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.

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Found problems: 250

1977 Spain Mathematical Olympiad, 2

Prove that all square matrices of the form (with $a, b \in R$), $$\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ -b & a \end{pmatrix}$$ form a commutative field $K$ when considering the operations of addition and matrix product. Prove also that if $A \in K$ is an element of said field, there exist two matrices of $K$ such that the square of each is equal to $A$.

2006 Petru Moroșan-Trident, 1

Let be a natural number $ n\ge 2, $ a real number $ \lambda , $ and let be the set $$ H_{\lambda }=\left\{ \left( h_k^l \right)_{1\le k\le n}^{1\le l\le n}\in\mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) \bigg| \lambda =\sum_{k,l=1}^n h_k^l \right\} . $$ Prove the following statements. [b]a)[/b] The sets of symmetric and antisymmetric matrices from $ \mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) $ are subgroups of the additive subgroup $ \mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) , $ and any matrix from $ \mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) $ is a sum of a symmetric and antisymmetric matrix from $ \mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) . $ [b]b)[/b] $ \left( H_{\lambda },+\right)\le\left( \mathcal{M}_n\left(\mathbb{R}\right) ,+ \right)\iff \lambda =0 $ [b]c)[/b] There is a commutative group formed with the elements of $ H_{\lambda } $ if $ \lambda\neq 0. $ [i]Dan Negulescu[/i]

1985 Traian Lălescu, 2.3

Let $ 0\neq\varrho\in\text{Hom}\left( \mathbb{Z}_4,\mathbb{Z}_2\right) ,$ $ \text{id}\neq\iota\in\text{Aut}\left( \mathbb{Z}_4\right) ,$ $ G:=\left\{ (x,y)\in\mathbb{Z}_4^2\big|x-y\in\ker\varrho\right\} , $ and $ \rho_1,\rho_2, $ the canonic projections of $ G $ into $ \mathbb{Z}_4. $ Prove that there exists an unique $ \nu\in\text{Hom}\left( \mathbb{Z}_4,G\right) $ such that $ \rho_1\circ\nu=\text{id} $ and $ \rho_2\circ\nu =\iota . $ Determine numerically this morphism.

1985 Iran MO (2nd round), 4

Let $G$ be a group and let $a$ be a constant member of it. Prove that \[G_a = \{x | \exists n \in \mathbb Z , x=a^n\}\] Is a subgroup of $G.$

2002 Iran Team Selection Test, 2

$n$ 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.

2006 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Let $\displaystyle \mathcal K$ be a finite field. Prove that the following statements are equivalent: (a) $\displaystyle 1+1=0$; (b) for all $\displaystyle f \in \mathcal K \left[ X \right]$ with $\displaystyle \textrm{deg} \, f \geq 1$, $\displaystyle f \left( X^2 \right)$ is reducible.

2004 Bulgaria National Olympiad, 4

In a word formed with the letters $a,b$ we can change some blocks: $aba$ in $b$ and back, $bba$ in $a$ and backwards. If the initial word is $aaa\ldots ab$ where $a$ appears 2003 times can we reach the word $baaa\ldots a$, where $a$ appears 2003 times.

2016 USA Team Selection Test, 1

Let $S = \{1, \dots, n\}$. Given a bijection $f : S \to S$ an [i]orbit[/i] of $f$ is a set of the form $\{x, f(x), f(f(x)), \dots \}$ for some $x \in S$. We denote by $c(f)$ the number of distinct orbits of $f$. For example, if $n=3$ and $f(1)=2$, $f(2)=1$, $f(3)=3$, the two orbits are $\{1,2\}$ and $\{3\}$, hence $c(f)=2$. Given $k$ bijections $f_1$, $\ldots$, $f_k$ from $S$ to itself, prove that \[ c(f_1) + \dots + c(f_k) \le n(k-1) + c(f) \] where $f : S \to S$ is the composed function $f_1 \circ \dots \circ f_k$. [i]Proposed by Maria Monks Gillespie[/i]

ICMC 3, 1

Tags: group theory
An [I]automorphism[/i] of a group \(\left(G,*\right)\) is a bijective function \(f:G\to G\) satisfying \(f(x*y)=f(x)*f(y)\) for all \(x,y\in G\). Find a group \((G,*)\) with fewer than \((201.6)^2=40642.56\) unique elements and exactly \(2016^2\) unique automorphisms. [i]Proposed by the ICMC Problem Committee[/i]

2009 Miklós Schweitzer, 7

Let $ H$ be an arbitrary subgroup of the diffeomorphism group $ \mathsf{Diff}^\infty(M)$ of a differentiable manifold $ M$. We say that an $ \mathcal C^\infty$-vector field $ X$ is [i]weakly tangent[/i] to the group $ H$, if there exists a positive integer $ k$ and a $ \mathcal C^\infty$-differentiable map $ \varphi \mathrel{: } \mathord{]} \minus{} \varepsilon,\varepsilon\mathord{[}^k\times M\to M$ such that (i) for fixed $ t_1,\dots,t_k$ the map \[ \varphi_{t_1,\dots,t_k} : x\in M\mapsto \varphi(t_1,\dots,t_k,x)\] is a diffeomorphism of $ M$, and $ \varphi_{t_1,\dots,t_k}\in H$; (ii) $ \varphi_{t_1,\dots,t_k}\in H \equal{} \mathsf{Id}$ whenever $ t_j \equal{} 0$ for some $ 1\leq j\leq k$; (iii) for any $ \mathcal C^\infty$-function $ f: M\to \mathbb R$ \[ X f \equal{} \left.\frac {\partial^k(f\circ\varphi_{t_1,\dots,t_k})}{\partial t_1\dots\partial t_k}\right|_{(t_1,\dots,t_k) \equal{} (0,\dots,0)}.\] Prove, that the commutators of $ \mathcal C^\infty$-vector fields that are weakly tangent to $ H\subset \textsf{Diff}^\infty(M)$ are also weakly tangent to $ H$.

2006 Iran MO (3rd Round), 1

$n$ is a natural number. $d$ is the least natural number that for each $a$ that $gcd(a,n)=1$ we know $a^{d}\equiv1\pmod{n}$. Prove that there exist a natural number that $\mbox{ord}_{n}b=d$

1986 Traian Lălescu, 2.4

Show that there is an unique group $ G $ (up to isomorphism) of order $ 1986 $ which has the property that there is at most one subgroup of it having order $ n, $ for every natural number $ n. $

2007 Putnam, 5

Suppose that a finite group has exactly $ n$ elements of order $ p,$ where $ p$ is a prime. Prove that either $ n\equal{}0$ or $ p$ divides $ n\plus{}1.$

2006 IMS, 3

$G$ is a group that order of each element of it Commutator group is finite. Prove that subset of all elemets of $G$ which have finite order is a subgroup og $G$.

2016 Dutch BxMO TST, 4

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?

2014 IMS, 10

Let $V$ be a $n-$dimensional vector space over a field $F$ with a basis $\{e_1,e_2, \cdots ,e_n\}$.Prove that for any $m-$dimensional linear subspace $W$ of $V$, the number of elements of the set $W \cap P$ is less than or equal to $2^m$ where $P=\{\lambda_1e_1 + \lambda_2e_2 + \cdots + \lambda_ne_n : \lambda_i=0,1\}$.

1989 Greece National Olympiad, 4

In a group $G$, we have two elements $x,y$ such that $x^{n}=e,y^2=e,yxy=x^{-1}$, $n\ge 1$. Prove that for any $k\in\mathbb{N}$ holds $(x^ky)^2=e$. Note : e=group's identity .

1995 Brazil National Olympiad, 5

Show that no one $n$-th root of a rational (for $n$ a positive integer) can be a root of the polynomial $x^5 - x^4 - 4x^3 + 4x^2 + 2$.

2010 Iran MO (3rd Round), 4

a) prove that every discrete subgroup of $(\mathbb R^2,+)$ is in one of these forms: i-$\{0\}$. ii-$\{mv|m\in \mathbb Z\}$ for a vector $v$ in $\mathbb R^2$. iii-$\{mv+nw|m,n\in \mathbb Z\}$ for tho linearly independent vectors $v$ and $w$ in $\mathbb R^2$.(lattice $L$) b) prove that every finite group of symmetries that fixes the origin and the lattice $L$ is in one of these forms: $\mathcal C_i$ or $\mathcal D_i$ that $i=1,2,3,4,6$ ($\mathcal C_i$ is the cyclic group of order $i$ and $\mathcal D_i$ is the dyhedral group of order $i$).(20 points)

2016 Dutch BxMO TST, 4

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?

2009 National Olympiad First Round, 32

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) $) $\textbf{(A)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 5 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 7 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 15 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{None}$

2004 VJIMC, Problem 1

Are the groups $(\mathbb Q,+)$ and $(\mathbb Q^+,\cdot)$ isomorphic?

2012 India National Olympiad, 6

Let $f : \mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z}$ be a function satisfying $f(0) \ne 0$, $f(1) = 0$ and $(i) f(xy) + f(x)f(y) = f(x) + f(y)$ $(ii)\left(f(x-y) - f(0)\right ) f(x)f(y) = 0 $ for all $x,y \in \mathbb{Z}$, simultaneously. $(a)$ Find the set of all possible values of the function $f$. $(b)$ If $f(10) \ne 0$ and $f(2) = 0$, find the set of all integers $n$ such that $f(n) \ne 0$.

2006 Petru Moroșan-Trident, 1

Let be a natural number $ n\ge 4, $ and a group $ G $ for which the applications $ \iota ,\eta : G\longrightarrow G $ defined by $ \iota (g) =g^n ,\eta (g) =g^{2n} $ are endomorphisms. Prove that $ G $ is commutative if $ \iota $ is injective or surjective. [i]Gh. Andrei[/i]

2012 IMC, 3

Given an integer $n>1$, let $S_n$ be the group of permutations of the numbers $1,\;2,\;3,\;\ldots,\;n$. Two players, A and B, play the following game. Taking turns, they select elements (one element at a time) from the group $S_n$. It is forbidden to select an element that has already been selected. The game ends when the selected elements generate the whole group $S_n$. The player who made the last move loses the game. The first move is made by A. Which player has a winning strategy? [i]Proposed by Fedor Petrov, St. Petersburg State University.[/i]