Olympiad problems

1990 Federal Competition For Advanced Students, P2, 4

For each nonzero integer $ n$ find all functions $ f: \mathbb{R} \minus{} \{\minus{}3,0 \} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ satisfying: $ f(x\plus{}3)\plus{}f \left( \minus{}\frac{9}{x} \right)\equal{}\frac{(1\minus{}n)(x^2\plus{}3x\minus{}9)}{9n(x\plus{}3)}\plus{}\frac{2}{n}$ for all $ x \not\equal{} 0,\minus{}3.$ Furthermore, for each fixed $ n$ find all integers $ x$ for which $ f(x)$ is an integer.

2004 Moldova Team Selection Test, 10

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra unsolved

Determine all polynomials $P(x)$ with real coeffcients such that $(x^3+3x^2+3x+2)P(x-1)=(x^3-3x^2+3x-2)P(x)$.

2006 Moldova National Olympiad, 10.4

Tags: parameterization , logarithms , algebra unsolved , algebra

Find all real values of the real parameter $a$ such that the equation \[ 2x^{2}-6ax+4a^{2}-2a-2+\log_{2}(2x^{2}+2x-6ax+4a^{2})= \] \[ =\log_{2}(x^{2}+2x-3ax+2a^{2}+a+1). \] has a unique solution.

2003 Kazakhstan National Olympiad, 8

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Determine all functions $f: \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ with the property \[f(f(x)+y)=2x+f(f(y)-x), \quad \forall x,y \in \mathbb R.\]

1986 China National Olympiad, 3

Tags: complex numbers , algebra unsolved , algebra

Let $Z_1,Z_2,\cdots ,Z_n$ be complex numbers satisfying $|Z_1|+|Z_2|+\cdots +|Z_n|=1$. Show that there exist some among the $n$ complex numbers such that the modulus of the sum of these complex numbers is not less than $1/6$.

2004 Tournament Of Towns, 4

Tags: geometry , geometric transformation , algebra unsolved , algebra

Vanya has chosen two positive numbers, x and y. He wrote the numbers x+y, x-y, x/y, and xy, and has shown these numbers to Petya. However, he didn't say which of the numbers was obtained from which operation. Show that Petya can uniquely recover x and y.

2005 India National Olympiad, 3

Tags: quadratics , Vieta , algebra , algebra unsolved

Let $p, q, r$ be positive real numbers, not all equal, such that some two of the equations \begin{eqnarray*} px^2 + 2qx + r &=& 0 \\ qx^2 + 2rx + p &=& 0 \\ rx^2 + 2px + q &=& 0 . \\ \end{eqnarray*} have a common root, say $\alpha$. Prove that $a)$ $\alpha$ is real and negative; $b)$ the remaining third quadratic equation has non-real roots.

2014 Benelux, 1

Tags: function , floor function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Find the smallest possible value of the expression \[\left\lfloor\frac{a+b+c}{d}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor\frac{b+c+d}{a}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor\frac{c+d+a}{b}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor\frac{d+a+b}{c}\right\rfloor\] in which $a,~ b,~ c$, and $d$ vary over the set of positive integers. (Here $\lfloor x\rfloor$ denotes the biggest integer which is smaller than or equal to $x$.)

2015 International Zhautykov Olympiad, 3

Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , algebra unsolved

Find all functions $ f\colon \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} $ such that $ f(x^3+y^3+xy)=x^2f(x)+y^2f(y)+f(xy) $, for all $ x,y \in \mathbb{R} $.

2011 Philippine MO, 4

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Find all (if there is one) functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ such that for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$, \[f(f(x))+xf(x)=1.\]

1995 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Consider the function $ f(x) \equal{} \frac {2x^3 \minus{} 3}{3x^2 \minus{} 1}$. $ 1.$ Prove that there is a continuous function $ g(x)$ on $ \mathbb{R}$ satisfying $ f(g(x)) \equal{} x$ and $ g(x) > x$ for all real $ x$. $ 2.$ Show that there exists a real number $ a > 1$ such that the sequence $ \{a_n\}$, $ n \equal{} 1, 2, \ldots$, defined as follows $ a_0 \equal{} a$, $ a_{n \plus{} 1} \equal{} f(a_n)$, $ \forall n\in\mathbb{N}$ is periodic with the smallest period $ 1995$.

1995 China Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algebra unsolved

$ A$ and $ B$ play the following game with a polynomial of degree at least 4: \[ x^{2n} \plus{} \_x^{2n \minus{} 1} \plus{} \_x^{2n \minus{} 2} \plus{} \ldots \plus{} \_x \plus{} 1 \equal{} 0 \] $ A$ and $ B$ take turns to fill in one of the blanks with a real number until all the blanks are filled up. If the resulting polynomial has no real roots, $ A$ wins. Otherwise, $ B$ wins. If $ A$ begins, which player has a winning strategy?

2002 Czech and Slovak Olympiad III A, 6

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Let $\mathbb{R}^{+}$ denote the set of positive real numbers. Find all functions $f : \mathbb{R}^{+} \to \mathbb{R}^{+}$ satisfying for all $x, y \in \mathbb{R}^{+}$ the equality \[f(xf(y))=f(xy)+x\]

2014 India IMO Training Camp, 3

Tags: geometry , invariant , algebra unsolved , algebra

Starting with the triple $(1007\sqrt{2},2014\sqrt{2},1007\sqrt{14})$, define a sequence of triples $(x_{n},y_{n},z_{n})$ by $x_{n+1}=\sqrt{x_{n}(y_{n}+z_{n}-x_{n})}$ $y_{n+1}=\sqrt{y_{n}(z_{n}+x_{n}-y_{n})}$ $ z_{n+1}=\sqrt{z_{n}(x_{n}+y_{n}-z_{n})}$ for $n\geq 0$.Show that each of the sequences $\langle x_n\rangle _{n\geq 0},\langle y_n\rangle_{n\geq 0},\langle z_n\rangle_{n\geq 0}$ converges to a limit and find these limits.

1988 IMO Longlists, 35

Tags: induction , limit , algebra unsolved , algebra

A sequence of numbers $a_n, n = 1,2, \ldots,$ is defined as follows: $a_1 = \frac{1}{2}$ and for each $n \geq 2$ \[ a_n = \frac{2 n - 3}{2 n} a_{n-1}. \] Prove that $\sum^n_{k=1} a_k < 1$ for all $n \geq 1.$

2002 China Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Given an integer $k$. $f(n)$ is defined on negative integer set and its values are integers. $f(n)$ satisfies \[ f(n)f(n+1)=(f(n)+n-k)^2, \] for $n=-2,-3,\cdots$. Find an expression of $f(n)$.

2010 Contests, 3

Tags: floor function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Three speed skaters have a friendly "race" on a skating oval. They all start from the same point and skate in the same direction, but with different speeds that they maintain throughout the race. The slowest skater does $1$ lap per minute, the fastest one does $3.14$ laps per minute, and the middle one does $L$ laps a minute for some $1 < L < 3.14$. The race ends at the moment when all three skaters again come together to the same point on the oval (which may differ from the starting point.) Determine the number of different choices for $L$ such that exactly $117$ passings occur before the end of the race. Note: A passing is defined as when one skater passes another one. The beginning and the end of the race when all three skaters are together are not counted as passings.

2005 Korea National Olympiad, 4

Tags: function , induction , calculus , derivative , algebra , functional equation , algebra unsolved

Find all $f: \mathbb R \to\mathbb R$ such that for all real numbers $x$, $f(x) \geq 0$ and for all real numbers $x$ and $y$, \[ f(x+y)+f(x-y)-2f(x)-2y^2=0. \]

1985 Austrian-Polish Competition, 4

Tags: algebra , system of equations , algebra unsolved

Solve the system of equations: $\left\{ \begin{aligned} x^4+y^2-xy^3-\frac{9}{8}x = 0 \\ y^4+x^2-yx^3-\frac{9}{8}y=0 \end{aligned} \right.$

2001 Bundeswettbewerb Mathematik, 2

Tags: function , quadratics , algebra unsolved , algebra

For a sequence $ a_i \in \mathbb{R}, i \in \{0, 1, 2, \ldots\}$ we have $ a_0 \equal{} 1$ and \[ a_{n\plus{}1} \equal{} a_n \plus{} \sqrt{a_{n\plus{}1} \plus{} a_n} \quad \forall n \in \mathbb{N}.\] Prove that this sequence is unique and find an explicit formula for this recursively defined sequence.

2018 Thailand TST, 1

Tags: function , algebra unsolved , algebra

Find all functions $g:R\rightarrow R$ for which there exists a strictly increasing function $ f:R\rightarrow R $ such that $f(x+y)=f(x)g(y)+f(y)$ $\forall x,y \in R$.

2012 Czech-Polish-Slovak Match, 2

Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , algebra unsolved

Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ satisfying \[f(x+f(y))-f(x)=(x+f(y))^4-x^4\] for all $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$.

2007 Czech and Slovak Olympiad III A, 3

Tags: function , algebra , functional equation , algebra unsolved

Consider a function $f:\mathbb N\rightarrow \mathbb N$ such that for any two positive integers $x,y$, the equation $f(xf(y))=yf(x)$ holds. Find the smallest possible value of $f(2007)$.

2010 South East Mathematical Olympiad, 2

Tags: algebra unsolved , algebra

Let $\mathbb{N}^*$ be the set of positive integers. Define $a_1=2$, and for $n=1, 2, \ldots,$\[ a_{n+1}=\min\{\lambda|\frac{1}{a_1}+\frac{1}{a_2}+\cdots\frac{1}{a_n}+\frac{1}{\lambda}<1,\lambda\in \mathbb{N}^*\}\] Prove that $a_{n+1}=a_n^2-a_n+1$ for $n=1,2,\ldots$.

2005 Tuymaada Olympiad, 6

Tags: algebra unsolved , algebra

Given are a positive integer $n$ and an infinite sequence of proper fractions $x_0 = \frac{a_0}{n}$, $\ldots$, $x_i=\frac{a_i}{n+i}$, with $a_i < n+i$. Prove that there exist a positive integer $k$ and integers $c_1$, $\ldots$, $c_k$ such that \[ c_1 x_1 + \ldots + c_k x_k = 1. \] [i]Proposed by M. Dubashinsky[/i]