Olympiad problems

1958 AMC 12/AHSME, 22

A particle is placed on the parabola $ y \equal{} x^2 \minus{} x \minus{} 6$ at a point $ P$ whose $ y$-coordinate is $ 6$. It is allowed to roll along the parabola until it reaches the nearest point $ Q$ whose $ y$-coordinate is $ \minus{}6$. The horizontal distance traveled by the particle (the numerical value of the difference in the $ x$-coordinates of $ P$ and $ Q$) is: $ \textbf{(A)}\ 5\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 4\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 3\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 2\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 1$

2013 AMC 12/AHSME, 21

Tags: geometry , conic , combinatorics , angle bisector , parabola

Consider the set of 30 parabolas defined as follows: all parabolas have as focus the point (0,0) and the directrix lines have the form $y=ax+b$ with a and b integers such that $a\in \{-2,-1,0,1,2\}$ and $b\in \{-3,-2,-1,1,2,3\}$. No three of these parabolas have a common point. How many points in the plane are on two of these parabolas? ${ \textbf{(A)}\ 720\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 760\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 810\qquad\textbf{(D}}\ 840\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 870 $

1980 Putnam, A1

Tags: function , conic , parabola , algebra , polynomial

Let $b$ and $c$ be fixed real numbers and let the ten points $(j,y_j )$ for $j=1,2,\ldots,10$ lie on the parabola $y =x^2 +bx+c.$ For $j=1,2,\ldots, 9$ let $I_j$ be the intersection of the tangents to the given parabola at $(j, y_j )$ and $(j+1, y_{j+1}).$ Determine the poynomial function $y=g(x)$ of least degree whose graph passes through all nine points $I_j .$

2017 CMIMC Individual Finals, 3

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

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?

2014 Belarus Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: conic , parabola , hyperbola , analytic geometry , parallel , geometry

All vertices of triangles $ABC$ and $A_1B_1C_1$ lie on the hyperbola $y=1/x$. It is known that $AB \parallel A_1B_1$ and $BC \parallel B_1C_1$. Prove that $AC_1 \parallel A_1C$. (I. Gorodnin)

2006 AMC 12/AHSME, 12

Tags: conic , parabola , system of equations , analytic geometry , calculus , algebra

The parabola $ y \equal{} ax^2 \plus{} bx \plus{} c$ has vertex $ (p,p)$ and $ y$-intercept $ (0, \minus{} p)$, where $ p\neq 0$. What is $ b$? $ \textbf{(A) } \minus{} p \qquad \textbf{(B) } 0 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 2 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 4 \qquad \textbf{(E) } p$

2019 Iranian Geometry Olympiad, 5

Tags: parabola , geometry

Let points $A, B$ and $C$ lie on the parabola $\Delta$ such that the point $H$, orthocenter of triangle $ABC$, coincides with the focus of parabola $\Delta$. Prove that by changing the position of points $A, B$ and $C$ on $\Delta$ so that the orthocenter remain at $H$, inradius of triangle $ABC$ remains unchanged. [i]Proposed by Mahdi Etesamifard[/i]

1942 Putnam, B2

Tags: conic , parabola

For the family of parabolas $$y= \frac{ a^3 x^{2}}{3}+ \frac{ a^2 x}{2}-2a$$ (i) find the locus of vertices, (ii) find the envelope, (iii) sketch the envelope and two typical curves of the family.

1962 AMC 12/AHSME, 19

Tags: parabola , conic

If the parabola $ y \equal{} ax^2 \plus{} bx \plus{} c$ passes through the points $ ( \minus{} 1, 12), (0, 5),$ and $ (2, \minus{} 3),$ the value of $ a \plus{} b \plus{} c$ is: $ \textbf{(A)}\ \minus{} 4 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \minus{} 2 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 0 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 1 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 2$

2011 AIME Problems, 6

Tags: conic , parabola , analytic geometry , geometric transformation , relatively prime , number theory , geometry

Suppose that a parabola has vertex $\left(\tfrac{1}{4},-\tfrac{9}{8}\right)$, and equation $y=ax^2+bx+c$, where $a>0$ and $a+b+c$ is an integer. The minimum possible value of $a$ can be written as $\tfrac{p}{q},$ where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $p+q$.

2011 AMC 12/AHSME, 18

Tags: parabola , function , absolute value

Suppose that $|x+y|+|x-y|=2$. What is the maximum possible value of $x^2-6x+y^2$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 5 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 6 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 7 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 8 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 9 $

2013 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 874

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

Given a parabola $C : y=1-x^2$ in $xy$-palne with the origin $O$. Take two points $P(p,\ 1-p^2),\ Q(q,\ 1-q^2)\ (p<q)$ on $C$. (1) Express the area $S$ of the part enclosed by two segments $OP,\ OQ$ and the parabalola $C$ in terms of $p,\ q$. (2) If $q=p+1$, then find the minimum value of $S$. (3) If $pq=-1$, then find the minimum value of $S$.

2011 AMC 12/AHSME, 14

Tags: trig identities , parabola , geometry , conic , pythagorean theorem , trigonometry , vector

A segment through the focus $F$ of a parabola with vertex $V$ is perpendicular to $\overline{FV}$ and intersects the parabola in points $A$ and $B$. What is $\cos(\angle AVB)$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ -\frac{3\sqrt{5}}{7} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ -\frac{2\sqrt{5}}{5} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ -\frac{4}{5} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ -\frac{3}{5} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ -\frac{1}{2} $

2007 ITest, -1

Tags: analytic geometry , geometry , number theory , probability , parabola , conic , floor function

The Ultimate Question is a 10-part problem in which each question after the first depends on the answer to the previous problem. As in the Short Answer section, the answer to each (of the 10) problems is a nonnegative integer. You should submit an answer for each of the 10 problems you solve (unlike in previous years). In order to receive credit for the correct answer to a problem, you must also correctly answer $\textit{every one}$ $\textit{of the previous parts}$ $\textit{of the Ultimate Question}$.

1949 Putnam, A1

Tags: parabola , 3d geometry , surfaces

Answer either (i) or (ii): (i) Let $a>0.$ Three straight lines pass through the three points $(0,-a,a), (a,0,-a)$ and $(-a,a,0),$ parallel to the $x-,y-$ and $z-$axis, respectively. A variable straight line moves so that it has one point in common with each of the three given lines. Find the equation of the surface described by the variable line. (II) Which planes cut the surface $xy+yz+xz=0$ in (1) circles, (2) parabolas?

2015 Belarus Team Selection Test, 1

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

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

2008 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 3

Tags: function , inequalities , analytic geometry , quadratic , conic , parabola , absolute value

Determine all real numbers $ a$ such that the inequality $ |x^2 \plus{} 2ax \plus{} 3a|\le2$ has exactly one solution in $ x$.

2011 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 749

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

Let $m$ be a positive integer. A tangent line at the point $P$ on the parabola $C_1 : y=x^2+m^2$ intersects with the parabola $C_2 : y=x^2$ at the points $A,\ B$. For the point $Q$ between $A$ and $B$ on $C_2$, denote by $S$ the sum of the areas of the region bounded by the line $AQ$,$C_2$ and the region bounded by the line $QB$, $C_2$. When $Q$ move between $A$ and $B$ on $C_2$, prove that the minimum value of $S$ doesn't depend on how we would take $P$, then find the value in terms of $m$.

2009 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 476

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

Suppose a parabola with the axis as the $ y$ axis, concave up and touches the graph $ y\equal{}1\minus{}|x|$. Find the equation of the parabola such that the area of the region surrounded by the parabola and the $ x$ axis is maximal.

Kvant 2025, M2831

Tags: geometry , parabola , conic

Let $DEF$ be triangle, inscribed in parabola. Tangents in points $D,E,F$ forms triangle $ABC$. Prove that $S_{DEF}=2S_{ABC}$. ($S_T$ is area of triangle $T$). [i]From F.S.Macaulay's book «Geometrical Conics», suggested by M. Panov[/i]

2021 CCA Math Bonanza, L4.1

Tags: conic , parabola

Suppose that $x^2+px+q$ has two distinct roots $x=a$ and $x=b$. Furthermore, suppose that the positive difference between the roots of $x^2+ax+b$, the positive difference between the roots of $x^2+bx+a$, and twice the positive difference between the roots of $x^2+px+q$ are all equal. Given that $q$ can be expressed in the form $\frac{m}{m}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers, compute $m+n$. [i]2021 CCA Math Bonanza Lightning Round #4.1[/i]

2015 AMC 10, 24

Tags: conic , geometry , calculus , rhombus , parabola , perimeter

For some positive integers $p$, there is a quadrilateral $ABCD$ with positive integer side lengths, perimeter $p$, right angles at $B$ and $C$, $AB=2$, and $CD=AD$. How many different values of $p<2015$ are possible? $\textbf{(A) }30\qquad\textbf{(B) }31\qquad\textbf{(C) }61\qquad\textbf{(D) }62\qquad\textbf{(E) }63$

1952 AMC 12/AHSME, 13

Tags: parabola , conic , quadratic , calculus , function

The function $ x^2 \plus{} px \plus{} q$ with $ p$ and $ q$ greater than zero has its minimum value when: $ \textbf{(A)}\ x \equal{} \minus{} p \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ x \equal{} \frac {p}{2} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ x \equal{} \minus{} 2p \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ x \equal{} \frac {p^2}{4q} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ x \equal{} \frac { \minus{} p}{2}$

2010 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 620

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

Let $a,\ b$ be real numbers. Suppose that a function $f(x)$ satisfies $f(x)=a\sin x+b\cos x+\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(t)\cos t\ dt$ and has the maximum value $2\pi$ for $-\pi \leq x\leq \pi$. Find the minimum value of $\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \{f(x)\}^2dx.$ [i]2010 Chiba University entrance exam[/i]

2002 Swedish Mathematical Competition, 3

Tags: analytic geometry , parabola , system , parameter , algebra , system of equations

$C$ is the circle center $(0,1)$, radius $1$. $P$ is the parabola $y = ax^2$. They meet at $(0, 0)$. For what values of $a$ do they meet at another point or points?