Found problems: 1239
2021 USA TSTST, 2
Let $a_1<a_2<a_3<a_4<\cdots$ be an infinite sequence of real numbers in the interval $(0,1)$. Show that there exists a number that occurs exactly once in the sequence
\[ \frac{a_1}{1},\frac{a_2}{2},\frac{a_3}{3},\frac{a_4}{4},\ldots.\]
[i]Merlijn Staps[/i]
2019 Jozsef Wildt International Math Competition, W. 57
Let be $x_1=\frac{1}{\sqrt[n+1]{n!}}$ and $x_2=\frac{1}{\sqrt[n+1]{(n-1)!}}$ for all $n\in \mathbb{N}^*$ and $f:\left(\left .\frac{1}{\sqrt[n+1]{(n+1)!}},1\right.\right] \to \mathbb{R}$ where $$f(x)=\frac{n+1}{x\ln (n+1)!+(n+1)\ln \left(x^x\right)}$$Prove that the sequence $(a_n)_{n\geq1}$ when $a_n=\int \limits_{x_1}^{x_2}f(x)dx$ is convergent and compute $$\lim \limits_{n \to \infty}a_n$$
1978 Germany Team Selection Test, 4
Let $B$ be a set of $k$ sequences each having $n$ terms equal to $1$ or $-1$. The product of two such sequences $(a_1, a_2, \ldots , a_n)$ and $(b_1, b_2, \ldots , b_n)$ is defined as $(a_1b_1, a_2b_2, \ldots , a_nb_n)$. Prove that there exists a sequence $(c_1, c_2, \ldots , c_n)$ such that the intersection of $B$ and the set containing all sequences from $B$ multiplied by $(c_1, c_2, \ldots , c_n)$ contains at most $\frac{k^2}{2^n}$ sequences.
2009 China Northern MO, 1
Sequence {$x_n$} satisfies: $x_1=1$ , ${x_n=\sqrt{x_{n-1}^2+x_{n-1}}+x_{n-1}}$ ( ${n>=2}$ )
Find the general term of {$x_n$}
1973 IMO Shortlist, 8
Prove that there are exactly $\binom{k}{[k/2]}$ arrays $a_1, a_2, \ldots , a_{k+1}$ of nonnegative integers such that $a_1 = 0$ and $|a_i-a_{i+1}| = 1$ for $i = 1, 2, \ldots , k.$
2001 China Team Selection Test, 3
Let $X$ be a finite set of real numbers. For any $x,x' \in X$ with $x<x'$, define a function $f(x,x')$, then $f$ is called an ordered pair function on $X$. For any given ordered pair function $f$ on $X$, if there exist elements $x_1 <x_2 <\cdots<x_k$ in $X$ such that $f(x_1 ,x_2 ) \le f(x_2 ,x_3 ) \le \cdots \le f(x_{k-1} ,x_k )$, then $x_1 ,x_2 ,\cdots,x_k$ is called an $f$-ascending sequence of length $k$ in $X$. Similarly, define an $f$-descending sequence of length $l$ in $X$. For integers $k,l \ge 3$, let $h(k,l)$ denote the smallest positive integer such that for any set $X$ of $s$ real numbers and any ordered pair function $f$ on $X$, there either exists an $f$-ascending sequence of length $k$ in $X$ or an $f$-descending sequence of length $l$ in $X$ if $s \ge h(k,l)$.
Prove:
1.For $k,l>3,h(k,l) \le h(k-1,l)+h(k,l-1)-1$;
2.$h(k,l) \le \binom{l-2}{k+l-4} +1$.
2019 Serbia National Math Olympiad, 6
Sequences $(a_n)_{n=0}^{\infty}$ and $(b_n)_{n=0}^{\infty}$ are defined with recurrent relations :
$$a_0=0 , \;\;\; a_1=1, \;\;\;\; a_{n+1}=\frac{2018}{n} a_n+ a_{n-1}\;\;\; \text {for }\;\;\; n\geq 1$$ and
$$b_0=0 , \;\;\; b_1=1, \;\;\;\; b_{n+1}=\frac{2020}{n} b_n+ b_{n-1}\;\;\; \text {for }\;\;\; n\geq 1$$
Prove that :$$\frac{a_{1010}}{1010}=\frac{b_{1009}}{1009}$$
1993 Czech And Slovak Olympiad IIIA, 4
The sequence ($a_n$) of natural numbers is defined by $a_1 = 2$ and $a_{n+1}$ equals the sum of tenth powers of the decimal digits of $a_n$ for all $n \ge 1$. Are there numbers which appear twice in the sequence ($a_n$)?
2020 IMO Shortlist, N4
For any odd prime $p$ and any integer $n,$ let $d_p (n) \in \{ 0,1, \dots, p-1 \}$ denote the remainder when $n$ is divided by $p.$ We say that $(a_0, a_1, a_2, \dots)$ is a [i]p-sequence[/i], if $a_0$ is a positive integer coprime to $p,$ and $a_{n+1} =a_n + d_p (a_n)$ for $n \geqslant 0.$
(a) Do there exist infinitely many primes $p$ for which there exist $p$-sequences $(a_0, a_1, a_2, \dots)$ and $(b_0, b_1, b_2, \dots)$ such that $a_n >b_n$ for infinitely many $n,$ and $b_n > a_n$ for infinitely many $n?$
(b) Do there exist infinitely many primes $p$ for which there exist $p$-sequences $(a_0, a_1, a_2, \dots)$ and $(b_0, b_1, b_2, \dots)$ such that $a_0 <b_0,$ but $a_n >b_n$ for all $n \geqslant 1?$
[I]United Kingdom[/i]
1999 Croatia National Olympiad, Problem 4
On the coordinate plane is given the square with vertices $T_1(1,0),T_2(0,1),T_3(-1,0),T_4(0,-1)$. For every $n\in\mathbb N$, point $T_{n+4}$ is defined as the midpoint of the segment $T_nT_{n+1}$. Determine the coordinates of the limit point of $T_n$ as $n\to\infty$, if it exists.
2012 Indonesia TST, 1
The sequence $a_i$ is defined as $a_1 = 2, a_2 = 3$, and
$a_{n+1} = 2a_{n-1}$ or $a_{n+1} = 3a_n - 2a_{n-1}$ for all integers $n \ge 2$.
Prove that no term in $a_i$ is in the range $[1612, 2012]$.
2022 Greece Team Selection Test, 3
Find largest possible constant $M$ such that, for any sequence $a_n$, $n=0,1,2,...$ of real numbers, that satisfies the conditions :
i) $a_0=1$, $a_1=3$
ii) $a_0+a_1+...+a_{n-1} \ge 3 a_n - a_{n+1}$ for any integer $n\ge 1$
to be true that
$$\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} >M$$ for any integer $n\ge 0$.
2008 IMO Shortlist, 3
Let $ a_0$, $ a_1$, $ a_2$, $ \ldots$ be a sequence of positive integers such that the greatest common divisor of any two consecutive terms is greater than the preceding term; in symbols, $ \gcd (a_i, a_{i \plus{} 1}) > a_{i \minus{} 1}$. Prove that $ a_n\ge 2^n$ for all $ n\ge 0$.
[i]Proposed by Morteza Saghafian, Iran[/i]
2005 Korea Junior Math Olympiad, 3
For a positive integer $K$, define a sequence, $\{a_n\}$, as following: $a_1 = K$ and
$a_{n+1} =a_n -1$ if $a_n$ is even
$a_{n+1} =\frac{a_n - 1}{2}$ if $a_n$ is odd , for all $n \ge 1$.
Find the smallest value of $K$, which makes $a_{2005}$ the first term equal to $0$.
2021 Balkan MO Shortlist, N2
Denote by $l(n)$ the largest prime divisor of $n$. Let $a_{n+1} = a_n + l(a_n)$ be a recursively
defined sequence of integers with $a_1 = 2$. Determine all natural numbers $m$ such that there
exists some $i \in \mathbb{N}$ with $a_i = m^2$.
[i]Proposed by Nikola Velov, North Macedonia[/i]
2010 IMO Shortlist, 7
Let $P_1, \ldots , P_s$ be arithmetic progressions of integers, the following conditions being satisfied:
[b](i)[/b] each integer belongs to at least one of them;
[b](ii)[/b] each progression contains a number which does not belong to other progressions.
Denote by $n$ the least common multiple of the ratios of these progressions; let $n=p_1^{\alpha_1} \cdots p_k^{\alpha_k}$ its prime factorization.
Prove that \[s \geq 1 + \sum^k_{i=1} \alpha_i (p_i - 1).\]
[i]Proposed by Dierk Schleicher, Germany[/i]
2019 Belarus Team Selection Test, 4.3
Let $a_0,a_1,a_2,\dots $ be a sequence of real numbers such that $a_0=0, a_1=1,$ and for every $n\geq 2$ there exists $1 \leq k \leq n$ satisfying \[ a_n=\frac{a_{n-1}+\dots + a_{n-k}}{k}. \]Find the maximum possible value of $a_{2018}-a_{2017}$.
2016 Regional Olympiad of Mexico Center Zone, 5
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of $(a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n) $ such that the difference between any two consecutive terms is the same. That is, $a_ {i + 1} -a_i = d $ for all $i \in \{1,2, \dots, n-1 \} $, where $d$ is the difference of the progression.
A sequence $(a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n) $ is [i]tlaxcalteca [/i] if for all $i \in \{1,2, \dots, n-1 \} $, there exists $m_i $ positive integer such that $a_i = \frac {1} {m_i}$. A taxcalteca arithmetic progression $(a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n )$ is said to be [i]maximal [/i] if $(a_1-d, a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n) $ and $(a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n, a_n + d) $ are not Tlaxcalan arithmetic progressions.
Is there a maximal tlaxcalteca arithmetic progression of $11$ elements?
2025 Romania EGMO TST, P1
The sequence of real numbers $a_0,a_1,a_2,\ldots$ is defined recursively by \[a_0=-1,\qquad\sum_{k=0}^n\dfrac{a_{n-k}}{k+1}=0\quad\text{for}\quad n\geq 1.\]Show that $ a_{n} > 0$ for all $ n\geq 1$.
[i]Proposed by Mariusz Skalba, Poland[/i]
1986 French Mathematical Olympiad, Problem 4
For every sequence $\{a_n\}~(n\in\mathbb N)$ we define the sequences $\{\Delta a_n\}$ and $\{\Delta^2a_n\}$ by the following formulas:
\begin{align*}\Delta a_n&=a_{n+1}-a_n,\\\Delta^2a_n&=\Delta a_{n+1}-\Delta a_n.\end{align*}Further, for all $n\in\mathbb N$ for which $\Delta a_n^2\ne0$, define
$$a_n'=a_n-\frac{(\Delta a_n)^2}{\Delta^2a_n}.$$
(a) For which sequences $\{a_n\}$ is the sequence $\{\Delta^2a_n\}$ constant?
(b) Find all sequences $\{a_n\}$, for which the numbers $a_n'$ are defined for all $n\in\mathbb N$ and for which the sequence $\{a_n'\}$ is constant.
(c) Assume that the sequence $\{a_n\}$ converges to $a=0$, and $a_n\ne a$ for all $n\in\mathbb N$ and the sequence $\{\tfrac{a_{n+1}-a}{a_n-a}\}$ converges to $\lambda\ne1$.
i. Prove that $\lambda\in[-1,1)$.
ii. Prove that there exists $n_0\in\mathbb N$ such that for all integers $n\ge n_0$ we have $\Delta^2a_n\ne0$.
iii. Let $\lambda\ne0$. For which $k\in\mathbb Z$ is the sequence $\{\tfrac{a_n'}{a_{n+k}}\}$ not convergent?
iv. Let $\lambda=0$. Prove that the sequences $\{a_n'/a_n\}$ and $\{a_n'/a_{n+1}\}$ converge to $0$. Find an example of $\{a_n\}$ for which the sequence $\{a_n'/a_{n+2}\}$ has a non-zero limit.
(d) What happens with part (c) if we remove the condition $a=0$?
1999 Brazil Team Selection Test, Problem 3
A sequence $a_n$ is defined by
$$a_0=0,\qquad a_1=3;$$$$a_n=8a_{n-1}+9a_{n-2}+16\text{ for }n\ge2.$$Find the least positive integer $h$ such that $a_{n+h}-a_n$ is divisible by $1999$ for all $n\ge0$.
1980 IMO, 1
Given a sequence $\{a_n\}$ of real numbers such that $|a_{k+m} - a_k - a_m| \leq 1$ for all positive integers $k$ and $m$, prove that, for all positive integers $p$ and $q$, \[|\frac{a_p}{p} - \frac{a_q}{q}| < \frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q}.\]
2019 Simon Marais Mathematical Competition, A4
Suppose $x_1,x_2,x_3,\dotsc$ is a strictly decreasing sequence of positive real numbers such that the series $x_1+x_2+x_3+\cdots$ diverges.
Is it necessary true that the series $\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}{\min \left\{ x_n,\frac{1}{n\log (n)}\right\} }$ diverges?
2019 Taiwan APMO Preliminary Test, P7
Let positive integer $k$ satisfies $1<k<100$. For the permutation of $1,2,...,100$ be $a_1,a_2,...,a_{100}$, take the minimum $m>k$ such that $a_m$ is at least less than $(k-1)$ numbers of $a_1,a_2,...,a_k$. We know that the number of sequences satisfies $a_m=1$ is $\frac{100!}{4}$. Find the all possible values of $k$.
1977 IMO Longlists, 28
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
\[ \min \{x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n \} =[ \sqrt n ]\]