Found problems: 250
1977 IMO Shortlist, 13
Let $B$ be a set of $k$ sequences each having $n$ terms equal to $1$ or $-1$. The product of two such sequences $(a_1, a_2, \ldots , a_n)$ and $(b_1, b_2, \ldots , b_n)$ is defined as $(a_1b_1, a_2b_2, \ldots , a_nb_n)$. Prove that there exists a sequence $(c_1, c_2, \ldots , c_n)$ such that the intersection of $B$ and the set containing all sequences from $B$ multiplied by $(c_1, c_2, \ldots , c_n)$ contains at most $\frac{k^2}{2^n}$ sequences.
2014 IMS, 7
Let $G$ be a finite group such that for every two subgroups of it like $H$ and $K$, $H \cong K$ or $H \subseteq K$ or $K \subseteq H$. Prove that we can produce each subgroup of $G$ with 2 elements at most.
PEN D Problems, 2
Suppose that $p$ is an odd prime. Prove that \[\sum_{j=0}^{p}\binom{p}{j}\binom{p+j}{j}\equiv 2^{p}+1\pmod{p^{2}}.\]
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 .
1996 IMC, 9
Let $G$ be the subgroup of $GL_{2}(\mathbb{R})$ generated by $A$ and $B$, where
$$A=\begin{pmatrix}
2 &0\\
0&1
\end{pmatrix},\;
B=\begin{pmatrix}
1 &1\\
0&1
\end{pmatrix}$$.
Let $H$ consist of the matrices $\begin{pmatrix}
a_{11} &a_{12}\\
a_{21}& a_{22}
\end{pmatrix}$ in $G$ for which $a_{11}=a_{22}=1$.
a) Show that $H$ is an abelian subgroup of $G$.
b) Show that $H$ is not finitely generated.
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)
1998 Romania National Olympiad, 2
$\textbf{a) }$ Let $p \geq 2$ be a natural number and $G_p = \bigcup\limits_{n \in \mathbb{N}} \lbrace z \in \mathbb{C} \mid z^{p^n}=1 \rbrace.$ Prove that $(G_p, \cdot)$ is a subgroup of $(\mathbb{C}^*, \cdot).$
$\textbf{b) }$ Let $(H, \cdot)$ be an infinite subgroup of $(\mathbb{C}^*, \cdot).$ Prove that all proper subgroups of $H$ are finite if and only if $H=G_p$ for some prime $p.$
2025 India STEMS Category C, 6
Let $G$ be a finite abelian group. There is a magic box $T$. At any point, an element of $G$ may be added to the box and all elements belonging to the subgroup (of $G$) generated by the elements currently inside $T$ are moved from outside $T$ to inside (unless they are already inside). Initially $
T$ contains only the group identity, $1_G$. Alice and Bob take turns moving an element from outside $T$ to inside it. Alice moves first. Whoever cannot make a move loses. Find all $G$ for which Bob has a winning strategy.
2023 District Olympiad, P2
Let $(G,\cdot)$ be a grup with neutral element $e{}$, and let $H{}$ and $K$ be proper subgroups of $G$, satisfying $H\cap K=\{e\}$. It is known that $(G\setminus(H\cup K))\cup\{e\}$ is closed under the operation of $G$. Prove that $x^2=e$ for all the elements $x{}$ of $G{}$.
2022 Romania National Olympiad, P4
Let $(R,+,\cdot)$ be a ring with center $Z=\{a\in\mathbb{R}:ar=ra,\forall r\in\mathbb{R}\}$ with the property that the group $U=U(R)$ of its invertible elements is finite. Given that $G$ is the group of automorphisms of the additive group $(R,+),$ prove that \[|G|\geq\frac{|U|^2}{|Z\cap U|}.\][i]Dragoș Crișan[/i]
1952 Miklós Schweitzer, 5
Let $ G$ be anon-commutative group. Consider all the one-to-one mappings $ a\rightarrow a'$ of $ G$ onto itself such that $ (ab)'\equal{}b'a'$ (i.e. the anti-automorphisms of $ G$). Prove that this mappings together with the automorphisms of $ G$ constitute a group which contains the group of the automorphisms of $ G$ as direct factor.
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 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 7
Let $G$ be a group such that every subgroup of $G$ is subnormal. Suppose that there exists $N$ normal subgroup of $G$ such that $Z(N)$ is nontrivial and $G/N$ is cyclic. Prove that $Z(G)$ is nontrivial. ($Z(G)$ denotes the center of $G$).
[b]Note[/b]: A subgroup $H$ of $G$ is subnormal if there exist subgroups $H_1,H_2,\ldots,H_m=G$ of $G$ such that $H\lhd H_1\lhd H_2 \lhd \ldots \lhd H_m= G$ ($\lhd$ denotes normal subgroup).
2014 VJIMC, Problem 2
Let $p$ be a prime number and let $A$ be a subgroup of the multiplicative group $\mathbb F^*_p$ of the finite field $\mathbb F_p$ with $p$ elements. Prove that if the order of $A$ is a multiple of $6$, then there exist $x,y,z\in A$ satisfying $x+y=z$.
2006 Romania National Olympiad, 3
Let $\displaystyle G$ be a finite group of $\displaystyle n$ elements $\displaystyle ( n \geq 2 )$ and $\displaystyle p$ be the smallest prime factor of $\displaystyle n$. If $\displaystyle G$ has only a subgroup $\displaystyle H$ with $\displaystyle p$ elements, then prove that $\displaystyle H$ is in the center of $\displaystyle G$.
[i]Note.[/i] The center of $\displaystyle G$ is the set $\displaystyle Z(G) = \left\{ a \in G \left| ax=xa, \, \forall x \in G \right. \right\}$.
2007 Iran MO (3rd Round), 5
A hyper-primitive root is a k-tuple $ (a_{1},a_{2},\dots,a_{k})$ and $ (m_{1},m_{2},\dots,m_{k})$ with the following property:
For each $ a\in\mathbb N$, that $ (a,m) \equal{} 1$, has a unique representation in the following form:
\[ a\equiv a_{1}^{\alpha_{1}}a_{2}^{\alpha_{2}}\dots a_{k}^{\alpha_{k}}\pmod{m}\qquad 1\leq\alpha_{i}\leq m_{i}\]
Prove that for each $ m$ we have a hyper-primitive root.
2021 IMC, 6
For a prime number $p$, let $GL_2(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})$ be the group of invertible $2 \times 2$ matrices of residues modulo $p$, and let $S_p$ be the symmetric group (the group of all permutations) on $p$ elements. Show that there is no injective group homomorphism $\phi : GL_2(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z}) \rightarrow S_p$.
2010 Iran MO (3rd Round), 5
suppose that $p$ is a prime number. find that smallest $n$ such that there exists a non-abelian group $G$ with $|G|=p^n$.
SL is an acronym for Special Lesson. this year our special lesson was Groups and Symmetries.
the exam time was 5 hours.
1993 Hungary-Israel Binational, 7
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.
Assume $|G'| = 2$. Prove that $|G : G'|$ is even.
2013 Romania National Olympiad, 4
Given $n\ge 2$ a natural number, $(K,+,\cdot )$ a body with commutative property that $\underbrace{1+...+}_{m}1\ne 0,m=2,...,n,f\in K[X]$ a polynomial of degree $n$ and $G$ a subgroup of the additive group $(K,+,\cdot )$, $G\ne K.$Show that there is $a\in K$ so$f(a)\notin G$.
2007 Nicolae Coculescu, 1
Let be the set $ G=\{ (u,v)\in \mathbb{C}^2| u\neq 0 \} $ and a function $ \varphi :\mathbb{C}\setminus\{ 0\}\longrightarrow\mathbb{C}\setminus\{ 0\} $ having the property that the operation $ *:G^2\longrightarrow G $ defined as
$$ (a,b)*(c,d)=(ac,bc+d\varphi (a)) $$
is associative.
[b]a)[/b] Show that $ (G,*) $ is a group.
[b]b)[/b] Describe $ \varphi , $ knowing that $(G,*) $ is a commutative group.
[i]Marius Perianu[/i]
2002 Iran Team Selection Test, 12
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.
2012 Bulgaria National Olympiad, 1
Let $n$ be an even natural number and let $A$ be the set of all non-zero sequences of length $n$, consisting of numbers $0$ and $1$ (length $n$ binary sequences, except the zero sequence $(0,0,\ldots,0)$). Prove that $A$ can be partitioned into groups of three elements, so that for every triad $\{(a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n), (b_1,b_2,\ldots,b_n), (c_1,c_2,\ldots,c_n)\}$, and for every $i = 1, 2,\ldots,n$, exactly zero or two of the numbers $a_i, b_i, c_i$ are equal to $1$.
2004 VJIMC, Problem 1
Are the groups $(\mathbb Q,+)$ and $(\mathbb Q^+,\cdot)$ isomorphic?
2005 IMO Shortlist, 7
Suppose that $ a_1$, $ a_2$, $ \ldots$, $ a_n$ are integers such that $ n\mid a_1 \plus{} a_2 \plus{} \ldots \plus{} a_n$.
Prove that there exist two permutations $ \left(b_1,b_2,\ldots,b_n\right)$ and $ \left(c_1,c_2,\ldots,c_n\right)$ of $ \left(1,2,\ldots,n\right)$ such that for each integer $ i$ with $ 1\leq i\leq n$, we have
\[ n\mid a_i \minus{} b_i \minus{} c_i
\]
[i]Proposed by Ricky Liu & Zuming Feng, USA[/i]