Olympiad problems

1980 Austrian-Polish Competition, 7

Find the greatest natural number $n$ such there exist natural numbers $x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n}$ and natural $a_{1}< a_{2}< \ldots < a_{n-1}$ satisfying the following equations for $i =1,2,\ldots,n-1$: \[x_{1}x_{2}\ldots x_{n}= 1980 \quad \text{and}\quad x_{i}+\frac{1980}{x_{i}}= a_{i}.\]

1979 IMO Longlists, 28

Tags: linear recurrence , combinatorics , recurrence relation , counting

Let $A$ and $E$ be opposite vertices of an octagon. A frog starts at vertex $A.$ From any vertex except $E$ it jumps to one of the two adjacent vertices. When it reaches $E$ it stops. Let $a_n$ be the number of distinct paths of exactly $n$ jumps ending at $E$. Prove that: \[ a_{2n-1}=0, \quad a_{2n}={(2+\sqrt2)^{n-1} - (2-\sqrt2)^{n-1} \over\sqrt2}. \]

2018 Peru IMO TST, 10

Tags: recurrence relation , number theory , number theory with sequences , product , prime

For each positive integer $m> 1$, let $P (m)$ be the product of all prime numbers that divide $m$. Define the sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3,...$ as followed: $a_1> 1$ is an arbitrary positive integer, $a_{n + 1} = a_n + P (a_n)$ for each positive integer $n$. Prove that there exist positive integers $j$ and $k$ such that $a_j$ is the product of the first $k$ prime numbers.

KoMaL A Problems 2018/2019, A. 738

Tags: number theory , algebra , recurrence relation

Consider the following sequence: $a_1 = 1$, $a_2 = 2$, $a_3 = 3$, and \[a_{n+3} = \frac{a_{n+1}^2 + a_{n+2}^2 - 2}{a_n}\] for all integers $n \ge 1$. Prove that every term of the sequence is a positive integer.

1995 North Macedonia National Olympiad, 1

Tags: sequence , recurrence relation , algebra

Let $ a_0 $ be a real number. The sequence $ \{a_n \} $ is given by $ a_ {n + 1} = 3 ^ n-5a_n $, $ n = 0,1,2, \ldots $. a) Express the general member $ a_n $ through $ a_0 $ and $ n. $ b) Find such $ a_0, $ that $ a_ {n + 1}> a_n, $ for every $ n. $

1969 IMO Longlists, 31

Tags: permutation , counting , recurrence relation , combinatorics

$(GDR 3)$ Find the number of permutations $a_1, \cdots, a_n$ of the set $\{1, 2, . . ., n\}$ such that $|a_i - a_{i+1}| \neq 1$ for all $i = 1, 2, . . ., n - 1.$ Find a recurrence formula and evaluate the number of such permutations for $n \le 6.$

1990 IMO Shortlist, 18

Tags: function , algebra , recurrence relation , recursion

Let $ a, b \in \mathbb{N}$ with $ 1 \leq a \leq b,$ and $ M \equal{} \left[\frac {a \plus{} b}{2} \right].$ Define a function $ f: \mathbb{Z} \mapsto \mathbb{Z}$ by \[ f(n) \equal{} \begin{cases} n \plus{} a, & \text{if } n \leq M, \\ n \minus{} b, & \text{if } n >M. \end{cases} \] Let $ f^1(n) \equal{} f(n),$ $ f_{i \plus{} 1}(n) \equal{} f(f^i(n)),$ $ i \equal{} 1, 2, \ldots$ Find the smallest natural number $ k$ such that $ f^k(0) \equal{} 0.$

2011 Indonesia TST, 4

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

Let $a, b$, and $c$ be positive integers such that $gcd(a, b) = 1$. Sequence $\{u_k\}$, is given such that $u_0 = 0$, $u_1 = 1$, and u$_{k+2} = au_{k+1} + bu_k$ for all $k \ge 0$. Let $m$ be the least positive integer such that $c | u_m$ and $n$ be an arbitrary positive integer such that $c | u_n$. Show that $m | n$. [hide=PS.] There was a typo in the last line, as it didn't define what n does. Wording comes from [b]tst-2011-1.pdf[/b] from [url=https://sites.google.com/site/imoidn/idntst/2011tst]here[/url]. Correction was made according to #2[/hide]

2014 Contests, 3

Tags: power , number theory , recurrence relation , number theory with sequences , sequence , algebra

The sequence $(a_n)$ is defined with the recursion $a_{n + 1} = 5a^6_n + 3a^3_{n-1} + a^2_{n-2}$ for $n\ge 2$ and the set of initial values $\{a_0, a_1, a_2\} = \{2013, 2014, 2015\}$. (That is, the initial values are these three numbers in any order.) Show that the sequence contains no sixth power of a natural number.

1969 IMO Shortlist, 41

Tags: linear recurrence , algebra , recurrence relation , system of equations

$(MON 2)$ Given reals $x_0, x_1, \alpha, \beta$, find an expression for the solution of the system \[x_{n+2} -\alpha x_{n+1} -\beta x_n = 0, \qquad n= 0, 1, 2, \ldots\]

1967 IMO Longlists, 24

Tags: combinatorics , recurrence relation , system of equations

In a sports meeting a total of $m$ medals were awarded over $n$ days. On the first day one medal and $\frac{1}{7}$ of the remaining medals were awarded. On the second day two medals and $\frac{1}{7}$ of the remaining medals were awarded, and so on. On the last day, the remaining $n$ medals were awarded. How many medals did the meeting last, and what was the total number of medals ?

2017 Federal Competition For Advanced Students, P2, 3

Tags: number theory , rational , recurrence relation , number theory with sequences

Let $(a_n)_{n\ge 0}$ be the sequence of rational numbers with $a_0 = 2016$ and $a_{n+1} = a_n + \frac{2}{a_n}$ for all $n \ge 0$. Show that the sequence does not contain a square of a rational number. Proposed by Theresia Eisenkölbl

2011 VTRMC, Problem 2

Tags: recurrence relation , algebra , sequence

A sequence $(a_n)$ is defined by $a_0=-1,a_1=0$, and $a_{n+1}=a_n^2-(n+1)^2a_{n-1}-1$ for all positive integers $n$. Find $a_{100}$.

1978 Germany Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: algebra , recurrence relation , sequence , equation , floor function

Let $n$ be an integer greater than $1$. Define \[x_1 = n, y_1 = 1, x_{i+1} =\left[ \frac{x_i+y_i}{2}\right] , y_{i+1} = \left[ \frac{n}{x_{i+1}}\right], \qquad \text{for }i = 1, 2, \ldots\ ,\] where $[z]$ denotes the largest integer less than or equal to $z$. Prove that \[ \min \{x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n \} =[ \sqrt n ]\]

2011 Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 2

Tags: algebra , recurrence relation , inequalities

Let $n \ge 2$ be a natural number and suppose that positive numbers $a_0,a_1,...,a_n$ satisfy the equality $(a_{k-1}+a_{k})(a_{k}+a_{k+1})=a_{k-1}-a_{k+1}$ for each $k =1,2,...,n -1$. Prove that $a_n< \frac{1}{n-1}$

1984 Polish MO Finals, 4

Tags: coin , probability , recurrence relation , sum , sequence

A coin is tossed $n$ times, and the outcome is written in the form ($a_1,a_2,...,a_n$), where $a_i = 1$ or $2$ depending on whether the result of the $i$-th toss is the head or the tail, respectively. Set $b_j = a_1 +a_2 +...+a_j$ for $j = 1,2,...,n$, and let $p(n)$ be the probability that the sequence $b_1,b_2,...,b_n$ contains the number $n$. Express $p(n)$ in terms of $p(n-1)$ and $p(n-2)$.

1972 IMO, 3

Tags: binomial coefficient , factorial , number theory , recurrence relation

Prove that $(2m)!(2n)!$ is a multiple of $m!n!(m+n)!$ for any non-negative integers $m$ and $n$.

2011 Dutch IMO TST, 4

Tags: recurrence relation , sequence , prime number , number theory

Prove that there exists no innite sequence of prime numbers $p_0, p_1, p_2,...$ such that for all positive integers $k$: $p_k = 2p_{k-1} + 1$ or $p_k = 2p_{k-1} - 1$.

1976 IMO, 3

Tags: algebra , sequence , recurrence relation , floor function , power of 2

A sequence $(u_{n})$ is defined by \[ u_{0}=2 \quad u_{1}=\frac{5}{2}, u_{n+1}=u_{n}(u_{n-1}^{2}-2)-u_{1} \quad \textnormal{for } n=1,\ldots \] Prove that for any positive integer $n$ we have \[ [u_{n}]=2^{\frac{(2^{n}-(-1)^{n})}{3}} \](where $[x]$ denotes the smallest integer $\leq x)$

1991 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 551

Tags: sequence , recurrence relation , integer sequence , game , game strategy , algebra , number theory

A sequence of positive integers is constructed as follows. If the last digit of $a_n$ is greater than $5$, then $a_{n+1}$ is $9a_n$. If the last digit of $a_n$ is $5$ or less and an has more than one digit, then $a_{n+1}$ is obtained from $a_n$ by deleting the last digit. If $a_n$ has only one digit, which is $5$ or less, then the sequence terminates. Can we choose the first member of the sequence so that it does not terminate?

2007 Balkan MO Shortlist, A8

Tags: bmosl , algebra , sequence , recurrence relation

Let $c>2$ and $a_0,a_1, \ldots$ be a sequence of real numbers such that \begin{align*} a_n = a_{n-1}^2 - a_{n-1} < \frac{1}{\sqrt{cn}} \end{align*} for any $n$ $\in$ $\mathbb{N}$. Prove, $a_1=0$

1984 IMO Shortlist, 19

Tags: algebra , combinatorics , recurrence relation , linear recurrence

The harmonic table is a triangular array: $1$ $\frac 12 \qquad \frac 12$ $\frac 13 \qquad \frac 16 \qquad \frac 13$ $\frac 14 \qquad \frac 1{12} \qquad \frac 1{12} \qquad \frac 14$ Where $a_{n,1} = \frac 1n$ and $a_{n,k+1} = a_{n-1,k} - a_{n,k}$ for $1 \leq k \leq n-1.$ Find the harmonic mean of the $1985^{th}$ row.

1989 ITAMO, 6

Tags: function , recurrence relation , algebra

Given a real number $\alpha$, a function $f$ is defined on pairs of nonnegative integers by $f(0,0) = 1, f(m,0) = f(0,m) = 0$ for $m > 0$, $f(m,n) = \alpha f(m,n-1)+(1- \alpha)f(m -1,n-1)$ for $m,n > 0$. Find the values of $\alpha$ such that $| f(m,n)| < 1989$ holds for any integers $m,n \ge 0$.

2010 NZMOC Camp Selection Problems, 1

Tags: recurrence relation , sequence , algebra

For any two positive real numbers $x_0 > 0$, $x_1 > 0$, a sequence of real numbers is defined recursively by $$x_{n+1} =\frac{4 \max\{x_n, 4\}}{x_{n-1}}$$ for $n \ge 1$. Find $x_{2010}$.

1992 IMO Longlists, 19

Tags: trigonometry , algebra , sequence , counting , recurrence relation

Denote by $a_n$ the greatest number that is not divisible by $3$ and that divides $n$. Consider the sequence $s_0 = 0, s_n = a_1 +a_2+\cdots+a_n, n \in \mathbb N$. Denote by $A(n)$ the number of all sums $s_k \ (0 \leq k \leq 3^n, k \in \mathbb N_0)$ that are divisible by $3$. Prove the formula \[A(n) = 3^{n-1} + 2 \cdot 3^{(n/2)-1} \cos \left(\frac{n\pi}{6}\right), \qquad n\in \mathbb N_0.\]