Olympiad problems

2016 IFYM, Sozopol, 6

Let $f(x)$ be a polynomial, such that $f(x)=x^{2015}+a_1 x^{2014}+...+a_{2014} x+a_{2015}$. Velly and Polly are taking turns, starting from Velly changing the coefficients $a_i$ with real numbers , where each coefficient is changed exactly once. After 2015 turns they calculate the number of real roots of the created polynomial and if the root is only one, then Velly wins, and if it’s not – Polly wins. Which one has a winning strategy?

1975 Vietnam National Olympiad, 2

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Solve this equation $\frac{y^{3}+m^{3}}{\left ( y+m \right )^{3}}+\frac{y^{3}+n^{3}}{\left ( y+n \right )^{3}}+\frac{y^{3}+p^{3}}{\left ( y+p \right )^{3}}-\frac{3}{2}+\frac{3}{2}.\frac{y-m}{y+m}.\frac{y-n}{y+n}.\frac{y-p}{y+p}=0$

1974 Kurschak Competition, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , inequalities

Let $$p_k(x) = 1 -x + \frac{x^2}{2! } - \frac{x^3}{3!}+ ... + \frac{(-x)^{2k}}{(2k)!}$$ Show that it is non-negative for all real $x$ and all positive integers $k$.

2025 All-Russian Olympiad, 10.6

Tags: polynomial , bounded , algebra

What is the smallest value of $ k $ such that for any polynomial $ f(x) $ of degree $100$ with real coefficients, there exists a polynomial $ g(x) $ of degree at most $ k $ with real coefficients such that the graphs of $ y = f(x) $ and $ y = g(x) $ intersect at exactly $100$ points? \\

2011 IMC, 3

Tags: superior algebra , polynomial , algebra

Let $p$ be a prime number. Call a positive integer $n$ interesting if \[x^n-1=(x^p-x+1)f(x)+pg(x)\] for some polynomials $f$ and $g$ with integer coefficients. a) Prove that the number $p^p-1$ is interesting. b) For which $p$ is $p^p-1$ the minimal interesting number?

1970 IMO Shortlist, 11

Tags: algebra , polynomial , root

Let $P,Q,R$ be polynomials and let $S(x) = P(x^3) + xQ(x^3) + x^2R(x^3)$ be a polynomial of degree $n$ whose roots $x_1,\ldots, x_n$ are distinct. Construct with the aid of the polynomials $P,Q,R$ a polynomial $T$ of degree $n$ that has the roots $x_1^3 , x_2^3 , \ldots, x_n^3.$

2019 Vietnam TST, P2

Tags: algebra , polynomial

For each positive integer $n$, show that the polynomial: $$P_n(x)=\sum _{k=0}^n2^k\binom{2n}{2k}x^k(x-1)^{n-k}$$ has $n$ real roots.

1997 Miklós Schweitzer, 3

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Denote $f_n(X) \in \Bbb Z [X]$ the polynomial $\Pi_{j=1}^n ( X + j -1)$. Show that if the numbers $\alpha$ and $\beta$ satisfy $f'_{1997} (\alpha) = f'_{1999} (\beta) = 0$ , then $f_{1997} (\alpha ) \neq f_{1999} (\beta)$ .

2010 Iran MO (3rd Round), 1

Tags: polynomial , limit , algebra

suppose that polynomial $p(x)=x^{2010}\pm x^{2009}\pm...\pm x\pm 1$ does not have a real root. what is the maximum number of coefficients to be $-1$?(14 points)

2013 Thailand Mathematical Olympiad, 4

Tags: conic , algebra , polynomial

Determine all monic polynomials $p(x)$ having real coefficients and satisfying the following two conditions: $\bullet$ $p(x)$ is nonconstant, and all of its roots are distinct reals $\bullet$ If $a $and $b$ are roots of $p(x)$ then $a + b + ab$ is also a root of $p(x)$.

2013 Greece Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Determine whether the polynomial $P(x)=(x^2-2x+5)(x^2-4x+20)+1$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Z}[X]$.

2011 NIMO Summer Contest, 9

Tags: algebra , polynomial , vieta

The roots of the polynomial $P(x) = x^3 + 5x + 4$ are $r$, $s$, and $t$. Evaluate $(r+s)^4 (s+t)^4 (t+r)^4$. [i]Proposed by Eugene Chen [/i]

1988 IMO Shortlist, 16

Tags: algebra , polynomial , vieta , inequality , root

Show that the solution set of the inequality \[ \sum^{70}_{k \equal{} 1} \frac {k}{x \minus{} k} \geq \frac {5}{4} \] is a union of disjoint intervals, the sum of whose length is 1988.

Gheorghe Țițeica 2025, P3

Tags: polynomial , function , real analysis

Let $\mathcal{P}_n$ be the set of all real monic polynomial functions of degree $n$. Prove that for any $a<b$, $$\inf_{P\in\mathcal{P}_n}\int_a^b |P(x)|\, dx >0.$$ [i]Cristi Săvescu[/i]

2006 IMO, 5

Tags: algebra , polynomial , root

Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial of degree $n > 1$ with integer coefficients and let $k$ be a positive integer. Consider the polynomial $Q(x) = P(P(\ldots P(P(x)) \ldots ))$, where $P$ occurs $k$ times. Prove that there are at most $n$ integers $t$ such that $Q(t) = t$.

2012 Serbia Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: polynomial , function , inequalities , absolute value , algebra

Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial of degree $2012$ with real coefficients satisfying the condition \[P(a)^3 + P(b)^3 + P(c)^3 \geq 3P(a)P(b)P(c),\] for all real numbers $a,b,c$ such that $a+b+c=0$. Is it possible for $P(x)$ to have exactly $2012$ distinct real roots?

2005 Putnam, B6

Tags: integration , linear algebra , matrix , algebra , polynomial , calculus

Let $S_n$ denote the set of all permutations of the numbers $1,2,\dots,n.$ For $\pi\in S_n,$ let $\sigma(\pi)=1$ if $\pi$ is an even permutation and $\sigma(\pi)=-1$ if $\pi$ is an odd permutation. Also, let $v(\pi)$ denote the number of fixed points of $\pi.$ Show that \[ \sum_{\pi\in S_n}\frac{\sigma(\pi)}{v(\pi)+1}=(-1)^{n+1}\frac{n}{n+1}. \]

2008 ITest, 80

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let \[p(x)=x^{2008}+x^{2007}+x^{2006}+\cdots+x+1,\] and let $r(x)$ be the polynomial remainder when $p(x)$ is divided by $x^4+x^3+2x^2+x+1$. Find the remainder when $|r(2008)|$ is divided by $1000$.

2005 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 64

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

Let $f(t)$ be the cubic polynomial for $t$ such that $\cos 3x=f(\cos x)$ holds for all real number $x$. Evaluate \[\int_0^1 \{f(t)\}^2 \sqrt{1-t^2}dt\]

2013 Hitotsubashi University Entrance Examination, 5

Tags: probability , function , algebra , polynomial , geometric series , probability and stats

Throw a die $n$ times, let $a_k$ be a number shown on the die in the $k$-th place. Define $s_n$ by $s_n=\sum_{k=1}^n 10^{n-k}a_k$. (1) Find the probability such that $s_n$ is divisible by 4. (2) Find the probability such that $s_n$ is divisible by 6. (3) Find the probability such that $s_n$ is divisible by 7. Last Edited Thanks, jmerry & JBL

2004 AMC 12/AHSME, 23

Tags: algebra , polynomial

A polynomial \[ P(x) \equal{} c_{2004}x^{2004} \plus{} c_{2003}x^{2003} \plus{} ... \plus{} c_1x \plus{} c_0 \]has real coefficients with $ c_{2004}\not \equal{} 0$ and $ 2004$ distinct complex zeroes $ z_k \equal{} a_k \plus{} b_ki$, $ 1\leq k\leq 2004$ with $ a_k$ and $ b_k$ real, $ a_1 \equal{} b_1 \equal{} 0$, and \[ \sum_{k \equal{} 1}^{2004}{a_k} \equal{} \sum_{k \equal{} 1}^{2004}{b_k}. \]Which of the following quantities can be a nonzero number? $ \textbf{(A)}\ c_0 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ c_{2003} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ b_2b_3...b_{2004} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \sum_{k \equal{} 1}^{2004}{a_k} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \sum_{k \equal{} 1}^{2004}{c_k}$

2011 AMC 12/AHSME, 24

Tags: geometry , perimeter , quadratic , algebra , polynomial , quadratic formula

Let $P(z) = z^8 + (4\sqrt{3} + 6) z^4 - (4\sqrt{3}+7)$. What is the minimum perimeter among all the 8-sided polygons in the complex plane whose vertices are precisely the zeros of $P(z)$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 4\sqrt{3}+4 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 8\sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 3\sqrt{2}+3\sqrt{6} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 4\sqrt{2}+4\sqrt{3} \qquad $ $\textbf{(E)}\ 4\sqrt{3}+6 $

2010 Princeton University Math Competition, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Find the sum of the coefficients of the polynomial $(63x-61)^4$.

2010 Postal Coaching, 2

Tags: quadratic , real analysis , complex number , algebra , polynomial , sum of roots , number theory

Find all non-negative integers $m,n,p,q$ such that \[ p^mq^n = (p+q)^2 +1 . \]

2010 All-Russian Olympiad, 4

Tags: polynomial , floor function , modular arithmetic , algebra

Given is a natural number $n \geq 3$. What is the smallest possible value of $k$ if the following statements are true? For every $n$ points $ A_i = (x_i, y_i) $ on a plane, where no three points are collinear, and for any real numbers $ c_i$ ($1 \le i \le n$) there exists such polynomial $P(x, y)$, the degree of which is no more than $k$, where $ P(x_i, y_i) = c_i $ for every $i = 1, \dots, n$. (The degree of a nonzero monomial $ a_{i,j} x^{i}y^{j} $ is $i+j$, while the degree of polynomial $P(x, y)$ is the greatest degree of the degrees of its monomials.)