Olympiad problems

2009 Baltic Way, 18

Tags: algorithm , combinatorics

Let $n>2$ be an integer. In a country there are $n$ cities and every two of them are connected by a direct road. Each road is assigned an integer from the set $\{1, 2,\ldots ,m\}$ (different roads may be assigned the same number). The [i]priority[/i] of a city is the sum of the numbers assigned to roads which lead to it. Find the smallest $m$ for which it is possible that all cities have a different priority.

2008 USAMO, 5

Tags: algorithm , number theory , ratio , induction , monovariant , vector

Three nonnegative real numbers $ r_1$, $ r_2$, $ r_3$ are written on a blackboard. These numbers have the property that there exist integers $ a_1$, $ a_2$, $ a_3$, not all zero, satisfying $ a_1r_1 \plus{} a_2r_2 \plus{} a_3r_3 \equal{} 0$. We are permitted to perform the following operation: find two numbers $ x$, $ y$ on the blackboard with $ x \le y$, then erase $ y$ and write $ y \minus{} x$ in its place. Prove that after a finite number of such operations, we can end up with at least one $ 0$ on the blackboard.

2009 National Olympiad First Round, 32

Tags: abstract algebra , algorithm , group theory

There are $ n$ sets having $ 4$ elements each. The difference set of any two of the sets is equal to one of the $ n$ sets. $ n$ can be at most ? (A difference set of $A$ and $B$ is $ (A\setminus B)\cup(B\setminus A) $) $\textbf{(A)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 5 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 7 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 15 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{None}$

1985 IMO Shortlist, 13

Tags: algorithm , relatively prime , invariant , modular arithmetic , combinatorics

Let $m$ boxes be given, with some balls in each box. Let $n < m$ be a given integer. The following operation is performed: choose $n$ of the boxes and put $1$ ball in each of them. Prove: [i](a) [/i]If $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime, then it is possible, by performing the operation a finite number of times, to arrive at the situation that all the boxes contain an equal number of balls. [i](b)[/i] If $m$ and $n$ are not relatively prime, there exist initial distributions of balls in the boxes such that an equal distribution is not possible to achieve.

1986 IMO Shortlist, 12

Tags: algorithm , combinatorics , pentagon , invariant , game strategy

To each vertex of a regular pentagon an integer is assigned, so that the sum of all five numbers is positive. If three consecutive vertices are assigned the numbers $x,y,z$ respectively, and $y<0$, then the following operation is allowed: $x,y,z$ are replaced by $x+y,-y,z+y$ respectively. Such an operation is performed repeatedly as long as at least one of the five numbers is negative. Determine whether this procedure necessarily comes to an end after a finite number of steps.

1989 IMO Shortlist, 19

Tags: combinatorics , invariant , chessboard , algorithm

A natural number is written in each square of an $ m \times n$ chess board. The allowed move is to add an integer $ k$ to each of two adjacent numbers in such a way that non-negative numbers are obtained. (Two squares are adjacent if they have a common side.) Find a necessary and sufficient condition for it to be possible for all the numbers to be zero after finitely many operations.

1999 Junior Balkan MO, 1

Tags: algorithm

Let $ a,b,c,x,y$ be five real numbers such that $ a^3 \plus{} ax \plus{} y \equal{} 0$, $ b^3 \plus{} bx \plus{} y \equal{} 0$ and $ c^3 \plus{} cx \plus{} y \equal{} 0$. If $ a,b,c$ are all distinct numbers prove that their sum is zero. [i]Ciprus[/i]