Olympiad problems

2008 District Olympiad, 1

Let $ z \in \mathbb{C}$ such that for all $ k \in \overline{1, 3}$, $ |z^k \plus{} 1| \le 1$. Prove that $ z \equal{} 0$.

1996 Baltic Way, 12

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Let $S$ be a set of integers containing the numbers $0$ and $1996$. Suppose further that any integer root of any non-zero polynomial with coefficients in $S$ also belongs to $S$. Prove that $-2$ belongs to $S$.

2011 Kosovo National Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: function , trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra

It is given the function $f:\mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ such that it holds $f(\sin x)=\sin (2011x)$. Find the value of $f(\cos x)$.

2000 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Two players alternately replace the stars in the expression \[*x^{2000}+*x^{1999}+...+*x+1 \] by real numbers. The player who makes the last move loses if the resulting polynomial has a real root $t$ with $|t| < 1$, and wins otherwise. Give a winning strategy for one of the players.

2005 Iran MO (3rd Round), 6

Tags: function , topology , algebra proposed , algebra , Fixed point

Suppose $A\subseteq \mathbb R^m$ is closed and non-empty. Let $f:A\to A$ is a lipchitz function with constant less than 1. (ie there exist $c<1$ that $|f(x)-f(y)|<c|x-y|,\ \forall x,y \in A)$. Prove that there exists a unique point $x\in A$ such that $f(x)=x$.

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]

2006 Moldova National Olympiad, 11.5

Tags: trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra

Let $n\in\mathbb{N}^*$. Solve the equation $\sum_{k=0}^n C_n^k\cos2kx=\cos nx$ in $\mathbb{R}$.

2024 Baltic Way, 4

Tags: parameterization , inequalities , inequalities proposed , algebra , algebra proposed

Find the largest real number $\alpha$ such that, for all non-negative real numbers $x$, $y$ and $z$, the following inequality holds: \[ (x+y+z)^3 + \alpha (x^2z + y^2x + z^2y) \geq \alpha (x^2y + y^2z + z^2x). \]

1997 USAMO, 6

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

Suppose the sequence of nonnegative integers $a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_{1997}$ satisfies \[ a_i + a_j \leq a_{i+j} \leq a_i + a_j + 1 \] for all $i,j \geq 1$ with $i + j \leq 1997$. Show that there exists a real number $x$ such that $a_n = \lfloor nx \rfloor$ (the greatest integer $\leq nx$) for all $1 \leq n \leq 1997$.

1986 India National Olympiad, 2

Tags: logarithms , algebra proposed , algebra

Solve \[ \left\{ \begin{array}{l} \log_2 x\plus{}\log_4 y\plus{}\log_4 z\equal{}2 \\ \log_3 y\plus{}\log_9 z\plus{}\log_9 x\equal{}2 \\ \log_4 z\plus{}\log_{16} x\plus{}\log_{16} y\equal{}2 \\ \end{array} \right.\]

2010 Contests, 1

Tags: algebra , system of equations , algebra proposed

Find all quadruples of real numbers $(a,b,c,d)$ satisfying the system of equations \[\begin{cases}(b+c+d)^{2010}=3a\\ (a+c+d)^{2010}=3b\\ (a+b+d)^{2010}=3c\\ (a+b+c)^{2010}=3d\end{cases}\]

2020 Turkey MO (2nd round), 5

Tags: algebra , polynomial , series , algebra proposed , floor function

Find all polynomials with real coefficients such that one can find an integer valued series $a_0, a_1, \dots$ satisfying $\lfloor P(x) \rfloor = a_{ \lfloor x^2 \rfloor}$ for all $x$ real numbers.

2008 District Olympiad, 2

Tags: function , algebra , domain , algebra proposed

Consider the positive reals $ x$, $ y$ and $ z$. Prove that: a) $ \arctan(x) \plus{} \arctan(y) < \frac {\pi}{2}$ iff $ xy < 1$. b) $ \arctan(x) \plus{} \arctan(y) \plus{} \arctan(z) < \pi$ iff $ xyz < x \plus{} y \plus{} z$.

2016 India National Olympiad, P2

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed , algebra , algebra proposed

For positive real numbers $a,b,c$ which of the following statements necessarily implies $a=b=c$: (I) $a(b^3+c^3)=b(c^3+a^3)=c(a^3+b^3)$, (II) $a(a^3+b^3)=b(b^3+c^3)=c(c^3+a^3)$ ? Justify your answer.

2011 Iran MO (3rd Round), 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , search , algebra proposed

We define the polynomial $f(x)$ in $\mathbb R[x]$ as follows: $f(x)=x^n+a_{n-2}x^{n-2}+a_{n-3}x^{n-3}+.....+a_1x+a_0$ Prove that there exists an $i$ in the set $\{1,....,n\}$ such that we have $|f(i)|\ge \frac{n!}{\dbinom{n}{i}}$. [i]proposed by Mohammadmahdi Yazdi[/i]

2007 South africa National Olympiad, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , system of equations , absolute value , algebra proposed

Consider the equation $ x^4 \equal{} ax^3 \plus{} bx^2 \plus{} cx \plus{} 2007$, where $ a,b,c$ are real numbers. Determine the largest value of $ b$ for which this equation has exactly three distinct solutions, all of which are integers.

2013 Vietnam National Olympiad, 1

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ that satisfies $f(0)=0,f(1)=2013$ and \[(x-y)(f(f^2(x))-f(f^2(y)))=(f(x)-f(y))(f^2(x)-f^2(y))\] Note: $f^2(x)=(f(x))^2$

2024 Dutch IMO TST, 2

Tags: algebra , functional equation , algebra proposed

Find all functions $f:\mathbb{Z}_{>0} \to \mathbb{Z}_{>0}$ such that for all positive integers $m,n$ and $a$ we have a) $f(f(m)f(n))=mn$ and b) $f(2024a+1)=2024a+1$.

2005 Greece Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra proposed

Let the polynomial $P(x)=x^3+19x^2+94x+a$ where $a\in\mathbb{N}$. If $p$ a prime number, prove that no more than three numbers of the numbers $P(0), P(1),\ldots, P(p-1)$ are divisible by $p$.

2013 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra

Solve the following equation ${{2}^{{{\sin }^{4}}x-{{\cos }^{2}}x}}-{{2}^{{{\cos }^{4}}x-{{\sin }^{2}}x}}=\cos 2x$

2014 Singapore MO Open, 2

Tags: function , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all functions from the reals to the reals satisfying \[f(xf(y) + x) = xy + f(x)\]

2007 China Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: modular arithmetic , algebra proposed , algebra

Find all positive integers $ n$ such that there exists sequence consisting of $ 1$ and $ - 1: a_{1},a_{2},\cdots,a_{n}$ satisfying $ a_{1}\cdot1^2 + a_{2}\cdot2^2 + \cdots + a_{n}\cdot n^2 = 0.$

2012 ELMO Shortlist, 5

Tags: algebra , polynomial , pigeonhole principle , number theory , relatively prime , algebra proposed

Prove that if $m,n$ are relatively prime positive integers, $x^m-y^n$ is irreducible in the complex numbers. (A polynomial $P(x,y)$ is irreducible if there do not exist nonconstant polynomials $f(x,y)$ and $g(x,y)$ such that $P(x,y) = f(x,y)g(x,y)$ for all $x,y$.) [i]David Yang.[/i]

2013 Vietnam National Olympiad, 1

Tags: linear algebra , matrix , trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra

Solve with full solution: \[\left\{\begin{matrix}\sqrt{(\sin x)^2+\frac{1}{(\sin x)^2}}+\sqrt{(\cos y)^2+\frac{1}{(\cos y)^2}}=\sqrt\frac{20y}{x+y} \\\sqrt{(\sin y)^2+\frac{1}{(\sin y)^2}}+\sqrt{(\cos x)^2+\frac{1}{(\cos x)^2}}=\sqrt\frac{20x}{x+y}\end{matrix}\right. \]

2011 ELMO Shortlist, 7

Tags: quadratics , search , trigonometry , algebra proposed , algebra

Determine whether there exist two reals $x,y$ and a sequence $\{a_n\}_{n=0}^{\infty}$ of nonzero reals such that $a_{n+2}=xa_{n+1}+ya_n$ for all $n\ge0$ and for every positive real number $r$, there exist positive integers $i,j$ such that $|a_i|<r<|a_j|$. [i]Alex Zhu.[/i]