Found problems: 3597
2016 Postal Coaching, 4
Let $f$ be a polynomial with real coefficients and suppose $f$ has no nonnegative real root. Prove that there exists a polynomial $h$ with real coefficients such that the coefficients of $fh$ are nonnegative.
1977 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 242
The polynomial $$x^{10} + ?x^9 + ?x^8 + ... + ?x + 1$$ is written on the blackboard. Two players substitute (real) numbers instead of one of the question marks in turn. ($9$ turns total.) The first wins if the polynomial will have no real roots. Who wins?
2025 China Team Selection Test, 12
Let \( P(x), Q(x) \) be non-constant real polynomials, such that for all positive integer \( m \), there exists a positive integer \( n \) satisfy \( P(m) = Q(n) \). Prove that
(1) If \(\deg Q \mid \deg P\), then there exists real polynomial \( h(x) \) \( x \), satisfy \( P(x) = Q(h(x)) \) holds for all real number $x.$
(2) \(\deg Q \mid \deg P\).
2013 VJIMC, Problem 3
Let $S$ be a finite set of integers. Prove that there exists a number $c$ depending on $S$ such that for each non-constant polynomial $f$ with integer coefficients the number of integers $k$ satisfying $f(k)\in S$ does not exceed $\max(\deg f,c)$.
1981 IMO Shortlist, 1
[b]a.)[/b] For which $n>2$ is there a set of $n$ consecutive positive integers such that the largest number in the set is a divisor of the least common multiple of the remaining $n-1$ numbers?
[b]b.)[/b] For which $n>2$ is there exactly one set having this property?
1997 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 1
The function $ f : \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{Z}$ is defined by $ f(0) \equal{} 2$, $ f(1) \equal{} 503$ and $ f(n \plus{} 2) \equal{} 503f(n \plus{} 1) \minus{} 1996f(n)$ for all $ n \in\mathbb{N}$. Let $ s_1$, $ s_2$, $ \ldots$, $ s_k$ be arbitrary integers not smaller than $ k$, and let $ p(s_i)$ be an arbitrary prime divisor of $ f\left(2^{s_i}\right)$, ($ i \equal{} 1, 2, \ldots, k$). Prove that, for any positive integer $ t$ ($ t\le k$), we have $ 2^t \Big | \sum_{i \equal{} 1}^kp(s_i)$ if and only if $ 2^t | k$.
2006 Alexandru Myller, 2
For a prime $ p\ge 5, $ determine the number of polynomials $ X^p+pX^k+pX^l+1 $ with $ 1<k<l<p, $ that are ireducible over the integers.
2018 Moscow Mathematical Olympiad, 3
Are there such natural $n$, that exist polynomial of degree $n$ and with $n$ different real roots, and
a) $P(x)P(x+1)=P(x^2)$
b) $P(x)P(x+1)=P(x^2+1)$
2019 Iran Team Selection Test, 1
Find all polynomials $P(x,y)$ with real coefficients such that for all real numbers $x,y$ and $z$:
$$P(x,2yz)+P(y,2zx)+P(z,2xy)=P(x+y+z,xy+yz+zx).$$
[i]Proposed by Sina Saleh[/i]
1989 IMO Longlists, 12
Let $ P(x)$ be a polynomial such that the following inequalities are satisfied:
\[ P(0) > 0;\]\[ P(1) > P(0);\]\[ P(2) > 2P(1) \minus{} P(0);\]\[ P(3) > 3P(2) \minus{} 3P(1) \plus{} P(0);\]
and also for every natural number $ n,$ \[ P(n\plus{}4) > 4P(n\plus{}3) \minus{} 6P(n\plus{}2)\plus{}4P(n \plus{} 1) \minus{} P(n).\]
Prove that for every positive natural number $ n,$ $ P(n)$ is positive.
2015 Gulf Math Olympiad, 4
a) We have a geometric sequence of $3$ terms. If the sum of these terms is $26$ , and their sum of squares is $364$ , find the terms of the sequence.
b) Suppose that $a,b,c,u,v,w$ are positive real numbers , and each of $a,b,c$ and $u,v,w$ are geometric sequences. Suppose also that $a+u,b+v,c+w$ are an arithmetic sequence. Prove that $a=b=c$ and $u=v=w$
c) Let $a,b,c,d$ be real numbers (not all zero), and let $f(x,y,z)$ be the polynomial in three variables defined by$$f(x,y,z) = axyz + b(xy + yz + zx) + c(x+y+z) + d$$.Prove that $f(x,y,z)$ is reducible if and only if $a,b,c,d$ is a geometric sequence.
2010 Stanford Mathematics Tournament, 19
Find the roots of $6x^4+17x^3+7x^2-8x-4$
2021 Hong Kong TST, 2
Let $f(x)$ be a polynomial with rational coefficients, and let $\alpha$ be a real number. If
\[\alpha^3-2019\alpha=(f(\alpha))^3-2019f(\alpha)=2021,\]
prove that $(f^n(\alpha))^3-2019f^n(\alpha)=2021$ for any positive integer $n$.
(Here, we define $f^n(x)=\underbrace{f(f(f\cdots f}_{n\text{ times}}(x)\cdots ))$.)
2020 South Africa National Olympiad, 3
If $x$, $y$, $z$ are real numbers satisfying
\begin{align*}
(x + 1)(y + 1)(z + 1) & = 3 \\
(x + 2)(y + 2)(z + 2) & = -2 \\
(x + 3)(y + 3)(z + 3) & = -1,
\end{align*}
find the value of
$$ (x + 20)(y + 20)(z + 20). $$
1997 IMO Shortlist, 12
Let $ p$ be a prime number and $ f$ an integer polynomial of degree $ d$ such that $ f(0) = 0,f(1) = 1$ and $ f(n)$ is congruent to $ 0$ or $ 1$ modulo $ p$ for every integer $ n$. Prove that $ d\geq p - 1$.
2015 BMT Spring, P2
Let $f(x)$ be a nonconstant monic polynomial of degree $n$ with rational coefficents that is irreducible, meaning it cannot be factored into two nonconstant rational polynomials. Find and prove a formula for the number of monic complex polynomials that divide $f$.
2009 Croatia Team Selection Test, 1
Determine the lowest positive integer n such that following statement is true:
If polynomial with integer coefficients gets value 2 for n different integers,
then it can't take value 4 for any integer.
2007 China Team Selection Test, 2
After multiplying out and simplifying polynomial $ (x \minus{} 1)(x^2 \minus{} 1)(x^3 \minus{} 1)\cdots(x^{2007} \minus{} 1),$ getting rid of all terms whose powers are greater than $ 2007,$ we acquire a new polynomial $ f(x).$ Find its degree and the coefficient of the term having the highest power. Find the degree of $ f(x) \equal{} (1 \minus{} x)(1 \minus{} x^{2})...(1 \minus{} x^{2007})$ $ (mod$ $ x^{2008}).$
2015 AMC 12/AHSME, 25
A bee starts flying from point $P_0$. She flies 1 inch due east to point $P_1$. For $j \ge 1$, once the bee reaches point $P_j$, she turns $30^{\circ}$ counterclockwise and then flies $j+1$ inches straight to point $P_{j+1}$. When the bee reaches $P_{2015}$ she is exactly $a\sqrt{b} + c\sqrt{d}$ inches away from $P_0$, where $a$, $b$, $c$ and $d$ are positive integers and $b$ and $d$ are not divisible by the square of any prime. What is $a+b+c+d$?
$ \textbf{(A)}\ 2016 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 2024 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 2032 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 2040 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 2048$
1999 Putnam, 1
Find polynomials $f(x)$, $g(x)$, and $h(x)$, if they exist, such that for all $x$, \[|f(x)|-|g(x)|+h(x)=\begin{cases}-1 & \text{if }x<-1\\3x+2 &\text{if }-1\leq x\leq 0\\-2x+2 & \text{if }x>0.\end{cases}\]
2010 IMO Shortlist, 3
Find the smallest number $n$ such that there exist polynomials $f_1, f_2, \ldots , f_n$ with rational coefficients satisfying \[x^2+7 = f_1\left(x\right)^2 + f_2\left(x\right)^2 + \ldots + f_n\left(x\right)^2.\]
[i]Proposed by Mariusz Skałba, Poland[/i]
2003 APMO, 1
Let $a,b,c,d,e,f$ be real numbers such that the polynomial
\[ p(x)=x^8-4x^7+7x^6+ax^5+bx^4+cx^3+dx^2+ex+f \]
factorises into eight linear factors $x-x_i$, with $x_i>0$ for $i=1,2,\ldots,8$. Determine all possible values of $f$.
2022 JHMT HS, 2
The polynomial $P(x)=3x^3-2x^2+ax-b$ has roots $\sin^2\theta$, $\cos^2\theta$, and $\sin\theta\cos\theta$ for some angle $\theta$. Find $P(1)$.
1953 AMC 12/AHSME, 44
In solving a problem that reduces to a quadratic equation one student makes a mistake only in the constant term of the equation and obtains $ 8$ and $ 2$ for the roots. Another student makes a mistake only in the coefficient of the first degree term and find $ \minus{}9$ and $ \minus{}1$ for the roots. The correct equation was:
$ \textbf{(A)}\ x^2\minus{}10x\plus{}9\equal{}0 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ x^2\plus{}10x\plus{}9\equal{}0 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ x^2\minus{}10x\plus{}16\equal{}0\\
\textbf{(D)}\ x^2\minus{}8x\minus{}9\equal{}0 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{none of these}$
2009 India IMO Training Camp, 9
Let
$ f(x)\equal{}\sum_{k\equal{}1}^n a_k x^k$ and $ g(x)\equal{}\sum_{k\equal{}1}^n \frac{a_k x^k}{2^k \minus{}1}$ be two polynomials with real coefficients.
Let g(x) have $ 0,2^{n\plus{}1}$ as two of its roots. Prove That $ f(x)$ has a positive root less than $ 2^n$.