Olympiad problems

2002 Polish MO Finals, 1

$x_1,...,x_n$ are non-negative reals and $n \geq 3$. Prove that at least one of the following inequalities is true: \[ \sum_{i=1} ^n \frac{x_i}{x_{i+1}+x_{i+2}} \geq \frac{n}{2}, \] \[ \sum_{i=1} ^n \frac{x_i}{x_{i-1}+x_{i-2}} \geq \frac{n}{2} . \]

2003 China National Olympiad, 3

Tags: inequalities , trigonometry , inequalities proposed

Given a positive integer $n$, find the least $\lambda>0$ such that for any $x_1,\ldots x_n\in \left(0,\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$, the condition $\prod_{i=1}^{n}\tan x_i=2^{\frac{n}{2}}$ implies $\sum_{i=1}^{n}\cos x_i\le\lambda$. [i]Huang Yumin[/i]

2007 Peru IMO TST, 4

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed , Hi

Let $a,b$ and $c$ be sides of a triangle. Prove that: $\frac{\sqrt{b+c-a}}{\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}-\sqrt{a}}+\frac{\sqrt{c+a-b}}{\sqrt{c}+\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{b}}+\frac{\sqrt{a+b-c}}{\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}}\leq 3$

1999 USAMO, 4

Tags: USAMO , inequalities , function , inequalities proposed

Let $a_{1}, a_{2}, \dots, a_{n}$ ($n > 3$) be real numbers such that \[ a_{1} + a_{2} + \cdots + a_{n} \geq n \qquad \mbox{and} \qquad a_{1}^{2} + a_{2}^{2} + \cdots + a_{n}^{2} \geq n^{2}. \] Prove that $\max(a_{1}, a_{2}, \dots, a_{n}) \geq 2$.

1995 Baltic Way, 6

Tags: search , inequalities proposed , inequalities

Prove that for positive $a,b,c,d$ \[\frac{a+c}{a+b}+\frac{b+d}{b+c}+\frac{c+a}{c+d}+\frac{d+b}{d+a}\ge 4\]

2023 China Second Round, 6

Tags: inequalities proposed , algebra , equation , China , inequalities

Let $a,b,c $ be the lengths of the three sides of a triangle and $a,b$ be the two roots of the equation $ax^2-bx+c=0 $$ (a<b) . $ Find the value range of $ a+b-c .$

2009 Kazakhstan National Olympiad, 4

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed , Kazakhstan

Let $0<a_1 \leq a_2 \leq \cdots\leq a_n $ ($n \geq 3; n \in \mathbb{N}$) be $n$ real numbers. Prove the inequality \[\frac{a_1^2}{a_2}+\frac{a_2^3}{a_3^2}+\cdots+\frac{a_n^{n+1}}{a_1^n} \geq a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n\]

Gheorghe Țițeica 2025, P2

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed

Let $a,b,c$ be three positive real numbers with $ab+bc+ca=4$. Find the minimum value of the expression $$E(a,b,c)=\frac{a^2+b^2}{ab}+\frac{b^2+c^2}{bc}+\frac{c^2+a^2}{ca}-(a-b)^2.$$

2008 Singapore Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: inequalities , function , inequalities proposed

Let $ x_1, x_2,\ldots , x_n$ be positive real numbers such that $ x_1x_2\cdots x_n \equal{} 1$. Prove that \[\sum_{i \equal{} 1}^n \frac {1}{n \minus{} 1 \plus{} x_i}\le 1.\]

1992 Romania Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed

Let $ a_1, a_2, ..., a_k $ be distinct positive integers such that the $2^k$ sums $\displaystyle\sum\limits_{i=1}^{k}{\epsilon_i a_i}$, $\epsilon_i\in\left\{0,1\right\}$ are distinct. a) Show that $ \dfrac{1}{a_1}+\dfrac{1}{a_2}+...+\dfrac{1}{a_k}\le2(1-2^{-k}) $; b) Find the sequences $(a_1,a_2,...,a_k)$ for which the equality holds. [i]Șerban Buzețeanu[/i]

2011 Spain Mathematical Olympiad, 2

Tags: inequalities , function , calculus , derivative , inequalities proposed , algebra

Let $a$, $b$, $c$ be positive real numbers. Prove that \[ \frac{a}{b+c}+\frac{b}{c+a}+\frac{c}{a+b}+\sqrt{\frac{ab+bc+ca}{a^2+b^2+c^2}}\ge\frac52\] and determine when equality holds.

2010 Contests, 2

Tags: inequalities , search , inequalities proposed

$a,b,c$ are positive real numbers. prove the following inequality: $\frac{1}{a^2}+\frac{1}{b^2}+\frac{1}{c^2}+\frac{1}{(a+b+c)^2}\ge \frac{7}{25}(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}+\frac{1}{a+b+c})^2$ (20 points)

2010 Kosovo National Mathematical Olympiad, 5

Tags: Inequality , algebra , inequalities proposed , inequalities

Let $x,y$ be positive real numbers such that $x+y=1$. Prove that $\left(1+\frac {1}{x}\right)\left(1+\frac {1}{y}\right)\geq 9$.

2010 Indonesia TST, 1

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed

Let $ a$, $ b$, and $ c$ be non-negative real numbers and let $ x$, $ y$, and $ z$ be positive real numbers such that $ a\plus{}b\plus{}c\equal{}x\plus{}y\plus{}z$. Prove that \[ \dfrac{a^3}{x^2}\plus{}\dfrac{b^3}{y^2}\plus{}\dfrac{c^3}{z^2} \ge a\plus{}b\plus{}c.\] [i]Hery Susanto, Malang[/i]

2013 Middle European Mathematical Olympiad, 2

Tags: inequalities proposed , inequalities

Let $ x, y, z, w $ be nonzero real numbers such that $ x+y \ne 0$, $ z+w \ne 0 $, and $ xy+zw \ge 0 $. Prove that \[ \left( \frac{x+y}{z+w} + \frac{z+w}{x+y} \right) ^{-1} + \frac{1}{2} \ge \left( \frac{x}{z} + \frac{z}{x} \right) ^{-1} + \left( \frac{y}{w} + \frac{w}{y} \right) ^{-1}\]

2023 Vietnam National Olympiad, 3

Tags: inequalities , algebra , inequalities proposed

Find the maximum value of the positive real number $k$ such that the inequality $$\frac{1}{kab+c^2} +\frac{1} {kbc+a^2} +\frac{1} {kca+b^2} \geq \frac{k+3}{a^2+b^2+c^2} $$holds for all positive real numbers $a,b,c$ such that $a^2+b^2+c^2=2(ab+bc+ca).$

2006 QEDMO 2nd, 3

Tags: inequalities , inequalities proposed

Prove the inequality $\frac{b^2+c^2-a^2}{a\left(b+c\right)}+\frac{c^2+a^2-b^2}{b\left(c+a\right)}+\frac{a^2+b^2-c^2}{c\left(a+b\right)}\geq\frac32$ for any three positive reals $a$, $b$, $c$. [i]Comment.[/i] This was an attempt of creating a contrast to the (rather hard) inequality at the QEDMO before. However, it turned out to be more difficult than I expected (a wrong solution was presented during the competition). Darij

2002 Polish MO Finals, 1

2003 China National Olympiad, 3

2007 Peru IMO TST, 4

1999 USAMO, 4

1995 Baltic Way, 6

2023 China Second Round, 6

2009 Kazakhstan National Olympiad, 4

Gheorghe Țițeica 2025, P2

2008 Singapore Team Selection Test, 2

1992 Romania Team Selection Test, 2

2011 Spain Mathematical Olympiad, 2

2010 Contests, 2

2010 Kosovo National Mathematical Olympiad, 5

2010 Indonesia TST, 1

2013 Middle European Mathematical Olympiad, 2

2023 Vietnam National Olympiad, 3

2006 QEDMO 2nd, 3

2014 Uzbekistan National Olympiad, 3

2007 Ukraine Team Selection Test, 1

2005 QEDMO 1st, 12 (U2)

2025 Azerbaijan Junior NMO, 5

2013 Uzbekistan National Olympiad, 2

2010 Balkan MO, 1

1977 IMO Longlists, 54

2007 France Team Selection Test, 2