Does there exist a sequence of natural numbers in which every natural number occurs exactly once, such that for each $k = 1, 2, 3, \dots$ the sum of the first $k$ terms of the sequence is divisible by $k$? [i]A. Shapovalov[/i]

In a country, mathematicians chose an $\alpha> 2$ and issued coins in denominations of 1 ruble, as well as $\alpha ^k$ rubles for each positive integer k. $\alpha$ was chosen so that the value of each coins, except the smallest, was irrational. Is it possible that any natural number of rubles can be formed with at most 6 of each denomination of coins?

We are given n objects of identical appearance, but different mass, and a balance which can be used to compare any two objects (but only one object can be placed in each pan at a time). How many times must we use the balance to find the heaviest object and the lightest object?

A multi-digit number is written on the blackboard. Susan puts in a number of plus signs between some pairs of adjacent digits. The addition is performed and the process is repeated with the sum. Prove that regardless of what number was initially on the blackboard, Susan can always obtain a single-digit number in at most ten steps.

Let $ k$ be an integer, $ k \geq 2$, and let $ p_{1},\ p_{2},\ \ldots,\ p_{k}$ be positive reals with $ p_{1} \plus{} p_{2} \plus{} \ldots \plus{} p_{k} \equal{} 1$. Suppose we have a collection $ \left(A_{1,1},\ A_{1,2},\ \ldots,\ A_{1,k}\right)$, $ \left(A_{2,1},\ A_{2,2},\ \ldots,\ A_{2,k}\right)$, $ \ldots$, $ \left(A_{m,1},\ A_{1,2},\ \ldots,\ A_{m,k}\right)$ of $ k$-tuples of finite sets satisfying the following two properties: (i) for every $ i$ and every $ j \neq j^{\prime}$, $ A_{i,j}\cap A_{i,j^{\prime}} \equal{} \emptyset$, and (ii) for every $ i\neq i^{\prime}$ there exist $ j\neq j^{\prime}$ for which $ A_{i,j} \cap A_{i^{\prime},j^{\prime}}\neq\emptyset$. Prove that \[ \sum_{b \equal{} 1}^{m}{\prod_{a \equal{} 1}^{k}{p_{a}^{|A_{b,a}|}}} \leq 1. \]

Find the largest possible value of $k$ for which $3^{11}$ is expressible as the sum of $k$ consecutive positive integers.

An integer $N \ge 2$ is given. A collection of $N(N + 1)$ soccer players, no two of whom are of the same height, stand in a row. Sir Alex wants to remove $N(N - 1)$ players from this row leaving a new row of $2N$ players in which the following $N$ conditions hold: ($1$) no one stands between the two tallest players, ($2$) no one stands between the third and fourth tallest players, $\;\;\vdots$ ($N$) no one stands between the two shortest players. Show that this is always possible. [i]Proposed by Grigory Chelnokov, Russia[/i]

There are $256$ lumps of metal that have different weights in pairs. With the help of a beam balance , one may now compare every two lumps. Find the smallest number $m$ such that you can be sure to find the heaviest as well as the lightest lump with the weighing process.

Each positive integer $a$ undergoes the following procedure in order to obtain the number $d = d\left(a\right)$: (i) move the last digit of $a$ to the first position to obtain the numb er $b$; (ii) square $b$ to obtain the number $c$; (iii) move the first digit of $c$ to the end to obtain the number $d$. (All the numbers in the problem are considered to be represented in base $10$.) For example, for $a=2003$, we get $b=3200$, $c=10240000$, and $d = 02400001 = 2400001 = d(2003)$.) Find all numbers $a$ for which $d\left( a\right) =a^2$. [i]Proposed by Zoran Sunic, USA[/i]

Let $ n \geq 2$ be a positive integer and $ \lambda$ a positive real number. Initially there are $ n$ fleas on a horizontal line, not all at the same point. We define a move as choosing two fleas at some points $ A$ and $ B$, with $ A$ to the left of $ B$, and letting the flea from $ A$ jump over the flea from $ B$ to the point $ C$ so that $ \frac {BC}{AB} \equal{} \lambda$. Determine all values of $ \lambda$ such that, for any point $ M$ on the line and for any initial position of the $ n$ fleas, there exists a sequence of moves that will take them all to the position right of $ M$.

Let $P$ be a regular $2n$-sided polygon. A [b]rhombus-ulation[/b] of $P$ is dividing $P$ into rhombuses such that no two intersect and no vertex of any rhombus is on the edge of other rhombuses or $P$. (a) Prove that number of rhombuses is a function of $n$. Find the value of this function. Also find the number of vertices and edges of the rhombuses as a function of $n$. (b) Prove or disprove that there always exists an edge $e$ of $P$ such that by erasing all the segments parallel to $e$ the remaining rhombuses are connected. (c) Is it true that each two rhombus-ulations can turn into each other using the following algorithm multiple times? Algorithm: Take a hexagon -not necessarily regular- consisting of 3 rhombuses and re-rhombus-ulate the hexagon. (d) Let $f(n)$ be the number of ways to rhombus-ulate $P$. Prove that:\[\Pi_{k=1}^{n-1} ( \binom{k}{2} +1) \leq f(n) \leq \Pi_{k=1}^{n-1} k^{n-k} \]

Let $ n$ be a positive integer. Given an integer coefficient polynomial $ f(x)$, define its [i]signature modulo $ n$[/i] to be the (ordered) sequence $ f(1), \ldots , f(n)$ modulo $ n$. Of the $ n^n$ such $ n$-term sequences of integers modulo $ n$, how many are the signature of some polynomial $ f(x)$ if a) $ n$ is a positive integer not divisible by the square of a prime. b) $ n$ is a positive integer not divisible by the cube of a prime.

All $n$-digit words from the alphabet $\{0, 1\}$ considered. These $2^n$ words should be in a sequence $w_0, w_1, w_2, ..., w_{2^-1}$ be arranged that $w_m$ from $w_{m-1}$ by changing of a single ornament ($m = 1, 2, 3, ..., 2n-1$). Prove that the following algorithm achievesthis : a) Start with $w_0 = 000... 00$. b) Let $w_{m-1} = a_1a_2a_3 ... a_n$ with $a_i \in \{0; 1\}$, $i = 1, 2, 3, ..., n$. Determine the exponent $e(m)$ of the highest power of two dividing $m$ and set $j = e(m)+1$. In $w_{m-1}$ replace the ornament $a_j$ with $1-aj$. this is now $w_m$.

Determine the largest number of steps for $\gcd(k,76)$ to terminate over all choices of $0 < k < 76$, using the following algorithm for gcd. Give your answer in the form $(n,k)$ where $n$ is the maximal number of steps and $k$ is the $k$ which achieves this. If multiple $k$ work, submit the smallest one. \begin{tabular}{l} 1: \textbf{FUNCTION} $\text{gcd}(a,b)$: \\ 2: $\qquad$ \textbf{IF} $a = 0$ \textbf{RETURN} $b$ \\ 3: $\qquad$ \textbf{ELSE RETURN} $\text{gcd}(b \bmod a,a)$ \end{tabular}