Found problems: 23
PEN Q Problems, 9
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 $n, k \in \mathbb{N}$.
1991 Brazil National Olympiad, 3
Given $k > 0$, the sequence $a_n$ is defined by its first two members and \[ a_{n+2} = a_{n+1} + \frac{k}{n}a_n \]
a)For which $k$ can we write $a_n$ as a polynomial in $n$?
b) For which $k$ can we write $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \frac{p(n)}{q(n)}$? ($p,q$ are polynomials in $\mathbb R[X]$).
2009 Purple Comet Problems, 25
The polynomial $P(x)=a_0+a_1x+a_2x^2+...+a_8x^8+2009x^9$ has the property that $P(\tfrac{1}{k})=\tfrac{1}{k}$ for $k=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9$. There are relatively prime positive integers $m$ and $n$ such that $P(\tfrac{1}{10})=\tfrac{m}{n}$. Find $n-10m$.
2025 Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad, Problem 2
Let \( n > 2 \) be an integer, \( k > 1 \) a real number, and \( x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n \) be positive real numbers such that \( x_1 \cdot x_2 \cdots x_n = 1 \). Prove that:
\[
\frac{1 + x_1^k}{1 + x_2} + \frac{1 + x_2^k}{1 + x_3} + \cdots + \frac{1 + x_n^k}{1 + x_1} \geq n.
\]
When does equality hold?
2019 CCA Math Bonanza, L3.4
Determine the maximum possible value of \[\frac{\left(x^2+5x+12\right)\left(x^2+5x-12\right)\left(x^2-5x+12\right)\left(-x^2+5x+12\right)}{x^4}\] over all non-zero real numbers $x$.
[i]2019 CCA Math Bonanza Lightning Round #3.4[/i]
1989 IMO Longlists, 15
A sequence $ a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ is defined recursively by $ a_1 \equal{} 1$ and $ a_{2^k\plus{}j} \equal{} \minus{}a_j$ $ (j \equal{} 1, 2, \ldots, 2^k).$ Prove that this sequence is not periodic.
2022 Junior Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad, P2
Let $a$, $b$ and $c$ be positive real numbers such that $a+b+c=3$. Prove the inequality
$$\frac{a^3}{a^2+1}+\frac{b^3}{b^2+1}+\frac{c^3}{c^2+1} \geq \frac{3}{2}.$$
[i]Proposed by Anastasija Trajanova[/i]
2005 Miklós Schweitzer, 9
prove that if $r_n$ is a rational function whose numerator and denominator have at most degrees $n$, then $$||r_n||_{1/2}+\left\|\frac{1}{r_n}\right\|_2\geq\frac{1}{2^{n-1}}$$ where $||\cdot||_a$ denotes the supremum over a circle of radius $a$ around the origin.
2017 VJIMC, 1
Let $(a_n)_{n=1}^{\infty}$ be a sequence with $a_n \in \{0,1\}$ for every $n$. Let $F:(-1,1) \to \mathbb{R}$ be defined by
\[F(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_nx^n\]
and assume that $F\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)$ is rational. Show that $F$ is the quotient of two polynomials with integer coefficients.
1978 Miklós Schweitzer, 5
Suppose that $ R(z)= \sum_{n=-\infty}^{\infty} a_nz^n$ converges in a neighborhood of the unit circle $ \{ z : \;|z|=1\ \}$ in the complex plane, and $ R(z)=P(z) / Q(z)$ is a rational function in this neighborhood, where $ P$ and $ Q$ are polynomials of degree at most $ k$. Prove that there is a constant $ c$ independent of $ k$ such that \[ \sum_{n=-\infty} ^{\infty} |a_n| \leq ck^2 \max_{|z|=1} |R(z)|.\]
[i]H. S. Shapiro, G. Somorjai[/i]
2021 Tuymaada Olympiad, 8
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 $n$?
2006 IMC, 4
Let f be a rational function (i.e. the quotient of two real polynomials) and suppose that $f(n)$ is an integer for infinitely many integers n. Prove that f is a polynomial.
1973 Putnam, B5
(a) Let $z$ be a solution of the quadratic equation
$$az^2 +bz+c=0$$
and let $n$ be a positive integer. Show that $z$ can be expressed as a rational function of $z^n , a,b,c.$
(b) Using (a) or by any other means, express $x$ as a rational function of $x^{3}$ and $x+\frac{1}{x}.$
2015 USA Team Selection Test, 1
Let $f : \mathbb Q \to \mathbb Q$ be a function such that for any $x,y \in \mathbb Q$, the number $f(x+y)-f(x)-f(y)$ is an integer. Decide whether it follows that there exists a constant $c$ such that $f(x) - cx$ is an integer for every rational number $x$.
[i]Proposed by Victor Wang[/i]
1998 Nordic, 1
Determine all functions $ f$ defined in the set of rational numbers and taking their values in the same set such that the equation $ f(x + y) + f(x - y) = 2f(x) + 2f(y)$ holds for all rational numbers $x$ and $y$.
1989 AIME Problems, 8
Assume that $x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_7$ are real numbers such that
\[ \begin{array}{r} x_1+4x_2+9x_3+16x_4+25x_5+36x_6+49x_7=1\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, \\ 4x_1+9x_2+16x_3+25x_4+36x_5+49x_6+64x_7=12\,\,\,\,\, \\ 9x_1+16x_2+25x_3+36x_4+49x_5+64x_6+81x_7=123. \\ \end{array} \] Find the value of \[16x_1+25x_2+36x_3+49x_4+64x_5+81x_6+100x_7.\]
2010 Putnam, B4
Find all pairs of polynomials $p(x)$ and $q(x)$ with real coefficients for which
\[p(x)q(x+1)-p(x+1)q(x)=1.\]
2011 VJIMC, Problem 3
Let $p$ and $q$ be complex polynomials with $\deg p>\deg q$ and let $f(z)=\frac{p(z)}{q(z)}$. Suppose that all roots of $p$ lie inside the unit circle $|z|=1$ and that all roots of $q$ lie outside the unit circle. Prove that
$$\max_{|z|=1}|f'(z)|>\frac{\deg p-\deg q}2\max_{|z|=1}|f(z)|.$$
2001 Putnam, 2
For each $k$, $\mathcal{C}_k$ is biased so that, when tossed, it has probability $\tfrac{1}{(2k+1)}$ of falling heads. If the $n$ coins are tossed, what is the probability that the number of heads is odd? Express the answer as a rational function $n$.
2016 CCA Math Bonanza, T6
Consider the polynomials $P\left(x\right)=16x^4+40x^3+41x^2+20x+16$ and $Q\left(x\right)=4x^2+5x+2$. If $a$ is a real number, what is the smallest possible value of $\frac{P\left(a\right)}{Q\left(a\right)}$?
[i]2016 CCA Math Bonanza Team #6[/i]
1948 Putnam, A2
Two spheres in contact have a common tangent cone. These three surfaces divide the space into various parts, only one of which is bounded by all three surfaces, it is "ring-shaped." Being given the radii of the spheres, $r$ and $R$, find the volume of the "ring-shaped" part. (The desired expression is a rational function of $r$ and $R.$)
2007 Today's Calculation Of Integral, 197
Let $|a|<\frac{\pi}{2}.$ Evaluate the following definite integral.
\[\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\frac{dx}{\{\sin (a+x)+\cos x\}^{2}}\]
1998 Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, 9
Suppose $f(x)$ is a rational function such that $3f\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right)+\dfrac{2f(x)}{x}=x^2$ for $x\neq 0$. Find $f(-2)$.