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.

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]

2011 District Olympiad, 4

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

Let be a ring $ A. $ Denote with $ N(A) $ the subset of all nilpotent elements of $ A, $ with $ Z(A) $ the center of $ A, $ and with $ U(A) $ the units of $ A. $ Prove: [b]a)[/b] $ Z(A)=A\implies N(A)+U(A)=U(A) . $ [b]b)[/b] $ \text{card} (A)\in\mathbb{N}\wedge a+U(A)\subset U(A)\implies a\in N(A) . $

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 $n$ : \[ \sum_{i=3}^n (-1)^i c_i \]

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]

1987 Traian Lălescu, 2.1

Tags: abstract algebra , ring theory , extension rings , superrings , algebra , polynomial

Any polynom, with coefficients in a given division ring, that is irreducible over it, is also irreducible over a given extension skew ring of it that's finite. Prove that the ring and its extension coincide.

2002 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: superior algebra , ring theory

Let $A$ be a ring. $a)$ Show that the set $Z(A)=\{a\in A|ax=xa,\ \text{for all}\ x\in A\}$ is a subring of the ring $A$. $b)$ Prove that, if any commutative subring of $A$ is a field, then $A$ is a field.

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 $n$ : \[ \sum_{i=3}^n (-1)^i c_i \]

1993 All-Russian Olympiad, 4

Tags: induction , function , algebra , polynomial , ring theory , vector , binomial theorem

If $ \{a_k\}$ is a sequence of real numbers, call the sequence $ \{a'_k\}$ defined by $ a_k' \equal{} \frac {a_k \plus{} a_{k \plus{} 1}}2$ the [i]average sequence[/i] of $ \{a_k\}$. Consider the sequences $ \{a_k\}$; $ \{a_k'\}$ - [i]average sequence[/i] of $ \{a_k\}$; $ \{a_k''\}$ - average sequence of $ \{a_k'\}$ and so on. If all these sequences consist only of integers, then $ \{a_k\}$ is called [i]Good[/i]. Prove that if $ \{x_k\}$ is a [i]good[/i] sequence, then $ \{x_k^2\}$ is also [i]good[/i].

2018 Ramnicean Hope, 3

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

[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]

2004 Alexandru Myller, 1

Tags: abstract algebra , field theory , ring theory , freshman s dream , number theory

Show that the equation $ (x+y)^{-1}=x^{-1}+y^{-1} $ has a solution in the field of integers modulo $ p $ if and only if $ p $ is a prime congruent to $ 1 $ modulo $ 3. $ [i]Mihai Piticari[/i]

2010 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: superior algebra , algebra , polynomial , ring theory

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]

2015 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: superior algebra , ring theory , idempotence

Let be a ring that has the property that all its elements are the product of two idempotent elements of it. Show that: [b]a)[/b] $ 1 $ is the only unit of this ring. [b]b)[/b] this ring is Boolean.

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.

2016 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: abstract algebra , ring theory

Let $A$ be a ring and let $D$ be the set of its non-invertible elements. If $a^2=0$ for any $a \in D,$ prove that: [b]a)[/b] $axa=0$ for all $a \in D$ and $x \in A$; [b]b)[/b] if $D$ is a finite set with at least two elements, then there is $a \in D,$ $a \neq 0,$ such that $ab=ba=0,$ for every $b \in D.$ [i]Ioan Băetu[/i]

Gheorghe Țițeica 2025, P4

Tags: ring theory , abstract algebra

Let $R$ be a ring. Let $x,y\in R$ such that $x^2=y^2=0$. Prove that if $x+y-xy$ is nilpotent, so is $xy$. [i]Janez Šter[/i]

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]

2007 IMS, 6

Tags: superior algebra , algebra , polynomial , ring theory

Let $R$ be a commutative ring with 1. Prove that $R[x]$ has infinitely many maximal ideals.

2008 Romania National Olympiad, 3

Tags: ring theory , linear algebra , matrix , number theory , least common multiple , search , group theory

Let $ A$ be a unitary finite ring with $ n$ elements, such that the equation $ x^n\equal{}1$ has a unique solution in $ A$, $ x\equal{}1$. Prove that a) $ 0$ is the only nilpotent element of $ A$; b) there exists an integer $ k\geq 2$, such that the equation $ x^k\equal{}x$ has $ n$ solutions in $ A$.

2012 Centers of Excellency of Suceava, 2

Tags: abstract algebra , matrix ring , ring theory

Show that $$ \left\{ X\in\mathcal{M}_2\left( \mathbb{Z}_3 \right)\left| \begin{pmatrix} 1&1\\2&2 \end{pmatrix} X\begin{pmatrix} 1&2\\2&1 \end{pmatrix} =0 \right. \right\} $$ is a multiplicative ring. [i]Cătălin Țigăeru[/i]

Russian TST 2017, P3

Tags: polynomial , ring theory , field theory , algebra

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 $(1+x^2)^n$.

2007 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 6

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

Let $F$ be a field whose characteristic is not $2$, let $F^*=F\setminus\left\{0\right\}$ be its multiplicative group and let $T$ be the subgroup of $F^*$ constituted by its finite order elements. Prove that if $T$ is finite, then $T$ is cyclic and its order is even.

1999 Brazil Team Selection Test, Problem 4

Tags: function , inequalities , induction , number theory , ring theory , triangle inequality , logarithm

Let Q+ and Z denote the set of positive rationals and the set of inte- gers, respectively. Find all functions f : Q+ → Z satisfying the following conditions: (i) f(1999) = 1; (ii) f(ab) = f(a) + f(b) for all a, b ∈ Q+; (iii) f(a + b) ≥ min{f(a), f(b)} for all a, b ∈ Q+.

2018 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Tags: superior algebra , ring theory

Let $A$ be a finite ring and $a,b \in A,$ such that $(ab-1)b=0.$ Prove that $b(ab-1)=0.$

1990 Vietnam Team Selection Test, 1

Tags: ring theory , relatively prime , greatest common divisor , least common multiple , number theory

Let $ T$ be a finite set of positive integers, satisfying the following conditions: 1. For any two elements of $ T$, their greatest common divisor and their least common multiple are also elements of $ T$. 2. For any element $ x$ of $ T$, there exists an element $ x'$ of $ T$ such that $ x$ and $ x'$ are relatively prime, and their least common multiple is the largest number in $ T$. For each such set $ T$, denote by $ s(T)$ its number of elements. It is known that $ s(T) < 1990$; find the largest value $ s(T)$ may take.