{4 \minus{} 3\sqrt{10 \minus{} 3x}} \equal{} x \minus{} 2$.

2001 India IMO Training Camp, 2
Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed
Find all functions $f \colon \mathbb{R_{+}}\to \mathbb{R_{+}}$ satisfying : \[f ( f (x)-x) = 2x\] for all $x > 0$.

2009 Bulgaria National Olympiad, 4
Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed
Let $ n\ge 3$ be a natural number. Find all nonconstant polynomials with real coeficcietns $ f_{1}\left(x\right),f_{2}\left(x\right),\ldots,f_{n}\left(x\right)$, for which \[ f_{k}\left(x\right)f_{k+ 1}\left(x\right) = f_{k +1}\left(f_{k + 2}\left(x\right)\right), \quad 1\le k\le n,\] for every real $ x$ (with $ f_{n +1}\left(x\right)\equiv f_{1}\left(x\right)$ and $ f_{n + 2}\left(x\right)\equiv f_{2}\left(x\right)$).

1997 Baltic Way, 2
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
Given a sequence $a_1,a_2,a_3,\ldots $ of positive integers in which every positive integer occurs exactly once. Prove that there exist integers $\ell $ and $m,\ 1<\ell <m$, such that $a_1+a_m=2a_{\ell}$.

1966 IMO Longlists, 18
Tags: trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra
Solve the equation $\frac{1}{\sin x}+\frac{1}{\cos x}=\frac{1}{p}, $ where $p$ is a real parameter. Investigate for which values of $p$ solutions exist and how many solutions exist. (Of course, the last question ''how many solutions exist'' should be understood as ''how many solutions exists modulo $2\pi $''.)

2009 All-Russian Olympiad, 1
Tags: number theory , greatest common divisor , algebra proposed , algebra
The denominators of two irreducible fractions are 600 and 700. Find the minimum value of the denominator of their sum (written as an irreducible fraction).

2005 ISI B.Stat Entrance Exam, 8
Tags: function , absolute value , algebra proposed , algebra
A function $f(n)$ is defined on the set of positive integers is said to be multiplicative if $f(mn)=f(m)f(n)$ whenever $m$ and $n$ have no common factors greater than $1$. Are the following functions multiplicative? Justify your answer. (a) $g(n)=5^k$ where $k$ is the number of distinct primes which divide $n$. (b) $h(n)=\begin{cases} 0 & \text{if} \ n \ \text{is divisible by} \ k^2 \ \text{for some integer} \ k>1 \\ 1 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$

2001 Poland - Second Round, 3
Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed
Let $n\ge 3$ be a positive integer. Prove that a polynomial of the form \[x^n+a_{n-3}x^{n-3}+a_{n-4}x^{n-4}+\ldots +a_1x+a_0,\] where at least one of the real coefficients $a_0,a_1,\ldots ,a_{n-3}$ is nonzero, cannot have all real roots.

2011 Federal Competition For Advanced Students, Part 1, 3
Tags: algebra proposed , algebra
A set of three elements is called arithmetic if one of its elements is the arithmetic mean of the other two. Likewise, a set of three elements is called harmonic if one of its elements is the harmonic mean of the other two. How many three-element subsets of the set of integers $\left\{z\in\mathbb{Z}\mid -2011<z<2011\right\}$ are arithmetic and harmonic? (Remark: The arithmetic mean $A(a,b)$ and the harmonic mean $H(a,b)$ are defined as \[A(a,b)=\frac{a+b}{2}\quad\mbox{and}\quad H(a,b)=\frac{2ab}{a+b}=\frac{2}{\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}}\mbox{,}\] respectively, where $H(a,b)$ is not defined for some $a$, $b$.)

2012 Moldova Team Selection Test, 1
Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed
Prove that polynomial $x^8+98x^4+1$ can be factorized in $Z[X]$.

1983 IMO Longlists, 5
Tags: analytic geometry , graphing lines , slope , combinatorial geometry , algebra proposed , algebra
Consider the set $\mathbb Q^2$ of points in $\mathbb R^2$, both of whose coordinates are rational. [b](a)[/b] Prove that the union of segments with vertices from $\mathbb Q^2$ is the entire set $\mathbb R^2$. [b](b)[/b] Is the convex hull of $\mathbb Q^2$ (i.e., the smallest convex set in $\mathbb R^2$ that contains $\mathbb Q^2$) equal to $\mathbb R^2$ ?

1995 Baltic Way, 10
Tags: function , algebra , functional equation , algebra proposed
Find all real-valued functions $f$ defined on the set of all non-zero real numbers such that: (i) $f(1)=1$, (ii) $f\left(\frac{1}{x+y}\right)=f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)+f\left(\frac{1}{y}\right)$ for all non-zero $x,y,x+y$, (iii) $(x+y)\cdot f(x+y)=xy\cdot f(x)\cdot f(y)$ for all non-zero $x,y,x+y$.