Olympiad problems

2016 USA TSTST, 3

Decide whether or not there exists a nonconstant polynomial $Q(x)$ with integer coefficients with the following property: for every positive integer $n > 2$, the numbers \[ Q(0), \; Q(1), Q(2), \; \dots, \; Q(n-1) \] produce at most $0.499n$ distinct residues when taken modulo $n$. [i]Proposed by Yang Liu[/i]

2002 China National Olympiad, 2

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Given the polynomial sequence $(p_{n}(x))$ satisfying $p_{1}(x)=x^{2}-1$, $p_{2}(x)=2x(x^{2}-1)$, and $p_{n+1}(x)p_{n-1}(x)=(p_{n}(x)^{2}-(x^{2}-1)^{2}$, for $n\geq 2$, let $s_{n}$ be the sum of the absolute values of the coefficients of $p_{n}(x)$. For each $n$, find a non-negative integer $k_{n}$ such that $2^{-k_{n}}s_n$ is odd.

2018 IMAR Test, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , minimum value , permutation

Let $P$ be a non-zero polynomial with non-negative real coefficients, let $N$ be a positive integer, and let $\sigma$ be a permutation of the set $\{1,2,...,n\}$. Determine the least value the sum \[\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{P(x_i^2)}{P(x_ix_{\sigma(i)})}\] may achieve, as $x_1,x_2,...,x_n$ run through the set of positive real numbers. [i]Fedor Petrov[/i]

1972 Czech and Slovak Olympiad III A, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , sequence , recurrence relation

Consider a sequence of polynomials such that $P_0(x)=2,P_1(x)=x$ and for all $n\ge1$ \[P_{n+1}(x)+P_{n-1}(x)=xP_n(x).\] a) Determine the polynomial \[Q_n(x)=P^2_n(x)-xP_n(x)P_{n-1}(x)+P^2_{n-1}(x)\] for $n=1972.$ b) Express the polynomial \[\bigl(P_{n+1}(x)-P_{n-1}(x)\bigr)^2\] in terms of $P_n(x),Q_n(x).$

1967 IMO Longlists, 43

Tags: algebra , polynomial , diophantine equation , parametric equation , root

The equation \[x^5 + 5 \lambda x^4 - x^3 + (\lambda \alpha - 4)x^2 - (8 \lambda + 3)x + \lambda \alpha - 2 = 0\] is given. Determine $\alpha$ so that the given equation has exactly (i) one root or (ii) two roots, respectively, independent from $\lambda.$

1967 IMO Shortlist, 6

Tags: inequality , polynomial , algebra , n-variable inequality

Prove the following inequality: \[\prod^k_{i=1} x_i \cdot \sum^k_{i=1} x^{n-1}_i \leq \sum^k_{i=1} x^{n+k-1}_i,\] where $x_i > 0,$ $k \in \mathbb{N}, n \in \mathbb{N}.$

2002 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Find all real polynomials $f$ and $g$, such that: \[(x^2+x+1)\cdot f(x^2-x+1)=(x^2-x+1)\cdot g(x^2+x+1), \] for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$.

2018 CIIM, Problem 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $p(x)$ and $q(x)$ non constant real polynomials of degree at most $n$ ($n > 1$). Show that there exists a non zero polynomial $F(x,y)$ in two variables with real coefficients of degree at most $2n-2,$ such that $F(p(t),q(t)) = 0$ for every $t\in \mathbb{R}$.

1987 IMO Longlists, 35

Tags: algebra , polynomial , analytic geometry , intersection , 3d geometry

Does there exist a set $M$ in usual Euclidean space such that for every plane $\lambda$ the intersection $M \cap \lambda$ is finite and nonempty ? [i]Proposed by Hungary.[/i] [hide="Remark"]I'm not sure I'm posting this in a right Forum.[/hide]

2025 Ukraine National Mathematical Olympiad, 11.5

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Initially, two constant polynomials are written on the board: $0$ and $1$. At each step, it is allowed to add $1$ to one of the polynomials and to multiply another one by the polynomial $45x + 2025$. Can the polynomials become equal at some point? [i]Proposed by Oleksii Masalitin[/i]

2024/2025 TOURNAMENT OF TOWNS, P5

Tags: algebra , number theory , greatest common divisor , polynomial

Given a polynomial with integer coefficients, which has at least one integer root. The greatest common divisor of all its integer roots equals $1$. Prove that if the leading coefficient of the polynomial equals $1$ then the greatest common divisor of the other coefficients also equals $1$.

2008 ISI B.Math Entrance Exam, 5

Tags: polynomial , algebra

If a polynomial $P$ with integer coefficients has three distinct integer zeroes , then show that $P(n)\neq 1$ for any integer $n$.

2000 Estonia National Olympiad, 3

Tags: polynomial , root , integer , algebra

Find all values of $a$ for which the equation $x^3 - x + a = 0$ has three different integer solutions.

2005 Greece Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Let the polynomial $P(x)=x^3+19x^2+94x+a$ where $a\in\mathbb{N}$. If $p$ a prime number, prove that no more than three numbers of the numbers $P(0), P(1),\ldots, P(p-1)$ are divisible by $p$.

1981 IMO, 1

Tags: number theory , least common multiple , algebra , polynomial

[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?

2023-24 IOQM India, 12

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $P(x)=x^3+ax^2+bx+c$ be a polynomial where $a,b,c$ are integers and $c$ is odd. Let $p_{i}$ be the value of $P(x)$ at $x=i$. Given that $p_{1}^3+p_{2}^{3}+p_{3}^{3}=3p_{1}p_{2}p_{3}$, find the value of $p_{2}+2p_{1}-3p_{0}.$

2003 AMC 10, 18

Tags: algebra , polynomial

What is the largest integer that is a divisor of \[ (n\plus{}1)(n\plus{}3)(n\plus{}5)(n\plus{}7)(n\plus{}9) \]for all positive even integers $ n$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 3 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 5 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 11 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 15 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 165$

2006 Pre-Preparation Course Examination, 2

Tags: function , algebra , polynomial , combinatorics

If $f(x)$ is the generating function of the sequence $a_1,a_2,\ldots$ and if $f(x)=\frac{r(x)}{s(x)}$ holds such that $r(x)$ and $s(x)$ are polynomials show that $a_n$ has a homogenous recurrence.

2008 Moldova MO 11-12, 5

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Find the least positive integer $ n$ so that the polynomial $ P(X)\equal{}\sqrt3\cdot X^{n\plus{}1}\minus{}X^n\minus{}1$ has at least one root of modulus $ 1$.

2014 ELMO Shortlist, 11

Tags: algebra , polynomial , modular arithmetic , number theory

Let $p$ be a prime satisfying $p^2\mid 2^{p-1}-1$, and let $n$ be a positive integer. Define \[ f(x) = \frac{(x-1)^{p^n}-(x^{p^n}-1)}{p(x-1)}. \] Find the largest positive integer $N$ such that there exist polynomials $g(x)$, $h(x)$ with integer coefficients and an integer $r$ satisfying $f(x) = (x-r)^N g(x) + p \cdot h(x)$. [i]Proposed by Victor Wang[/i]

2022 SG Originals, Q5

Tags: number theory , polynomial , modulo , algebra , prime number

Let $n\ge 2$ be a positive integer. For any integer $a$, let $P_a(x)$ denote the polynomial $x^n+ax$. Let $p$ be a prime number and define the set $S_a$ as the set of residues mod $p$ that $P_a(x)$ attains. That is, $$S_a=\{b\mid 0\le b\le p-1,\text{ and there is }c\text{ such that }P_a(c)\equiv b \pmod{p}\}.$$Show that the expression $\frac{1}{p-1}\sum\limits_{a=1}^{p-1}|S_a|$ is an integer. [i]Proposed by fattypiggy123[/i]

1976 IMO Longlists, 35

Tags: coefficient , algebra , polynomial

Let $P$ be a polynomial with real coefficients such that $P(x) > 0$ if $x > 0$. Prove that there exist polynomials $Q$ and $R$ with nonnegative coefficients such that $P(x) = \frac{Q(x)}{R(x)}$ if $x > 0.$

ICMC 7, 5

Tags: number theory , polynomial

[list=a] [*]Is there a non-linear integer-coefficient polynomial $P(x)$ and an integer $N{}$ such that all integers greater than $N{}$ may be written as the greatest common divisor of $P(a){}$ and $P(b){}$ for positive integers $a>b$? [*]Is there a non-linear integer-coefficient polynomial $Q(x)$ and an integer $M{}$ such that all integers greater than $M{}$ may be written as $Q(a) - Q(b)$ for positive integers $a>b$? [/list][i]Proposed by Dylan Toh[/i]

2012 Stanford Mathematics Tournament, 6

Tags: algebra , polynomial , vieta , sum of roots

There exist two triples of real numbers $(a,b,c)$ such that $a-\frac{1}{b}, b-\frac{1}{c}, c-\frac{1}{a}$ are the roots to the cubic equation $x^3-5x^2-15x+3$ listed in increasing order. Denote those $(a_1, b_1, c_1)$ and $(a_2, b_2, c_2)$. If $a_1$, $b_1$, and $c_1$ are the roots to monic cubic polynomial $f$ and $a_2, b_2$, and $c_2$ are the roots to monic cubic polynomial $g$, ﬁnd $f(0)^3+g(0)^3$

2010 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 5

Tags: calculus , algebra , polynomial , function

Let the functions $f(\alpha,x)$ and $g(\alpha)$ be defined as \[f(\alpha,x)=\dfrac{(\frac{x}{2})^\alpha}{x-1}\qquad\qquad\qquad g(\alpha)=\,\dfrac{d^4f}{dx^4}|_{x=2}\] Then $g(\alpha)$ is a polynomial is $\alpha$. Find the leading coefficient of $g(\alpha)$.