This website contains problems from math contests. Problems and corresponding tags were obtained from the Art of Problem Solving website.

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Found problems: 5923

Let $\{a_0,a_1,\ldots\}$ and $\{b_0,b_1,\ldots\}$ be two infinite sequences of integers such that \[(a_{n}-a_{n-1})(a_n-a_{n-2}) +(b_n-b_{n-1})(b_n-b_{n-2})=0\] for all integers $n\geq 2$. Prove that there exists a positive integer $k$ such that \[a_{k+2011}=a_{k+2011^{2011}}.\]
Let $A$ be the set of all binary sequences of length $n$ and denote $o =(0, 0, \ldots , 0) \in A$. Define the addition on $A$ as $(a_1, \ldots , a_n)+(b_1, \ldots , b_n) =(c_1, \ldots , c_n)$, where $c_i = 0$ when $a_i = b_i$ and $c_i = 1$ otherwise. Suppose that $f\colon A \to A$ is a function such that $f(0) = 0$, and for each $a, b \in A$, the sequences $f(a)$ and $f(b)$ differ in exactly as many places as $a$ and $b$ do. Prove that if $a$ , $b$, $c \in A$ satisfy $a+ b + c = 0$, then $f(a)+ f(b) + f(c) = 0$.
Let $f:[0,1] \to [0,1]$ a increasing continuous function, diferentiable in $(0,1)$ and with derivative smaller than 1 in every point. The sequence of sets $A_1,A_2,A_3,\dots$ is define as: $A_1 = f([0,1])$, and for $n \geq 2, A_n = f(A_{n-1}).$ Prove that $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to+\infty} d(A_n) = 0$, where $d(A)$ is the diameter of the set $A$. Note: The diameter of a set $X$ is define as $d(X) = \sup_{x,y\in X} |x-y|.$
Let $n$ and $k$ be positive integers. Two infinite sequences $\{s_i\}_{i\geq 1}$ and $\{t_i\}_{i\geq 1}$ are [i]equivalent[/i] if, for all positive integers $i$ and $j$, $s_i = s_j$ if and only if $t_i = t_j$. A sequence $\{r_i\}_{i\geq 1}$ has [i]equi-period[/i] $k$ if $r_1, r_2, \ldots $ and $r_{k+1}, r_{k+2}, \ldots$ are equivalent. Suppose $M$ infinite sequences with equi-period $k$ whose terms are in the set $\{1, \ldots, n\}$ can be chosen such that no two chosen sequences are equivalent to each other. Determine the largest possible value of $M$ in terms of $n$ and $k$.
A given sequence $r_1, r_2, \dots, r_n$ of distinct real numbers can be put in ascending order by means of one or more ``bubble passes''. A bubble pass through a given sequence consists of comparing the second term with the first term, and exchanging them if and only if the second term is smaller, then comparing the third term with the second term and exchanging them if and only if the third term is smaller, and so on in order, through comparing the last term, $r_n$, with its current predecessor and exchanging them if and only if the last term is smaller. The example below shows how the sequence 1, 9, 8, 7 is transformed into the sequence 1, 8, 7, 9 by one bubble pass. The numbers compared at each step are underlined. \[ \begin{array}{c} \underline{1 \quad 9} \quad 8 \quad 7 \\ 1 \quad \underline{9 \quad 8} \quad 7 \\ 1 \quad 8 \quad \underline{9 \quad 7} \\ 1 \quad 8 \quad 7 \quad 9 \end{array} \] Suppose that $n = 40$, and that the terms of the initial sequence $r_1, r_2, \dots, r_{40}$ are distinct from one another and are in random order. Let $p/q$, in lowest terms, be the probability that the number that begins as $r_{20}$ will end up, after one bubble pass, in the $30^{\text{th}}$ place. Find $p + q$.
The sequence $1, 2, \dots, 2023, 2024$ is written on a whiteboard. Every second, Megavan chooses two integers $a$ and $b$, and four consecutive numbers on the whiteboard. Then counting from the left, he adds $a$ to the 1st and 3rd of those numbers, and adds $b$ to the 2nd and 4th of those numbers. Can he achieve the sequence $2024, 2023, \dots, 2, 1$ in a finite number of moves? [i](Proposed by Avan Lim Zenn Ee)[/i]
Can we partition the positive integers in two sets such that none of the sets contains an infinite arithmetic progression of nonzero ratio ?
Determine all integers $n\geqslant 3$ such that there exist $n{}$ pairwise distinct real numbers $a_1,\ldots,a_n$ for which the sums $a_i+a_j$ over all $1\leqslant i<j\leqslant n$ form an arithmetic progression.
Karl starts with $n$ cards labeled $1,2,3,\dots,n$ lined up in a random order on his desk. He calls a pair $(a,b)$ of these cards [i]swapped[/i] if $a>b$ and the card labeled $a$ is to the left of the card labeled $b$. For instance, in the sequence of cards $3,1,4,2$, there are three swapped pairs of cards, $(3,1)$, $(3,2)$, and $(4,2)$. He picks up the card labeled 1 and inserts it back into the sequence in the opposite position: if the card labeled 1 had $i$ card to its left, then it now has $i$ cards to its right. He then picks up the card labeled $2$ and reinserts it in the same manner, and so on until he has picked up and put back each of the cards $1,2,\dots,n$ exactly once in that order. (For example, the process starting at $3,1,4,2$ would be $3,1,4,2\to 3,4,1,2\to 2,3,4,1\to 2,4,3,1\to 2,3,4,1$.) Show that, no matter what lineup of cards Karl started with, his final lineup has the same number of swapped pairs as the starting lineup.
Let \(d(n)\) denote the number of positive divisors of \(n\). The sequence \(a_0\), \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(\ldots\) is defined as follows: \(a_0=1\), and for all integers \(n\ge1\), \[a_n=d(a_{n-1})+d(d(a_{n-2}))+\cdots+ {\underbrace{d(d(\ldots d(a_0)\ldots))}_{n\text{ times}}}.\] Show that for all integers \(n\ge1\), we have \(a_n\le3n\). [i]Proposed by Karthik Vedula[/i]
For which real numbers $a$ does the sequence $(u_n )$ defined by the initial condition $u_0 =a$ and the recursion $u_{n+1} =2u_n - n^2$ have $u_n >0$ for all $n \geq 0?$
Convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ has $AB = 18, \angle{A} = 60 \textdegree$, and $\overline{AB} \parallel \overline{CD}$. In some order, the lengths of the four sides form an arithmetic progression, and side $\overline{AB}$ is a side of maximum length. The length of another side is $a$. What is the sum of all possible values of $a$? $\textbf{(A) } 24 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 42 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 60 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 66 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 84$
Let $\{a_n\}_{n \geq 1}$ be a bounded sequence satisfying \[a_n < \displaystyle\sum_{k=a}^{2n+2006} \frac{a_k}{k+1} + \frac{1}{2n+2007} \quad \forall \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots \] Show that \[a_n < \frac{1}{n} \quad \forall \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots\]
Let $f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ be a function such that $|f(x)-f(y)| \leq |x-y|$, for all $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$. Prove that if for any real $x$, the sequence $x,f(x),f(f(x)),\ldots$ is an arithmetic progression, then there is $a \in \mathbb{R}$ such that $f(x)=x+a$, for all $x \in \mathbb R$.
Let $a_1$, $a_2$, $\ldots$, $a_n$ be a sequence of integers with values between 2 and 1995 such that: (i) Any two of the $a_i$'s are relatively prime, (ii) Each $a_i$ is either a prime or a product of primes. Determine the smallest possible values of $n$ to make sure that the sequence will contain a prime number.
[b]p1.[/b] Suppose Mitchell has a fair die. He is about to roll it six times. The probability that he rolls $1$, $2$, $3$, $4$, $5$, and then $6$ in that order is $p$. The probability that he rolls $2$, $2$, $4$, $4$, $6$, and then $6$ in that order is $q$. What is $p - q$? [b]p2.[/b] What is the smallest positive integer $x$ such that $x \equiv 2017$ (mod $2016$) and $x \equiv 2016$ (mod $2017$) ? [b]p3.[/b] The vertices of triangle $ABC$ lie on a circle with center $O$. Suppose the measure of angle $ACB$ is $45^o$. If $|AB| = 10$, then what is the distance between $O$ and the line $AB$? [b]p4.[/b] A “word“ is a sequence of letters such as $YALE$ and $AELY$. How many distinct $3$-letter words can be made from the letters in $BOOLABOOLA$ where each letter is used no more times than the number of times it appears in $BOOLABOOLA$? [b]p5.[/b] How many distinct complex roots does the polynomial $p(x) = x^{12} - x^8 - x^4 + 1$ have? [b]p6.[/b] Notice that $1 = \frac12 + \frac13 + \frac16$ , that is, $1$ can be expressed as the sum of the three fractions $\frac12 $, $\frac13$ , and $\frac16$ , where each fraction is in the form $\frac{1}{n}$, with each $n$ different. Give a $6$-tuple of distinct positive integers $(a, b, c, d, e, f)$ where $a < b < c < d < e < f$ such that $\frac{1}{a} +\frac{1}{b} + \frac{1}{c} + \frac{1}{d} + \frac{1}{e} + \frac{1}{f} = 1$ and explain how you arrived at your $6$-tuple. Multiple answers will be accepted. [b]p7.[/b] You have a Monopoly board, an $11 \times 11$ square grid with the $9 \times 9$ internal square grid removed, where every square is blank except for Go, which is the square in the bottom right corner. During your turn, you determine how many steps forward (which is in the counterclockwise direction) to move by rolling two standard $6$-sided dice. Let $S$ be the set of squares on the board such that if you are initially on a square in $S$, no matter what you roll with the dice, you will always either land on Go (move forward enough squares such that you end up on Go) or you pass Go (you move forward enough squares such that you step on Go during your move and then you advance past Go). You randomly and uniformly select one square in $S$ as your starting position. What is the probability that you land on Go? [b]p8.[/b] Using $L$-shaped triominos, and dominos, where each square of a triomino and a domino covers one unit, what is the minimum number of tiles needed to cover a $3$-by-$2017$ rectangle without any gaps? [b]p9.[/b] Does there exist a pair of positive integers $(x, y)$, where $x < y$, such that $x^2 + y^2 = 1009^3$? If so, give a pair $(x, y)$ and explain how you found that pair. If not, explain why. [b]p10.[/b] Triangle $ABC$ has inradius $8$ and circumradius $20$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of side $BC$, and let $N$ be the midpoint of arc $BC$ on the circumcircle not containing $A$. Let $s_A$ denote the length of segment $MN$, and define $s_B$ and $s_C$ similarly with respect to sides $CA$ and $AB$. Evaluate the product $s_As_Bs_C$. [b]p11.[/b] Julia and Dan want to divide up $256$ dollars in the following way: in the first round, Julia will offer Dan some amount of money, and Dan can choose to accept or reject the offer. If Dan accepts, the game is over. Otherwise, if Dan rejects, half of the money disappears. In the second round, Dan can offer Julia part of the remaining money. Julia can then choose to accept or reject the offer. This process goes on until an offer is accepted or until $4$ rejections have been made; once $4$ rejections are made, all of the money will disappear, and the bargaining process ends. If Julia or Dan is indifferent between accepting and rejecting an offer, they will accept the offer. Given that Julia and Dan are both rational and both have the goal of maximizing the amount of money they get, how much will Julia offer Dan in the first round? [b]p12.[/b] A perfect partition of a positive integer $N$ is an unordered set of numbers (where numbers can be repeated) that sum to $N$ with the property that there is a unique way to express each positive integer less than $N$ as a sum of elements of the set. Repetitions of elements of the set are considered identical for the purpose of uniqueness. For example, the only perfect partitions of $3$ are $\{1, 1, 1\}$ and $\{1, 2\}$. $\{1, 1, 3, 4\}$ is NOT a perfect partition of $9$ because the sum $4$ can be achieved in two different ways: $4$ and $1 + 3$. How many integers $1 \le N \le 40$ each have exactly one perfect partition? PS. You should use hide for answers. Collected [url=https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2760506p24143309]here[/url].
Let $P(x)$ denote the product of all (decimal) digits of a natural number $x$. For any positive integer $x_1$, define the sequence $(x_n)$ recursively by $x_{n+1} = x_n + P(x_n)$. Prove or disprove that the sequence $(x_n)$ is necessarily bounded.
Let $ f:\mathbb{R}\longrightarrow\mathbb{R} ,f(x)=\left\{\begin{matrix} \sin x , & x\not\in\mathbb{Q} \\ 0, & x\in\mathbb{Q}\end{matrix}\right. . $ [b]a)[/b] Determine the maximum length of an interval $ I\subset\mathbb{R} $ such that $ f|_I $ is discontinuous everywhere, yet has the intermediate value property. [b]b)[/b] Study the convergence of the sequence $ \left( x_n\right)_{n\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{ 0\}} $ defined by $ x_0\in (0,\pi /2),x_{n+1}=f\left( x_n\right),\forall n\ge 0. $
Let $ c > 2,$ and let $ a(1), a(2), \ldots$ be a sequence of nonnegative real numbers such that \[ a(m \plus{} n) \leq 2 \cdot a(m) \plus{} 2 \cdot a(n) \text{ for all } m,n \geq 1, \] and $ a\left(2^k \right) \leq \frac {1}{(k \plus{} 1)^c} \text{ for all } k \geq 0.$ Prove that the sequence $ a(n)$ is bounded. [i]Author: Vjekoslav Kovač, Croatia[/i]
Let $ Y_n$ be a binomial random variable with parameters $ n$ and $ p$. Assume that a certain set $ H$ of positive integers has a density and that this density is equal to $ d$. Prove the following statements: (a) $ \lim _{n \rightarrow \infty}P(Y_n\in H)\equal{}d$ if $ H$ is an arithmetic progression. (b) The previous limit relation is not valid for arbitrary $ H$. (c) If $ H$ is such that $ P(Y_n \in H)$ is convergent, then the limit must be equal to $ d$. [i]L. Posa[/i]
Let $a_1, a_2, \cdots, a_n$ be a sequence of real numbers with $a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n=0$. Define the score $S(\sigma)$ of a permutation $\sigma=(b_1, \cdots b_n)$ of $(a_1, \cdots a_n)$ to be the minima of the sum $$(x_1-b_1)^2+\cdots+(x_n-b_n)^2$$ over all real numbers $x_1\le \cdots \le x_n$. Prove that $S(\sigma)$ attains the maxima over all permutations $\sigma$, if and only if for all $1\le k\le n$, $$b_1+b_2+\cdots+b_k\ge 0.$$ [i]Proposed by Anzo Teh Zhao Yang[/i]
Suppose that a sequence $a_1,a_2,\ldots$ of positive real numbers satisfies \[a_{k+1}\geq\frac{ka_k}{a_k^2+(k-1)}\] for every positive integer $k$. Prove that $a_1+a_2+\ldots+a_n\geq n$ for every $n\geq2$.
For which quadratic polynomials $f(x)$ does there exist a quadratic polynomial $g(x)$ such that the equations $g(f(x)) = 0$ and $f(x)g(x) = 0$ have the same roots, which are mutually distinct and form an arithmetic progression?
Two half-lines $a$ and $b$, with the common endpoint $O$, make an acute angle $\alpha$. Let $A$ on $a$ and $B$ on $b$ be points such that $OA=OB$, and let $b$ be the line through $A$ parallel to $b$. Let $\beta$ be the circle with centre $B$ and radius $BO$. We construct a sequence of half-lines $c_1,c_2,c_3,\ldots $, all lying inside the angle $\alpha$, in the following manner: (i) $c_i$ is given arbitrarily; (ii) for every natural number $k$, the circle $\beta$ intercepts on $c_k$ a segment that is of the same length as the segment cut on $b'$ by $a$ and $c_{k+1}$. Prove that the angle determined by the lines $c_k$ and $b$ has a limit as $k$ tends to infinity and find that limit.
The first three terms of a geometric sequence are the integers $a,\,720,$ and $b,$ where $a<720<b.$ What is the sum of the digits of the least possible value of $b?$ $\textbf{(A) } 9 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 12 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 16 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 18 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 21$