Olympiad problems

2014 Online Math Open Problems, 28

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

Let $S$ be the set of all pairs $(a,b)$ of real numbers satisfying $1+a+a^2+a^3 = b^2(1+3a)$ and $1+2a+3a^2 = b^2 - \frac{5}{b}$. Find $A+B+C$, where \[ A = \prod_{(a,b) \in S} a , \quad B = \prod_{(a,b) \in S} b , \quad \text{and} \quad C = \sum_{(a,b) \in S} ab. \][i]Proposed by Evan Chen[/i]

2011 Spain Mathematical Olympiad, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , induction , floor function , modular arithmetic , number theory

The sequence $S_0,S_1,S_2,\ldots$ is defined by[list][*]$S_n=1$ for $0\le n\le 2011$, and [*]$S_{n+2012}=S_{n+2011}+S_n$ for $n\ge 0$.[/list]Prove that $S_{2011a}-S_a$ is a multiple of $2011$ for all nonnegative integers $a$.

2023 Turkey EGMO TST, 4

Tags: inequalities , algebra , polynomial

Let $n$ be a positive integer and $P,Q$ be polynomials with real coefficients with $P(x)=x^nQ(\frac{1}{x})$ and $P(x) \geq Q(x)$ for all real numbers $x$. Prove that $P(x)=Q(x)$ for all real number $x$.

1992 IMO Shortlist, 12

Tags: algebra , number theory , polynomial , functional equation

Let $ f, g$ and $ a$ be polynomials with real coefficients, $ f$ and $ g$ in one variable and $ a$ in two variables. Suppose \[ f(x) \minus{} f(y) \equal{} a(x, y)(g(x) \minus{} g(y)) \forall x,y \in \mathbb{R}\] Prove that there exists a polynomial $ h$ with $ f(x) \equal{} h(g(x)) \text{ } \forall x \in \mathbb{R}.$

2017 USA Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Let $P, Q \in \mathbb{R}[x]$ be relatively prime nonconstant polynomials. Show that there can be at most three real numbers $\lambda$ such that $P + \lambda Q$ is the square of a polynomial. [i]Alison Miller[/i]

2002 National Olympiad First Round, 8

Tags: algebra , polynomial , 3d geometry , geometry

Which of the following polynomials does not divide $x^{60} - 1$? $ \textbf{a)}\ x^2+x+1 \qquad\textbf{b)}\ x^4-1 \qquad\textbf{c)}\ x^5-1 \qquad\textbf{d)}\ x^{15}-1 \qquad\textbf{e)}\ \text{None of above} $

1997 USAMO, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , algorithm

Prove that for any integer $n$, there exists a unique polynomial $Q$ with coefficients in $\{0,1,\ldots,9\}$ such that $Q(-2) = Q(-5) = n$.

PEN Q Problems, 9

Tags: polynomial , function , algebra , calculus , integration , rational function

For non-negative integers $n$ and $k$, let $P_{n, k}(x)$ denote the rational function \[\frac{(x^{n}-1)(x^{n}-x) \cdots (x^{n}-x^{k-1})}{(x^{k}-1)(x^{k}-x) \cdots (x^{k}-x^{k-1})}.\] Show that $P_{n, k}(x)$ is actually a polynomial for all $n, k \in \mathbb{N}$.

2017 India IMO Training Camp, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial

For each $n \ge 2$ define the polynomial $$f_n(x)=x^n-x^{n-1}-\dots-x-1.$$ Prove that (a) For each $n \ge 2$, $f_n(x)=0$ has a unique positive real root $\alpha_n$; (b) $(\alpha_n)_n$ is a strictly increasing sequence; (c) $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \alpha_n=2.$

2018 CCA Math Bonanza, I7

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Find all values of $a$ such that the two polynomials \[x^2+ax-1\qquad\text{and}\qquad x^2-x+a\] share at least 1 root. [i]2018 CCA Math Bonanza Individual Round #7[/i]

2024 EGMO, 6

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Find all positive integers $d$ for which there exists a degree $d$ polynomial $P$ with real coefficients such that there are at most $d$ different values among $P(0),P(1),P(2),\cdots,P(d^2-d)$ .

2010 Princeton University Math Competition, 8

Tags: trigonometry , algebra , polynomial , symmetry , geometric series

The expression $\sin2^\circ\sin4^\circ\sin6^\circ\cdots\sin90^\circ$ is equal to $p\sqrt{5}/2^{50}$, where $p$ is an integer. Find $p$.

1982 Putnam, B2

Tags: calculus , integration , algebra , polynomial

Let $A(x,y)$ be the number of points $(m,n)$ in the plane with integer coordinates $m$ and $n$ satisfying $m^2+n^2\le x^2+y^2$. Let $g=\sum_{k=1}^\infty e^{-k^2}$. Express $$\int^\infty_{-\infty}\int^\infty_{-\infty}A(x,y)e^{-x^2-y^2}dxdy$$ as a polynomial in $g$.

1998 Vietnam National Olympiad, 3

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Find all positive integer $n$ such that there exists a $P\in\mathbb{R}[x]$ satisfying $P(x^{1998}-x^{-1998})=x^{n}-x^{-n}\forall x\in\mathbb{R}-\{0\}$.

2010 AMC 10, 25

Tags: polynomial , number theory , least common multiple , floor function , binomial theorem , algebra

Let $ a>0$, and let $ P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients such that \[ P(1)\equal{}P(3)\equal{}P(5)\equal{}P(7)\equal{}a\text{, and}\] \[ P(2)\equal{}P(4)\equal{}P(6)\equal{}P(8)\equal{}\minus{}a\text{.}\] What is the smallest possible value of $ a$? $ \textbf{(A)}\ 105 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 315 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 945 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 7! \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 8!$

1988 IMO Longlists, 93

Tags: polynomial , algebra

Given a natural number $n,$ find all polynomials $P(x)$ of degree less than $n$ satisfying the following condition \[ \sum^n_{i=0} P(i) \cdot (-1)^i \cdot \binom{n}{i} = 0. \]

2013 Stanford Mathematics Tournament, 3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , quadratic

Karl likes the number $17$ his favorite polynomials are monic quadratics with integer coefficients such that $17$ is a root of the quadratic and the roots differ by no more than $17$. Compute the sum of the coefficients of all of Karl's favorite polynomials. (A monic quadratic is a quadratic polynomial whose $x^2$ term has a coefficient of $1$.)

1947 Moscow Mathematical Olympiad, 123

Tags: remainder , polynomial , algebra

Find the remainder after division of the polynomial $x+x^3 +x^9 +x^{27} +x^{81} +x^{243}$ by $x-1$.

2002 National Olympiad First Round, 13

Tags: geometry , trapezoid , ratio , incenter , inradius , algebra , polynomial

Let $ABCD$ be a trapezoid such that $AB \parallel CD$, $|BC|+|AD| = 7$, $|AB| = 9$ and $|BC| = 14$. What is the ratio of the area of the triangle formed by $CD$, angle bisector of $\widehat{BCD}$ and angle bisector of $\widehat{CDA}$ over the area of the trapezoid? $ \textbf{a)}\ \dfrac{9}{14} \qquad\textbf{b)}\ \dfrac{5}{7} \qquad\textbf{c)}\ \sqrt 2 \qquad\textbf{d)}\ \dfrac{49}{69} \qquad\textbf{e)}\ \dfrac 13 $

2017 China Team Selection Test, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , abstract algebra

Find the least positive number m such that for any polynimial f(x) with real coefficients, there is a polynimial g(x) with real coefficients (degree not greater than m) such that there exist 2017 distinct number $a_1,a_2,...,a_{2017}$ such that $g(a_i)=f(a_{i+1})$ for i=1,2,...,2017 where indices taken modulo 2017.

2021 Indonesia TST, A

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Given a polynomial $p(x) =Ax^3+x^2-A$ with $A \neq 0$. Show that for every different real number $a,b,c$, at least one of $ap(b)$, $bp(a)$, and $cp(a)$ not equal to 1.

2021 Tuymaada Olympiad, 8

Tags: polynomial , quadratic , algebra , rational function

In a sequence $P_n$ of quadratic trinomials each trinomial, starting with the third, is the sum of the two preceding trinomials. The first two trinomials do not have common roots. Is it possible that $P_n$ has an integral root for each $n$?

2012 ELMO Shortlist, 7

Tags: polynomial , function , algebra

Let $f,g$ be polynomials with complex coefficients such that $\gcd(\deg f,\deg g)=1$. Suppose that there exist polynomials $P(x,y)$ and $Q(x,y)$ with complex coefficients such that $f(x)+g(y)=P(x,y)Q(x,y)$. Show that one of $P$ and $Q$ must be constant. [i]Victor Wang.[/i]

2000 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 11.1

Tags: algebra , polynomial

Prove that it is possible to choose different real numbers $a_1, a_2, . . . , a_{10}$ that the equation $$(x - a_1)(x -a_2).... (x -a_{10}) = (x + a_1)(x + a_2) ...(x + a_{10})$$ will have exactly $5$ different real roots.

2011 NIMO Problems, 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]