Olympiad problems

2024 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 10.2

Tags: algebra , parallelogram , quadratic , parabola , conic , geometry

On a cartesian plane a parabola $y = x^2$ is drawn. For a given $k > 0$ we consider all trapezoids inscribed into this parabola with bases parallel to the x-axis, and the product of the lengths of their bases is exactly $k$. Prove that the lateral sides of all such trapezoids share a common point.

2021 Math Prize for Girls Problems, 12

Tags: parabola , conic

Let $P_1$, $P_2$, $P_3$, $P_4$, $P_5$, and $P_6$ be six parabolas in the plane, each congruent to the parabola $y = x^2/16$. The vertices of the six parabolas are evenly spaced around a circle. The parabolas open outward with their axes being extensions of six of the circle's radii. Parabola $P_1$ is tangent to $P_2$, which is tangent to $P_3$, which is tangent to $P_4$, which is tangent to $P_5$, which is tangent to $P_6$, which is tangent to $P_1$. What is the diameter of the circle?

1955 AMC 12/AHSME, 39

Tags: parabola , conic

If $ y\equal{}x^2\plus{}px\plus{}q$, then if the least possible value of $ y$ is zero $ q$ is equal to: $ \textbf{(A)}\ 0 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{p^2}{4} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \frac{p}{2} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \minus{}\frac{p}{2} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \frac{p^2}{4}\minus{}q$

2013 China Girls Math Olympiad, 1

Tags: parabola , function , algebra , domain , inequalities , conic , geometry

Let $A$ be the closed region bounded by the following three lines in the $xy$ plane: $x=1, y=0$ and $y=t(2x-t)$, where $0<t<1$. Prove that the area of any triangle inside the region $A$, with two vertices $P(t,t^2)$ and $Q(1,0)$, does not exceed $\frac{1}{4}.$

1999 National High School Mathematics League, 6

Tags: parabola , analytic geometry , geometry , conic

Points $A(1,2)$, a line that passes $(5,-2)$ intersects the parabola $y^2=4x$ at two points $B,C$. Then, $\triangle ABC$ is $\text{(A)}$ an acute triangle $\text{(B)}$ an obtuse triangle $\text{(C)}$ a right triangle $\text{(D)}$ not sure

2011 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 684

Tags: calculus , integration , function , parabola , calculus computations , conic , geometry

On the $xy$ plane, find the area of the figure bounded by the graphs of $y=x$ and $y=\left|\ \frac34 x^2-3\ \right |-2$. [i]2011 Kyoto University entrance exam/Science, Problem 3[/i]

1986 AMC 12/AHSME, 13

Tags: quadratic , parabola , conic

A parabola $y = ax^{2} + bx + c$ has vertex $(4,2)$. If $(2,0)$ is on the parabola, then $abc$ equals $ \textbf{(A)}\ -12\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ -6\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 0\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 6\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 12$

2011 AMC 12/AHSME, 14

Tags: probability , parabola , inequalities , conic

Suppose $a$ and $b$ are single-digit positive integers chosen independently and at random. What is the probability that the point $(a,b)$ lies above the parabola $y=ax^2-bx$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ \frac{11}{81} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{13}{81} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \frac{5}{27} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \frac{17}{81} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \frac{19}{81} $

2007 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 192

Tags: calculus , integration , parabola , geometry , limit , calculus computations , conic

Let $t$ be positive number. Draw two tangent lines to the palabola $y=x^{2}$ from the point $(t,-1).$ Denote the area of the region bounded by these tangent lines and the parabola by $S(t).$ Find the minimum value of $\frac{S(t)}{\sqrt{t}}.$

1985 National High School Mathematics League, 2

Tags: analytic geometry , geometry , 3d geometry , parabola , conic

$PQ$ is a chord of parabola $y^2=2px(p>0)$ and $PQ$ pass its focus $F$. Line $l$ is its directrix. Projection of $PQ$ on $l$ is $MN$. The area of curved surface that $PQ$ rotate around $l$ is $S_1$, the area of spherical surface of the ball with diameter of $MN$ is $S_2$, then $\text{(A)}S_1>S_2\qquad\text{(B)}S_1<S_2\qquad\text{(C)}S_1\geq S_2\qquad\text{(D)}$ Not sure

1974 Putnam, A5

Tags: locus , parabola , geometry

Consider the two mutually tangent parabolas $y=x^2$ and $y=-x^2$. The upper parabola rolls without slipping around the fixed lower parabola. Find the locus of the focus of the moving parabola.

2009 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 521

Tags: calculus , integration , parabola , vector , function , conic , geometry

Let $ t$ be a positive number. Draw two tangent lines from the point $ (t, \minus{} 1)$ to the parabpla $ y \equal{} x^2$. Denote $ S(t)$ the area bounded by the tangents line and the parabola. Find the minimum value of $ \frac {S(t)}{\sqrt {t}}$.

1957 AMC 12/AHSME, 40

Tags: parabola , irrational number , conic

If the parabola $ y \equal{} \minus{}x^2 \plus{} bx \minus{} 8$ has its vertex on the $ x$-axis, then $ b$ must be: $ \textbf{(A)}\ \text{a positive integer}\qquad \\ \textbf{(B)}\ \text{a positive or a negative rational number}\qquad \\ \textbf{(C)}\ \text{a positive rational number}\qquad \\ \textbf{(D)}\ \text{a positive or a negative irrational number}\qquad \\ \textbf{(E)}\ \text{a negative irrational number}$

2011 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 731

Tags: calculus , integration , parabola , geometry , calculus computations , conic

Let $C$ be the point of intersection of the tangent lines $l,\ m$ at $A(a,\ a^2),\ B(b,\ b^2)\ (a<b)$ on the parabola $y=x^2$ respectively. When $C$ moves on the parabola $y=\frac 12 x^2-x-2$, find the minimum area bounded by 2 lines $l,\ m$ and the parabola $y=x^2$.

2014 AMC 12/AHSME, 17

Tags: analytic geometry , graphing lines , slope , parabola , quadratic , calculus , conic

Let $P$ be the parabola with equation $y = x^2$ and let $Q = (20, 14)$ There are real numbers $r$ and $s$ such that the line through $Q$ with slope $m$ does not intersect $P$ if and only if $r < m < s$. What is $r + s?$ $ \textbf{(A)} 1 \qquad \textbf{(B)} 26 \qquad \textbf{(C)} 40 \qquad \textbf{(D)} 52 \qquad \textbf{(E)} 80 \qquad $

2017 CMIMC Individual Finals, 3

Tags: geometry , geometric transformation , rotation , parabola , conic

The parabola $\mathcal P$ given by equation $y=x^2$ is rotated some acute angle $\theta$ clockwise about the origin such that it hits both the $x$ and $y$ axes at two distinct points. Suppose the length of the segment $\mathcal P$ cuts the $x$-axis is $1$. What is the length of the segment $\mathcal P$ cuts the $y$-axis?

2007 ITest, 51

Tags: parabola , analytic geometry , conic

Find the highest point (largest possible $y$-coordinate) on the parabola \[y=-2x^2+28x+418.\]

2008 Saint Petersburg Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: incenter , parabola , circumcircle , geometry , conic

The graph $y=x^2+ax+b$ intersects any of the two axes at points $A$, $B$, and $C$. The incenter of triangle $ABC$ lies on the line $y=x$. Prove that $a+b+1=0$.

2019 CMIMC, 3

Tags: team , parabola , conic

Points $A(0,0)$ and $B(1,1)$ are located on the parabola $y=x^2$. A third point $C$ is positioned on this parabola between $A$ and $B$ such that $AC=CB=r$. What is $r^2$?

1998 AMC 12/AHSME, 14

Tags: parabola , analytic geometry , graphing lines , slope , conic

A parabola has vertex at $(4,-5)$ and has two $x$-intercepts, one positive and one negative. If this parabola is the graph of $y = ax^2 + bx + c$, which of $a$, $b$, and $c$ must be positive? $ \textbf{(A)}\ \text{Only }a\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \text{Only }b\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \text{Only }c\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \text{Only }a\text{ and }b\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \text{None}$

2012 Belarus Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: trapezoid , parabola , analytic geometry , geometry

Two distinct points $A$ and $B$ are marked on the left half of the parabola $y = x^2$. Consider any pair of parallel lines which pass through $A$ and $B$ and intersect the right half of the parabola at points $C$ and $D$. Let $K$ be the intersection point of the diagonals $AC$ and $BD$ of the obtained trapezoid $ABCD$. Let $M, N$ be the midpoints of the bases of $ABCD$. Prove that the difference $KM - KN$ depends only on the choice of points $A$ and $B$ but does not depend on the pair of parallel lines described above. (I. Voronovich)

2015 Belarus Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: parabola , perpendicular , arc midpoint , geometry , conic section , conic

A circle intersects a parabola at four distinct points. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of the arcs of the circle which are outside the parabola. Prove that the line $MN$ is perpendicular to the axis of the parabola. I. Voronovich

2012 AIME Problems, 6

Tags: trigonometry , parabola , complex number , conic

The complex numbers $z$ and $w$ satisfy $z^{13} = w$, $w^{11} = z$, and the imaginary part of $z$ is $\sin\left(\frac{m\pi}n\right)$ for relatively prime positive integers $m$ and $n$ with $m < n$. Find $n$.

2024 ISI Entrance UGB, P7

Tags: maximal , parabola , applications of calculus , conic

Consider a container of the shape obtained by revolving a segment of parabola $x = 1 + y^2$ around the $y$-axis as shown below. The container is initially empty. Water is poured at a constant rate of $1\, \text{cm}^3$ into the container. Let $h(t)$ be the height of water inside container at time $t$. Find the time $t$ when the rate of change of $h(t)$ is maximum.

2012 AMC 12/AHSME, 13

Tags: parabola , probability , symmetry , conic

Two parabolas have equations $y=x^2+ax+b$ and $y=x^2+cx+d$, where $a$, $b$, $c$, and $d$ are integers (not necessarily different), each chosen independently by rolling a fair six-sided die. What is the probability that the parabolas have at least one point in common? $\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{1}{2} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{25}{36} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \frac{5}{6} \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \frac{31}{36} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 1 $