Olympiad problems

1996 Romania National Olympiad, 1

Prove that a group $G$ in which exactly two elements other than the identity commute with each other is isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}/3 \mathbb{Z}$ or $S_3.$

2014 District Olympiad, 3

Tags: superior algebra

Let $(A,+,\cdot)$ be an unit ring with the property: for all $x\in A$, \[ x+x^{2}+x^{3}=x^{4}+x^{5}+x^{6} \] [list=a] [*]Let $x\in A$ and let $n\geq2$ be an integer such that $x^{n}=0$. Prove that $x=0$. [*]Prove that $x^{4}=x$, for all $x\in A$.[/list]

1952 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

Tags: algebra , polynomial , superior algebra

Let $ K$ be a finite field of $ p$ elements, where $ p$ is a prime. For every polynomial $ f(x)\equal{}\sum_{i\equal{}0}^na_ix^i$ ($ \in K[x]$) put $ \overline{f(x)}\equal{}\sum_{i\equal{}0}^n a_ix^{p^i}$. Prove that for any pair of polynomials $ f(x),g(x)\in K[x]$, $ \overline{f(x)}|\overline{g(x)}$ if and only if $ f(x)|g(x)$.

1963 Miklós Schweitzer, 3

Tags: superior algebra

Let $ R\equal{}R_1\oplus R_2$ be the direct sum of the rings $ R_1$ and $ R_2$, and let $ N_2$ be the annihilator ideal of $ R_2$ (in $ R_2$). Prove that $ R_1$ will be an ideal in every ring $ \widetilde{R}$ containing $ R$ as an ideal if and only if the only homomorphism from $ R_1$ to $ N_2$ is the zero homomorphism. [Gy. Hajos]

1968 Miklós Schweitzer, 1

Tags: abstract algebra , superior algebra

Consider the endomorphism ring of an Abelian torsion-free (resp. torsion) group $ G$. Prove that this ring is Neumann-regular if and only if $ G$ is a discrete direct sum of groups isomorphic to the additive group of the rationals (resp. ,a discrete direct sum of cyclic groups of prime order). (A ring $ R$ is called Neumann-regular if for every $ \alpha \in R$ there exists a $ \beta \in R$ such that $ \alpha \beta \alpha\equal{}\alpha$.) [i]E. Freid[/i]

2008 Romania National Olympiad, 4

Tags: inequalities , group theory , abstract algebra , vector , superior algebra

Let $ \mathcal G$ be the set of all finite groups with at least two elements. a) Prove that if $ G\in \mathcal G$, then the number of morphisms $ f: G\to G$ is at most $ \sqrt [p]{n^n}$, where $ p$ is the largest prime divisor of $ n$, and $ n$ is the number of elements in $ G$. b) Find all the groups in $ \mathcal G$ for which the inequality at point a) is an equality.

1985 Miklós Schweitzer, 6

Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra

Determine all finite groups $G$ that have an automorphism $f$ such that $H\not\subseteq f(H)$ for all proper subgroups $H$ of $G$. [B. Kovacs]

2010 IMC, 3

Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , induction , strong induction , superior algebra

Denote by $S_n$ the group of permutations of the sequence $(1,2,\dots,n).$ Suppose that $G$ is a subgroup of $S_n,$ such that for every $\pi\in G\setminus\{e\}$ there exists a unique $k\in \{1,2,\dots,n\}$ for which $\pi(k)=k.$ (Here $e$ is the unit element of the group $S_n.$) Show that this $k$ is the same for all $\pi \in G\setminus \{e\}.$

2008 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 7

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

Let $A$ be an abelian additive group such that all nonzero elements have infinite order and for each prime number $p$ we have the inequality $|A/pA|\leq p$, where $pA = \{pa |a \in A\}$, $pa = a+a+\cdots+a$ (where the sum has $p$ summands) and $|A/pA|$ is the order of the quotient group $A/pA$ (the index of the subgroup $pA$). Prove that each subgroup of $A$ of finite index is isomorphic to $A$.

2019 Romania National Olympiad, 2

Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra

Let $n \geq 4$ be an even natural number and $G$ be a subgroup of $GL_2(\mathbb{C})$ with $|G| = n.$ Prove that there exists $H \leq G$ such that $\{ I_2 \} \neq H$ and $H \neq G$ such that $XYX^{-1} \in H, \: \forall X \in G$ and $\forall Y \in H$

2002 District Olympiad, 1

Tags: superior algebra , group theory

Let $ A $ be a ring, $ a\in A, $ and let $ n,k\ge 2 $ be two natural numbers such that $ n\vdots\text{char} (A) $ and $ 1+a=a^k. $ Show that the following propositions are true: [b]a)[/b] $ \forall s\in\mathbb{N}\quad \exists p_0,p_1,\ldots ,p_{k-1}\in\mathbb{Z}_{\ge 0}\quad a^s=\sum_{i=0}^{k-1} p_ia^{i} . $ [b]b)[/b] $ \text{ord} (a)\neq\infty . $

1980 Miklós Schweitzer, 5

Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra

Let $ G$ be a transitive subgroup of the symmetric group $ S_{25}$ different from $ S_{25}$ and $ A_{25}$. Prove that the order of $ G$ is not divisible by $ 23$. [i]J. Pelikan[/i]

2007 IMS, 6

Tags: polynomial , ring theory , superior algebra , algebra

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

1987 Traian Lălescu, 1.1

Tags: group theory , superior algebra

Describe all groups $ G $ which have the property that: $$ (\forall H\le G)(\forall x,y\in G)(xy\in H\implies (x,y\in H\vee xy=1)) $$

1991 Putnam, B2

Tags: function , functional equation , algebra , superior algebra

Define functions $f$ and $g$ as nonconstant, differentiable, real-valued functions on $R$. If $f(x+y)=f(x)f(y)-g(x)g(y)$, $g(x+y)=f(x)g(y)+g(x)f(y)$, and $f'(0)=0$, prove that $\left(f(x)\right)^2+\left(g(x)\right)^2=1$ for all $x$.

2009 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 7

Tags: group theory , abstract algebra , superior algebra

Let $G$ be a group such that every subgroup of $G$ is subnormal. Suppose that there exists $N$ normal subgroup of $G$ such that $Z(N)$ is nontrivial and $G/N$ is cyclic. Prove that $Z(G)$ is nontrivial. ($Z(G)$ denotes the center of $G$). [b]Note[/b]: A subgroup $H$ of $G$ is subnormal if there exist subgroups $H_1,H_2,\ldots,H_m=G$ of $G$ such that $H\lhd H_1\lhd H_2 \lhd \ldots \lhd H_m= G$ ($\lhd$ denotes normal subgroup).

2021 Science ON grade XII, 4

Tags: superior algebra , group theory

Consider a group $G$ with at least $2$ elements and the property that each nontrivial element has infinite order. Let $H$ be a cyclic subgroup of $G$ such that the set $\{xH\mid x\in G\}$ has $2$ elements. \\ $\textbf{(a)}$ Prove that $G$ is cyclic. \\ $\textbf{(b)}$ Does the conclusion from $\textbf{(a)}$ stand true if $G$ contains nontrivial elements of finite order?

2013 Romania National Olympiad, 4

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

Given $n\ge 2$ a natural number, $(K,+,\cdot )$ a body with commutative property that $\underbrace{1+...+}_{m}1\ne 0,m=2,...,n,f\in K[X]$ a polynomial of degree $n$ and $G$ a subgroup of the additive group $(K,+,\cdot )$, $G\ne K.$Show that there is $a\in K$ so$f(a)\notin G$.

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 $b(ab-1)=0.$

2018 Romania National Olympiad, 4

Tags: polynomial , irreducible , superior algebra

For any $k \in \mathbb{Z},$ define $$F_k=X^4+2(1-k)X^2+(1+k)^2.$$ Find all values $k \in \mathbb{Z}$ such that $F_k$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Z}$ and reducible over $\mathbb{Z}_p,$ for any prime $p.$ [i]Marius Vladoiu[/i]

2014 IMC, 2

Tags: linear algebra , matrix , superior algebra

Let $A=(a_{ij})_{i, j=1}^n$ be a symmetric $n\times n$ matrix with real entries, and let $\lambda _1, \lambda _2, \dots, \lambda _n$ denote its eigenvalues. Show that $$\sum_{1\le i<j\le n} a_{ii}a_{jj}\ge \sum_{1\le i < j\le n} \lambda _i \lambda _j$$ and determine all matrices for which equality holds. (Proposed by Matrin Niepel, Comenius University, Bratislava)

1963 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

Tags: polynomial , superior algebra , algebra

Call a polynomial positive reducible if it can be written as a product of two nonconstant polynomials with positive real coefficients. Let $ f(x)$ be a polynomial with $ f(0)\not\equal{}0$ such that $ f(x^n)$ is positive reducible for some natural number $ n$. Prove that $ f(x)$ itself is positive reducible. [L. Redei]

1996 Romania National Olympiad, 1

2014 District Olympiad, 3

1952 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

1963 Miklós Schweitzer, 3

1968 Miklós Schweitzer, 1

2008 Romania National Olympiad, 4

1985 Miklós Schweitzer, 6

2010 IMC, 3

2008 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 7

2019 Romania National Olympiad, 2

2002 District Olympiad, 1

1980 Miklós Schweitzer, 5

2007 IMS, 6

1987 Traian Lălescu, 1.1

1991 Putnam, B2

2009 IberoAmerican Olympiad For University Students, 7

2021 Science ON grade XII, 4

2013 Romania National Olympiad, 4

2018 Romania National Olympiad, 1

2018 Romania National Olympiad, 4

2014 IMC, 2

1963 Miklós Schweitzer, 4

1965 Miklós Schweitzer, 2

2004 Alexandru Myller, 3

2015 Romania National Olympiad, 1