Olympiad problems

2022 IMO Shortlist, A7

Tags: algebra , polynomial

For a positive integer $n$ we denote by $s(n)$ the sum of the digits of $n$. Let $P(x)=x^n+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+\cdots+a_1x+a_0$ be a polynomial, where $n \geqslant 2$ and $a_i$ is a positive integer for all $0 \leqslant i \leqslant n-1$. Could it be the case that, for all positive integers $k$, $s(k)$ and $s(P(k))$ have the same parity?

2020 India National Olympiad, 2

Tags: polynomial , trigonometry

Suppose $P(x)$ is a polynomial with real coefficients, satisfying the condition $P(\cos \theta+\sin \theta)=P(\cos \theta-\sin \theta)$, for every real $\theta$. Prove that $P(x)$ can be expressed in the form$$P(x)=a_0+a_1(1-x^2)^2+a_2(1-x^2)^4+\dots+a_n(1-x^2)^{2n}$$for some real numbers $a_0, a_1, \dots, a_n$ and non-negative integer $n$. [i]Proposed by C.R. Pranesacher[/i]

2011 Putnam, B2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , number theory , prime number , rational root theorem

Let $S$ be the set of all ordered triples $(p,q,r)$ of prime numbers for which at least one rational number $x$ satisfies $px^2+qx+r=0.$ Which primes appear in seven or more elements of $S?$

2010 Vietnam National Olympiad, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Solve the system equations \[\left\{\begin{array}{cc}x^{4}-y^{4}=240\\x^{3}-2y^{3}=3(x^{2}-4y^{2})-4(x-8y)\end{array}\right.\]

1983 Kurschak Competition, 2

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Prove that $f(2) \ge 3^n$ where the polynomial $f(x) = x_n + a_1x_{n-1} + ...+ a_{n-1}x + 1$ has non-negative coefficients and $n$ real roots.

2013 Online Math Open Problems, 45

Tags: integration , modular arithmetic , algebra , polynomial , calculus

Let $N$ denote the number of ordered 2011-tuples of positive integers $(a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_{2011})$ with $1\le a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_{2011} \le 2011^2$ such that there exists a polynomial $f$ of degree $4019$ satisfying the following three properties: [list] [*] $f(n)$ is an integer for every integer $n$; [*] $2011^2 \mid f(i) - a_i$ for $i=1,2,\ldots,2011$; [*] $2011^2 \mid f(n+2011) - f(n)$ for every integer $n$. [/list] Find the remainder when $N$ is divided by $1000$. [i]Victor Wang[/i]

2021 AMC 12/AHSME Fall, 25

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $m\ge 5$ be an odd integer, and let $D(m)$ denote the number of quadruples $\big(a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4\big)$ of distinct integers with $1\le a_i \le m$ for all $i$ such that $m$ divides $a_1+a_2+a_3+a_4$. There is a polynomial $$q(x) = c_3x^3+c_2x^2+c_1x+c_0$$such that $D(m) = q(m)$ for all odd integers $m\ge 5$. What is $c_1?$ $(\textbf{A})\: {-}6\qquad(\textbf{B}) \: {-}1\qquad(\textbf{C}) \: 4\qquad(\textbf{D}) \: 6\qquad(\textbf{E}) \: 11$

2007 Iran Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: inequalities , algebra , polynomial

Find all polynomials of degree 3, such that for each $x,y\geq 0$: \[p(x+y)\geq p(x)+p(y)\]

2016 Indonesia TST, 2

Tags: symmetry , algebra , number theory , invariant , quadratic , vieta , polynomial

Let $a,b$ be two positive integers, such that $ab\neq 1$. Find all the integer values that $f(a,b)$ can take, where \[ f(a,b) = \frac { a^2+ab+b^2} { ab- 1} . \]

2008 India National Olympiad, 6

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Let $ P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients. Prove that there exist two polynomials $ Q(x)$ and $ R(x)$, again with integer coefficients, such that [b](i)[/b] $ P(x) \cdot Q(x)$ is a polynomial in $ x^2$ , and [b](ii)[/b] $ P(x) \cdot R(x)$ is a polynomial in $ x^3$.

2013 Finnish National High School Mathematics Competition, 1

Tags: algebra , quadratic , polynomial

The coefficients $a,b,c$ of a polynomial $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}, f(x)=x^3+ax^2+bx+c$ are mutually distinct integers and different from zero. Furthermore, $f(a)=a^3$ and $f(b)=b^3.$ Determine $a,b$ and $c$.

1975 Canada National Olympiad, 8

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $ k$ be a positive integer. Find all polynomials \[ P(x) \equal{} a_0 \plus{} a_1 x \plus{} \cdots \plus{} a_n x^n,\] where the $ a_i$ are real, which satisfy the equation \[ P(P(x)) \equal{} \{ P(x) \}^k\]

2003 Serbia Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: polynomial , algebra

If $ p(x)$ is a polynomial, denote by $ p^n(x)$ the polynomial $ p(p(...(p(x))..)$, where $ p$ is iterated $ n$ times. Prove that the polynomial $ p^{2003}(x)\minus{}2p^{2002}(x)\plus{}p^{2001}(x)$ is divisible by $ p(x)\minus{}x$

1996 Taiwan National Olympiad, 4

Tags: algebra , vieta , polynomial

Show that for any real numbers $a_{3},a_{4},...,a_{85}$, not all the roots of the equation $a_{85}x^{85}+a_{84}x^{84}+...+a_{3}x^{3}+3x^{2}+2x+1=0$ are real.

2024 Canadian Open Math Challenge, C4

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Call a polynomial $f(x)$ [i]excellent[/i] if its coefficients are all in [0, 1) and $f(x)$ is an integer for all integers $x$. a) Compute the number of excellent polynomials with degree at most 3. b) Compute the number of excellent polynomials with degree at most $n$, in terms of $n$. c) Find the minimum $n\ge3$ for which there exists an excellent polynomial of the form $\frac{1}{n!}x^n+g(x)$, where $g(x)$ is a polynomial of degree at most $n-3$.

2013 National Olympiad First Round, 3

Tags: algebra , modular arithmetic , polynomial

If the remainder is $2013$ when a polynomial with coefficients from the set $\{0,1,2,3,4,5\}$ is divided by $x-6$, what is the least possible value of the coefficient of $x$ in this polynomial? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 5 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 4 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 2 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 1 $

2024 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 4

Tags: algebra , polynomial , inequalities

Let $\alpha \in (1, +\infty)$ be a real number, and let $P(x) \in \mathbb{R}[x]$ be a monic polynomial with degree $24$, such that (i) $P(0) = 1$. (ii) $P(x)$ has exactly $24$ positive real roots that are all less than or equal to $\alpha$. Show that $|P(1)| \le \left( \frac{19}{5}\right)^5 (\alpha-1)^{24}$.

2017 Germany, Landesrunde - Grade 11/12, 1

Tags: equation , polynomial , algebra

Solve the equation \[ x^5+x^4+x^3+x^2=x+1 \] in $\mathbb{R}$.

1986 IMO Longlists, 68

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Consider the equation $x^4 + ax^3 + bx^2 + ax + 1 = 0$ with real coefficients $a, b$. Determine the number of distinct real roots and their multiplicities for various values of $a$ and $b$. Display your result graphically in the $(a, b)$ plane.

2019 Jozsef Wildt International Math Competition, W. 20

Tags: polynomial , graph , graph theory

[list=1] [*] Let $G$ be a $(4, 4)$ unoriented graph, 2-regulate, containing a cycle with the length 3. Find the characteristic polynomial $P_G (\lambda)$ , its spectrum $Spec (G)$ and draw the graph $G$. [*] Let $G'$ be another 2-regulate graph, having its characteristic polynomial $P_{G'} (\lambda) = \lambda^4 - 4\lambda^2 + \alpha, \alpha \in \mathbb{R}$. Find the spectrum $Spec(G')$ and draw the graph $G'$. [*] Are the graphs $G$ and $G'$ cospectral or isomorphic? [/list]

2015 Polish MO Finals, 2

Tags: integration , polynomial , calculus , algebra

Let $P$ be a polynomial with real coefficients. Prove that if for some integer $k$ $P(k)$ isn't integral, then there exist infinitely many integers $m$, for which $P(m)$ isn't integral.

2023 Taiwan TST Round 1, A

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Given some monic polynomials $P_1, \ldots, P_n$ with real coefficients, for any real number $y$, let $S_y$ be the set of real number $x$ such that $y = P_i(x)$ for some $i = 1, 2, ..., n$. If the sets $S_{y_1}, S_{y_2}$ have the same size for any two real numbers $y_1, y_2$, show that $P_1, \ldots, P_n$ have the same degree. [i] Proposed by usjl[/i]

1976 IMO Shortlist, 12

Tags: combinatorics , polynomial , counting , additive combinatorics , algebra

The polynomial $1976(x+x^2+ \cdots +x^n)$ is decomposed into a sum of polynomials of the form $a_1x + a_2x^2 + \cdots + a_nx^n$, where $a_1, a_2, \ldots , a_n$ are distinct positive integers not greater than $n$. Find all values of $n$ for which such a decomposition is possible.

2022 Costa Rica - Final Round, 2

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Find all functions $f$, of the form $f(x) = x^3 +px^2 +qx+r$ with $p$, $q$ and $r$ integers, such that $f(s) = 506$ for some integer $s$ and $f(\sqrt3) = 0$.

2016 ELMO Problems, 4

Tags: number theory , polynomial , algebra

Big Bird has a polynomial $P$ with integer coefficients such that $n$ divides $P(2^n)$ for every positive integer $n$. Prove that Big Bird's polynomial must be the zero polynomial. [i]Ashwin Sah[/i]