Olympiad problems

2008 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 7

Tags: geometry , 3d geometry , limit , function , calculus , derivative , calculus computations

([b]5[/b]) Find $ p$ so that $ \lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}x^p\left(\sqrt[3]{x\plus{}1}\plus{}\sqrt[3]{x\minus{}1}\minus{}2\sqrt[3]{x}\right)$ is some non-zero real number.

1984 IMO Longlists, 21

Tags: probability , limit , combinatorics

$(1)$ Start with $a$ white balls and $b$ black balls. $(2)$ Draw one ball at random. $(3)$ If the ball is white, then stop. Otherwise, add two black balls and go to step $2$. Let $S$ be the number of draws before the process terminates. For the cases $a = b = 1$ and $a = b = 2$ only, find $a_n = P(S = n), b_n = P(S \le n), \lim_{n\to\infty} b_n$, and the expectation value of the number of balls drawn: $E(S) =\displaystyle\sum_{n\ge1} na_n.$

1957 Putnam, B2

Tags: iterated function , limit

In order to determine $\frac{1}{A}$ for $A>0$, one can use the iteration $X_{k+1}=X_{k}(2-AX_{k}),$ where $X_0$ is a selected starting value. Find the limitation, if any, on the starting value $X_0$ so that the above iteration converges to $\frac{1}{A}.$

2016 Mathematical Talent Reward Programme, MCQ: P 7

Tags: limit

Let $\{x\}$ denote the fractional part of $x$. Then $\lim \limits_{n\to \infty} \left\{ \left(1+\sqrt{2}\right)^{2n}\right\}$ equals [list=1] [*] 0 [*] 0.5 [*] 1 [*] Does not exists [/list]

1995 Putnam, 6

Tags: floor function , ceiling function , limit

For any $a>0$,set $\mathcal{S}(a)=\{\lfloor{na}\rfloor|n\in \mathbb{N}\}$. Show that there are no three positive reals $a,b,c$ such that \[ \mathcal{S}(a)\cap \mathcal{S}(b)=\mathcal{S}(b)\cap \mathcal{S}(c)=\mathcal{S}(c)\cap \mathcal{S}(a)=\emptyset \] \[ \mathcal{S}(a)\cup \mathcal{S}(b)\cup \mathcal{S}(c)=\mathbb{N} \]

2011 Putnam, A6

Tags: abstract algebra , probability , limit , real analysis , linear algebra , matrix

Let $G$ be an abelian group with $n$ elements, and let \[\{g_1=e,g_2,\dots,g_k\}\subsetneq G\] be a (not necessarily minimal) set of distinct generators of $G.$ A special die, which randomly selects one of the elements $g_1,g_2,\dots,g_k$ with equal probability, is rolled $m$ times and the selected elements are multiplied to produce an element $g\in G.$ Prove that there exists a real number $b\in(0,1)$ such that \[\lim_{m\to\infty}\frac1{b^{2m}}\sum_{x\in G}\left(\mathrm{Prob}(g=x)-\frac1n\right)^2\] is positive and finite.

1990 Polish MO Finals, 2

Tags: limit , number theory

Suppose that $(a_n)$ is a sequence of positive integers such that $\lim\limits_{n\to \infty} \dfrac{n}{a_n}=0$ Prove that there exists $k$ such that there are at least $1990$ perfect squares between $a_1 + a_2 + ... + a_k$ and $a_1 + a_2 + ... + a_{k+1}$.

2006 Stanford Mathematics Tournament, 15

Tags: limit , geometric series

Let $c_i$ denote the $i$th composite integer so that $\{c_i\}=4,6,8,9,...$ Compute \[\prod_{i=1}^{\infty} \dfrac{c^{2}_{i}}{c_{i}^{2}-1}\] (Hint: $\textstyle\sum^\infty_{n=1} \tfrac{1}{n^2}=\tfrac{\pi^2}{6}$)

2007 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 201

Tags: calculus , integration , limit , function , calculus computations

Evaluate the following definite integral. \[\int_{-1}^{1}\frac{e^{2x}+1-(x+1)(e^{x}+e^{-x})}{x(e^{x}-1)}dx\]

2009 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 440

Tags: calculus , integration , limit , real analysis , calculus computations

For $ a>1$, find $ \lim_{n\to\infty} \int_0^a \frac{e^x}{1\plus{}x^n}dx.$

2011 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 765

Tags: calculus , integration , function , limit , calculus computations

Define two functions $g(x),\ f(x)\ (x\geq 0)$ by $g(x)=\int_0^x e^{-t^2}dt,\ f(x)=\int_0^1 \frac{e^{-(1+s^2)x}}{1+s^2}ds.$ Now we know that $f'(x)=-\int_0^1 e^{-(1+s^2)x}ds.$ (1) Find $f(0).$ (2) Show that $f(x)\leq \frac{\pi}{4}e^{-x}\ (x\geq 0).$ (3) Let $h(x)=\{g(\sqrt{x})\}^2$. Show that $f'(x)=-h'(x).$ (4) Find $\lim_{x\rightarrow +\infty} g(x)$ Please solve the problem without using Double Integral or Jacobian for those Japanese High School Students who don't study them.

Today's calculation of integrals, 768

Tags: calculus , integration , limit , 3d geometry , sphere , symmetry , geometry

Let $r$ be a real such that $0<r\leq 1$. Denote by $V(r)$ the volume of the solid formed by all points of $(x,\ y,\ z)$ satisfying \[x^2+y^2+z^2\leq 1,\ x^2+y^2\leq r^2\] in $xyz$-space. (1) Find $V(r)$. (2) Find $\lim_{r\rightarrow 1-0} \frac{V(1)-V(r)}{(1-r)^{\frac 32}}.$ (3) Find $\lim_{r\rightarrow +0} \frac{V(r)}{r^2}.$

2019 Jozsef Wildt International Math Competition, W. 11

Tags: limit , sequence

Let $(s_n)_{n\geq 1}$ be a sequence given by $s_n=-2\sqrt{n}+\sum \limits_{k=1}^n\frac{1}{\sqrt{k}}$ with $\lim \limits_{n \to \infty}s_n=s=$Ioachimescu constant and $(a_n)_{n\geq 1}$ , $(b_n)_{n\geq 1}$ be a positive real sequences such that $$\lim \limits_{n\to \infty}\frac{a_{n+1}}{na_n}=a\in \mathbb{R}^*_+, \lim \limits_{n\to \infty}\frac{b_{n+1}}{b_n\sqrt{n}}=b\in \mathbb{R}^*_+$$Compute$$\lim \limits_{n\to \infty}\left(1+e^{s_n}-e^{s_{n+1}}\right)^{\sqrt[n]{a_nb_n}}$$

1983 Putnam, B5

Tags: limit , calculus , integration

Let $\lVert u\rVert$ denote the distance from the real number $u$ to the nearest integer. For positive integers $n$, let $$a_n=\frac1n\int^n_1\left\lVert\frac nx\right\rVert dx.$$Determine $\lim_{n\to\infty}a_n$.

2024 CIIM, 5

Tags: combinatorics , coloring , limit

A board of size $3 \times N$ initially has all of its cells painted white. Let $a(N)$ be the maximum number of cells that can be painted black in such a way that no three consecutive cells (either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) are painted black. Prove that \[ \lim_{N \to \infty} \frac{a(N)}{N} \] exists and determine its value.

2005 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 36

Tags: calculus , integration , algebra , polynomial , limit , calculus computations

A sequence of polynomial $f_n(x)\ (n=0,1,2,\cdots)$ satisfies $f_0(x)=2,f_1(x)=x$, \[f_n(x)=xf_{n-1}(x)-f_{n-2}(x),\ (n=2,3,4,\cdots)\] Let $x_n\ (n\geqq 2)$ be the maximum real root of the equation $f_n(x)=0\ (|x|\leqq 2)$ Evaluate \[\lim_{n\to\infty} n^2 \int_{x_n}^2 f_n(x)dx\]

1961 Putnam, B1

Tags: limit , inequalities

Let $a_1 , a_2 , a_3 ,\ldots$ be a sequence of positive real numbers, define $s_n = \frac{a_1 +a_2 +\ldots+a_n }{n}$ and $r_n = \frac{a_{1}^{-1} +a_{2}^{-1} +\ldots+a_{n}^{-1} }{n}.$ Given that $\lim_{n\to \infty} s_n $ and $\lim_{n\to \infty} r_n $ exist, prove that the product of these limits is not less than $1.$

2006 Cezar Ivănescu, 1

Tags: factorial , harmonic series , newton s binom , limit , integral , calculus

[b]a)[/b] $ \lim_{n\to\infty } \frac{1}{n^2}\sum_{i=0}^n\sqrt{\binom{n+i}{2}} $ [b]b)[/b] $ \lim_{n\to\infty } \frac{a^{H_n}}{1+n} ,\quad a>0 $

2022 District Olympiad, P3

Tags: sequence , limit

Let $(x_n)_{n\geq 1}$ be the sequence defined recursively as such: \[x_1=1, \ x_{n+1}=\frac{x_1}{n+1}+\frac{x_2}{n+2}+\cdots+\frac{x_n}{2n} \ \forall n\geq 1.\]Consider the sequence $(y_n)_{n\geq 1}$ such that $y_n=(x_1^2+x_2^2+\cdots x_n^2)/n$ for all $n\geq 1.$ Prove that [list=a] [*]$x_{n+1}^2<y_n/2$ and $y_{n+1}<(2n+1)/(2n+2)\cdot y_n$ for all $n\geq 1;$ [*]$\lim_{n\to\infty}x_n=0.$ [/list]

2012 Grigore Moisil Intercounty, 3

Tags: riemann sum , definite integral , claculus , real analysis , limit

$ \lim_{n\to\infty } \frac{1}{n}\sum_{i,j=1}^n \frac{i+j}{i^2+j^2} $

2024 Mexican University Math Olympiad, 4

Tags: matrices , limit , linear algebra , series

Given $ b > 0 $, consider the following matrix: \[ B = \begin{pmatrix} b & b^2 \\ b^2 & b^3 \end{pmatrix} \] Denote by $ e_i $ the top left entry of $ B^i $. Prove that the following limit exists and calculate its value: \[ \lim_{i \to \infty} \sqrt[i]{e_i}. \]

1999 Putnam, 1

Tags: limit , trigonometry

Right triangle $ABC$ has right angle at $C$ and $\angle BAC=\theta$; the point $D$ is chosen on $AB$ so that $|AC|=|AD|=1$; the point $E$ is chosen on $BC$ so that $\angle CDE=\theta$. The perpendicular to $BC$ at $E$ meets $AB$ at $F$. Evaluate $\lim_{\theta\to 0}|EF|$.

PEN G Problems, 27

Tags: irrational number , limit , calculus , function , derivative , integration

Let $1<a_{1}<a_{2}<\cdots$ be a sequence of positive integers. Show that \[\frac{2^{a_{1}}}{{a_{1}}!}+\frac{2^{a_{2}}}{{a_{2}}!}+\frac{2^{a_{3}}}{{a_{3}}!}+\cdots\] is irrational.

2024 IMC, 8

Tags: recurrence relation , limit , sequence

Define the sequence $x_1,x_2,\dots$ by the initial terms $x_1=2, x_2=4$, and the recurrence relation \[x_{n+2}=3x_{n+1}-2x_n+\frac{2^n}{x_n} \quad \text{for} \quad n \ge 1.\] Prove that $\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{x_n}{2^n}$ exists and satisfies \[\frac{1+\sqrt{3}}{2} \le \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{x_n}{2^n} \le \frac{3}{2}.\]

1947 Putnam, A5

Tags: limit , sum , sequence

Let $a_1 , b_1 , c_1$ be positive real numbers whose sum is $1,$ and for $n=1, 2, \ldots$ we define $$a_{n+1}= a_{n}^{2} +2 b_n c_n, \;\;\;b_{n+1}= b_{n}^{2} +2 a_n c_n, \;\;\; c_{n+1}= c_{n}^{2} +2 a_n b_n.$$ Show that $a_n , b_n ,c_n$ approach limits as $n\to \infty$ and find those limits.