Olympiad problems

1989 Vietnam National Olympiad, 2

The sequence of polynomials $ \left\{P_n(x)\right\}_{n\equal{}0}^{\plus{}\infty}$ is defined inductively by $ P_0(x) \equal{} 0$ and $ P_{n\plus{}1}(x) \equal{} P_n(x)\plus{}\frac{x \minus{} P_n^2(x)}{2}$. Prove that for any $ x \in [0, 1]$ and any natural number $ n$ it holds that $ 0\le\sqrt x\minus{} P_n(x)\le\frac{2}{n \plus{} 1}$.

2016 Mathematical Talent Reward Programme, MCQ: P 1

Tags: trigonometric equation , algebra , polynomial , sum of roots

Sum of the roots in the range $\left(-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2} \right)$ of the equation $\sin x\tan x=x^2$ is [list=1] [*] $\frac{\pi}{2}$ [*] 0 [*] 1 [*] None of these [/list]

1988 USAMO, 5

Tags: polynomial , algebra

A polynomial product of the form \[(1-z)^{b_1}(1-z^2)^{b_2}(1-z^3)^{b_3}(1-z^4)^{b_4}(1-z^5)^{b_5}\cdots(1-z^{32})^{b_{32}},\] where the $b_k$ are positive integers, has the surprising property that if we multiply it out and discard all terms involving $z$ to a power larger than $32$, what is left is just $1-2z$. Determine, with proof, $b_{32}$.

2003 Singapore Senior Math Olympiad, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , binomial , combination

For each positive integer $k$, we define the polynomial $S_k(x)=1+x+x^2+x^3+...+x^{k-1}$ Show that $n \choose 1$ $S_1(x) +$ $n \choose 2$ $S_2(x) +$ $n \choose 3$ $S_3(x)+...+$ $n \choose n$ $S_n(x) = 2^{n-1}S_n\left(\frac{1+x}{2}\right)$ for every positive integer $n$ and every real number $x$.

2008 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial , function , calculus , calculus computations

Let $ f(x) \equal{} 1 \plus{} x \plus{} x^2 \plus{} \cdots \plus{} x^{100}$. Find $ f'(1)$.

2001 239 Open Mathematical Olympiad, 5

Tags: polynomial , number theory

Let $P(x)$ be a monic polynomial with integer coefficients of degree $10$. Prove that there exist distinct positive integers $a,b$ not exceeding $101$ such that $P(a)-P(b)$ is divisible by $101$.

2008 China Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: polynomial , inequalities , algebra

Let $ x,y,z$ be positive real numbers, show that $ \frac {xy}{z} \plus{} \frac {yz}{x} \plus{} \frac {zx}{y} > 2\sqrt [3]{x^3 \plus{} y^3 \plus{} z^3}.$

PEN N Problems, 4

Tags: 3d geometry , algebra , polynomial , arithmetic sequence , more sequences , geometry

Show that if an infinite arithmetic progression of positive integers contains a square and a cube, it must contain a sixth power.

1958 AMC 12/AHSME, 40

Tags: invariant , algebra , polynomial , linear algebra , matrix , vector , geometry

Given $ a_0 \equal{} 1$, $ a_1 \equal{} 3$, and the general relation $ a_n^2 \minus{} a_{n \minus{} 1}a_{n \plus{} 1} \equal{} (\minus{}1)^n$ for $ n \ge 1$. Then $ a_3$ equals: $ \textbf{(A)}\ \frac{13}{27}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 33\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 21\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 10\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \minus{}17$

1995 Chile National Olympiad, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , cubic

If $p (x) = c_0 + c_1x + c_2x^2 + c_3x^3$ is a polynomial with integer coefficients with $a, b,c$ integers and different from each other, prove that it cannot happen simultaneously that $p (a) = b$, $p (b) = c$ and $p (c) = a$.

MathLinks Contest 7th, 1.2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , number theory , greatest common divisor , quadratic , calculus , integration

Let $ a,b,c,d$ be four distinct positive integers in arithmetic progression. Prove that $ abcd$ is not a perfect square.

2023 Francophone Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: polynomial , algebra , inequalities

Let $P(X) = a_n X^n + a_{n-1} X^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 X + a_0$ be a polynomial with real coefficients such that $0 \leqslant a_i \leqslant a_0$ for $i = 1, 2, \ldots, n$. Prove that, if $P(X)^2 = b_{2n} X^{2n} + b_{2n-1} X^{2n-1} + \cdots + b_{n+1} X^{n+1} + \cdots + b_1 X + b_0$, then $4 b_{n+1} \leqslant P(1)^2$.

1979 Brazil National Olympiad, 2

Tags: quadratic , polynomial , polynomial division , algebra

The remainder on dividing the polynomial $p(x)$ by $x^2 - (a+b)x + ab$ (where $a \not = b$) is $mx + n$. Find the coefficients $m, n$ in terms of $a, b$. Find $m, n$ for the case $p(x) = x^{200}$ divided by $x^2 - x - 2$ and show that they are integral.

2006 China Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: polynomial , induction , modular arithmetic , pigeonhole principle , algebra

Let $k$ be an odd number that is greater than or equal to $3$. Prove that there exists a $k^{th}$-degree integer-valued polynomial with non-integer-coefficients that has the following properties: (1) $f(0)=0$ and $f(1)=1$; and. (2) There exist infinitely many positive integers $n$ so that if the following equation: \[ n= f(x_1)+\cdots+f(x_s), \] has integer solutions $x_1, x_2, \dots, x_s$, then $s \geq 2^k-1$.

1958 Poland - Second Round, 3

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Prove that if the polynomial $ f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d $ with integer coefficients takes odd values for $ x = 0 $ and $ x = 1 $, then the equation $ f(x) = 0 $ has no integer roots.

2011 All-Russian Olympiad, 1

Tags: polynomial , quadratic , function , algebra

Given are two distinct monic cubics $F(x)$ and $G(x)$. All roots of the equations $F(x)=0$, $G(x)=0$ and $F(x)=G(x)$ are written down. There are eight numbers written. Prove that the greatest of them and the least of them cannot be both roots of the polynomial $F(x)$.

1976 IMO Longlists, 30

Tags: polynomial , induction , integration , algebra

Prove that if $P(x) = (x-a)^kQ(x)$, where $k$ is a positive integer, $a$ is a nonzero real number, $Q(x)$ is a nonzero polynomial, then $P(x)$ has at least $k + 1$ nonzero coefficients.

1956 Poland - Second Round, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

For what value of $ m $ is the polynomial $ x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + mxyz $ divisible by $ x + y + z $?

1997 Finnish National High School Mathematics Competition, 1

Tags: parameterization , quadratic , polynomial , product of roots , algebra , logarithm

Determine the real numbers $a$ such that the equation $a 3^x + 3^{-x} = 3$ has exactly one solution $x.$

2009 Postal Coaching, 3

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Let $n \ge 3$ be a positive integer. Find all nonconstant real polynomials $f_1(x), f_2(x), ..., f_n(x)$ such that $f_k(x)f_{k+1}(x) = f_{k+1}(f_{k+2}(x))$, $1 \le k \le n$ for all real x. [All suffixes are taken modulo $n$.]

1992 IMO Shortlist, 9

Tags: algebra , polynomial , functional equation , iteration

Let $ f(x)$ be a polynomial with rational coefficients and $ \alpha$ be a real number such that \[ \alpha^3 \minus{} \alpha \equal{} [f(\alpha)]^3 \minus{} f(\alpha) \equal{} 33^{1992}.\] Prove that for each $ n \geq 1,$ \[ \left [ f^{n}(\alpha) \right]^3 \minus{} f^{n}(\alpha) \equal{} 33^{1992},\] where $ f^{n}(x) \equal{} f(f(\cdots f(x))),$ and $ n$ is a positive integer.

STEMS 2021 Math Cat A, Q1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $f(x)=x^{2021}+15x^{2020}+8x+9$ have roots $a_i$ where $i=1,2,\cdots , 2021$. Let $p(x)$ be a polynomial of the sam degree such that $p \left(a_i + \frac{1}{a_i}+1 \right)=0$ for every $1\leq i \leq 2021$. If $\frac{3p(0)}{4p(1)}=\frac{m}{n}$ where $m,n \in \mathbb{Z}$, $n>0$ and $\gcd(m,n)=1$. Then find $m+n$.

2010 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 549

Tags: calculus , integration , function , algebra , polynomial , limit , calculus computations

Let $ f(x)$ be a function defined on $ [0,\ 1]$. For $ n=1,\ 2,\ 3,\ \cdots$, a polynomial $ P_n(x)$ is defined by $ P_n(x)=\sum_{k=0}^n {}_nC{}_k f\left(\frac{k}{n}\right)x^k(1-x)^{n-k}$. Prove that $ \lim_{n\to\infty} \int_0^1 P_n(x)dx=\int_0^1 f(x)dx$.

2011 VTRMC, Problem 7

Tags: polynomial , root , algebra

Let $P(x)=x^{100}+20x^{99}+198x^{98}+a_{97}x^{97}+\ldots+a_1x+1$ be a polynomial where the $a_i~(1\le i\le97)$ are real numbers. Prove that the equation $P(x)=0$ has at least one nonreal root.

2006 Putnam, A5

Tags: trigonometry , algebra , polynomial , ratio , induction , vieta

Let $n$ be a positive odd integer and let $\theta$ be a real number such that $\theta/\pi$ is irrational. Set $a_{k}=\tan(\theta+k\pi/n),\ k=1,2\dots,n.$ Prove that \[\frac{a_{1}+a_{2}+\cdots+a_{n}}{a_{1}a_{2}\cdots a_{n}}\] is an integer, and determine its value.