Found problems: 137
KoMaL A Problems 2017/2018, A. 727
For any finite sequence $(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$, denote by $N(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$ the number of ordered index pairs $(i,j)$ for which $1 \le i<j\le n$ and $x_i=x_j$. Let $p$ be an odd prime, $1 \le n<p$, and let $a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n$ and $b_1,b_2,\ldots,b_n$ be arbitrary residue classes modulo $p$. Prove that there exists a permutation $\pi$ of the indices $1,2,\ldots,n$ for which
\[N(a_1+b_{\pi(1)},a_2+b_{\pi(2)},\ldots,a_n+b_{\pi(n)})\le \min(N(a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n),N(b_1,b_2,\ldots,b_n)).\]
KoMaL A Problems 2017/2018, A. 704
A regular triangle has side length $n{}$. We divided its sides into $n{}$ equal parts and drew a line segment parallel with each side through the dividing points. A lattice of $1+2+\ldots+(n+1)$ intersection points is thus formed. For which positive integers $n{}$ can this lattice be partitioned into triplets of points which are the vertices of a regular triangle of side length $1$?
[i]Proposed by Alexander Gunning, Cambridge, UK[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2020/2021, A. 789
Let $p(x) = a_{21} x^{21} + a_{20} x^{20} + \dots + a_1 x + 1$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients and real roots such that the absolute value of all of its roots are less than $1/3$, and all the coefficients of $p(x)$ are lying in the interval $[-2019a,2019a]$ for some positive integer $a$. Prove that if this polynomial is reducible in $\mathbb{Z}[x]$, then the coefficients of one of its factors are less than $a$.
[i]Submitted by Navid Safaei, Tehran, Iran[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2024/2025, A. 896
Marine biologists are studying a new species of shellfish whose first generation consists of $100$ shellfish, and their colony reproduces as follows: if a given generation consists of $N$ shellfish (where $5\mid N$ always holds), they divide themselves into $N/5$ groups of $5$ shellfish each. Each group collectively produces $15$ offspring, who form the next generation. Some of the shellfish contain a pearl, but a shellfish can only contain a pearl if none of its direct ancestors contained a pearl. The value of a pearl is determined by the generation of the shellfish containing it: in the $n^{\mathrm{th}}$ generation, its value is $1/3^n$. Find the maximum possible total value of the pearls in the colony.
[i]Proposed by: Csongor Beke, Cambridge[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2021/2022, A. 810
For all positive integers $n,$ let $r_n$ be defined as \[r_n=\sum_{i=0}^n(-1)^i\binom{n}{i}\frac{1}{(i+1)!}.\]Prove that $\sum_{r=1}^\infty r_i=0.$
KoMaL A Problems 2023/2024, A. 865
A crossword is a grid of black and white cells such that every white cell belongs to some $2\times 2$ square of white cells. A word in the crossword is a contiguous sequence of two or more white cells in the same row or column, delimited on each side by either a black cell or the boundary of the grid.
Show that the total number of words in an $n\times n$ crossword cannot exceed $(n+1)^2/2$.
[i]Proposed by Nikolai Beluhov, Bulgaria[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2024/2025, A. 894
In convex polyhedron $ABCDE$ line segment $DE$ intersects the plane of triangle $ABC$ inside the triangle. Rotate the point $D$ outward into the plane of triangle $ABC$ around the lines $AB$, $BC$, $CA$; let the resulting points be $D_1$, $D_2$, and $D_3$. Similarly, rotate the point $E$ outward into the plane of triangle $ABC$ around the lines $AB$, $BC$, $CA$; let the resulting points be $E_1$, $E_2$, and $E_3$. Show that if the polyhedron has an inscribed sphere, then the circumcircles of $D_1D_2D_3$ and $E_1E_2E_3$ are concentric.
[i]Proposed by: Géza Kós, Budapest[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2020/2021, A. 797
We call a system of non-empty sets $H$ [i]entwined[/i], if for every disjoint pair of sets $A$ and $B$ in $H$ there exists $b\in B$ such that $A\cup\{b\}$ is in $H$ or there exists $a\in A$ such that $B\cup\{a\}$ is in $H.$
Let $H$ be an entwined system of sets containing all of $\{1\},\{2\},\ldots,\{n\}.$ Prove that if $n>k(k+1)/2,$ then $H$ contains a set with at least $k+1$ elements, and this is sharp for every $k,$ i.e. if $n=k(k+1),$ it is possible that every set in $H$ has at most $k$ elements.
KoMaL A Problems 2018/2019, A. 743
The incircle of tangential quadrilateral $ABCD$ intersects diagonal $BD$ at $P$ and $Q$ $(BP<BQ).$ Let $UV$ be the diameter of the incircle perpendicular to $AC$ $(BU<BV).$ Show that the lines $AC,PV,$ and $QU$ pass through one point.
[i]Based on problem 2 of IOM 2018, Moscow[/i]
KoMaL A Problems 2021/2022, A. 815
Let $q$ be a monic polynomial with integer coefficients. Prove that there exists a constant $C$ depending only on polynomial $q$ such that for an arbitrary prime number $p$ and an arbitrary positive integer $N \leq p$ the congruence $n! \equiv q(n) \pmod p$ has at most $CN^\frac {2}{3}$ solutions among any $N$ consecutive integers.
KoMaL A Problems 2023/2024, A. 857
Let $ABC$ be a given acute triangle, in which $BC$ is the longest side. Let $H$ be the orthocenter of the triangle, and let $D$ and $E$ be the feet of the altitudes from $B$ and $C$, respectively. Let $F$ and $G$ be the midpoints of sides $AB$ and $AC$, respectively. $X$ is the point of intersection of lines $DF$ and $EG$. Let $O_1$ and $O_2$ be the circumcenters of triangles $EFX$ and $DGX$, respectively. Finally, $M$ is the midpoint of line segment $O_1O_2$. Prove that points $X, H$ and $M$ are collinear.
KoMaL A Problems 2022/2023, A. 853
Let points $A, B, C, A', B', C'$ be chosen in the plane such that no three of them are collinear, and let lines $AA'$, $BB'$ and $CC'$ be tangent to a given equilateral hyperbola at points $A$, $B$ and $C$, respectively. Assume that the circumcircle of $A'B'C'$ is the same as the nine-point circle of triangle $ABC$. Let $s(A')$ be the Simson line of point $A'$ with respect to the orthic triangle of $ABC$. Let $A^*$ be the intersection of line $B'C'$ and the perpendicular on $s(A')$ from the point $A$. Points $B^*$ and $C^*$ are defined in a similar manner. Prove that points $A^*$, $B^*$ and $C^*$ are collinear.
[i]Submitted by Áron Bán-Szabó, Budapest[/i]