Conside a positive odd integer $k$ and let $n_1<n_2<\ldots<n_k$ be $k$ positive odd integers. Prove that: \[n_1^2-n_2^2+n_3^2-n_4^2+\ldots+n_k^2\ge 2k^2-1\] [i]Titu Andreescu[/i]

Let $n$ be a fixed positive odd integer. Take $m+2$ [b]distinct[/b] points $P_0,P_1,\ldots ,P_{m+1}$ (where $m$ is a non-negative integer) on the coordinate plane in such a way that the following three conditions are satisfied: 1) $P_0=(0,1),P_{m+1}=(n+1,n)$, and for each integer $i,1\le i\le m$, both $x$- and $y$- coordinates of $P_i$ are integers lying in between $1$ and $n$ ($1$ and $n$ inclusive). 2) For each integer $i,0\le i\le m$, $P_iP_{i+1}$ is parallel to the $x$-axis if $i$ is even, and is parallel to the $y$-axis if $i$ is odd. 3) For each pair $i,j$ with $0\le i<j\le m$, line segments $P_iP_{i+1}$ and $P_jP_{j+1}$ share at most $1$ point. Determine the maximum possible value that $m$ can take.

An ant traverses between vertices on a unit cube such that at each vertex, it uniformly at random chooses an adjacent vertex to travel to. What is the expected distance travelled by the ant until it returns to its starting vertex?

Two square sheets have areas equal to $ 2003$. Each of the sheets is arbitrarily divided into $ 2003$ nonoverlapping polygons, besides, each of the polygons has an unitary area. Afterward, one overlays two sheets, and it is asked to prove that the obtained double layer can be punctured $ 2003$ times, so that each of the $ 4006$ polygons gets punctured precisely once.

For a set $ P$ of five points in the plane, no three of them being collinear, let $ s(P)$ be the numbers of acute triangles formed by vertices in $ P$. Find the maximum value of $ s(P)$ over all such sets $ P$.

Prove for irrational number $\alpha$ and positive integer $n$ that \[ \left( \alpha + \sqrt{\alpha^2 - 1} \right)^{1/n} + \left(\alpha - \sqrt{\alpha^2 - 1} \right)^{1/n} \] is irrational.

How many different ways are there to paint the sides of a tetrahedron with exactly $4$ colors? Each side gets its own color, and two colorings are the same if one can be rotated to get the other.

Choose a rational point $P_0(x_p,y_p)$ arbitrary on ellipse $C:x^2+2y^2=2098$. Define $P_1,P_2,\cdots$ recursively by the following rules: $(1)$ Choose a lattice point $Q_i=(x_i,y_i)\notin C$ such that $|x_i|<50$ and $|y_i|<50$. $(2)$ Line $P_iQ_i$ intersects $C$ at another point $P_{i+1}$. Prove that for any point $P_0$ we can choose suitable points $Q_0,Q_1,\cdots$ such that $\exists k\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{0\}$, $\overline{OP_k}^2=2017$.

Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrangle, let the diagonals $AC$ and $BD$ cross at $O$, and let $I$ and $J$ be the incentres of the triangles $ABC$ and $ABD$, respectively. The line $IJ$ crosses the segments $OA$ and $OB$ at $M$ and $N$, respectively. Prove that the triangle $OMN$ is isosceles.

For all positive integers $ n$, let $ f(n) \equal{} \log_{2002} n^2$. Let \[ N \equal{} f(11) \plus{} f(13) \plus{} f(14) \] Which of the following relations is true? $ \textbf{(A)}\ N < 1 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ N \equal{} 1 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 1 < N < 2 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ N \equal{} 2 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ N > 2$

Bisectors $AA_1$ and $BB_1$ of a right triangle $ABC \ (\angle C=90^\circ )$ meet at a point $I.$ Let $O$ be the circumcenter of triangle $CA_1B_1.$ Prove that $OI \perp AB.$

Let $O$ be the circumcenter of an acute-angled triangle $ABC$, let $T$ be the circumcenter of the triangle $AOC$, and let $M$ be the midpoint of the segment $AC$. We take a point $D$ on the side $AB$ and a point $E$ on the side $BC$ that satisfy $\angle BDM = \angle BEM = \angle ABC$. Show that the straight lines $BT$ and $DE$ are perpendicular.

Find the smallest natural number n such that for all integers $m > n$ there are positive integers $x$ and $y$ for which the equality 1$7x + 23y = m$ holds

In quadrilateral $ABCD$ with incenter $I$, points $W,X,Y,Z$ lie on sides $AB, BC,CD,DA$ with $AZ=AW$, $BW=BX$, $CX=CY$, $DY=DZ$. Define $T=\overline{AC}\cap\overline{BD}$ and $L=\overline{WY}\cap\overline{XZ}$. Let points $O_a,O_b,O_c,O_d$ be such that $\angle O_aZA=\angle O_aWA=90^\circ$ (and cyclic variants), and $G=\overline{O_aO_c}\cap\overline{O_bO_d}$. Prove that $\overline{IL}\parallel\overline{TG}$. [i]Neal Yan[/i]

Find all functions $f$ defined on the set of positive reals which take positive real values and satisfy: $f(xf(y))=yf(x)$ for all $x,y$; and $f(x)\to0$ as $x\to\infty$.

There are exactly $N$ distinct rational numbers $k$ such that $|k|<200$ and \[5x^2+kx+12=0\] has at least one integer solution for $x$. What is $N$? $\textbf{(A) }6\qquad \textbf{(B) }12\qquad \textbf{(C) }24\qquad \textbf{(D) }48\qquad \textbf{(E) }78\qquad$

Determine all functions $f : Z\to Z$, where $Z$ is the set of integers, such that $$f(m + f(f(n))) = -f(f(m + 1)) - n$$ for all integers $m$ and $n$.

The triangle $ABC$ has perimeter $36$, and the length of $BC$ is $9$. Point $M$ is the midpoint of $AC$, and $I$ is the incenter. Find the angle $MIC$.

A line $\ell$ with slope of $\frac{1}{3}$ insects the ellipse $C:\frac{x^2}{36}+\frac{y^2}{4}=1$ at points $A,B$ and the point $P\left( 3\sqrt{2} , \sqrt{2}\right)$ is above the line $\ell$. [list] [b](1)[/b] Prove that the locus of the incenter of triangle $PAB$ is a segment, [b](2)[/b] If $\angle APB=\frac{\pi}{3}$, then find the area of triangle $PAB$.[/list]

Two unit squares are stacked on top of one another to form a $1 \times 2$ rectangle. Each of the seven edges is colored either red or blue. How many ways are there to color the edges in this way such that there is exactly one path along all-blue edges from the bottom-left corner to the top-right corner?

$n$ is a natural number. We shall call a permutation $a_1,\dots,a_n$ of $1,\dots,n$ a quadratic(cubic) permutation if $\forall 1\leq i \leq n-1$ we have $a_ia_{i+1}+1$ is a perfect square(cube). $(a)$ Prove that for infinitely many natural numbers $n$ there exists a quadratic permutation. $(b)$ Prove that for no natural number $n$ exists a cubic permutation.

Let $ P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients such that \[ P(m_1) \equal{} P(m_2) \equal{} P(m_3) \equal{} P(m_4) \equal{} 7\] for given distinct integers $ m_1,m_2,m_3,$ and $ m_4.$ Show that there is no integer m such that $ P(m) \equal{} 14.$

A circular grass plot 12 feet in diameter is cut by a straight gravel path 3 feet wide, one edge of which passes through the center of the plot. The number of square feet in the remaining grass area is $ \textbf{(A)}\ 36\pi\minus{}34 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 30\pi \minus{} 15 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 36\pi \minus{} 33 \qquad$ $ \textbf{(D)}\ 35\pi \minus{} 9\sqrt3 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 30\pi \minus{} 9\sqrt3$

Twenty-five people of different heights stand in a $5\times 5$ grid of squares, with one person in each square. We know that each row has a shortest person, suppose Ana is the tallest of these five people. Similarly, we know that each column has a tallest person, suppose Bev is the shortest of these five people. Assuming Ana and Bev are not the same person, who is taller: Ana or Bev? Prove that your answer is always correct.

Inside the angle $AOD$, the rays $OB$ and $OC$ are drawn such that $\angle AOB = \angle COD.$ Two circles are inscribed inside the angles $\angle AOB$ and $\angle COD$ . Prove that the intersection point of the common internal tangents of these circles lies on the bisector of the angle $AOD$.