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

Tags were heavily modified to better represent problems.

AND:
OR:
NO:

Found problems: 250

1986 Miklós Schweitzer, 5
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Prove that existence of a constant $c$ with the following property: for every composite integer $n$, there exists a group whose order is divisible by $n$ and is less than $n^c$, and that contains no element of order $n$. [P. P. Palfy]

2019 Romania National Olympiad, 2
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra
Let $n \geq 4$ be an even natural number and $G$ be a subgroup of $GL_2(\mathbb{C})$ with $|G| = n.$ Prove that there exists $H \leq G$ such that $\{ I_2 \} \neq H$ and $H \neq G$ such that $XYX^{-1} \in H, \: \forall X \in G$ and $\forall Y \in H$

1993 Hungary-Israel Binational, 4
Tags: superior algebra , group theory , abstract algebra
In the questions below: $G$ is a finite group; $H \leq G$ a subgroup of $G; |G : H |$ the index of $H$ in $G; |X |$ the number of elements of $X \subseteq G; Z (G)$ the center of $G; G'$ the commutator subgroup of $G; N_{G}(H )$ the normalizer of $H$ in $G; C_{G}(H )$ the centralizer of $H$ in $G$; and $S_{n}$ the $n$-th symmetric group. Let $H \leq G$ and $a, b \in G.$ Prove that $|aH \cap Hb|$ is either zero or a divisor of $|H |.$

2002 Iran Team Selection Test, 2
Tags: induction , group theory , combinatorics
$n$ people (with names $1,2,\dots,n$) are around a table. Some of them are friends. At each step 2 friend can change their place. Find a necessary and sufficient condition for friendship relation between them that with these steps we can always reach to all of posiible permutations.

2007 IMS, 1
Tags: superior algebra , group theory , abstract algebra
Suppose there exists a group with exactly $n$ subgroups of index 2. Prove that there exists a finite abelian group $G$ that has exactly $n$ subgroups of index 2.

1999 Romania National Olympiad, 2
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra
For a finite group $G$ we denote by $n(G)$ the number of elements of the group and by $s(G)$ the number of subgroups of it. Decide whether the following statements are true or false. a) For every $a>0$ the is a finite group $G$ with $\frac{n(G)}{s(G)}<a.$ b) For every $a>0$ the is a finite group $G$ with $\frac{n(G)}{s(G)}>a.$

2002 Iran Team Selection Test, 12
Tags: quadratic , induction , group theory , combinatorics
We call a permutation $ \left(a_1, a_2, ..., a_n\right)$ of $ \left(1, 2, ..., n\right)$ [i]quadratic[/i] if there exists at least a perfect square among the numbers $ a_1$, $ a_1 \plus{} a_2$, $ ...$, $ a_1 \plus{} a_2 \plus{} ... \plus{} a_n$. Find all natural numbers $ n$ such that all permutations in $ S_n$ are quadratic. [i]Remark.[/i] $ S_{n}$ denotes the $ n$-th symmetric group, the group of permutations on $ n$ elements.

2011 VJIMC, Problem 4
Tags: group theory
Let $a,b,c$ be elements of finite order in some group. Prove that if $a^{-1}ba=b^2$, $b^{-2}cb^2=c^2$, and $c^{-3}ac^3=a^2$ then $a=b=c=e$, where $e$ is the unit element.

2016 Postal Coaching, 5
Tags: set theory , group theory , binary operation , number theory
Is it possible to define an operation $\star$ on $\mathbb Z$ such that[list=a][*] for any $a, b, c$ in $\mathbb Z, (a \star b) \star c = a \star (b \star c)$ holds; [*] for any $x, y$ in $\mathbb Z, x \star x \star y = y \star x \star x=y$?[/list]

2008 Miklós Schweitzer, 4
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Let $A$ be a subgroup of the symmetric group $S_n$, and $G$ be a normal subgroup of $A$. Show that if $G$ is transitive, then $|A\colon G|\le 5^{n-1}$ (translated by Miklós Maróti)

2012 Centers of Excellency of Suceava, 1
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Let be a natural number $ n\ge 2, $ a group $ G $ and two elements of it $ e_1,e_2 $ such that $ e_2e_1x=xe_2e_1, $ for any element $ x $ of $ G. $ Prove that $ \left( e_1xe_2 \right)^n =e_1x^ne_2, $ for any element $ x $ of $ G, $ if and only if $ e_2e_1=\left( e_2e_1\right)^n. $ [i]Ion Bursuc[/i]

2008 Gheorghe Vranceanu, 2
Tags: group theory , algebra , morphism , transposition decomposition , superior algebra
Prove that the only morphisms from a finite symmetric group to the multiplicative group of rational numbers are the identity and the signature.

2020 IMC, 7
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra
Let $G$ be a group and $n \ge 2$ be an integer. Let $H_1, H_2$ be $2$ subgroups of $G$ that satisfy $$[G: H_1] = [G: H_2] = n \text{ and } [G: (H_1 \cap H_2)] = n(n-1).$$ Prove that $H_1, H_2$ are conjugate in $G.$ Official definitions: $[G:H]$ denotes the index of the subgroup of $H,$ i.e. the number of distinct left cosets $xH$ of $H$ in $G.$ The subgroups $H_1, H_2$ are conjugate if there exists $g \in G$ such that $g^{-1} H_1 g = H_2.$

2025 District Olympiad, P2
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Let $G$ be a group and $H$ a proper subgroup. If there exist three group homomorphisms $f,g,h:G\rightarrow G$ such that $f(xy)=g(x)h(y)$ for all $x,y\in G\setminus H$, prove that: [list=a] [*] $g=h$. [*] If $G$ is noncommutative and $H=Z(G)$, then $f=g=h$.

2012 China Team Selection Test, 3
Tags: function , group theory , abstract algebra , floor function , induction , algebra
$n$ being a given integer, find all functions $f\colon \mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z}$, such that for all integers $x,y$ we have $f\left( {x + y + f(y)} \right) = f(x) + ny$.

2006 Iran MO (3rd Round), 3
Tags: abstract algebra , group theory , calculus , integration , invariant , number theory
$L$ is a fullrank lattice in $\mathbb R^{2}$ and $K$ is a sub-lattice of $L$, that $\frac{A(K)}{A(L)}=m$. If $m$ is the least number that for each $x\in L$, $mx$ is in $K$. Prove that there exists a basis $\{x_{1},x_{2}\}$ for $L$ that $\{x_{1},mx_{2}\}$ is a basis for $K$.

2016 Dutch BxMO TST, 4
Tags: combinatorics , group theory
The Facebook group Olympiad training has at least five members. There is a certain integer $k$ with following property: [i]for each $k$-tuple of members there is at least one member of this $k$-tuple friends with each of the other $k - 1$.[/i] (Friendship is mutual: if $A$ is friends with $B$, then also $B$ is friends with $A$.) (a) Suppose $k = 4$. Can you say with certainty that the Facebook group has a member that is friends with each of the other members? (b) Suppose $k = 5$. Can you say with certainty that the Facebook group has a member that is friends with each of the other members?

Gheorghe Țițeica 2025, P1
Tags: group theory
Let $G$ be a finite group and $a\in G$ a fixed element. Define the set $$S_a=\{g\in G\mid ga\neq ag, \,ga^2=a^2g\}.$$ Show that: [list=a] [*] if $g\in S_a$, then $ag^{-1}\in S_a$; [*] $|S_a|$ is divisible by $4$.

2005 Grigore Moisil Urziceni, 3
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Define the operation $ (a,b)\circ (c,d) =(ac,ad+b). $ [b]a)[/b] Prove that $ \left( \mathbb{Q}\setminus\{ 0\}\times\mathbb{Q} ,\circ \right) $ is a group. [b]b)[/b] Let $ H $ be an infinite subgroup of $ \left( \mathbb{Q}\setminus\{ 0\}\times\mathbb{Q} ,\circ \right) $ that is cyclic and doesn't contain any element of the form $ (1,q) , $ where $ q $ is a nonzero rational. Show that there exist two rational numbers $ a,b $ such that $$ H=\left\{ \left.\left( a^n, b\cdot\frac{1-a^n}{1-a} \right)\right| n\in\mathbb{Z} \right\} $$

2024 Miklos Schweitzer, 7
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Is it true that if a subgroup $G \leq \text{Sym}(\mathbb{N})$ is $n$-transitive for every positive integer $n$, then every group automorphism of $G$ extends to a group automorphism of $\text{Sym}(\mathbb{N})$?

2006 Grigore Moisil Urziceni, 1
Tags: group theory
Let be an element $ e $ from a group $ (G,\cdot ) , $ and let be the operation $ *:G^2\longrightarrow G $ defined as $ x*y=x\cdot a\cdot y . $ Prove that $ (G,*) $ is a group and is isomorphic with $ (G,\cdot ) . $

2007 IberoAmerican, 5
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , inequalities , geometry , geometric transformation , number theory
Let's say a positive integer $ n$ is [i]atresvido[/i] if the set of its divisors (including 1 and $ n$) can be split in in 3 subsets such that the sum of the elements of each is the same. Determine the least number of divisors an atresvido number can have.

2006 VJIMC, Problem 2
Tags: group theory , abstract algebra
Let $(G,\cdot)$ be a finite group of order $n$. Show that each element of $G$ is a square if and only if $n$ is odd.

1967 Miklós Schweitzer, 3
Tags: superior algebra , group theory , abstract algebra
Prove that if an infinite, noncommutative group $ G$ contains a proper normal subgroup with a commutative factor group, then $ G$ also contains an infinite proper normal subgroup. [i]B. Csakany[/i]

2015 District Olympiad, 1
Tags: abstract algebra , group theory , modular arithmetic , number theory
[b]a)[/b] Solve the equation $ x^2-x+2\equiv 0\pmod 7. $ [b]b)[/b] Determine the natural numbers $ n\ge 2 $ for which the equation $ x^2-x+2\equiv 0\pmod n $ has an unique solution modulo $ n. $