Olympiad problems

1986 Traian Lălescu, 1.1

Let be two nontrivial rings linked by an application ($ K\stackrel{\vartheta }{\mapsto } L $) having the following properties: $ \text{(i)}\quad x,y\in K\implies \vartheta (x+y) = \vartheta (x) +\vartheta (y) $ $ \text{(ii)}\quad \vartheta (1)=1 $ $ \text{(iii)}\quad \vartheta \left( x^3\right) =\vartheta^3 (x) $ [b]a)[/b] Show that if $ \text{char} (L)\ge 4, $ and $ K,L $ are fields, then $ \vartheta $ is an homomorphism. [b]b)[/b] Prove that if $ K $ is a noncommutative division ring, then it’s possible that $ \vartheta $ is not an homomorphism.

2015 District Olympiad, 4

Tags: ring theory , abstract algebra , nilpotence , superior algebra

Let $ m $ be a non-negative ineger, $ n\ge 2 $ be a natural number, $ A $ be a ring which has exactly $ n $ elements, and an element $ a $ of $ A $ such that $ 1-a^k $ is invertible, for all $ k\in\{ m+1,m+2,...,m+n-1\} . $ Prove that $ a $ is nilpotent.

2006 Iran Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial , combinatorial geometry , ring theory , combinatorics

We have $n$ points in the plane, no three on a line. We call $k$ of them good if they form a convex polygon and there is no other point in the convex polygon. Suppose that for a fixed $k$ the number of $k$ good points is $c_k$. Show that the following sum is independent of the structure of points and only depends on $n$ : \[ \sum_{i=3}^n (-1)^i c_i \]

Russian TST 2017, P3

Tags: algebra , polynomial , ring theory , field theory

Prove that for any polynomial $P$ with real coefficients, and for any positive integer $n$, there exists a polynomial $Q$ with real coefficients such that $P(x)^2 +Q(x)^2$ is divisible by $(1+x^2)^n$.

2001 VJIMC, Problem 4

Tags: ring theory , abstract algebra

Let $R$ be an associative non-commutative ring and let $n>2$ be a fixed natural number. Assume that $x^n=x$ for all $x\in R$. Prove that $xy^{n-1}=y^{n-1}x$ holds for all $x,y\in R$.

1993 China Team Selection Test, 3

Tags: geometry , circumcircle , incenter , trigonometry , geometric transformation , reflection , ring theory

Let $ABC$ be a triangle and its bisector at $A$ cuts its circumcircle at $D.$ Let $I$ be the incenter of triangle $ABC,$ $M$ be the midpoint of $BC,$ $P$ is the symmetric to $I$ with respect to $M$ (Assuming $P$ is in the circumcircle). Extend $DP$ until it cuts the circumcircle again at $N.$ Prove that among segments $AN, BN, CN$, there is a segment that is the sum of the other two.

1996 Romania National Olympiad, 3

Tags: superior algebra , ring theory , endomorphism

Let $A$ be a commutative ring with $0 \neq 1$ such that for any $x \in A \setminus \{0\}$ there exist positive integers $m,n$ such that $(x^m+1)^n=x.$ Prove that any endomorphism of $A$ is an automorphism.

2015 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: ring theory , field theory , superior algebra

Show that the set of all elements minus $ 0 $ of a finite division ring that has at least $ 4 $ elements can be partitioned into two nonempty sets $ A,B $ having the property that $$ \sum_{x\in A} x=\prod_{y\in B} y. $$

2012 VJIMC, Problem 3

Tags: ring theory , abstract algebra , group theory

Let $(A,+,\cdot)$ be a ring with unity, having the following property: for all $x\in A$ either $x^2=1$ or $x^n=0$ for some $n\in\mathbb N$. Show that $A$ is a commutative ring.

2008 Alexandru Myller, 4

Tags: ring theory , cauchy , injectivity , superior algebra

In a certain ring there are as many units as there are nilpotent elements. Prove that the order of the ring is a power of $ 2. $ [i]Dinu Şerbănescu[/i]

2002 All-Russian Olympiad, 1

Tags: algebra , polynomial , quadratic , ring theory , equation , functional equation

The polynomials $P$, $Q$, $R$ with real coefficients, one of which is degree $2$ and two of degree $3$, satisfy the equality $P^2+Q^2=R^2$. Prove that one of the polynomials of degree $3$ has three real roots.

PEN H Problems, 31

Tags: ring theory , diophantine equation

Determine all integer solutions of the system \[2uv-xy=16,\] \[xv-yu=12.\]

2012 Iran MO (3rd Round), 4

Tags: polynomial , ring theory , modular arithmetic , number theory , algebra

$P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ are two polynomials with integer coefficients such that $P(x)|Q(x)^2+1$. [b]a)[/b] Prove that there exists polynomials $A(x)$ and $B(x)$ with rational coefficients and a rational number $c$ such that $P(x)=c(A(x)^2+B(x)^2)$. [b]b)[/b] If $P(x)$ is a monic polynomial with integer coefficients, Prove that there exists two polynomials $A(x)$ and $B(x)$ with integer coefficients such that $P(x)$ can be written in the form of $A(x)^2+B(x)^2$. [i]Proposed by Mohammad Gharakhani[/i]

2018 Ramnicean Hope, 3

Tags: endomorphism , automorphism , ring theory , function , polynomial ring , morphism

[b]a)[/b] Let $ u $ be a polynom in $ \mathbb{Q}[X] . $ Prove that the function $ E_u:\mathbb{Q}[X]\longrightarrow\mathbb{Q}[X] $ defined as $ E_u(P)=P(u) $ is an endomorphism. [b]b)[/b] Let $ E $ be an injective endomorphism of $ \mathbb{Q} [X] . $ Show that there exists a nonconstant polynom $ v $ in $ \mathbb{Q}[X] $ such that $ E(P)=P(v) , $ for any $ P $ in $ \mathbb{Q}[X] . $ [b]c)[/b] Let $ A $ be an automorphism of $ \mathbb{Q}[X] . $ Demonstrate that there is a nonzero constant polynom $ w $ in $ \mathbb{Q}[X] $ which has the property that $ A(P)=P(w) , $ for any $ P $ in $ \mathbb{Q}[X] . $ [i]Marcel Țena[/i]

2001 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

Tags: abstract algebra , units , ring theory

Find the units of $R=\mathbb Z[t][\sqrt{t^2-1}]$.

2002 VJIMC, Problem 2

Tags: ring theory , abstract algebra

A ring $R$ (not necessarily commutative) contains at least one non-zero zero divisor and the number of zero divisors is finite. Prove that $R$ is finite.

2011 Laurențiu Duican, 4

Tags: ring theory , field , finite field , polynom , irreducibility over field , algebra

Consider a finite field $ K. $ [b]a)[/b] Prove that there is an element $ k $ in $ K $ having the property that the polynom $ X^3+k $ is irreducible in $ K[X], $ if $ \text{ord} (K)\equiv 1\pmod {12}. $ [b]b)[/b] Is [b]a)[/b] still true if, intead, $ \text{ord} (K) \equiv -1\pmod{12} ? $ [i]Dorel Miheț[/i]

1954 Miklós Schweitzer, 8

Tags: ring theory

[b]8.[/b] Prove the following generalization of the well-known Chinese remainder theorem: Let $R$ be a ring with unit element and let $A_{1},A_{2},\dots . A_{n} (n\geqslant 2)$ be pairwise relative prime ideals of $R$. Then, for arbitrary elements $c_{1},c_{2}, \dots , c_{n}$ of $R$, there exists an element $x\in R$ such that $x-c_{k} \in A_{k} (k= 1,2, \dots , n)$. [b](A. 17)[/b]

2010 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: algebra , polynomial , ring theory , superior algebra

We say that a ring $A$ has property $(P)$ if any non-zero element can be written uniquely as the sum of an invertible element and a non-invertible element. a) If in $A$, $1+1=0$, prove that $A$ has property $(P)$ if and only if $A$ is a field. b) Give an example of a ring that is not a field, containing at least two elements, and having property $(P)$. [i]Dan Schwarz[/i]

1976 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

Tags: calculus , integration , algebra , function , domain , polynomial , ring theory

Let $ \mathbb{Z}$ be the ring of rational integers. Construct an integral domain $ I$ satisfying the following conditions: a)$ \mathbb{Z} \varsubsetneqq I$; b) no element of $ I \minus{} \mathbb{Z}$ (only in $ I$) is algebraic over $ \mathbb{Z}$ (that is, not a root of a polynomial with coefficients in $ \mathbb{Z}$); c) $ I$ only has trivial endomorphisms. [i]E. Fried[/i]

2022 Romania National Olympiad, P2

Tags: ring theory

Determine all rings $(A,+,\cdot)$ such that $x^3\in\{0,1\}$ for any $x\in A.$ [i]Mihai Opincariu[/i]

2022 Romania National Olympiad, P4

Tags: ring theory , group theory

Let $(R,+,\cdot)$ be a ring with center $Z=\{a\in\mathbb{R}:ar=ra,\forall r\in\mathbb{R}\}$ with the property that the group $U=U(R)$ of its invertible elements is finite. Given that $G$ is the group of automorphisms of the additive group $(R,+),$ prove that \[|G|\geq\frac{|U|^2}{|Z\cap U|}.\][i]Dragoș Crișan[/i]

2017 District Olympiad, 4

Tags: superior algebra , idempotence , ring theory

Let $ A $ be a ring that is not a division ring, and such that any non-unit of it is idempotent. Show that: [b]a)[/b] $ \left( U(A) +A\setminus\left( U(A)\cup \{ 0\} \right) \right)\cap U(A) =\emptyset . $ [b]b)[/b] Every element of $ A $ is idempotent.

2005 Romania National Olympiad, 4

Tags: induction , topology , ring theory , superior algebra

Let $A$ be a ring with $2^n+1$ elements, where $n$ is a positive integer and let \[ M = \{ k \in\mathbb{Z} \mid k \geq 2, \ x^k =x , \ \forall \ x\in A \} . \] Prove that the following statements are equivalent: a) $A$ is a field; b) $M$ is not empty and the smallest element in $M$ is $2^n+1$. [i]Marian Andronache[/i]

1966 Miklós Schweitzer, 8

Tags: algebra , polynomial , function , ring theory , superior algebra

Prove that in Euclidean ring $ R$ the quotient and remainder are always uniquely determined if and only if $ R$ is a polynomial ring over some field and the value of the norm is a strictly monotone function of the degree of the polynomial. (To be precise, there are two trivial cases: $ R$ can also be a field or the null ring.) [i]E. Fried[/i]