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180 PROBLEMS FOR MATHEMATICAL

CONTEST
PROBLEM 1

Find x + y if x 3 + 2 2 − y 17 − 2 72 = 18 − 8 2 .

Solutions
This equations is equivalent to

x 3 + 2 2 − y 17 − 2 72 = 18 − 8 2

(
x 1+ 2 )
2
−y ( 9− 8 )
2
= ( 16 − 2 ) 2

( x − 3 y) + ( x + 2 y) 2 = 4 − 2
x − 3 y = 4 and x + 2 y = −1 so x = 1, y = −1, x + y = 0

PROBLEM 2

Is 20114 + 4.2010 4 prime?

Solutions
The answers is no!
From Sophie Germain Identity
a 4 + 4b 4 = (a 2 + 2b 2 ) 2 − (2ab) 2 = (a 2 − 2ab + 2b 2 )(a 2 + 2ab + 2b 2 ( )
PROBLEM 3
Prove : a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca)

Solutions
We use the identity : x3 + y3 = (x + y)3 − 3xy(x + y) twice. Then
a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc = (a + b)3 + c3 − 3ab(a + b) − 3abc
= (a + b + c)3 − 3(a + b)c(a + b + c) − 3ab(a + b + c)
= (a + b + c)((a + b + c)2 − 3ac − 3bc − 3ab)
= (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca)

Note if a + b + c = 0 then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc


PROBLEM 4
Find ( a – 1)3 + (b – 2)3 + (c − 3)3 if a + b + c = 6 ; (a – 1) (b – 2)(c − 3) = 7
Solutions
We use the identity : a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc if a + b + c = 0, If we rewrite :

( a – 1) + (b – 2) + (c − 3) = 0 then ( a – 1)3 + (b – 2)3 + (c − 3)3 =3(a – 1)(b – 2)(c − 3) = 21

PROBLEM 5
Simplify : log tan 1◦ + log tan 2◦ + log tan 3◦ + · · · + log tan 89◦.

Solutions
Observe that (90 − k)◦ + k◦ = 90◦.
Thus adding the kth term to the (90 − k)th term, we obtain
S = log(tan 1◦)(tan 89◦) + log(tan 2◦)(tan 88◦) +log(tan 3◦)(tan 87◦) + · · · + log(tan 44◦)(tan 46◦)
+ log tan 45◦.As tan k◦ = 1/ tan(90 − k)◦, we get S = log 1 + log 1 + · · · + log 1 + log tan 45◦.
Finally, as tan 45◦ = 1, we gather that S = log 1 + log 1 + · · · + log 1 = 0.

PROBLEM 6
In how many ways may we write the number 9 as the sum of three positive integer summands?
Here order counts, so, for example, 1 + 7 + 1 is to be regarded different from 7 + 1 + 1
Solutions
Theorem (De Moivre) Let n be a positive integer. The number of positive integer solutions to
⎛ n − 1⎞
x1 + x2 + · · · + xr = n is ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ r − 1⎠
Proof: Write n as n = 1 + 1 + · · · + 1 + 1,where there are n 1s and n − 1 +s. To decompose n in r
summands we only need to choose r – 1 pluses from the n − 1, which proves the theorem.
We are seeking integral solutions to : a + b + c = 9, a > 0, b > 0, c > 0.
⎛ 9 − 1⎞ ⎛ 8 ⎞
By Theorem (De Moivre) ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 28
⎝ 3 − 1⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
PROBLEM 7
There are five people in a lift of a building having eight floors. In how many ways can they
choose their floor for exiting the lift?
Solutions
Let xi be the number of people that floor i receives. We are looking for non-negative solutions of
theequation x1 + x2 + · · · + x8 = 5. Putting : yi = xi + 1, then
x1 + x2 + · · · + x8 = 5 = (y1 − 1) + (y2 − 1) + · · · + (y8 − 1) = 5= y1 + y2 + · · · + y8 = 13,
whence the number sought is the number of positive solutions to y1 + y2 + · · · + y8 = 13,which is
⎛13 − 1⎞ ⎛12 ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 792
⎝ 8 −1 ⎠ ⎝ 7 ⎠

PROBLEM 8
1 1 1
If S = 1 + + + ......... +
1 1 1 1 1 1
1+ 1+ + 1 + + + ................. +
3 3 6 3 6 1993006
Prove S > 1001
Solutions
n
2 n
⎛1 1 ⎞ 2 2n
Observe that ∑
i =1 i (i + 1)
= 2 ∑ ⎜ −
i =1 ⎝ i
⎟ = 2−
i +1⎠
=
n +1 n +1
so
1996
i +1 1 1996 1 1⎛1 2 32 ⎞
S=∑ = 998 + ∑ > 998 + ⎜ + + ....... + ⎟ = 1001
i =1 2i 2 i =1 i 2⎝2 4 64 ⎠

PROBLEM 9
1 1 1
Let a,b,c be positive real numbers satisfying : a + = 5 ; b + = 12 ; c + = 13
b c a
1
Find abc +
abc
Solutions
By mutliplying :
⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1⎞
⎜ a + ⎟⎜ b + ⎟⎜ c + ⎟ = 5.12.13
⎝ b ⎠⎝ c ⎠⎝ a⎠
1 1 1 1
abc + + a + b + c + + + = 5.12.13
abc a b c
1
abc + = 5.12.13 − (5 + 12 + 13) = 750
abc
PROBLEM 10
a + b + c = 3;
Let a,b,c be positive real numbers satisfying : a 2 + b 2 + c 2 = 5
a3 + b3 + c3 = 7
Find a 4 + b 4 + c 4
Solutions
We Have 9 = (a + b + c) 2 = a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + 2(ab + bc + ac) = 5 + 2(ab + ac + bc)
So (ab + ac + bc) = 2 similary

15 = (a 2 + b 2 + c 2 )(a + b + c) = a 3 + b 3 + c 3 + a 2 b + b 2 a + a 2 c + c 2 a + c 2 b + b 2 c
= 7 + ab(a + b) + ac(a + c) + bc(b + c) = 7 + ab(3 − c) + bc(3 − a) + ac(3 − b)
= 7 + 3(ab + bc + ac) − 3abc
= 13 − 3abc
2
So abc = − Finally,
3
21 = (a 3 + b 3 + c 3 )(a + b + c) = a 4 + b 4 + c 4 + a 3b + b 3 a + a 3 c + c 3 a + c 3b + b 3c
= a 4 + b 4 + c 4 + ab(a 2 + b 2 ) + ac(a 2 + c 2 ) + bc(b 2 + c 2 )
= a 4 + b 4 + c 4 + ab(5 − c 2 ) + ac(5 − b 2 ) + bc(5 − a 2 )
= a 4 + b 4 + c 4 + 5(ab + bc + ac) − abc(a + b + c)
= a 4 + b 4 + c 4 + 12

so a 4 + b 4 + c 4 = 9
PROBLEM 11
Each valve A, B, and C, when open, releases water into a tank at its own constant rate. With all
threevalves open, the tank fills in 1 hour, with only valves A and C open it takes 1.5 hours, and
with onlyvalves B and C open it takes 2 hours. How many hours will it take to fill the tank with
only valves A and B open?
Solutions
Let rA, rB, rC be the rates of valves A, B, and C in tanks per hour, respectively. Then,
2
1(rA+ rB+ rC) =1, 1.5(rA + rC) = 1, and 2(rB + rC) = 1. So, rA+ rB+ rC = 1, rA + rC =
3
1 2 1 5
3, and rB + rC = . So, rA + rB = 2(rA + rB + rC) − (rA + rC) − (rB + rC) = 2 − − =
2 3 2 6
Thus, it takes 1.2 hours to fill the tank with only valves A and B open.

PROBLEM 12
Find the numbers of real solutions to : sin (6πx ) = x , x is in radians
Solutions
There is one solution at x = 0. Now consider the graph of y = sin (6πx ) − x .At
1 3
x= , y = sin (6πx ) − x > 0 , At x = , y = sin (6πx ) − x < 0 , so theew is a solution between
12 12
1 3
x= and x = .Similary , there are solutions between
12 12
3 5 7 9 11
< x1 < < x2 < < x3 < < x4 < , giving solutions with x positive. There is not a
12 12 12 12 12
11 ⎛ 11 ⎞
solution between x = and x = 1 , since sin ⎜ 6π . ⎟ = −1 and sin(6π ) = 0 and there is no
12 ⎝ 12 ⎠
solutions for x > 1 . Since the graph is odd function there must be 5 negative solutions as well,
for a total of 11 solutions.
PROBLEM 13
Let a = tan 77,50 − tan 600 , b = tan 600 + tan 22,50 , and c = tan 600 − tan 22,50 , find
a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + ab + bc + ca

Solutions

2 tan x 0 tan 22,50 = 2 − 1


Use identity tan 2 x = 0
, so we have and
1 − tan 2 x 0 tan 77,50 = 2 + 1
a = 1+ 2 − 3
b = 1− 2 + 3
a = −1 + 2 + 3
a 2 + 2ab + b 2 + b 2 + 2bc + c 2 + c 2 + 2ca + a 2
a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + ab + bc + ca =
2
( a + b) + (b + c ) + ( c + a )
2 2 2

=
2
( ) + (2 3)
2 2
( 2)
2
+ 2 2
a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + ab + bc + ca = = 12 .
2

PROBLEM 14
cos 2007 o + sin 2007 o
Prove = tan 72 o
cos 2007 o − sin 2007 o

Solutions
Observe that
cos 20070 + sin 2007 0 1 + tan 2007 0
=
cos 20070 − sin 20070 1 − tan 20070
tan 450 + tan 20070
=
1 − tan 450 ⋅ tan 2007 0
= tan(45 + 2007)0
= tan 20520
= tan(11⋅180 + 72)0
= tan 720
PROBLEM 15

3
Prove sin 70 o cos 50 o + sin 260 o cos 280 o =
4
Solutions
Observe that
sin 20 o
cos 20 o sin 40 o − sin 10 o cos10 o = 2 sin 20 o cos 2 20 o −
2
1
( )
1
= 3 sin 20 o − 4 sin 3 20 o = sin 60 o =
2 2 4
3

PROBLEM 16
Prove 27 sin 3 3o + 9 sin 3 27 o + 3 sin 3 81o + sin 3 243o = 20 sin 9 o

Solutions
1
Use Identity : sin 3 x = 3 sin x − 4 sin 3 x → sin 3 x = (3 sin x − sin 3x ) , so
4

3 sin 9 o − sin 27 o 3 sin 27 o − sin 81o 3 sin 81o − sin 243o 3 sin 243o − sin 729 o
27. + 9. + 3. + =
4 4 4 4
81sin 9 o − sin 729 o 81sin 9 o − sin 9 o
= = 20 sin 9 o
4 4

PROBLEM 17
tan 3x ⎛π ⎞ ⎛π ⎞ π
Prove = tan⎜ − x ⎟ tan x tan ⎜ + x ⎟ untuk x ≠
tan x ⎝3 ⎠ ⎝3 ⎠ 3

Solutions
3 tan x − tan 3 x
Use Identity : tan 3x = so
1 − 3 tan 2 x

tan 3x =
3 tan x − tan 3 x
= tan x.
( )(
3 − tan x
.
3 + tan x ) ⎛π ⎞ ⎛π ⎞
= tan⎜ − x ⎟ tan x tan⎜ + x ⎟
1 − 3 tan x
2
1 + 3 tan x 1 − 3 tan x ⎝3 ⎠ ⎝3 ⎠
PROBLEM 18
Let a,b,c be the roots of x 3 − 2010 x 2 − 2 x + 2010 = 0 find (a + c)(b + c)(a + b)

Solutions
Simply note that (a + c)(b + c)(a + b) = (ab + ac + bc)(a + b + c) − abc = −2.2010 + 2010 = −2010

PROBLEM 19

Find a 2 + b 2 given that a,b are real and satisfy


1 1
a =b+ and b = a −
1 1
a+ b+
1 1
b+ a−
a + ...... b + ......

Solutions
1 1
Note that the equations reduce by substitution to a = b + and b = a − solving the
1 1
a+ b+
a b
second for a, substituting into the first, and reducing yields b 4 + b 2 − 1 = 0; solving this as

−1 + 5
quadratic in b2 yields only one positive for b 2 = .Plugging back in and solving for a
2
1+ 5
gives a 2 =
2

PROBLEM 20
The first 44 positive integers are written in order to form the large number
N = 123456789101112………. 424344
What is the remainder when N is divided by 45

Solutions
Let N = 1234……424344. Then N is divisible by 9 since 1+2+3+…+41+ 42 + 43 + 44 = 990 is
divisible by 9. Also, the remainder when N is divided by 5is 4. The only integer between 0 and
44 which is divisible by 9 and has remainder 4 when divided by 5 is 9.
PROBLEM 21
A and B play a game in which each independently throws a dart at a target. A hits the target with
probability 0:6, while B hits the target with probability 0:3. A wins the game if he hits the target
and B misses. B wins if he hits the target and A misses. Otherwise the game is a tie. What is the
probability that the game is a tie
Solutions
The game is a tie unless both A and B hit the target or both A and B miss the target. One of
these will occur with probability (0.6)(0.3)+(1 – 0.6)(1 – 0.3) =0.46.

PROBLEM 22
A and B live on the same street and often walk towards each other's home. If they both leave
their homes at 8:00 a.m., then they will meet at 8:04 a.m. If B leaves her home at 8:00a.m. but A
does not leave his home until 8:03 a.m., then they will meet at 8:05a.m. How many minutes does
it take for A to walk all the wayto B's home? Assume that eachperson walks at his or her own
constant rate.
Solutions
Let x be A's walking speed and y be B 's walking speed both in feet perminute, and let d denote
the distance in feet between the houses. Then in 4 minutes, A travels 4x feet and B travels 4y
feet so that (from the information given) d1 = 4x + 4y. Similarly, one gets d2 = 2x + 5y. It
follows that d = 5d1 – 4d2 = 5(4x+4y) – 4(2x+5y) = 12x. This implies it will take John 12 minutes
to travel distance

PROBLEM 23
The quadratic polynomial P(x) has the following properties: P(x) ≥ 0 for all real numbers x,
P(2010) = 0, and P(2011) = 2. What is the value of P(2009)
Solutions
That P(x) is a quadratic polynomial satisfying P(x) ≥ 0 for all x and P(1) = 0 implies that
P ( x) = k ( x − 2010) 2 for some constant k , from the problem : P(2011) = k (2011 − 2010) 2 = 2 ,
so P( x) = 2( x − 2010) 2 → P(2009) = 2
PROBLEM 24
Suppose that f(x) is a function such that for every real number x,
(i) f ( x) + f (1 − x) = 2010 and
(ii) f (1 + x) = f ( x) + 2009
Find f (2010) + f (−2010)

Solutions
Since (i) and (ii) holds for every real numbers x, it will remain valid if we replace x with 1 + x

f (1 + x) + f (− x) = 2010
f (1 + x) = 2010 − f (− x)

Form(ii) f (1 + x) = f ( x) + 2009 = 2010 − f (− x) → f ( x) + f (− x) = 1 → f (2010) + f (−2010) = −1

PROBLEM 25
How many integers x in {1,2,3,4,5,.......2009,2010} are there such that x2+x3 is the square of an
integer?

Solutions
The number x 2 ( x + 1) is the square of an integer if and only if x + 1 is a square (as can be seen by

considering the prime factorization of x 2 ( x + 1) . In other words, we want to determine the


number of x 2 : {1,2,3,4,5,.......2009,2010}such that x + 1 = n2 forsome positive integer n. This is

equivalent to finding the number of positive integers n for which 2 ≤ n 2 ≤ 2011 which is easily
seen to be 43.
PROBLEM 26
Four friends go fishing one day and bring home a total of 19 fish. If each person caught at least
three fish, then which one of the following must be true?
(a) Somebody caught exactly 4 fish.
(b) Somebody caught exactly 5 fish.
(c) Somebody caught fewer than 5 fish.
(d) Somebody caught more than 5 fish.
(e) Two people each caught more than 3 fish.
Solutions
If each of the four friends caught ≥ 5 fish, then there would have to have been a total of at least
4x 5 = 20 fish caught. So (c) must be true. To see that the others are not necessarily true, note
that (a), (b), and (e) would not hold if one person caught 8 fish and the other three caught one
fish each; furthermore, (d) would not hold if three of the friends caught three fish each and the
fourth friend caught two fish.

PROBLEM 27
Each of the following five statements is either true or false.
(1) Statements (3) and (4) are both true.
(2) Statements (4) and (5) are not both false.
(3) Statement (1) is true.
(4) Statement (3) is false.
(5) Statements (1) and (3) are both false.
How many of statements (1) – (5) are true
Solutions
If Statement (4) is true, then Statement (3) is false. Hence, (3) and (4) cannot both be true. It
follows that Statement (1) cannot be true. Hence, both Statement (1) and Statement (3) must be
false. We see then that Statement (4) and Statement (5) are true. It follows that Statement (2) is
true. The answer is 3.
PROBLEM 28
This written test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You will receive 5points for each correct
answer, 1 point for each answer left blank, and0 points for each incorrect answer. Suppose that at
the end of today'swritten test, five students make the following statements:
Alex says, My test score is 147."
Blair says, My test score is 144."
Chris says, My test score is 143."
Drew says, My test score is 141."
Erin says, My test score is 139."
Only one of the students could possibly be correct. Which one?
Solutions
The number 141 is an obtainable score since a person can get 28 problems correct, leave one
blank, and miss theother. A score S is obtainable if and only if there are nonnegative integers x
(the number correct) and y (the numberblank) satisfying 5x + y = S and x+y ≤ 30. If S = 147,
then y is at least 2 so that 5x+y = 5(x+y)−4y = 150−4y ≤ 142, which is impossible. If S
∈ {139,143,144} then y ≥ 3 so that 5x + y = 5(x+y)−4y ≤ 150 − 4y ≤ 138, which is impossible.
Hence, only Drew can be correct.

PROBLEM 29
When Alice entered the Forest of Forgetfulness, she forgot the day ofthe week. She met the Lion
and the Unicorn resting under a tree. TheLion lies on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and
tells the truthon the other days of the week. The Unicorn, on the other hand, lieson Thursdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, but tells the truth on the otherdays of the week. They made the following
statements:
Lion : Yesterday was one of my lying days."
Unicorn : Yesterday was one of my lying days."
From these two statements, Alice was able to deduce the day of theweek. What day was it?
Solutions
If the Lion is telling the truth, the day of the week must be Thursday. If heis lying, then the day
of the week must be Monday. So the day of the week must beeither Thursday or Monday. If the
Unicorn is telling the truth, the day of the week must be Sunday. If he is lying, then the day of
the week must be Thursday. The day of the
week cannot be Sunday (since we have already said that it must be Thursday or Monday).
Therefore, it must be Thursday.

PROBLEM 30
⎛1 1⎞ ⎛0 1⎞
Find matrics A that satisfies the equation : A 2 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ A + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 0
⎝1 1⎠ ⎝1 0⎠
Solutions
Rewrite the problem
⎛ 1 1⎞ ⎛0 1⎞ ⎛0 1⎞ ⎛1 0⎞ ⎛0 1⎞
A 2 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ A + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = A 2 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ A − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ A + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 1 1⎠ ⎝1 0⎠ ⎝1 0⎠ ⎝0 1⎠ ⎝1 0⎠
⎛0 1⎞ ⎛0 0⎞ ⎧ ⎛ 0 1 ⎞⎫ ⎧ ⎛ 0 1 ⎞⎫
= A 2 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ A − A + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎨ A − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎬ A − ⎨ A − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎬ I
⎝1 0⎠ ⎝1 1⎠ ⎩ ⎝ 1 0 ⎠⎭ ⎩ ⎝ 1 0 ⎠⎭
⎧ ⎛ 0 1 ⎞ ⎫⎧ ⎛ 1 0 ⎞⎫
= ⎨ A − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎬⎨ A − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎬
⎩ ⎝ 1 0 ⎠ ⎭⎩ ⎝ 0 1 ⎠⎭

so
⎛1 0⎞ ⎛0 1⎞
A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ atau ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝0 1⎠ ⎝1 0⎠

PROBLEM 31
⎛a b ⎞ ⎛ − 7 − 2 ⎞ 5 ⎛ − 18 − 5 ⎞
Find matrics A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ that satisfies conditions A 3 = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ c d ⎠ ⎝ 10 3 ⎠ ⎝ 25 7 ⎠

Solutions
−1
⎛ − 7 − 2⎞ ⎛ − 3 − 2 ⎞ 2 ⎛ − 3 − 2 ⎞⎛ − 18 − 5 ⎞ ⎛ 4 1⎞
(A ) 3 −1
= ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟ then
7 ⎠ ⎝ − 5 − 1⎟⎠
⎝ 10 3 ⎠ ⎝ 10 7 ⎠ ⎝ 10 7 ⎠⎝ 25
−1
⎛ 4 1⎞ ⎛ − 1 − 1⎞ ⎛ − 1 − 1⎞⎛ − 7 − 2 ⎞ ⎛ − 3 − 1⎞
(A ) 2 −1
= ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ so A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟
2 ⎟⎠
⎝ − 5 − 1⎠ ⎝5 4⎠ ⎝ 5 4 ⎠⎝ 10 3 ⎠ ⎝ 5
PROBLEM 32
( x 2 + 1) 2 ( xy + 1) 2 ( xz + 1) 2
Prove ( xy + 1) 2 ( y 2 + 1) 2 ( yz + 1) 2 = 2( y − z ) 2 ( z − x) 2 ( x − y ) 2
( xz + 1) 2 ( yz + 1) 2 ( z 2 + 1) 2

Solutions
Obtain that
1 a a2 0 a − b a2 − b2
1 b b2 = 1 b b2 = (b − a)(c 2 − b 2 ) − (a 2 − b 2 )(c − b) = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a)
1 c c2 1 c c2

So we can rewrite the determinat


( x 2 + 1) 2 ( xy + 1) 2 ( xz + 1) 2 1 x x2 1 1 1
( xy + 1) 2 ( y 2 + 1) 2 ( yz + 1) 2 = 1 y y 2 2 x 2 y 2 z = 2( y − z ) 2 ( z − x) 2 ( x − y ) 2
( xz + 1) 2 ( yz + 1) 2 ( z 2 + 1) 2 1 z z2 x2 y2 z2

PROBLEM 33
x1 x2 x3 2 x1 + 3 y1 2 x2 + 3 y 2 2 x3 + 3 y 3
If y1 y2 y 3 = 8 find y1 y2 y3
z1 z2 z3 z1 z2 z3

Solutions
2 x1 + 3 y1 2 x2 + 3 y2 2 x3 + 3 y 3 2 x1 2 x2 2 x3 x1 x2 x3
y1 y2 y3 = y1 y2 y3 = 2 y1 y2 y3 = 16
z1 z2 z3 z1 z2 z3 z1 z2 z3

PROBLEM 34
Let ABCDEF be a regular hexagon with AB = 10. Let P be a point inside the hexagon with BP =
8. Denote by S the sum of the areas of the three triangles ᇞABP, ᇞCDP and ᇞEFP. What is the
value of S ?
Solutions
Let H1 be the point on line AB such that PH1 is perpendicular to AB; let H2 be the point online
CD such that PH2 is perpendicular to CD; and let H3 be the point on line EF such that PH3is
perpendicular to EF. Then the sum of the areas of the shaded triangles equals 5(PH1 +PH2 +PH3).
Let G be the point where lines AB and CD intersect; H - the point where lines CD andEF
intersect; and I - the point where lines EF and AB intersect.Clearly, 4GHI is equilateral.Also, its
area equals 15(PH1 + PH2 + PH3). Therefore the sum PH1 + PH2 + PH3 does notdepend on the
position of the point P, as long as P is inside 4GHI. If we move P to the centerof the hexagon,
4ABP, 4CDP, and 4EFP will be equilateral, and the sum of their areas willbe 75 3 .
High School Math ContestUniversity of South Carolina 2008

PROBLEM 35
Solve (2010 x) −2010 x −1 > (2010 x) 2009 ,

Solutions

If 0 < x < 1, then x −2010 x + 2010 < 1 . So 0 < x < 1 If x > 1, x −2010 x −2010 > 1 ,no solutions . The
solution : 0 < x < 1

PROBLEM 36
ax + by = −1
ax 2 + by 2 = 1
If a, x, b, y satisfies
ax 3 + by 3 = −2
ax 4 + by 4 = 2

Find ax 7 + by 7 !
Solutions
Use: un = ax n + by n we find that

ax n + 2 + by n + 2 = ( x + y )(ax n +1 + by n +1 ) − xy (ax n + by n ) or un + 2 = Aun +1 − Bun . From the problem


−2 = A + B ……(1)
2 = −2A − B …….(2)
(1) + (2) : − A = 0 ⇒ A = 0 ⇒ B = −2
So un + 2 = 2un

u5 = 2u3 = 2(−2) = −4

u7 = 2u5 = 2(−4) = −8

PROBLEM 37
Let A,B be acute angles such that sin B = 2010 cos( A + B) sin A . Find the greatest possible
value of tan B.
Solutions
Applying the product-to sum Formula, we have
sin B = 2010 cos( A + B) sin A = 1005(sin( 2 A + B) − sin B )
1005
1006 sin B = 1005 sin( 2 A + B ) → sin B = sin( 2 A + B )
1006
1005 1005 1005
Hence sin B ≤ , and so tan B ≤ = .Equality is possible when 2A+B
1006 1006 2 − 1005 2 2011
Is a right angle.

PROBLEM 39
If c ( b – a ) ; b (c – a ) and a ( b – c ) form a geometric progression, what is its common ratio
positive ?
Solutions
If c ( b – a ) ; b (c – a ) and a ( b – c ) form a geometric progression, then
a (b − c) b(c − a)
r= = , and r > 0 , note that
b(c − a) c(b − a)

1 a (b − c) c(b − a ) −1± 1+ 4
r− = − = −1 → r 2 + r − 1 = 0, we get r = sin ce r > 0
r b (c − a ) b (c − a ) 2
5 −1
we take the positive r =
2

PROBLEM 40

(
Find the real number x satisfying 6 x + 8 1 − x 2 = 5 1 + x + 1 − x .)
Solutions
Use the substitutions x = cos y, reduces the equations to

( ) ⎛ y y⎞
6 cos y + 8 sin y = 5 1 + cos y + 1 − cos y → 6 cos y + 8 sin y = 5 2 ⎜ cos + sin ⎟
2 2⎠

⎛y π⎞ π ⎛ π⎞
10 cos( y − θ ) = 5 2 . 2 cos⎜ − ⎟ → y = 2θ − → x = cos⎜ 2θ − ⎟ = sin 2θ = 0.96
⎝2 4⎠ 2 ⎝ 2⎠

PROBLEM 41
Let p,q,a,b, and c be positive numbers with p ≠ q , such that p, a and q form a geometric
progression while p,b,c and q form an arithmetic progression . What can be said about the roots
of bx 2 − 2ax + c = 0 .
Solutions
2p + q p + 2q
We have pq = a 2 , 2b = p + c and 2c = q + b, so that b = and c = . Now
3 3
⎛ p + p + q ⎞⎛ p + q + q ⎞ 3 2 3
bc = ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ > p q . pq > pq > a .The inequality is strict since p ≠ q .The
2 2

⎝ 3 ⎠⎝ 3 ⎠
discriminate of the quadratic equations is 4a 2 − 4bc = 4(a 2 − bc) < 0 , and neither root is real.

PROBLEM 42
cot gC
In triangle ABC, if 2009 BC 2 + 2009 AC 2 = 2010 AB 2 , what is the value of
cot gA + cot gB
Solutions
cot gC cos A sin B + cos B sin A sin C
Note that = = , hence
cot gA + cot gB sin A sin B sin A sin B

cot gC cos A sin B + cos B sin A sin A ⎛ sin B ⎞


= = ⎜ ⎟ cos C , By the Laws of the Sines and
cot gA + cot gB sin A sin B sin C ⎝ sin C ⎠
Cosines

⎛ a ⎞⎛ b ⎞⎛ a + b − c ⎞ a + b − c 2010c 2 − 2009c 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
cot gC 1
= ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = = =
cot gA + cot gB ⎝ c ⎠⎝ c ⎠⎝ 2ab ⎠ 2c 2
2009.2c 2
4018

PROBLEM 43
1
Prove that for an arbitrary x real numbers the inequality: x 4 − x + > 0 hold
2
(USSR Mathematical Olympiads)
Solutions
2 2
1 ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
Since x − x + = ⎜ x 4 − x 2 + ⎟ + ⎜ x 2 − x + ⎟ = ⎜ x 2 − ⎟ + ⎜ x − ⎟ > 0 , the inequality holds
4

2 ⎝ 4⎠ ⎝ 4⎠ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
since both summands are nonnegative and cannot be equal to zero simulateneously.

PROBLEM 44
Through an arbitrary point inside a triangle, three lines parallel ti the side of the triangle are
drawn.They divide the sides into segment of lengths a1 , a2 , a3 , b1 , b2 , b3 , c1 , c2 , c3 as shown
Prove that a1b1c1 = a2b2c2 = a3b3c3
(ussr mathematical Olympiads)
Solutions
The segments mentioned in the statement to be proved are the side of three similar triangles
shaded in the diagram

a1 b3 b c
From the similarity of these triangles it follows that = and 3 = 2 therefore
a2 b1 b2 c1

a2b3 bc
a1b1c1 = .b1c1 = a2b3c1 = a2 2 2 .c1 = a2b2c2
b1 c1
PROBLEM 45
Prove that tan 10 0 + tan 70 0 − tan 50 0 = tan 60 0
Solutions
3 tan x − tan 3 x
Since tan 3 x = → tan 3 x + (−3 tan 3x.) tan 2 x + (−3) tan x + tan 3x = 0 , if and
1 − 3 tan x
2

x = 10 , so we find tan 3 x = tan 30 0 → x k = 10 0 + k .60 0 , x0 = 10 0 , x1 = 70 0 , x 2 = 130 0 , from


0

Vieta’s tan 10 0 + tan 70 0 + tan 130 0 = 3 tan 30 0 = tan 60 o

PROBLEM 46
In ∆ABC, AB 2 + BC 2 + CA 2 is numerically equal to six times the area of ∆ABC. If AB = 2009 ,
find the value of cot ∠A + cot ∠B + cot ∠C.
Solutions
cos A AB 2 + AC 2 − BC 2 AB 2 + AC 2 − BC 2
cot A = = = . So
sin A 2( AB)( AC ) sin A 4 × area of ∆ABC
AB 2 + BC 2 + CA 2 3
cot A + cot B + cot C = = .
4 × area of ∆ABC 2

PROBLEM 47
A number is constructed by writing down the positive integers in order starting from 1 until a
number of 1996 digits is obtained :1234567891011121314151617…….1996. Find the remainder
when this number is divided by 9.
Solutions
The number is equal to 1 × 101995 + 2 × 101994 + 3 × 101993 + Λ + 700 × 10 4 + 701 × 10 + 7 .
Since a ⋅ 10 n = a(10 n − 1) + a has the same remainder as a when divided by 9, the remainder we
701 × 702 702
seek is the remainder of 1 + 2 + Λ + 701 + 7 = + 7 which is 7, since = 351 is
2 2
divisible by 9.

PROBLEM 48
1 + f ( x)
For all integers x, the function f (x) satisfies f ( x + 1) = . If f (1) = 3 , find the value of
1 − f ( x)
f (2009)
Solutions
1 1
f (1) = 3 , f (2) = −2 , f (3) = − , f (4) = , f (5) = 3 = f (1) imply f (n + 4) = f (n) .
3 2
So f ( 2009) = f ( 2005) = Λ = f (1) = 3

PROBLEM 49
Find the largest integer n such that n 2 + 2010n is a perfect square.
Solutions
k2
If n + 2010n = (n + k ) for a positive integer k, then n =
2 2
is largest when k is largest.
2010 − 2k
10042
Since 2k < 2010 and 2010 − 2k divides k 2 , the largest k is 1004 and n = = 252004 .
4

PROBLEM 50
Let f be a function such that f ( x + y 2 ) = f ( x) + 2( f ( y )) 2 and f (1) ≠ 0 . Find the value of
f (2010) .
Solutions :
1
Since, so f (0) = 0 . Then f (1) = 0 + 2 f (1) 2 , f (1) ≠ 0 implies f (1) = .So
2
1 x
f ( x + 1) = f ( x) + 2 f (1) 2 = f ( x) + implies f ( x) = , thus f (2009) = 1004.5 .
2 2

PROBLEM 51

The integer P is the product formed by multiplying together all the terms of the arithmetic
progression 4, 8, 12, …….,2000,2004,2008. It is found that (in base 10) P ends with exactly n
zeros. Find the value of n.

Solutions
⎡ 502 ⎤ ⎡ 502 ⎤ ⎡ 502 ⎤
P = 4 502 × 502!= 2 a 3b 5c 7 d Λ . Now a > c, n = c = ⎢ + + = 100 + 20 + 4 = 124 .
⎣ 5 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 25 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 125 ⎥⎦

PROBLEM 52
Find the number of positive integers a < 100 such that a 3 + 23 is divisible by 24.

Solutions
a 3 + 23 is divisible by 24 if and only if (a 3 + 23) − 24 = a 3 − 1 = (a − 1)[a(a + 1) + 1] is divisible

by 3 and 8. Since a or a + 1 is even, a 3 − 1 is divisible by 8 if and only if a − 1 is divisible by 8.


Since a − 1 or a or a + 1 is divisible by 3, it follows a 3 − 1 is divisible by 3 if and only if a − 1 is
divisible by 3. So the choices for a are 1, 25, 49, 73, 97.
PROBLEM 53
ABCDEFGH is an octagon inscribed in a circle of radius R. AB = BC = CD = DE = 1 and EF =
FG = GH = HA = 3. Find the value of R2 in the form a + b , where a and b are rational
numbers.

Solutions
1
Let O be the centre, then ∠BOH = 90°, ∠BAH = (270°) = 135° .
2
Applying cosine law to ∆BAH, we get 2 R 2 = 32 + 12 − 6 cos135° = 10 + 3 2 .

PROBLEM 54
Find the time between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., correct to the nearest minute, when the hour
hand and minute hand of a clock form an angle of 100°.

Solutions
x
At that moment, let x be the minute, then 100 = 6 x − 6( 5 + ).
12 x 6x°
7 6(5 + )°
So x = 23 . The time to the nearest minute is 1:24 p.m. 12
11

PROBLEM 55

Find the real number x satisfying x + 2 x + 2 x = x.

Solutions
We can iterate this equality infinitely many times, always replacing the very last x by its
value given by the left-hand side. We conclude that x should satisfy
x = x + 2x → x = 3
This has the unique solution x = 3, which is also the unique solution to the equation
from the statement, and this regardless of the number of radicals.
(D.O. Shklyarski, N.N. Chentsov, I.M. Yaglom, Selected Problems and Theorems in
Elementary Mathematics, Arithmetic and Algebra, Mir, Moscow
PROBLEM 56
dx
Find the integral ∫x x 2012
+ x1006 + 1
Solutions
Faktor an x 2012 under the square root to transform the integral into
dx dx 1 1
∫x =∫ =∫ . 1007 dx ,
+x +1 1 1 1⎞ 3 x
2012 1006 2
x x1007 1 + 1006 + 2012 ⎛ 1
x x ⎜ 1006
+ ⎟ +
⎝x 2⎠ 4
1 1
use t = 1006
+ and the integral becomes
x 2

1 1 1 ⎛ 3⎞ 1 ⎛ 1 1 1 1 ⎞
1006 ∫
− .dt = − ln⎜⎜ t + t 2 + ⎟⎟ + C = − ln⎜⎜ 1006 + + + + 1 ⎟+C ,

1006 ⎝ 4⎠ 1006 ⎝ x 2 x 2012 x1006
(t )2 + 3 ⎠
4

PROBLEM 57
1 3
x dx
Compute the integral ∫
−1
3
1− x + 3 1+ x
Solutions
3
x dx
The function f : [− 1,1] → ℜ , f ( x) = is odd ; thefore the integral is zero.
3
1− x + 3 1+ x

PROBLEM 58

Find the integral ∫ ( x 6 + x 3 )3 x 3 + 2 dx

Solutions

We have ∫ ( x 6 + x 3 )3 x 3 + 2 dx = ∫ x 5 + x 2 ( ) 3
x 6 + 2 x 3 dx use the substitution t = x 6 + 2x 3 now

( )
4
1 6
the answer becomes ∫ ( x 6 + x 3 )3 x 3 + 2 dx = x + 2x3 3 +C
6
The Wohascum Contry Problem Book
PROBLEM 59
x2 +1
Find the integral ∫ x4 − x2 +1
dx

Solutions
⎛ 1 ⎞ 1
x 2 ⎜1 + 2 ⎟dx 1+ 2
x +1
2
⎝ x ⎠ x
Rewrite ∫ x − x2 + 1
4
dx = ∫
⎛ 1 ⎞
=∫
1
dx
x ⎜ x −1+ 2 ⎟
2 2
x −1+ 2
2

⎝ x ⎠ x

1 ⎛ 1 ⎞
use the substitution t = x − we have ⎜1 + 2 ⎟dx = dt , now
x ⎝ x ⎠
1 ⎛ 1⎞
∫ 1+ t 2
dt = arctan t + C = arc tan⎜ x − ⎟ + C
⎝ x⎠

PROBLEM 60
x4 + 1
Find the integral ∫ x6 + 1
dx

Solutions
x4 +1 x4 − x2 +1 x2 1 1 ( x 3 )'
Rewrite ∫ x6 +1 ∫ x6 +1
= dx + ∫ x 6 + 1 ∫ x 2 + 1 ∫ 3 ( x 3 )2 + 1 dx
dx = dx +

x4 +1 1 3x − 3x 5
∫ x6 +1 = + + = +C
3
dx arctan x arctan x C arctan
3 1 − 3x 2 − 3x 4 + x 6

PROBLEM 61
1

∫ 2 x 3 − 3 x 2 − x + 1 dx
3
Compute the integral
0

Solutions
1
Let P = ∫ 3 2 x 3 − 3 x 2 − x + 1 dx use the substitution t = 1 − x yields , now
0

1 1 1
P = ∫ 3 2 x 3 − 3x 2 − x + 1 = ∫ 3 2(1 − t ) 3 − 3(1 − t ) 2 − (1 − t ) + 1 dt = − ∫ 3 2t 3 − 3t 2 − t + 1dt = − P
0 0 0

Hence P = 0.
PROBLEM 62
1 1
1
Find all continous function f : [0,1] → ℜ satisfying : ∫ f ( x)dx = + ∫ f 2 ( x 2 )dx
0
3 0

Solutions
The conditions from the statement can be rewrite :
1 1 1

∫ 2 xf ( x )dx = ∫ x dx + ∫ f ( x )dx
2 2 2 2

0 0 0

1 1 1 1

∫ 2 xf ( x )dx = ∫ x dx + ∫ f ( x )dx → ∫ ( f ( x ) − 2 xf ( x ) + x )dx = 0


2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Hence
0 0 0 0
1
And ∫ ( f 2 ( x 2 ) − x) 2 dx = 0 → f ( x) = x
0

PROBLEM 63

A collector has N precious stones. If he takes away the three heaviest stones then the total weight
of the stones decreases by 35%. From the remaining stones if he takes away the three lightest
5
stones the total weight further decreases by . Find N.
13
Solutions
Let the total weight of the stones be 100. Then the weight of the three heaviest stones is 35 and
5
that of the three lightest stones is (100 − 35) = 25 . The remaining N − 6 stones, of total
13
25 35
weight 100–35–25=40, has average weight between and .
3 3
25 35
Since 40 : > 3 and 40 : < 5 , we must have N – 6 = 4, from which the answes N = 10
3 3

PROBLEM 64

(a − b)(b − c)(c − a) 2010 a b c


If = , find + +
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a ) 2011 a+b b+c c+a
Solutions
(a − b)(b − c)(c − a ) ( z − y )( y − x)( x − z )
Let x = a + b, y = b + c and z = c + a , then =
(a + b)(b + c)(c + a) xyz

a b c x − y + z y − z + x z − x + y 3 1 ⎛ ( z − y )( y − x)( x − z ) ⎞
+ + = + + = − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
a+b b+c c+a 2x 2y 2z 2 2⎝ xyz ⎠
3 1 ⎛ 2010 ⎞ 4023
= − ⎜ ⎟=
2 2 ⎝ 2011 ⎠ 4022
PROBLEM 65
Four cars A,B, C, D traveled at constant speeds on the same road.A passed Band C at 8 AM and
9 AM, respectively and met D at l0 AM; D met B and C at 12 AM and 2 PM respectively.
Determine at what time B passed C.
Solutions
1. Draw the graphs of the movement of the cars (which are straight lines), regarding 8 AM as
the initial moment of time.

Suppose that B passed C at the moment T. In the figure, the points X, Y, Z. M, N, G correspond
to meeting or passing between some pair of cars; we omit their exact definitions. It is easy to
observe that M and N are the midpoints of Y Z and XY, respectively and. hence, X M and ZN
are medians in XYZ. This implies that their common point G, corresponding to the passing of B
by C, is the centroid of this triangle.
Then the abscissa of G is the arithmetic mean of the abscissae of X, Y, Z, that is
1
T= (8 + 10 + 14) = 10 2 . Thus B passed C at 10:40 AM.
3 3

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