Olympiad problems

1978 Putnam, B3

The sequence $(Q_{n}(x))$ of polynomials is defined by $$Q_{1}(x)=1+x ,\; Q_{2}(x)=1+2x,$$ and for $m \geq 1 $ by $$Q_{2m+1}(x)= Q_{2m}(x) +(m+1)x Q_{2m-1}(x),$$ $$Q_{2m+2}(x)= Q_{2m+1}(x) +(m+1)x Q_{2m}(x).$$ Let $x_n$ be the largest real root of $Q_{n}(x).$ Prove that $(x_n )$ is an increasing sequence and that $\lim_{n\to \infty} x_n =0.$

2006 QEDMO 3rd, 10

Tags: sequence , number theory with sequences , recurrence , number theory

Define a sequence $\left( a_{n}\right) _{n\in\mathbb{N}}$ by $a_{1}=a_{2}=a_{3}=1$ and $a_{n+1}=\dfrac{a_{n}^{2}+a_{n-1}^{2}}{a_{n-2}}$ for every integer $n\geq3$. Show that all elements $a_{i}$ of this sequence are integers. (L. J. Mordell and apparently Dana Scott, see also http://oeis.org/A064098)

2019 Saint Petersburg Mathematical Olympiad, 1

Tags: arithmetic sequence , algebra , arithmetic progression , recurrence , recurrence relation

For a non-constant arithmetic progression $(a_n)$ there exists a natural $n$ such that $a_{n}+a_{n+1} = a_{1}+…+a_{3n-1}$ . Prove that there are no zero terms in this progression.

2021 Malaysia IMONST 2, 3

Tags: recurrence

Given a sequence of positive integers $$a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5, \dots$$ such that $a_2 > a_1$ and $a_{n+2} = 3a_{n+1} - 2a_n$ for all $n \geq 1$. Prove that $a_{2021} > 2^{2019}$.

2022 Saudi Arabia BMO + EGMO TST, 2.1

Tags: recurrence relation , recurrence , number theory

Define $a_0 = 2$ and $a_{n+1} = a^2_n + a_n -1$ for $n \ge 0$. Prove that $a_n$ is coprime to $2n + 1$ for all $n \in N$.

2013 AIME Problems, 9

Tags: modular arithmetic , recurrence , combinatorics

A $7 \times 1$ board is completely covered by $m \times 1$ tiles without overlap; each tile may cover any number of consecutive squares, and each tile lies completely on the board. Each tile is either red, blue, or green. Let $N$ be the number of tilings of the $7 \times 1$ board in which all three colors are used at least once. For example, a $1 \times 1$ red tile followed by a $2 \times 1$ green tile, a $1 \times 1$ green tile, a $2 \times 1$ blue tile, and a $1 \times 1$ green tile is a valid tiling. Note that if the $2 \times 1$ blue tile is replaced by two $1 \times 1$ blue tiles, this results in a different tiling. Find the remainder when $N$ is divided by $1000$.

1996 IMO Shortlist, 3

Tags: inequalities , algebra , sequence , recurrence

Let $ a > 2$ be given, and starting $ a_0 \equal{} 1, a_1 \equal{} a$ define recursively: \[ a_{n\plus{}1} \equal{} \left(\frac{a^2_n}{a^2_{n\minus{}1}} \minus{} 2 \right) \cdot a_n.\] Show that for all integers $ k > 0,$ we have: $ \sum^k_{i \equal{} 0} \frac{1}{a_i} < \frac12 \cdot (2 \plus{} a \minus{} \sqrt{a^2\minus{}4}).$

V Soros Olympiad 1998 - 99 (Russia), 10.6

Tags: recurrence relation , algebra , sequence , recurrence

Find the formula for the general term of the sequence an, for which $a_1 = 1$, $a_2 = 3$, $a_{n+1} = 3a_n-2a_{n-1}$ (you need to express an in terms of $n$).