Problems

This section offers readers an opportunity to exchange inter-

esting and elegant mathematical problems. Proposals are al-
ways welcomed. Please observe the following guidelines when
submitting proposals or solutions:

1. Proposals and solutions must be legible and should ap-

pear on separate sheets, each indicating the name and
address of the sender. Drawings must be suitable for re-
production. Proposals should be accompanied by solu-
tions. An asterisk (*) indicates that neither the proposer
nor the editor has supplied a solution.

2. Send submittals to: Jose Luis Daz-Barrero, Applied

Mathematics III, Universitat Polit`ecnica de Catalunya,
Jordi Girona 1-3, C2, Room 301-A, 08034 Barcelona,
Spain or by e-mail to: jose.luis.diaz@upc.edu.

Proposals Fall-05
1. Solve the differential equation
p p
1 + y 2 x2 earctan x dx + 1 + x2 dy = 0

2. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that

n
!n
1X 1 (n+1)3n
> e
n k=1 2k C(n, k)

1
3. Suppose that x1 , x2 , , xn and are positive real num-
bers. Then,
n n
!2
1X 2
Y 1/n
xk + k (n+1)/2 +


xk
n k=1 k=1

4. Let a, b be positive real numbers and let f : [a, b] R be

a continuous function. Prove that there exits c (a, b) such
that  Z c
1 c c
f (c) = + 2 f (t) dt
2 a2 c2 b c2 a

5. Let A(z) = n k
P
k=0 ak z (ak 6= 0) be a nonconstant complex
polynomial. Show that all its zeros lie in the annulus C =
{z C : r1 |z| r2 }, where
(
 )1/k
n
(  )1/k
3k k  a0  4n 1  ank 
r1 = min and r2 = max
3k nk  an 


4n 1  ak 
  
1kn 1kn

6. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that

n n
X (n k) 4n X k
sec2 < < sec2 .
k=1
4n k=1
4n

7. For all n 1, show that

n  
X
k+1
n X 1 1
(1) = 2.
k=1
k 1ijk ij n

8. Calculate
1/2
n4 + (i2 + j 2 )n2 + i2 j 2

1 X
lim
n n2 1i<jn
n4 + i2 + j 2

2
9. Let x1 , x2 , , xn be real numbers. Prove that the follow-
ing inequality
n
X 2 n
X 2
cosh xk sinh xk n2
k=1 k=1

holds.

10. If A1 , A2 , , An M2 (C), (n 2), are the solutions of

the equation
  n
n 2 3 X
X = , then T r(Ak ) = 0.
4 6
k=1

11. If a N, a 1 and is the Euler function, calculate:

s   s  !
n+1
(n + 1)a + 1 n
na + 1
lim
n a a

Pn1
12. Let A(z) = z n + k=0 ak z k be a polynomial with complex
coefficients and with zeros z1 , . . . , zn . Prove that
n
1X
|zk |2 < 1 + max |ank |2 .
n k=1 1kn

n1
X
13. Let A(z) = z n + ak z k be a complex polynomial. Prove
k=0
that, for all t 0 and any p and q such that p > 1, q > 1,
1 1
+ = 1, all its zeros lie in the disk
p q



n1
!q/p 1/q
X
C = z C : |z| < 1 + D p (p, t) |ak |p ,

k=0

1
 
where D(p, t) = p1 et( p 1) + 1 p1 et/p .

3
14. Let A1 , A2 , , Am Mn (R) be symmetric matrices.
Prove that
det(A21 + A22 + + A2m ) 0.

15. Let n be a non negative integer. Show that the equation

x5 +F2n x4 +2(F2n 2Fn+1
2
)x3 +2F2n (F2n 2Fn+1
2
)x2 +F2n
2 3
x+F2n =0
has only integer roots and determine them. (Fn represents
the nth Fibonacci number defined by F0 = 0, F1 = 1 and for
n 2, Fn = Fn1 + Fn2 .)

16. Let f : [1, ) R, satisfying f (1) = 1 and f 0 (x) =

x
. Prove that lim f (x) < 1 + /8.
x + f 4 (x)
4 x

17. Let a, b and c be complex numbers such that a+b+c = 0.

Prove that
 
 2bc a2 c2 b2 
 2 2 2


 c 2ac b a  = 0.

2 2 2 
 b a 2ab c

18. For all integers n, k, determine the value of

n 
Y 2j k
1 cos .
j=1
n+1

Pn1
19. Suppose that polynomial A(z) = z n + k=0 ak z k can be
factored into (z z1 )(z z2 ) (z zn ), where z1 , z2 , , zn
are positive real numbers.Prove that a1 an1 n2 a0 .

20. Let f be a continuous and strictly positive function on

the interval [a, b]. Suppose that the area under the curve f is
given by (b a)f () for some (a, b). Then, prove that
Z bh i1 h i1
f (x) dx (b a) f () .
a

4
21. Let z1 , z2 , , zn be distinct nonzero complex numbers.
Prove the following indentity involving complex numbers
n n n
X  Y Y 1
zjn1 1+ zk = (1)n+1
j=1 k=1 k=1
zk zj
k6=j k6=j

Proposals Winter-06
22. Let n be a positive integer. Show that
n
X k n2 (n + 2)
<
 1 2
k=1 log 1 +
k

n1
X
n
23. Suppose that A(z) = z + ak z k is a polynomial with
k=0 n o
complex coefficients and let r = max |ak |1/(nk) . Prove
0kn1
that all the zeros of A lie in the disk
 
r
C = z C : |z|
21/n 1

n
X
24. Let S(a, k, n) = ai1 ik . Show that
i=1

k  
X k
(1 a)S(a, k, n) + (1)m S(a, k m, n) = an nk
m=1
m

25. For all integers n 1, determine the value of

n
(1)k1 k n + 1
X  

k=1
k+1 k

5
26. Let a1 , a2 , , an be positive real numbers in arithmetic
progression. Prove that
n
X 1 4n
>
k=1
ak ank+1 (a1 + an )2

1 1 1
27. If + + 6= 2. Determine all real numbers
1+a 1+b 1+c
x, y, z such that

(1 + 2a2 )x2 + (1 + 2b2 )y 2 + (1 + 2c2 )z 2

+2xy(ab a b) + 2yz(bc b c) + 2zx(ca c a) = 0

28. Find the smallest value of the product

(a2b + b2a )(a2c + c2a )(b2c + c2b )

when a, b, c (0, 1).

29. Let a, b and c be the sides of a scalene triangle ABC.

Prove that
(1 + a2 )bc a(1 + b2 )c ab(1 + c2 ) 1 1 1
+ + = + +
a(b a)(c a) b(a b)(c b) c(c a)(c b) a b c

30. Let , and be the angles of a triangle ABC and let n

be and odd positive integer. Show that
 
tan tan 1 1 tan 1 tan 
 
 1 tan tan tan 1 1 tan 
 
 1 tan 1 tan tan tan 1



sin n + sin n + sin n
=
n n n
cos
cos cos

2 2 2

6
31.Let a0 , a1 , . . . , an and b0 , b1 , , bn be sequences of com-
plex numbers. Prove that
n
! n n
X 1X 2
2n + 1 X
Re ak bk |ak | + |bk |2
k=0
n k=0 6 k=0

holds.

32. Prove that

Z 1p Z 1p
1 3 3
+ x + ln(1 + x) dx (x + ln(1 + x))2 dx < 2 ln 2.
2 0 0

33. For any positive integer n, prove that

n  k/n  n+1
2n

Y n 2

k=1
k n+1

34. Let ` be a positive integer. Evaluate the following sum

n
X C(n, k)
k=0
(n + ` k)C(n + `, k)
n


where C(n, k) represents the binomial coefficient k
.

35. A triangle ABC inscribed into the equilateral hyperbola

xy = 2005 is selected at random, find the probability that its
orthocenter lies on the same curve.

36. Let a1 , a2 , a3 , a4 be nonzero real numbers defined by ak =

sin(k + )
, (1 k 4), , R. Calculate
sin k
 
 1 + a2 + a2 a1 + a2 + 1/a 4 1 + a2 (a1 + a 3 ) 
 1 2 
 a1 + a2 + 1/a4 2
 2 + 1/a4 a2 + a3 + 1/a4 
 1 + a2 (a1 + a3 ) a2 + a3 + 1/a4 1 + a22 + a23 

7
37. Let `, n be positive integers. Prove that
n   k+1  
X k + ` + 1 nX k+1j
k+1 o
(1) Pnjk1 Pn`+1 1
k=0
k+1 j=0
j

where Pn is the nth Pell number, i.e., P0 = 0, P1 = 1 and

Pn+2 = 2Pn+1 + Pn for n 2.

38. Evaluate
x3 + x2 + x + 1
Z
dx
x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1

39. Let k be a positive integer and let rn = Fn+1 /Fn for n > 1.
Prove that
k  
k
X k 1
rn = j
j=0
j rn1

where Fn is the nth Fibonacci number defined by F0 = 0, F1 =

1 and Fn = Fn1 + Fn2 for all n 2.

40. Let a, b and c be complex numbers such that abc = 1.

Show that
 1/3
 b + n3 c n(c b) n2 (b c)
 2
n (c a) c + n3 a n(a c) 
 
 n(b a) n2 (a b) a + n3 b 

is the sum of the cubes of two integers.

41. Let a, b, c be the sides of a triangle ABC and s its semi-

perimeter. Prove that

s s s
1 1 1 9
+ + .
(s a)(s b) (s b)(s c) (s c)(s a) s

8
 Proposals Spring-06

42. If a1 , a2 , . . . , an are real numbers strictly positive, prove

that
a1 a2 an n
p + p + . . . + p .
a2 + 3 a1 a22 a3 + 3 a2 a23 a1 + an a21 2

43. Calculate !
n
X n
lim e k2 +n2 n
n
k=1

44. Prove that in any acute triangle ABC the following iden-
tity holds:
r r r r
sin A sin B sin C a+b+c
+ + =
sin B sin C sin C sin A sin A sin B r
where the notations are usual.

45. Let {an }n1 be a sequence such that a1 = 2, a2 = 7 and

an = 4an1 an2 for all positive integers n. Prove that, for
a2n+1
all n 1, is the sum of the squares of two consecutive
2
integers.

46. For each positive integer n, let f : R R be the function

defined by
n
X 2k cosh(kx)
f (x) =
k=1
n(n + 1)
1 + f (2x)
Prove that f 2 (x).
2

9
47. Let {Pn }n0 be the Pell sequence given by P0 = 0, P1 =
1, and for n 0, Pn+2 = 2Pn+1 + Pn . Find the following sums:
2
X Pn+1 X Pn+1 2Pn2
(a) , (b) 2
n=1
Pn Pn+2 n=1
Pn2 Pn+2

48. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that 2(a+b+c) =

1. Find the smallest value of
a+b b+c c+a
+ + .
c + 3/2 a + 3/2 b + 3/2

49. If the sides `1 , `2 , . . . , `n of a polygon inscribed in a circle

are the roots of the equation

z n z n1 + an2 z n2 + an3 z n3 + . . . + a2 z 2 n2 z + 1 = 0,

then prove that the polygon is regular.

50. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that

1/2
n n
1 X n 2
 
X
2n
n j
k=0 j=0
j6=k

51. Let z1 , z2 and z3 be the affixes of the vertices of a 4ABC.

Prove that

|z1 z2 |2 +|z2 z3 |2 +|z3 z1 |2 2 3 Im (z 1 z2 + z 2 z3 + z 3 z1 )

p !1/3
1
1 + sin2 x + sin x 1
Z
52. Evaluate p dx
1 1 + sin2 x + sin x + 1

10
Problems Summer-06
53. Let {Fn } be the Fibonacci sequence defined by F0 = 0, F1 = 1,
and for n 2, Fn = Fn1 + Fn2 . Find the smallest integer k such
that

X nk
Fn
n=1
kn
converges and determine its sum

54. Solve in R the equation 2005x + 2006x = 2004x + 2007x .

55. Let a1 , a2 , , an be positive numbers such that for all x R

is ax
1 + ax x
2 + + an n. Prove that
 
 x + a1 x . . . x 
 
 x x + a2 . . . x  x
1+
 
 .
.. .
.. . .. .
.. 



 n
 x x . . . x + an 

56. Let z1 , z2 , . . . , zn be distinct nonzero complex numbers. Prove

that
n n n
X 1 Y 1 X (1)n+1
=
k=1
zk2 j=1
zk zj k=1
z1 . . . zk2 . . . zn
j6=k

57. Suppose that the zeros of the complete monic complex poly-
Xn
nomial A(z) = ak z k lie on the circle C = {z C : |z| = r}.
k=0
Prove that  
 ank  1
 a  = r n2k , k = 0, 1, . . . , n.
 
k

58. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that

n
n2 (n + 1)(4n + 5)

X k
  <
1 12
log 1 +
k=1

k 2

1
59. Calculate:
2
n k+1 n k k
X (1) X 1 X 1
lim n2 +
n
k=1
k+1 k j=1
j+1 j=1
(j + 1)2

60. For any positive integer n, prove that

#2 1/2
"n1

X 2n
4n + 3k+1/2

k=0
2k + 1

is a whole number.

61. Find the following sum

   2  3
11 4 12 4 13 4
+ + +
123 5 234 5 345 5

62. Solve the system of equations

x+y+z = 6
x + y 2 + z 2 = 18
2

x3 + y 3 + z 3 = 63

1 1
63. Let a, b and c be nonzero real numbers such that + +
ab bc
1
= 1. Prove that
ca

     
1 + i  + 1 + i   i 
  
+ 1+ 2 3.
 a  b  c 

When does equality occur?

64. Suppose that for each k N, the numbers ak , bk , zk C.

Suppose that polynomials
n
X n
X
An (z) = ak z k and Bn (z) = bk z k
k=0 k=0

are related by An (zj ) = Bn (zj2 ) = 0 for j {1, 2, , n}. For each

n N, find an expression for bn in terms of a0 , a1 , , an .

2
65. Let G = {x R | /2 < x < /2}. For all x, y G we
define x y = arctan(tan x + tan y). Prove that (G, ) is an Abelian
group.

66. Let {an }n0 be a sequence defined recursively by a0 = 1 and

n1
!2 1/2
X an
for n 1, an = 1 + ak Calculate lim n .
n 2
k=0

67. Let f : [a, b] R be a function with continuous derivative in

[a, b]. If f (a) = 0 and 0 f 0 (x) 1 in [a, b], then prove that
Z b Z b 2
3
[f (x)] dx f (t) dt
a a

Z 1 cos xt
68. Let f be the function defined by f (x) = dt. Show
1 1 t2
that
1
f (x) + f 0 (x) + f 00 (x) = 0.
x

69. Two dice are rolled until the sum of points inscribed in their
upper faces is 5 or 6. Find the probability that sum 5 appears before
than sum 6.

70. Let a, b be positive real numbers. Prove that

Z 1  
a1 b1 (a)(b) a
t (1 t) (t) dt
0 (a + b) a+b

where (x) is the Euler Gamma Function.