Homc 2015-2017

Chu Xuan Dung, Nguyen Minh Tuan
Nguyen Van Mau (editor-in-chief)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOMC’S
(FROM 2015 TO 2017)
Ha Noi - 2018
2
Contents
1 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 7

1.1 Junior section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1.1 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 2015 7
1.2 Senior section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2 Answers and Solutions 23

2.1 Junior section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.2 Senior section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Preface
Founded in 2004 by the Hanoi Society of Mathematics, Hanoi

Open Mathematics Competition (HOMC) is a mathematics com-
petition held every year for school students, and it has two sections:
contestants with 14 and 16 of age (equivalently, those in 8 and 10
grade by the education classification in Viet Nam). As the original
regular of HOMC, all questions, problems, and contestants pre-
sentation should be presented in English. Through those fourteen
events, HOMC were attracted participation of thousands of school
students as well as attention of a great number of high and sec-
ondary schools in Viet Nam. From 2013 to 2016, hosting by the
Department of Education and Training of Ha Noi City, the HOMCs
were posited in three cities: Ha Noi, Dac Lac, and Cao Lanh with
the participation of thousands of students coming from 50 high and
secondary schools in Viet Nam. Taking some interaction between
students as a part of competition, the 2017-HOMC took place of
Hanoi city and time of two days with 900 contestants. Supporting
by the administrative Committee of Hanoi city, 2018-HOMC will be
organized with two groups: Group A is the international HOMC,
and Group B is the home HOMC.
On the occasion of the 2018-HOMC, we are very pleased to in-
troduce the proceedings of the three last events. In particular, this
material includes the problems and questions of junior and senior
Sections for each one of the HOMC’s’ from 2015 to 2017. We would
like to announce that the publication and releasing the proceedings
are hosted by the Department of Education and Training of Ha
Noi City, and the book is considered as a registered part among
the activities of the 2018-HOMC, by opening and sharing with the
purposes of HOMC. Moreover, we think that old participants of the
CONTENTS 5
HOMC’s will find their contribitions, and hope that new comers in
2018-HOMC will be pleased for new cooperation. The proofreading
of this book is completed by the suggestions and comments from
Prof. Do Ngoc Diep, Prof. Nguyen Viet Hai, Dr. Dinh Sy Dai,
Mr. Do Minh Khoa, and Mr. Pham Dang Long. On this occa-
sion, we would like to express our special thanks for their fruitful
contributions.
The authors
Chapter 1
Hanoi Open Mathematics

Competition
1.1 Junior section

1.1.1 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 2015
Important:
Answer to all 15 questions.
Write your answers on the answer sheets provided.
For the multiple choice questions, stick only the letters (A, B, C, D
or E) of your choice.
No calculator is allowed.
Question 1. What is the 7th term of the sequence {−1, 4, −2, 3, −3, 2, . . .}?
(A): -1; (B): -2; (C): -3; (D): -4; (E): None of the above.
Question 2. The last digit of number 20172017 − 20132015 is
(A): 2; (B): 4; (C): 6; (D): 8; (E): None of the above.
Question 3. The sum of all even positive intergers less than 100
those are not divisible by 3 is
8 Chapter 1. Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition
(A): 938; (B): 940; (C): 1634; (D): 1638; (E): None of the
above.
Question 4. A regular hexagon and an equilateral √ triangle have
equal perimeter. If the area of the triangle is 4 3 square units, the
area of the hexagon is
√ √ √ √
(A): 5 3; (B): 6 3; (C): 7 3; (D): 8 3; (E): None of the
above.
Question 5. Let a, b, c and m (0 ≤ m ≤ 26) be integers such that
a + b + c = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = m (mod 27)
then m is
Question 6. Let a, b, c ∈ [−1, 1] such that 1 + 2abc ≥ a2 + b2 + c2 .
Prove that
1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .
Question 7. Solve equation
x4 = 2x2 + [x],
where [x] is an integral part of x.

Question 8. Solve the equation
(2015x − 2014)3 = 8(x − 1)3 + (2013x − 2012)3 .
Question 9. Let a, b, c be positive numbers with abc = 1. Prove

that
h i
a3 + b3 + c2 + 2 (ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ≥ 3(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).
Question 10. A right-angled triangle has property that, when

a square is drawn externally on each side of the triangle, the six
vertices of the squares that are not vertices of the triangle are con-
cyclic. Assume that the area of the triangle is 9 cm2 . Determine
the length of sides of the triangle.
1.1 Junior section 9
Question 11. Give a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Let O be the

intersection point of diagonals AC and BD, and let I, K, H be feet
of perpendiculars from B, O, C to AD, respectively. Prove that
AD × BI × CH ≤ AC × BD × OK.
Question 12. Give a triangle ABC with heights ha = 3 cm, hb = 7

cm and hc = d cm, where d is an integer. Determine d.
Question 13. Give rational numbers x, y such that
x2 + y 2 − 2 (x + y)2 + (xy + 1)2 = 0.

√
Prove that 1 + xy is a rational number.
Question 14. Determine all pairs of integers (x; y) such that
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy.
Question 15. Let the numbers a, b, c satisfy the relation a2 + b2 +

c2 ≤ 8. Determine the maximum value of
M = 4(a3 + b3 + c3 ) − (a4 + b4 + c4 ).
Important:
Question 1. If
2016 = 25 + 26 + · · · + 2m ,
then m is equal to
(A): 8 (B): 9 (C): 10 (D): 11 (E): None of the above.
Question 2. The number of all positive integers n such that
n + s(n) = 2016,
where s(n) is the sum of all digits of n, is
Question 3. Given two positive numbers a, b such that a3 + b3 =

a5 + b5 , then the greatest value of M = a2 + b2 − ab is
1 1
(A): (B): (C): 2 (D): 1 (E): None of the above.
4 2
Question 4. A monkey in Zoo becomes lucky if he eats three

different fruits. What is the largest number of monkeys one can
make lucky, by having 20 oranges, 30 bananas, 40 peaches and 50
tangerines? Justify your answer.
Question 5. There are positive integers x, y such that 3x2 + x =

4y 2 + y, and (x − y) is equal to
(A): 2013 (B): 2014 (C): 2015 (D): 2016

(E): None of the above.
Question 6. Determine the smallest positive number a such that

the number of all integers belonging to (a, 2016a] is 2016.
Question 7. Nine points form a grid of size 3 × 3. How many

triangles are there with 3 vetices at these points?
Question 8. Find all positive integers x, y, z such that

x3 − (x + y + z)2 = (y + z)3 + 34.
Question 9. Let x, y, z satisfy the following inequalities



 |x + 2y − 3z| ≤ 6

|x − 2y + 3z| ≤ 6


 |x − 2y − 3z| ≤ 6
|x + 2y + 3z| ≤ 6

Determine the greatest value of M = |x| + |y| + |z|.
Question 10. Let ha , hb , hc and r be the lengths of altitudes and

radius of the inscribed circle of ∆ABC, respectively. Prove that
ha + 4hb + 9hc > 36r.
Question 11. Let be given a triangle ABC, and let I be the middle
point of BC. The straight line d passing I intersects AB, AC at M,
N , respectively. The straight line d0 (6≡ d) passing I intersects
AB, AC at Q, P , respectively. Suppose M, P are on the same side
of BC and M P, N Q intersect BC at E and F, respectively. Prove
that IE = IF.
Question 12. In the trapezoid ABCD, AB k CD and the diag-

onals intersect at O. The points P, Q are on AD, BC respectively
such that ∠AP B = ∠CP D and ∠AQB = ∠CQD. Show that
OP = OQ.
Question 13. Let H be orthocenter of the triangle ABC. Let

d1 , d2 be lines perpendicular to each-another at H. The line d1 in-
tersects AB, AC at D, E and the line d2 intersects BC at F. Prove
that H is the midpoint of segment DE if and only if F is the mid-
point of segment BC.
Question 14. Given natural

√ numbers a, b such that 2015a2 + a =
2
2016b + b. Prove that a − b is a natural number.
Question 15. Find all polynomials of degree 3 with integer coef-

ficients such that f (2014) = 2015, f (2015) = 2016, and f (2013) −
f (2016) is a prime number.
Important:
Question 1. Suppose x1 , x2 , x3 are the roots of polynomial
P (x) = x3 − 6x2 + 5x + 12.
The sum |x1 | + |x2 | + |x3 | is

Question 2. How many pairs of positive integers (x, y) are there,
those satisfy the identity
2x − y 2 = 1?

Question 3. Suppose n2 + 4n + 25 is a perfect square. How many
such non-negative integers n’s are there?
Question 4. Put
S = 21 + 35 + 49 + 513 + · · · + 5052013 + 5062017 .
The last digit of S is

Question 5. Let a, b, c be two-digit, three-digit, and four-digit
numbers, respectively. Assume that the sum of all digits of number
a+b, and the sum of all digits of b+c are all equal to 2. The largest
value of a + b + c is
Question 6. Find all triples of positive integers (m, p, q) such

that
2m p2 + 27 = q 3 , and p is a prime.
Question 7. Determine two last digits of number
Q = 22017 + 20172 .
Question 8. Determine all real solutions x, y, z of the following

system of equations

3
x − 3x
 =4−y
2y 3 − 6y =6−z

 3
3z − 9z = 8 − x.
Question 9. Prove that the equilateral triangle of area 1 can be

covered by five arbitrary equilateral triangles having the total area
2.
Question 10. Find all non-negative integers a, b, c such that the
roots of equations:
x2 − 2ax + b = 0;
x2 − 2bx + c = 0;
x2 − 2cx + a = 0
are non-negative integers.

Question 11. Let S denote a square of the side-length 7, and
let eight squares of the side-length 3 be given. Show that S can be
covered by those eight small squares.
Question 12. Does there exist a sequence of 2017 consecutive
integers which contains exactly 17 primes?
Question 13. Let a, b, c be the side-lengths of triangle ABC with

a + b + c = 12. Determine the smallest value of
a 4b 9c
M= + + .
b+c−a c+a−b a+b−c
Question 14. Given trapezoid ABCD with bases AB k CD

(AB < CD). Let O be the intersection of AC and BD. Two
straight lines from D and C are perpendicular to AC and BD
intersect at E, i.e. CE ⊥ BD and DE ⊥ AC. By analogy, AF ⊥
BD and BF ⊥ AC. Are three points E, O, F located on the same
line?
Question 15. Show that an arbitrary quadrilateral can be divided
into nine isosceles triangles.
1.2 Senior section

Important:
(A): 938; (B): 940; (C): 1634; (D): 1638; (E): None of the
above.

1.2 Senior section 15
√ √ √ √
(A): 5 3; (B): 6 3; (C): 7 3; (D): 8 3; (E): None of the
above.
Question 3. Suppose that a > b > c > 1. One of solutions of the

equation
(x − a)(x − b) (x − b)(x − c) (x − c)(x − a)
+ + =x
(c − a)(c − b) (a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a)
is
(A): -1; (B): -2; (C): 0; (D): 1; (E): None of the above.

a + b + c = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = m (mod 27)
then m is


Prove that
1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .
x4 = 2x2 + [x],
(x + 1)3 (x − 2)3 + (x − 1)3 (x + 2)3 = 8(x2 − 2)3 .

that
a3 + b3 + c3 + 2[(ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ] ≥ 3(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).

Question 11. Give a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Let O be the
intersection point of diagonals AC and BD and let I, K, H be feet
Question 12. Give an isosceles triangle ABC at A. Draw ray Cx

being perpendicular to CA, BE perpendicular to Cx (E ∈ Cx).
Let M be the midpoint of BE, and D be the intersection point of
AM and Cx. Prove that BD ⊥ BC.
Question 13. Let m be given odd number, and let a, b denote
the roots of equation x2 + mx − 1 = 0 and c = a2014 + b2014 , d =
a2015 + b2015 . Prove that c and d are relatively prime numbers.
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy.
Question 15. Let the numbers a, b, c, d satisfy the relation a2 +

b2 + c2 + d2 ≤ 12. Determine the maximum value of
M = 4(a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 ) − (a4 + b4 + c4 + d4 ).
Important:
Question 1. How many are there 10-digit numbers composed

from the digits 1, 2, 3 only and in which, two neighbouring digits
differ by 1.
Question 2. Given an array of numbers
A = (672, 673, 674, . . . , 2016)
on table. Three arbitrary numbers a, b, c ∈ A are step by step re-

1
placed by number min(a, b, c). After 672 times, on the table there
3
is only one number m, such that
(A): 0 < m < 1 (B): m = 1 (C): 1 < m < 2 (D): m = 2

Question 3. Given two positive numbers a, b such that the con-

dition a3 +b3 = a5 +b5 , then the greatest value of M = a2 +b2 −ab is
1 1
4 2
Question 4. In Zoo, a monkey becomes lucky if he eats three
make lucky having 20 oranges, 30 bananas, 40 peaches and 50 tan-
gerines? Justify your answer.

4y 2 + y and (x − y) is equal to
(A): 2013 (B): 2014 (C): 2015 (D): 2016

Question 6. Let A consist of 16 elements of the set {1, 2, 3, . . . , 106},

so that the difference of two arbitrary elements in A are different
from 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21. Prove that there are two elements of A for
which their difference equals to 3.

triangles are there with 3 vertices at these points?
Question 8. Determine all 3-digit numbers which are equal to

cube of the sum of all its digits.
Question 9. Let rational numbers a, b, c satisfy the conditions

a + b + c = a2 + b2 + c2 ∈ Z.
Prove that there exist two relative prime numbers m, n such that
m2
abc = 3 .
n

2016b2 + b. Prove that a − b is a natural number.
Question 11. Let I be the incenter of triangle ABC and ω be

its circumcircle. Let the line AI intersect ω at point D 6= A. Let
F and E be points on side BC and arc BDC respectively such
1
that ∠BAF = ∠CAE < ∠BAC. Let X be the second point of
2
intersection of line EI with ω and T be the point of intersection of
segment DX with line AF . Prove that T F.AD = ID.AT .
Question 12. Let A be point inside the acute angle xOy. An

arbitrary circle ω passes through O, A; intersecting Ox and Oy
at the second intersection B and C, respectively. Let M be the
midpoint of BC. Prove that M is always on a fixed line (when ω
changes, but always goes through O and A).
Question 13. Find all triples (a, b, c) of real numbers such that
|2a + b| ≥ 4 and
|ax2 + bx + c| ≤ 1 ∀x ∈ [−1, 1].
Question 14. Let f (x) = x2 + px + q, where p, q are integers.

Prove that there is an integer m such that
f (m) = f (2015).f (2016).
Question 15. Let a, b, c be real numbers satisfying the condition
18ab + 9ca + 29bc = 1.
Find the minimum value of the expression
T = 42a2 + 34b2 + 43c2 .
Important:

3 2
P (x) = x − 4x − 3x + 2. The sum |x1 | + |x2 | + |x3 | is
2x − y 2 = 4?

Question 3. The number of real triples (x, y, z) that satisfy the
equation
x4 + 4y 4 + z 4 + 4 = 8xyz
is
Question 4. Let a, b, c be three distinct positive numbers. Con-
sider the quadratic polynomial
c(x − a)(x − b) a(x − b)(x − c) b(x − c)(x − a)
P (x) = + + + 1.
(c − a)(c − b) (a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a)
The value of P (2017) is

(A): 2015 (B): 2016 (C): 2017 (D): 2018
Question 5. Write 2017 following numbers on the blackboard:
1008 1007 1 1 2 1007 1008
− ,− ,...,− , 0, , ,..., , .
1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008
One processes some steps as: erase two arbitrary numbers x, y on
the blackboard and then write on it the number x + 7xy + y. After
2016 steps, there is only one number. The last one on the black-
board is
1 1 144
(A): − (B): 0 (C): (D): − (E): None of the
1008 1008 1008
above.
Question 6. Find all pairs of integers a, b such that the following
system of equations has a unique integral solution (x, y, z)
(
x+y =a−1
x(y + 1) − z 2 = b.
Question 7. Let two positive integers x, y satisfy the condition

.
x2 + y 2 .. 44. Determine the smallest value of T = x3 + y 3 .

a 4b 9c
M= + + .
Question 9. Cut off a square carton by a straight line into two

pieces, then cut one of two pieces into two small pieces by a straight
line, ect. By cutting 2017 times we obtain 2018 pieces. We write
number 2 in every triangle, number 1 in every quadrilateral, and 0
in the polygons. Is the sum of all inserted numbers always greater
than 2017?
Question 10. Consider all words constituted by eight letters

from {C, H, M, O}. We arrange the words in an alphabet sequence.
Precisely, the first word is CCCCCCCC, the second one is CCCCC-
CCH, the third is CCCCCCCM, the fourth one is CCCCCCCO,. . . ,
and the last word is OOOOOOOO.
a) Determine the 2017th word of the sequence?
b) What is the position of the word HOMCHOMC in the se-
quence?
Question 11. Let ABC be an equilateral triangle, and let P stand

for an arbitrary point inside the triangle. Is it true that

P AB − P AC ≥ P BC − P CB ?
[ [ \ \

Question 12. Let (O) denote a circle with a chord AB, and let W
be the midpoint of the minor arc AB. Let C stand for an arbitrary
point on the major arc AB. The tangent to the circle (O) at C
meets the tangents at A and B at points X and Y, respectively.
The lines W X and W Y meet AB at points N and M , respectively.
Does the length of segment N M depend on position of C?
Question 13. Let ABC be a triangle. For some d > 0 let P stand
for a point inside the triangle such that
|AB| − |P B| ≥ d, and |AC| − |P C| ≥ d.
Is the following inequality true
|AM | − |P M | ≥ d,
for any position of M ∈ BC?
Question 14. Put
P = m2003 n2017 − m2017 n2003 , where m, n ∈ N.
a) Is P divisible by 24?
b) Do there exist m, n ∈ N such that P is not divisible by 7?
Question 15. Let S denote a square of side-length 7, and let eight

squares with side-length 3 be given. Show that it is impossible
to cover S by those eight small squares with the condition: an
arbitrary side of those (eight) squares is either coincided, parallel,
or perpendicular to others of S.
Chapter 2
Answers and Solutions
2.1 Junior section

Question 1. What is the 7th term of the sequence
{−1, 4, −2, 3, −3, 2, ...}?
(A): -1; (B): -2; (C): -3; (D): -4; (E) None of the above.
Solution. Let a1 = −1, a2 = 4, a3 = −2, a4 = 3, a5 = −3, a6 = 2
... Then
a2 − a1 = a4 − a3 = a6 − a5 = 5,..
a3 − a2 = a5 − a4 = −6.
Hence, a7 − a6 = −6 and a7 = −4.
Answer: D.

(A): 2; (B): 4; (C): 6; (D): 8; (E) None of the above.
Solution. We have 2017 = 7 (mod 10) and 20172017 = 74×504+1

(mod 10) = 7 (mod 10). On the other hand, 2015 = 4×503+3 = 3
(mod 4) and 2013 = 3 (mod 10) and then
20132015 = 34×503+3 = 7 (mod 10).
24 Chapter 2. Answers and Solutions
Hence, the last digit of number 20172017 − 20132015 is 0.

Answer: E.
(A): 938; (B): 940; (C): 1634; (D): 1638; (E) None of the
above.
Solution. We find the sum of all positive intergers less than 50
and subtract the sum of multiples of 3 between 0 and 50:
50 × 49 16 × 17
−3 = 1225 − 408 = 817.
2 2
Hence the sum of all even positive intergers less than 100 those are
not divisible by 3 is
2 × 817 = 1634.
Answer: C.

√ √ √ √
(A): 5 3; (B): 6 3; (C): 7 3; (D): 8 3; (E) None of the
above.
Solution. Let a, S be the length and area of the hexagon. Then
the equilateral triangle has side-length 2a. We subdivide the hexagon
into 6 small equilateral of side-length a then each of them must have
S
area . Since the equilateral triangle of side-length 2a has twice
6
the base and twice the altitude of the smaller triangle, it must have
S √ √
4 times the area. Hence 4 = 4 3, it follows S = 6 3.
6
Answer: B.

a + b + c = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = m (mod 27)
then m is
(A): 0; (B): 1; (C): 25; (D): 26; (E) None of the above.
Solution. - If a, b, c have three different remainder terms modulo

3 then a+b+c is divisible by 3 but a−b, b−c, c−a are not divisible
by 3.
- If a, b, c have two different remainder terms modulo 3 then a +
b+c is not divisible by 3 but one of three differences a−b, b−c, c−a
are divisible by 3. It follows the product (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) is
divisble by 3.
- Hence, three numbers a, b, c have the same remainder terms,
i.e. a = 3p + s, b = 3q + s, c = 3r + s with s ∈ {0, 1, 2}, p, q, r are
natural numbers.
Hence, a − b = 3(p − q), b − c = 3(q − r), c − a = 3(r − p) and
then (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = 0 (mod 27).
Answer: A.

Prove that
1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .
Solution. The constraint can be written as
(a − bc)2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 − c2 ). (2.1)
Using the Cauchy inequality, we have
(a + bc)2 ≤ (|a| + |bc|)2 ≤ (1 + |b||c|)2 ≤ (1 + b2 )(1 + c2 ).
Multiplying by (2.1), we get
(a − bc)2 (a + bc)2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 + b2 )(1 − c2 )(1 + c2 )
⇔ (a2 − b2 c2 )2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 + b2 )(1 − c2 )(1 + c2 )

⇔ (a2 − b2 c2 )2 ≤ (1 − b4 )((1 − c4 )
⇔ 1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .

x4 = 2x2 + [x], (2.2)
Solution. We have
(2.2) ⇔ [x] = x2 x2 − 2

√ √
Consider the case x2 ≤ 2, then − 2 ≤ x ≤ 2 and [x] ≤ 0. It
follows [x] ∈ {−1; 0} .
If [x] = 0, then from (2.2) we find x = 0 as a solution.
If [x] = −1, then from (2.2) we find x = −1 as a solution.
Now we suppose that x2 > 2. It follows from (2.2), [x] > 0 and
√ [x] 1
then x > 2. Hence x2 (x2 − 2) = ≤ 1 and x2 − 2 ≤ < 1,
√ √ √ x x
then x < 3 and 2 < x < 3. p √
It means that [x] = 1 and then x = 1 + 2 is a solution of
the equation.
(2015x − 2014)3 = 8(x − 1)3 + (2013x − 2012)3 . (2.3)
Solution. Rewrite equation (2.3) in the form

(2015x − 2014)3 = (2x − 2)3 + (2013x − 2012)3 . (2.4)
Factoring the sum of cubes on the right side of the equation (2.4),
we find that one factor is 2015x − 2014, thus, one solution of the
2014
equation is x = .
2015
Now we rewrite the equation (2.4) as
(2015x − 2014)3 − (2x − 2)3 = (2013x − 2012)3 . (2.5)
Factoring the difference of cubes on the left side of the equation
(2.5), we find that one factor is 2013x − 2012, thus, one solution of
2012
the equation is x = .
2013
Finally, we rewrite (2.4) as
(2015x − 2014)3 − (2013x − 2012)3 = (2x − 2)3 .
Factoring again, we see that x = 1 is a solution.

Since (2.3) is cubic in x, it has at most 3 roots, and we have
them.
that
h i
a3 + b3 + c3 + 2 (ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ≥ 3(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).
Solution. Assume that a = max{a, b, c}. We then have
a ≥ b ≥ c > 0,
or
a ≥ c ≥ b > 0.
Hence,
a3 +b3 +c3 −(a2 b+b2 c+c2 a) = (a−b)(a2 −c2 )+(b−c)(b2 −c2 ) ≥ 0.
This implies
a3 + b3 + c3 ≥ a2 b + b2 c + c2 a. (2.6)
Due to the facts that
1 n1 1 1o
= max , , ,
c a b c
and
1 n1 1 1o
= max , , ,
b a b c
we deduce
1 1 1 1 1 1
3
+ 3+ 3 ≥ 2 + 2 + 2 .
c b a cb ba ac
By abc = 1, this can be written as
(ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ≥ a2 b + b2 c + c2 a. (2.7)
Inequalities (2.6) and (2.7) together imply the proposed inequality.


Solution. We have OJ = OD = OG = radius of the circle. Let
a, b, c denote the sides of ∆ABC. We have
a 2 b 2 1
OJ 2 = OM 2 + M J 2 = b + + = b2 + ab + (a2 + b2 );
2 2 4
b 2 a 2 1
OD2 = ON 2 + N D2 = a + + = a2 + ab + (a2 + b2 );
2 2 4
c 2 5 5
OG2 = OL2 + LG2 = c2 + = c2 = (a2 + b2 )
2 4 4
1
= a2 + b2 + (a2 + b2 ).
4
Comparing these right-hand sides, we get
b2 + ab = a2 + ab = a2 + b2 ⇔ a = b.
It means that the given triangle with the desired property is the
isosceles right triangle. Therefore,
1
ab = 9,
2
and √
a = b = 3 2, c = 6.
Question 11. Given a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Let O be the

intersection point of diagonals AC and BD, and let I, K, H be feet
Solution. Draw AE⊥BD (E ∈ BD). We have

BI × AD AE × BD
SABD = = .
2 2
Then BI × AD = AE × BD. It follows

BI × AD ≤ AO × BD (AE ≤ AO),
and
AO
BI.AD ≤ AC × BD × .
AC
AO OK
Moreover, by OK k CH it follows = , and
AC CH
OK
BI × AD ≤ AC × BD × .
CH
Hence, BI × AD × CH ≤ AC × BD × OK.
The equality occurs if quadrilateral ABCD has two perpendic-
ular diagonals.
Figure 2.1: Figure of Question 11
Question 12. Give a triangle ABC with heights ha = 3 cm, hb = 7

cm and hc = d cm, where d is an integer. Determine d.
Solution. Since 2SABC = a.ha = b.hb = c.hc it follows
a b c
= = .
1 1 1
ha hb hc
On the other hand,

1 1 1 1 1
|a − b| < c < a + b ⇔ − < < + .
ha hb hc ha hb
Hence
1 1 1 1 1
− < < +
3 7 hc 3 7
4 1 10
⇔ < <
21 hc 21
20 20 20
⇔ < <
105 20hc 42
⇔ 105 > 20hc > 42
Since hc ∈ N∗ , we direive hc ∈ {3, 4, 5}.
Question 13. Give rational numbers x, y such that
x2 + y 2 − 2 (x + y)2 + (xy + 1)2 = 0.

(2.8)
√
Prove that 1 + xy is a rational number.
Solution. Let x = −y = t. The equality (2.8) is of the form
(t2 − 1)2 = 0 ⇔ t = ±1.

√
It follows 1 + xy = 0, and 1 + xy is a rational number.
Consider the case x 6= y. We have
x2 + y 2 − 2 (x + y)2 + (xy + 1)2 = 0

2
2 2 xy + 1
⇔x +y + =2
x+y
2
2 xy + 1
⇔ (x + y) − 2.(xy + 1) + =0
x+y
2
xy + 1
⇔ x+y− =0
x+y
It follows
xy + 1 = (x + y)2 ,
and p
xy + 1 = |x + y| .
The proof is completed.
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy.
Solution. We have
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy;
2y 2 (x − 1) − y(x − 1) − x(x − 1) = −1;
(x − 1)(2y 2 − y − x) = −1.
Since x; y are integers, we deduce that x − 1 and 2y 2 − y − x are

divisors of -1.
Case 1. We have
(
x−1=1
2y 2 − y − x = −1.
Then, either (
x=2
y = 1,
or 
x = 2
1
y = − (absurd).
2
Case 2. We have
(
x − 1 = −1
2y 2 − y − x = 1.
Equivalently, either (
x=0
y = 1,
or 
x = 0
1
2
We deduce that all integer pairs (x; y) are (2; 1); (0 ; 1).
Question 15. Let the numbers a, b, c satisfy the relation a2 + b2 +

c2 ≤ 8. Determine the maximum value of
M = 4(a3 + b3 + c3 ) − (a4 + b4 + c4 ).
Solution. Note that x2 (x−2)2 ≥ 0 for each real x. This inequality

can be rewritten as 4x3 − x4 ≤ 4x2 . It follows that
(4a3 − a4 ) + (4b3 − b4 ) + (4c3 − c4 ) ≤ 4(a2 + b2 + c2 ) = 32,
The equality holds for (a, b, c) = (2, 2, 0), (2, 0, 2), (0, 2, 2). Hence,
max M = 32.
Question 1. If
2016 = 25 + 26 + · · · + 2m ,
then m is equal to
Anwser. (C).
Question 2. The number of all positive integers n such that
n + s(n) = 2016,
where s(n) is the sum of all digits of n, is
Anwser. (B): n = 1989, 2007.
Question 3. Given two positive numbers a, b such that a3 + b3 =

a5 + b5 , then the greatest value of M = a2 + b2 − ab is
1 1
4 2
Anwser. (D).
Solution. We have
ab(a2 − b2 )2 ≥ 0 ⇔ 2a3 b3 ≤ ab5 + a5 b ⇔ (a3 + b3 )2 ≤ (a + b)(a5 + b5 ).
Combining this and a3 + b3 = a5 + b5 , we find
a3 + b3 ≤ a + b ⇔ a2 + b2 − ab ≤ 1.
The equality holds if a = 1, b = 1.
Question 4. A monkey in Zoo becomes lucky if he eats three

make lucky, by having 20 oranges, 30 bananas, 40 peaches and 50
tangerines? Justify your answer.
Anwser. (D).
Solution. First we leave tangerines on the side. We have 20 +

30 + 40 = 90 fruites. As we feed the happy monkey is not more
than one tangerine, each monkey eats fruits of these 90 at least 2.
Hence, the monkeys are not more than 90/2 = 45. We will show
how you can bring happiness to 45 monkeys:
5 monkeys eat: orange, banana, tangerine;
15 monkeys eat: orange, peach, tangerine;
25 Monkeys eat peach, banana, tangerine.
At all 45 lucky monkeys - and left five unused tangerines!

4y 2 + y, and (x − y) is equal to
(A): 2013 (B): 2014 (C): 2015 (D): 2016

Anwser. (E). Since x − y is a square.
Solution. We have 3x2 +x = 4y 2 +y ⇔ (x−y)(3x+3y +1) = y 2 .

We prove that (x − y; 3x + 3y + 1) = 1.
Indeed, if d = (x − y; 3x + 3y + 1) then y 2 is divisible by d2 and
y is divisible by d; x is divisible by d, i.e. 1 is divisible by d, i.e.
d = 1.
Since x − y and 3x + 3y + 1 are prime relative then x − y is a
perfect square.
Question 6. Determine the smallest positive number a such that

the number of all integers belonging to (a, 2016a] is 2016.
Solution. The smallest integer greater than a is [a] + 1 and the

largest integer less than or is equal to 2016a is [2016a]. Hence, the
number of all integers belonging to (a, 2016a] is [2016a] − [a].
Now we difine the smallest positive number a such that
[2016a] − [a] = 2016.
If 0 < a ≤ 1 then [2016a] − [a] < 2016.

If a ≥ 2 then [2016a] − [a] > 2016.
Let a = 1 + b, where 0 < b < 1. We have [a] = 1, and [2016a] =
2016 + [2016b]. This follows
[2016a] − [a] = 2015 + [2016b] = 2016,
which gives [2016b] = 1. Hence, the smallest positive number b
1 1
such that [2016b] = 1 is b = Thus, a = 1 + is a smallest
2016. 2016
positive number such that the number of all integers belonging to
(a, 2016a] is 2016.

triangles are there with 3 vetices at these points?
Solution. We divide the triangles into two types:

Type 1: Two vertices lie in one horizontal line, the third vertice
lies in another horizontal lines. For this type we have 3 possibilities
to choose the first line, 2 posibilities to choose 2nd line. In first line
we have 3 possibilities to choose 2 vertices, in the second line we
have 3 possibilities to choose 1 vertex. In total we have 3×2×3×3 =
54 triangles of first type.
Type 2: Three vertices lie in distinct horizontal lines. We have
3 × 3 × 3 triangles of these type. But we should remove degenerated
triangles from them. There are 5 of those (3 vertical lines and two
diagonals). So, we have 27 - 5 = 22 triangles of this type.
Total we have 54 + 22 = 76 triangles.
For those students who know about Cnk this problem can be also
solved as C93 − 8 where 8 is the number of degenerated triangles.
Question 8. Find all positive integers x, y, z such that
x3 − (x + y + z)2 = (y + z)3 + 34.
Solution. Putting y + z = a, a ∈ Z, a ≥ 2, we have
x3 − a3 = (x + a)2 + 34. (2.9)
Equivalently,
(x − a) x2 + xa + a2 = x2 + 2ax + a2 + 34;

(2.10)
(x − a − 1) x2 + xa + a2 = xa + 34.

Since x, a are integers, we have x2 + xa + a2 ≥ 0 and xa + 34 > 0.

That follow x − a − 1 > 0, i.e. x − a ≥ 2.
This and (2.10) together imply
x2 + 2ax + a2 + 34 ≥ 2 x2 + xa + a2 ⇔ x2 + a2 ≤ 34.

Hence x2 < 34 and x < 6.

On the other hand, x ≥ a + 2 ≥ 4 then x ∈ {4, 5} .
If x = 5, then from x2 + a2 ≤ 34 it follows 2 ≤ a ≤ 3. Thus
a ∈ {2, 3} .
The case of x = 5, a = 2 does not satisfy (2.9) for x = 5, a = 3,

from (1) we find y = 1, z = 2 or y = 2, z = 1,
If x = 4, then from the inequality x − a ≥ 2 we find a ≤ 2,
which contradicts to (2.9).
Conclusion: (x, y, z) = (5, 1, 2) and (x, y, z) = (5, 2, 1).
Question 9. Let x, y, z satisfy the following inequalities



 |x + 2y − 3z| ≤ 6

|x − 2y + 3z| ≤ 6


 |x − 2y − 3z| ≤ 6
|x + 2y + 3z| ≤ 6

Determine the greatest value of M = |x| + |y| + |z|.
Solution. Note that for all real numbers a, b, c, we have
|a| + |b| = max{|a + b|, |a − b|}
and
|a| + |b| + |c| = max{|a + b + c|, |a + b − c|, |a − b − c|, |a − b + c|}.
Hence
M = |x| + |y| + |z| ≤ |x| + 2|y| + 3|z| = |x| + |2y| + |3z|
= max{|x + y + z|, |x + y − z|, |x − y − z|, |x − y + z|} ≤ 6.

Thus max M = 6 when x = ±6, y = z = 0.
Question 10. Let ha , hb , hc and r be the lengths of altitudes and

radius of the inscribed circle of ∆ABC, respectively. Prove that
ha + 4hb + 9hc > 36r.

Solution. Let a, b, c be the side-lengths of ∆ABC corresponding

to ha , hb , hc and S be the area of ∆ABC. Then
aha = bhb = chc = (a + b + c) × r = 2S.
Hence
2S 8S 18S
ha + 4hb + 9hc = = =
a b c
(1 + 2 + 3)2
2 2 2

1 2 3
= 2S + + ≥ 2S
a b c a+b+c
(1 + 2 + 3)2
= (a + b + c) r = 36r.
a+b+c
The equality holds iff a : b : c = 1 : 2 : 3 (it is not posible for
a + b > c).
Question 11. Let be given a triangle ABC and let I be the middle
point of BC. The straight line d passing I intersects AB, AC at M,
N , respectively. The straight line d0 (6≡ d) passing I intersects
AB, AC at Q and P , respectively. Suppose M, P are on the same
side of BC and M P, N Q intersect BC at E and F, respectively.
Prove that IE = IF.
EB FC
Solution. Since IB = IC then it is enough to show = .
EC FB
By Menelaus theorem:
- For ∆ABC and three points E, M, P, we have
EB P C MA
× × = 1.
EC P A MB
It follws
EB P A MB
= × . (2.11)
EC PC MA
- For ∆ABC and three points F, N, Q, we have
FC QB N A
× × = 1.
FB QA N C
This implies
FC NC QA
= × . (2.12)
FB N A QB
Figure 2.2: Figure of Question 11
- For ∆ABC and three points M, I, N, we have
M B N A IC
× × = 1.
M A N C IB
Compare with IB = IC we find
MB NC
= . (2.13)
MA NA
- For ∆ABC and three points Q, I, P, we have
P A IC QB
× × = 1.
P C IB QA
Hence,
PA QA
= . (2.14)
PC QB
Equalities (2.11), (2.12), (2.13), and (2.14), toghether imply IE =
IF.
Question 12. In the trapezoid ABCD, AB k CD and the diag-

onals intersect at O. The points P, Q are on AD, BC respectively
such that ∠AP B = ∠CP D and ∠AQB = ∠CQD. Show that
OP = OQ.
Figure 2.3: Fugure of Question 12
Solution. Extending DA to B 0 such that BB 0 = BA, we find

∠P B 0 B = ∠B 0 AB = ∠P DC and then triangles DP C and B 0 P B
are similar.
DP CD CD DO
It follows that 0
= 0
= = and so P O k BB 0 .
PB BB BA BO
Since triangles DP O and DB 0 B are similar, we have
DO DO
OP = BB 0 × = AB × .
DB DB
CO
Similarly, we have OQ = AB × and it follows OP = OQ.
CA
Question 13. Let H be orthocenter of the triangle ABC. Let

d1 , d2 be lines perpendicular to each-another at H. The line d1 in-
tersects AB, AC at D, E and the line d2 intersects BC at F. Prove
that H is the midpoint of segment DE if and only if F is the mid-
point of segment BC.
Solution. Since HD ⊥ HF, HA ⊥ F C and HC ⊥ DA, ∠DAH =

∠HCF and ∠DHA = ∠HF C, therefore the triangles DHA, HF C
are similar.
So
HA FC
= . (2.15)
HD F H
Similarly,
HE F H
4EHA v 4HF B, or = . (2.16)
HA F B
HE FC
Thanks to (2.15) and (2.16) we obtain = . Therefore,
HD FB
H is midpoint of the segment DE iff F is midpoint of the segment
BC.

Solution. From equality
2015a2 + a = 2016b2 + b,
we find a ≥ b.
√
If a = b, then a = b = 0 and a − b = 0.
If a > b, we have
b2 = 2015(a2 − b2 ) + (a − b);
b2 = (a − b)(2015a + 2015b + 1).

Let (a, b) = d then a = md, b = nd, where (m, n) = 1. Since a > b
then m > n, and put m − n = t > 0. Let (t, n) = u then n is
divisible by u, t is divisible by u and m is divisible by u. That

follows u = 1 and then (t, n) = 1. Putting b = nd, a − b = td in the
above identity, we find
n2 d = t(2015dt + 4030dn + 1).
Hence, n2 d is divisible by t and compaire with (t, n) = 1, it follows

d is divisible by t. Moreover, we have n2 d = 2015dt2 + 4030dnt + t
and then t = n2 d − 2015dt2 − 4030dnt.
Hence t = d(n2 − 2015t2 − 4030nt),
√ i.e. t is divisible by d, i.e.
t = d and then a−b = td = d2 and a − b = d is a natural number.
Question 15. Find all polynomials of degree 3 with integer coef-

ficients such that f (2014) = 2015, f (2015) = 2016, and f (2013) −
f (2016) is a prime number.
Solution. Let g(x) = f (x) − x − 1. We have
g(2014) = f (2014) − 2014 − 1 = 0,
g(2015) = 2016 − 2015 − 1 = 0.

Hence,
g(x) = (ax + b)(x − 2014)(x − 2015),
and
f (x) = (ax + b)(x − 2014)(x − 2015) + x + 1, a, b ∈ Z, a 6= 0.
We derive
f (2013) = 2(2013a + b) + 2014,
and
f (2016) = 2(2016a + b) + 2017.
Therefore,
f (2013) − f (2016) = 2(2013a + b) + 2014 − [2(2016a + b) + 2017]

= −6a − 3 = 3(−2a − 1).
Thus, f (2013) − f (2016) is prime if and only if −2a − 1 = 1, i.e.

a = −1.
Conlusion: All polynomials of degree 3 with integer coefficients

such that f (2014) = 2015, f (2015) = 2016 and f (2013) − f (2016)
is a prime number are of the form
f (x) = (b − x)(x − 2014)(x − 2015) + x + 1, b ∈ Z.
P (x) = x3 − 6x2 + 5x + 12.
The sum |x1 | + |x2 | + |x3 | is

Solution. The choice is (C).

2x − y 2 = 1?

Solution. The choice is (A).
Question 3. Suppose n2 + 4n + 25 is a perfect square. How many

such non-negative integers n’s are there?
Solution. The choice is (B).
Question 4. Put
S = 21 + 35 + 49 + 513 + · · · + 5052013 + 5062017 .
The last digit of S is


Solution. The choice is (E).
Question 5. Let a, b, c be two-digit, three-digit, and four-digit

numbers, respectively. Assume that the sum of all digits of number
a+b, and the sum of all digits of b+c are all equal to 2. The largest
value of a + b + c is
Solution. The choice is (E).
Question 6. Find all triples of positive integers (m, p, q) such

that
2m p2 + 27 = q 3 , and p is a prime.
Solution. By the assumption it follows that q is odd. We have

2m p2 = (q − 3)(q 2 + 3q + 9).
Remark that q 2 + 3q + 9 is always odd. There are two cases:
Case 1. q = 2m p + 3. We have
q 3 = (2m p + 3)3 > 2m p2 + 27,
which is impossible.
Case 2. q = 2m + 3. We have
q 3 = 23m + 9 × 22m + 27 × 2m + 27 = 2m p2 + 27,
which implies
p2 = 22m + 9 × 2m + 27.
If m ≥ 3, then 22m + 9 × 2m + 27 ≡ 3 (mod 8), but p2 ≡ 1 (mod 8).
We deduce m ≤ 3. By simple computation we find m = 1, p =
7, q = 5.
Question 7. Determine two last digits of number

Q = 22017 + 20172 .
Solution. We have
201
22017 = 27 × 210 = 128 × 1024201
≡ 128 × (−1)201 = −128 ≡ 22 (mod 25);
20172 ≡ 14 (mod 25).
P ≡ 11 (mod
It follows 25), by which two last digits of P are in
the set 11, 36, 61, 86 . In other side, P ≡ 1 (mod 4). This implies
P ≡ 61 (mod 100). Thus, the number 61 subjects to the question.
Question 8. Determine all real solutions x, y, z of the following

system of equations

3
x − 3x
 =4−y
2y 3 − 6y =6−z

 3
3z − 9z = 8 − x.
Solution. From x3 + y = 3x + 4 it follows x3 − 2 − 3x = 2 − y.

Then
(x − 2)(x + 1)2 = 2 − y (1)
By 2y 3 − 4 − 6y = 2 − z, we have
2(y − 2)(y + 1)2 = 2 − z. (2)
Similarly, by 3z 3 − 3 − 3 − 9z = 2 − x we have
3(z − 2)(z + 1)2 = (2 − x). (3)
Combining (1)-(2)-(3) we obtain
1
(x − 2)(y − 2)(z − 2) (x + 1)2 (y + 1)2 (z + 1)2 + = 0.
6
Hence, (x − 2)(y − 2)(z − 2) = 0. Comparing this with (1), (2) and
(3), we find the unique solution x = y = z = 2.
Question 9. Prove that the equilateral triangle of area 1 can be

covered by five arbitrary equilateral triangles having the total area
2.
Solution. Let S denote the triangle of area 1. It is clearly that

if a ≥ b then triangle of area a can cover triangle of area b. It
suffices to consider the case when the areas of five small triangles
are all smaller than 1. Let 1 ≥ A ≥ B ≥ C ≥ D ≥ E stand for the
areas. We will prove that the sum of side-lengths of B and C is not
smaller
√ √than the
√ side-length of triangle of area 1. Indeed, suppose
B + C < 1 = 1. It follows
√ √ √
2 = A+B +C +D +E < 1+B +C +2 BC = 1+( B + C)2 < 2,
which is impossible.
Figure 2.5: For Question 9
We cover S by A, B, C as Figure 2.5. We see that A, B, C will

have common parts, mutually. Suppose
X = B ∩ C; Y = A ∩ C; Z = A ∩ B.
It follows
X + Y ≤ C; Y + Z ≤ A; Z + X ≤ B.
We deduce A, B, C cover a part of area:
1
A+B+C−X −Y −Z ≥ A+B+C− (X +Y )+(Y +Z)+(Z+X)
2
1 D+E
≥ (A + B + C) = 1 − ≥ 1 − D.
2 2
Thus, D can cover the remained part of S.
Question 10. Find all non-negative integers a, b, c such that the

roots of equations:
x2 − 2ax + b = 0; (2.17)
x2 − 2bx + c = 0; (2.18)
x2 − 2cx + a = 0 (2.19)
are non-negative integers.
Solution. We see that a2 − b, b2 − c, c2 − a are perfect squares.

Namely,
a2 − b = p2 ; b2 − c = q 2 ; c2 − a = r 2 .
There are two cases:
Case 1. b = 0. We derive that b = c = 0. Thus (a, b, c) = (0, 0, 0) is
unique solution.
Case 2. a, b, c 6= 0. We have a2 − b ≤ (a − 1)2 = a2 − 2a + 1.
This implies b ≥ 2a − 1. Similarly, we can prove that c ≥ 2b − 1,
and a ≥ 2c − 1. Combining three above inequalities we deduce
a + b + c ≤ 3. By simple computation we obtain (a, b, c) = (1, 1, 1).
Question 11. Let S denote a square of the side-length 7, and

let eight squares of the side-length 3 be given. Show that S can be
covered by those eight small squares.
Solution. Figure 2.6 is a solution.
Question 12. Does there exist a sequence of 2017 consecutive

integers which contains exactly 17 primes?
Solution. It is easy to see that there are more than 17 primes in

the sequence of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . , 2017. Precisely, there are 306
primes in that sequence. Remark that if the sequence
k + 1, k + 2, . . . , k + 2017
was changed by the sequence
k, k + 1, . . . , k + 2016,
then the numbers of primes in the latter and former sequences are
either equal, more or less by 1. In what follows, we say such change
a back-shift with 1-step. First moment, we consider the sequence of
2017 consecutive integers:
2018! + 2, 2018! + 3, . . . 2018! + 2018
which contain no prime. After 2018!+1 times back-shifts with 1-

step, we obtain the sequence
1, 2, 3, 4, . . . , 2017.
The last sequence has 306 primes, while the first sequence has no
prime. Reminding the above remark we conclude that there is a
moment in which the sequence contains exactly 17 primes.

a 4b 9c
M= + + .
Solution. Put
x := , y := , z := .
2 2 2
Then x, y, z > 0, and
a+b+c
x+y+z = = 6, a = y + z, b = z + x, c = x + y.
2
We have
y + z 4(z + x) 9(x + y)
M= + +
2x 2y 2z

1 y 4x z 9x 4z 9y
= + + + + +
2 x y x z y z
r r r !
1 y 4x z 9x 4z 9y
≥ 2 . +2 . +2 . = 11.
2 x y x z x z
The equality occurs in the above if and only if

 y 4x
 =
 x y



z 9x
=
 x z
 4z = 9y ,



y z
or 
 y = 2x

z = 3x

2z = 3y.

Since x+y+z = 6 we receive x = 1, y = 2, z = 3. Thus min S = 11

if and only if (a, b, c) = 5, 4, 3 .
Question 14. Given trapezoid ABCD with bases AB k CD

(AB < CD). Let O be the intersection of AC and BD. Two
straight lines from D and C are perpendicular to AC and BD
intersect at E, i.e. CE ⊥ BD and DE ⊥ AC. By analogy, AF ⊥
BD and BF ⊥ AC. Are three points E, O, F located on the same
line?
Solution. Since E is the orthocenter of triangle ODC, and F is

the orthocenter of triangle OAB we see that OE is perpendicular
to CD, and OF is perpendicular to AB. As AB is parallel to CD,
we conclude that E, O, F are straightly lined.
Question 15. Show that an arbitrary quadrilateral can be divided

into nine isosceles triangles.
Solution. Remark that a quadrilateral can be divided into two

triangles. Therefore, it suffices to cut an arbitrary triangle into for
and five isosceles triangles. Figures 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9 shows some
solution.

2.2 Senior section

(A): 938; (B): 940; (C): 1634; (D): 1638; (E): None of the
above.
Solution. We find the sum of all positive intergers less than 50
and subtract the sum of multiples of 3 between 0 and 50:
50 × 49 16 × 17
−3 = 1225 − 408 = 817.
2 2
Hence the sum of all even positive intergers less than 100 those are
not divisible by 3 is
2 × 817 = 1634.
Answer: C.

√ √ √ √
(A): 5 3; (B): 6 3; (C): 7 3; (D): 8 3; (E): None of the
above.
Solution. Let a, S be the length and area of the hexagon. Then
the equilateral triangle has side-length 2a. We subdivide the hexagon
into 6 small equilateral of side-length a then each of them must have
S
area . Since the equilateral triangle of side-length 2a has twice
6
the base and twice the altitude of the smaller triangle, it must have
S √ √
4 times the area. Hence 4 = 4 3, it follows S = 6 3.
6
Answer: B.
Question 3. Suppose that a > b > c > 1. One of solutions of the

equation
(x − a)(x − b) (x − b)(x − c) (x − c)(x − a)

+ + =x
(c − a)(c − b) (a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a)
is
(A): -1; (B): -2; (C): 0; (D): 1; (E): None of the above.
Solution. From the identity
(x − a)(x − b) (x − b)(x − c) (x − c)(x − a)

+ + ≡ 1,
(c − a)(c − b) (a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a)
it follows x = 1 is a solution of the equation.

Answer: D.
a + b + c = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = m (mod 27)
then m is
Solution. - If a, b, c have three different remainder terms modulo
3 then a+b+c is divisible by 3 but a−b, b−c, c−a are not divisible
by 3.
- If a, b, c have two different remainder terms modulo 3 then a +
b+c is not divisible by 3 but one of three differences a−b, b−c, c−a
are divisible by 3. It follows the product (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) is
divisble by 3.
- Hence, three numbers a, b, c have the same remainder terms,
i.e. a = 3p + s, b = 3q + s, c = 3r + s with s ∈ {0, 1, 2}, p, q, r are
natural numbers.
Hence, a − b = 3(p − q), b − c = 3(q − r), c − a = 3(r − p) and
then (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = 0 (mod 27).
Answer: A.

Solution. We have 2017 = 7 (mod 10) and 20172017 = 74×504+1

(mod 10) = 7 (mod 10). On the other hand, 2015 = 4×503+3 = 3
(mod 4) and 2013 = 3 (mod 10) and then 20132015 = 34×503+3 = 7
(mod 10).
Hence, the last digit of number 20172017 − 20132015 is 0.
Answer: E.

Prove that
1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .
Solution. The constraint can be written as
(a − bc)2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 − c2 ). (2.20)
Using the Cauchy inequality, we have
(a + bc)2 ≤ (|a| + |bc|)2 ≤ (1 + |b||c|)2 ≤ (1 + b2 )(1 + c2 ).
Multiplying by (2.20), we get
(a − bc)2 (a + bc)2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 + b2 )(1 − c2 )(1 + c2 )
⇔ (a2 − b2 c2 )2 ≤ (1 − b2 )(1 + b2 )(1 − c2 )(1 + c2 )

⇔ (a2 − b2 c2 )2 ≤ (1 − b4 )((1 − c4 )
⇔ 1 + 2a2 b2 c2 ≥ a4 + b4 + c4 .
x4 = 2x2 + [x], (2.21)

Solution. We have
(2.21) ⇔ [x] = x2 x2 − 2

√ √
Consider the case x2 ≤ 2, then − 2 ≤ x ≤ 2 and [x] ≤ 0. It
follows [x] ∈ {−1; 0} .
If [x] = 0, then from (2.21) we find x = 0 as a solution.
If [x] = −1, then from (2.21) we find x = −1 as a solution.
Now we suppose that x2 > 2. It follows from (2.21), [x] > 0 and
√ [x] 1
then x > 2. Hence x2 (x2 − 2) = ≤ 1 and x2 − 2 ≤ < 1. It
√ √ √ x x
follows x < 3, i.e. 2 < x < 3.
p √
It means that [x] = 1 and then x = 1 + 2 is a solution of
the equation.
(x + 1)3 (x − 2)3 + (x − 1)3 (x + 2)3 = 8(x2 − 2)3 . (2.22)

Solution. Rewrite equation (2.22) in the form

(x2 − x − 2)3 + (x2 + x − 2)3 = (2x2 − 4)3 . (2.23)
Factoring the sum of cubes on the right side of the equation (2.20),
we find that one √factor is (2x2 − 4), thus, two solutions of the
equation is x = ± 2.
Now we rewrite the equation (2.23) as
(x2 − x − 2)3 = (2x2 − 4)3 − (x2 + x − 2)3 . (2.24)
Factoring the difference of cubes on the left side of the equation
(2.2.1), we find that one factor is (x2 − x − 2), thus, two solution
of the equation is x = −1, x = 2.
Finally, we rewrite (2.23) as
(x2 + x − 2)3 = (2x2 − 4)3 − (x2 − x − 2)3 .
Factoring again, we see that one factor is (x2 + x − 2). Thus, two
solutions of the equation are x = 1, x = −2..
Since the left hand side of the equation
8(x2 − 2)3 − (x + 1)3 (x − 2)3 − (x − 1)3 (x + 2)3 = 0
is a polynomial of degree 6, then it has at most 6 roots, and we
have them. Hence,
8(x2 −2)3 −(x+1)3 (x−2)3 −(x−1)3 (x+2)3 = 6(x2 −2)(x2 −1)(x2 −4).

that
a3 + b3 + c3 + 2[(ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ] ≥ 3(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a).
Solution. Asume that a = max{a, b, c} then a ≥ b ≥ c > 0 or

a ≥ c ≥ b > 0 and
a3 +b3 +c3 −(a2 b+b2 c+c2 a) = (a−b)(a2 −c2 )+(b−c)(b2 −c2 ) ≥ 0.
Hence
a3 + b3 + c3 ≥ a2 b + b2 c + c2 a. (2.25)
Since
1 n1 1 1o
= max , , ,
c a b c
and
1 n1 1 1o
= max , , ,
b a b c
we have
1 1 1 1 1 1
3
+ 3+ 3 ≥ 2 + 2 + 2 .
c b a cb ba ac
By abc = 1, this can be written as
(ab)3 + (bc)3 + (ca)3 ≥ a2 b + b2 c + c2 a. (2.26)
(2.25) and (2.26) together imply the proposed inequality.

Solution. We have OJ = OD = OG = radius of the circle. Let
the sides of ∆ABC be a, b, c. We have
a 2 b 2 1
OJ 2 = OM 2 + M J 2 = b + + = b2 + ab + (a2 + b2 );
2 2 4
b 2 a 2 1
OD2 = ON 2 + N D2 = a + + = a2 + ab + (a2 + b2 );
2 2 4
c 2 5
OG2 = OL2 + LG2 = c2 + = c2
2 4
5 2 1
= (a + b2 ) = a2 + b2 + (a2 + b2 ).
4 4
Comparing these right-hand sides, we get
b2 + ab = a2 + ab = a2 + b2 ⇔ a = b.
It means that the given triangle with the desired property is the
1 √
isosceles right triangle and then ab = 9 ⇔ a = b = 3 2, c = 6
2
units.
Question 11. Given a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Let O be the

intersection point of diagonals AC and BD and let I, K, H be feet
Solution. Draw AE⊥BD (E ∈ BD). We have
BI × AD AE × BD
SABD = = .
2 2
Then BI × AD = AE × BD. It follows
BI × AD ≤ AO × BD (AE ≤ AO),
and
AO
BI.AD ≤ AC × BD × .
AC
Moreover, we have OK k CH, then
AO OK
= ,
AC CH
and
OK
BI × AD ≤ AC × BD × .
CH
Therefore,
BI × AD × CH ≤ AC × BD × OK.
The equality holds if quadrilateral ABCD has two perpendicu-

lar diagonals.
Question 12. Give an isosceles triangle ABC at A. Draw ray Cx

being perpendicular to CA, BE perpendicular to Cx (E ∈ Cx).
Let M be the midpoint of BE, and D be the intersection point of
AM and Cx. Prove that BD ⊥ BC
Solution. Let K be intersection point of DB and AC.
Since BE⊥CD; CK⊥CD then BE k CK.
In ∆DAC we see M E k AC so
ME DM
= (2.27)
AC AD
In ∆DAK we see M B k AK so
MB DM
= . (2.28)
AK AD
ME MB
From (2.27) and (2.28), we get = . This and equality
AC AK
M B = M E together imply
CK
AK = AC = AB and then BA = .
2
CK
Note that BA is a median line ∆BKC and BA = then
2
∆BKC is a right triangle at B. Hence BD⊥BC.
Question 13. Let m be given odd number, and let a, b denote

the roots of equation x2 + mx − 1 = 0 and c = a2014 + b2014 , d =
a2015 + b2015 . Prove that c and d are relatively prime numbers.
Solution. Since a2 + ma − 1 = 0 then a 6= 0 and
an+2 = −man+1 + an ∀n ∈ N.
Similarly, bn+2 = −mbn+1 + bn ; ∀n ∈ N.

Hence, the sequence xn , n ∈ N are defined as
(
x0 = 2, x1 = −m
xn+2 = −mxn+1 + xn ∀n ∈ N.
It is easy to see all xn are integers. Hence, c, d are integers.

Now we prove (xn ; xn+1 ) = 1 for every n ∈ N.
For n = 0, x0 = 2 and m is odd then (x0 ; x1 ) = (2; −m) = 1.
Suppose that (xk ; xk+1 ) = 1 for k ≥ 0 and (xk+1 ; xk+2 ) > 1. Let
p be a prime factor of xk+1 and xk+2 , then from xk = xk+2 + mxk+1 ,
it follows p is a prime factor of xk . It means that p | (xk ; xk+1 ) = 1,
absurd. Hence (xk+1 ; xk+2 ) = 1 and (c, d) = 1.
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy.
Solution. We have
2xy 2 + x + y + 1 = x2 + 2y 2 + xy
⇔ 2y 2 (x − 1) − y(x − 1) − x(x − 1) = −1
⇔ (x − 1)(2y 2 − y − x) = −1
Since x; y are integers then x − 1 and 2y 2 − y − x are divisors of -1.

Case 1. We have
(
x−1=1
2y 2 − y − x = −1.
Equivalently, either (
x=2
y = 1,
or 
x = 2
1
y = − (absurd)
2
- Case 2. We have
(
x − 1 = −1
2y 2 − y − x = 1.
This implies that (

x=0
y = 1,
or 
x = 0
1
2
Hence, all integral pairs (x; y) are (2; 1); (0 ; 1).
Question 15. Let the numbers a, b, c, d satisfy the relation
a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 ≤ 12.
Determine the maximum value of
M = 4(a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 ) − (a4 + b4 + c4 + d4 ).
Solution. Note that x2 (x−2)2 ≥ 0 for each real x. This inequality

can be rewritten as 4x3 − x4 ≤ 4x2 . It follows that
(4a3 −a4 )+(4b3 −b4 )+(4c3 −c4 )+(4d3 −d4 ) ≤ 4(a2 +b2 +c2 +d2 ) = 48,
The equality holds for
(a, b, c, d) = (2, 2, 2, 0).(2, 2, 0, 2), (2, 0, 2, 2), (0, 2, 2, 2).
Hence, max M = 48.
Question 1. How many are there 10-digit numbers composed

from the digits 1, 2, 3 only and in which, two neighbouring digits
differ by 1.
Anwser. (B).
Solution. We solve the problem by counting the numbers satis-

fying the condition, starting from 1-digit, 2-digit, 3-digit numbers
Digit 1 2 3 4
1 12 121 1212
2 21 123 1232
3 23 212 2121
32 232 2123
.
321 2321
323 2323
3212
P 3232
3 4 6 8
We can see that a number ending by 2 in previous column gen-

erates 2 numbers for next column (we can add 1 or 3 at the end),
but a number ending by 1 or 3 generate 1 number for next column
(we can add only 2 at the end). From this, we can make a table.
The first row is number of digits, the second row is the number
of k-digit numbers satisfying the condition and ending with 1, 3, the
third row is the number of k-digit numbers satisfying the condition
and ending with 2.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 2 4 4 8 8 16 16 32 32 .
1 2 2 4 4 8 8 16 16 32
Answer: 64.
Question 2. Given an array of numbers
A = (672, 673, 674, . . . , 2016)
on table. Three arbitrary numbers a, b, c ∈ A are step by step re-

1
placed by number min(a, b, c). After 672 times, on the table there
3
is only one number m, such that
(A): 0 < m < 1 (B): m = 1 (C): 1 < m < 2 (D): m = 2

Anwser. (A).
Solution. Note that

1 1 1 3 1
+ + ≤ = .
a b c min{a, b, c} 1
min{a, b, c}
3
So after each operation, the sum of all inverse elements of A is non
decreasing. On the other hand, for every positive integer n, we have
1 1 1
S := + + ··· + > 1.
n n+1 3n
Indeed,
n n
1 X 1 1 1 X 4n
S= + + = +
2n k=1 2n − k 2n + k 2n k=1 4n2 − k 2
n
1 X1 1 n
> + > + > 1.
2n k=1 n 2n n
1
Hence, if on the table there is one number m then > 1, i.e.
m
0 < m < 1.
Question 3. Given two positive numbers a, b such that the con-

dition a3 +b3 = a5 +b5 , then the greatest value of M = a2 +b2 −ab is
1 1
4 2
Anwser. (D).
Solution. We have
ab(a2 − b2 )2 ≥ 0
⇔ 2a3 b3 ≤ ab5 + a5 b
⇔ (a3 + b3 )2 ≤ (a + b)(a5 + b5 ).
Combining this and the fact that a3 + b3 = a5 + b5 , we find
a3 + b3 ≤ a + b ⇔ a2 + b2 − ab ≤ 1.
The equality holds if a = 1, b = 1.
Question 4. In Zoo, a monkey becomes lucky if he eats three

make lucky having 20 oranges, 30 bananas, 40 peaches and 50 tan-
gerines? Justify your answer.
Anwser. (D).
Solution. First we leave tangerines on a side. We have 20 + 30

+ 40 = 90 fruites. As we feed the happy monkey is not more than
one tangerine, each monkey eats fruits of these 90 at least 2.
Hence, the monkeys are not more than 90/2 = 45. We will show
how you can bring happiness to 45 monkeys:
5 monkeys eat: orange, banana, tangerine;
15 monkeys eat: orange, peach, tangerine;
25 monkeys eat peach, banana, tangerine.
At all 45 lucky monkeys - and left five unused tangerines!

4y 2 + y and (x − y) is equal to
(A): 2013 (B): 2014 (C): 2015 (D): 2016

Anwser. (E). Since x − y is a square.
Solution. We have 3x2 +x = 4y 2 +y ⇔ (x−y)(3x+3y +1) = y 2 .

We prove that (x − y; 3x + 3y + 1) = 1.
Indeed, if d = (x − y; 3x + 3y + 1) then y 2 is divisible by d2 and
y is divisible by d; x is divisible by d, i.e. 1 is divisible by d, i.e.
d = 1.
Since x − y and 3x + 3y + 1 are prime relative then x − y is a
perfect square.
Question 6. Let A consist of 16 elements of the set
{1, 2, 3, . . . , 106},
so that the difference of two arbitrary elements in A are different

from 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21. Prove that there are two elements of A for
which their difference equals to 3.
Solution. Divide numbers 1, 2, . . . , 106 into three groups X =

{1, 4, 7, . . . , 106}, Y = {2, 5, 8, . . . , 104} and Z = {3, 6, 9, . . . , 105}.
A has 16 elements, so one of the sets X, Y, Z contains at least
6 numbers from A. Without loss of generality, let X contains 6
numbers from A. Let they be 1 ≤ a1 < a2 < · · · < a6 ≤ 106. Since
105 ≥ a6 −a1 = (a6 −a5 )+(a5 −a4 )+(a4 −a3 )+(a3 −a2 )+(a2 −a1 ),
there is an index i for which 0 < ai+1 − ai ≤ 21.

By the choice of X, ai+1 − ai is multiple of 3, so ai+1 − ai ∈
{3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21}.
Finally, apply the given condition, it follows that ai+1 − ai = 3,
which was to be proved.

triangles are there with 3 vertices at these points?
Solution. We divide the triangles into two types:

Type 1: Two vertices lie in one horizontal line, the third vertex
lies in another horizontal lines.
For this type we have 3 possibilities of choosing the first line, 2
possibilities of choosing the 2-nd line. In total we have 3×2×3×3 =
54 triangles of first type.
Type 2: Three vertices lie in distinct horizontal lines.
We have 3 × 3 × 3 triangles of these type. But we should remove
degenerated triangles from them. There are 5 of those (3 vertical
lines and two diagonals). So, we have 27 - 5 = 22 triangles of this
type.
Total, we have 54 + 22 = 76 triangles.

For those students who know about Cnk this problem can be also
solved as C93 − 8 where 8 is the number of degenerated triangles.
Question 8. Determine all 3-digit numbers which are equal to

cube of the sum of all its digits.
Solution. Let abc, where a, b, c ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, a 6= 0

and abc = (a + b + c)3 .
3
√
3
√ Note that 100 ≤ (a + b + c) ≤ 999 and 100 ≤ a + b + c ≤
3
999. Hence 5 ≤ a + b + c ≤ 9.
If a+b+c = 5 then abc = (a + b + c)3 =53 = 125 and a+b+c = 8
(not suitable).
(not suitable).
If a + b + c = 7 then abc = (a + b + c)3 =73 = 343 and a + b + c =
10 (not suitable).
(suitable).
If a + b + c = 9 then abc = (a + b + c)3 =93 = 729 and a + b + c =
18 (not suitable).
Conclusion: abc = 512.
Question 9. Let rational numbers a, b, c satisfy the conditions

a + b + c = a2 + b2 + c2 ∈ Z.
Prove that there exist two relative prime numbers m, n such that
m2
abc = 3 .
n
Solution. Put a + b + c = a2 + b2 + c2 = t.
We have 3 (a2 + b2 + c2 ) ≥ (a + b + c)2 , then t ∈ [0; 3] .
Since t ∈ Z then t ∈ {0; 1; 2; 3} .
0
If t = 0 then a = b = c = 0 and abc = 0 = .
1
If t = 3 then
(a − 1) + (b − 1) + (c − 1) = (a − 1)2 + (b − 1)2 + (c − 1)2 = 0.
12
That follows a = b = c = 1 and abc = 1 = .
13
If t = 1. Without loss of generality, assume that c > 0;
m1 m2 m3
a= ;b = ;c = ; d = |n1 n2 n3 | .
n1 n2 n3
Put 
 x = ad
y = bd
z = cd.

We have x; y; z ∈ Z and z > 0. Moreover,

(
x + y + z = d (a + b + c) = d
x2 + y 2 + z 2 = d2 (a2 + b2 + c2 ) = d2
It follows
xy + yz + zx = 0 ⇔ (z + x) (z + y) = z 2 = c2 d2 .
Hence, there exist r; p; q ∈ Z∗ such that
x + z = rp2 ; y + z = rq 2 ; z = |r| qp; (p; q) = 1; p; q ∈ Z∗ .
On the other hand d = x + y + z = r (p2 + q 2 ) − |r| pq > 0 then

r > 0.
Hence, 
y = rq (q − p)

x = rp (p − q)

z = rpq.

Equivalently,
[pq(p − q)]2
abc = − .
(p2 + q 2 − pq)3
We shall prove that (pq(p − q); p2 + q 2 − pq) = 1.
Suppose s = (pq (p − q) ; p2 + q 2 − pq) ; s > 1 then s|pq (p − q) .
Case 1. Let s|p. Since s| (p2 + q 2 − pq) then s|q and s = 1 (not
suitable).
Case 2. Let s|q. Similarly, we find s = 1 (not suitable).
2 2 2
Case 3. If s| (p − q) then s|(p − q) − (p + q − pq) ⇒ s|pq
s|p
⇒ (not suitable).
s|q
If t = 2 then a + b + c = a2 + b2 + c2 = 2.
We reduce it to the case where t = 1, which was to be proved.

Solution. From equality
2015a2 + a = 2016b2 + b.
we find a ≥ b.
√
If a = b, then a = b = 0 and a − b = 0.
If a > b, we have
b2 = 2015(a2 − b2 ) + (a − b) ⇔ b2 = (a − b)(2015a + 2015b + 1).
Let (a, b) = d then a = md; b = nd, where (m, n) = 1. Since a > b

then m > n; and put m − n = t > 0.
Let (t, n) = u then n is divisible by u; t is divisible by u and m
is divisible by u. That follows u = 1 and then (t, n) = 1.
By b = nd; a − b = td, we find
n2 d = t(2015dt + 4030dn + 1).
Hence, n2 d is divisible by t and compaire with (t, n) = 1, it follows d

is divisible by t. Moreover, we have n2 d = 2015dt2 +4030dnt+t and
then t = n2 d−2015dt2 −4030dnt. Hence t = d(n2 −2015t2 −4030nt),
i.e. t is divisible by d, i.e. t = d and then a − b = td = d2 and
√
a − b = d is a natural number.
Question 11. Let I be the incenter of triangle ABC and ω be

its circumcircle. Let the line AI intersect ω at point D 6= A. Let
F and E be points on side BC and arc BDC respectively such
1
that ∠BAF = ∠CAE < ∠BAC. Let X be the second point of
2
intersection of line EI with ω and T be the point of intersection of

segment DX with line AF . Prove that T F.AD = ID.AT .
Solution. Let the line AF intersect ω at point K 6= A and L be

the foot of the bisector of angle BAC. Since ∠BAK = ∠CAE we
_ _
have BK = CE, hence KE k BC. Notice that ∠IAT = ∠DAK =
∠EAD = ∠IXT , so the points I, A, X, T are concyclic. Hence,
∠IT A = ∠IXA = ∠EXA = ∠EKA, so IT k KE k BC. There-
TF IL
fore, = .
AT AI
IL CL
Since CI is bisector of ∠ACL, we get = . Furthermore,
AI AC
1
∠DCL = ∠DCB = ∠DAB = ∠CAD = ∠BAC. Hence, the
2
CL DC
triangles DCL and DCA are similar. Therefore, = .
AC AD
Finally, we have ∠DIC = ∠IAC + ∠ICA = ∠ICL + ∠LCD =
DC
∠ICD. It follows DIC is a isosceles triangle at D. Hence =
AD
ID
.
AD
Summarizing all these equalities, we get
TF IL CL DC ID
= = = = ,
AT AI AC AD AD
or
TF ID
= , and T F.AD = ID.AT,
AT AD
as desired.
Question 12. Let A be point inside the acute angle xOy. An

arbitrary circle ω passes through O, A; intersecting Ox and Oy
at the second intersection B and C, respectively. Let M be the
midpoint of BC. Prove that M is always on a fixed line (when ω
changes, but always goes through O and A).
Solution. Let (Ox ), (Oy ) be circles passing throught O, A and

tangent to Ox, Oy, respectively. Circle (Ox ) intersects the ray Oy
at D, distinct from O and circle (Oy ) intersects the ray Ox at
E, distinct from O. Let N and P be midpoint of OE and OD,
respectively. Then N, P are fixed. We’ll show that M, N, P are
NO P O
collinear. For this, it is sufficient to prove that =
NB P C
Since (Ox ) is tangent to Ox, ∠ADC = ∠AOB. Since OBAC

is cyclic, ∠ABO = ∠ACD. So triangles AOB, ADC are similar.
AB OB
Therefore = (1)
AC DC
BE AB
Similarly, 4ABE v 4ACO, so = (2)
CO AC
From (1) and (2), we deduce that
OB BE OB CD
= ⇒ =
CD OC BE OC
Hence
OE OD
= ,
BE OC
ON OP
= ,
BE OC
ON ON OP OP
= = = .
NB BE − N O OC − OP CP
It follows, if N P intersects BC at M, then
MB P C NO
· · =1
MC P O NB
MB
(by Menelaus’ Theorem in triangle OBC) conclusion = 1, it
MC
follows N P passes through M is midpoint of BC.
Question 13. Find all triples (a, b, c) of real numbers such that
|2a + b| ≥ 4 and
|ax2 + bx + c| ≤ 1 ∀x ∈ [−1, 1].
Solution. From the assumptions, we have |f (±1)| ≤ 1, |f (0)| ≤ 1

and 
f (1) = a + b + c

f (−1) = a − b + c

f (0) = c

Equivalently,
1


 a = [f (1) + f (−1)] − f (0)

 2
1
b = [f (1) − f (−1)]


 2
c = f (0)
That follows
1
4 ≤ |2a + b| = [f (1) + f (−1)] − 2f (0) + [f (1) − f (−1)]

2
3 1
= f (1) + f (−1) − 2f (0)

2 2
3 1 3 1
≤ |f (1)| + |f (−1)| + 2|f (0)| ≤ + + 2 = 4.
2 2 2 2
Hence |2a + b| = 4. Therefore,

|f (1)| = |a + b + c| = 1

|f (−1)| = |a − b + c| = 1

|f (0)| = |c| = 1.

Equivalently,
(a, b, c) = (2, 0, −1)
(a, b, c) = (−2, 0, 1)
It is easely seen that both two triples (2, 0, −1) and (−2, 0, 1) satisfy
the required conditions.
Question 14. Let f (x) = x2 + px + q, where p, q are integers.

Prove that there is an integer m such that
f (m) = f (2015).f (2016).
Solution. We shall prove that

f [f (x) + x] = f (x)f (x + 1). (1)
Indeed, we have
f [f (x) + x] = [f (x) + x]2 + p[f (x) + x] + q
= f 2 (x) + 2f (x).x + x2 + pf (x) + px + q
= f (x)[f (x) + 2x + p] + x2 + px + q
= f (x)[f (x) + 2x + p] + f (x)
= f (x)[f (x) + 2x + p + 1]
= f (x)[x2 + px + q + 2x + p + 1]
= f (x)[(x + 1)2 + p(x + 1) + q]
= f (x)f (x + 1),
which proves (1).

Putting m := f (2015) + 2015 gives
f (m) = f [f (2015)+2015] = f (2015)f (2015+1) = f (2015)f (2016),
as desired.
Question 15. Let a, b, c be real numbers satisfying the condition

18ab + 9ca + 29bc = 1.
Find the minimum value of the expression
T = 42a2 + 34b2 + 43c2 .
Solution. We have
T −2(18ab + 9ca + 29bc) =
= (5a − 3b)2 + (4a − 3c)2 + (4b − 5c)2 + (a − 3b + 3c)2
≥ 0, ∀a, b, c ∈ R.
That follows T ≥ 2. The equality occures if and only if


 5a − 3b = 0

4a − 3c = 0



4b − 5c = 0

a − 3b + 3c = 0





18ab + 9ca + 29bc = 1.
Equivalently, 
5a − 3b = 0


4a − 3c = 0


 4b − 5c = 0

18ab + 9ca + 29bc = 1,
and (
a = 3t, b = 5t, c = 4t
(18 × 15 + 9 × 12 + 29 × 20)t2 = 1.
We thus have
±3 ±5 ±4
a= √ , b= √ , c= √ .
958 958 958

3 2
P (x) = x − 4x − 3x + 2. The sum |x1 | + |x2 | + |x3 | is
Solution. The solution is (B).
2x − y 2 = 4?

Solution. The solution is (A).
Question 3. The number of real triples (x, y, z) that satisfy the
equation
x4 + 4y 4 + z 4 + 4 = 8xyz
is
Solution. The solution is (E).
Question 4. Let a, b, c be three distinct positive numbers. Con-
sider the quadratic polynomial
c(x − a)(x − b) a(x − b)(x − c) b(x − c)(x − a)

P (x) = + + + 1.
(c − a)(c − b) (a − b)(a − c) (b − c)(b − a)
The value of P (2017) is

Solution. The solution is (D).

Question 5. Write 2017 following numbers on the blackboard:
1008 1007 1 1 2 1007 1008
− ,− ,...,− , 0, , ,..., , .
1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008
One processes some steps as: erase two arbitrary numbers x, y on

the blackboard and then write on it the number x + 7xy + y. After
2016 steps, there is only one number. The last one on the black-
board is
1 1 144
(A): − (B): 0 (C): (D): − (E): None of the
1008 1008 1008
above.
Solution. The solution is (D).
Question 6. Find all pairs of integers a, b such that the following

system of equations has a unique integral solution (x, y, z)
(
x+y =a−1
x(y + 1) − z 2 = b.
Solution. Write the given system in the form

(
x+y+1=a
(∗)
x(y + 1) − z 2 = b.
System (*) is symmetric by x, y + 1 and is reflect in z at 0 then the

necessary condition for (*) to have a unique solution is (x, y+1, z) =
(t, t, 0). Putting this in (*), we find a2 = 4b. Conversely, if a2 = 4b
then
(x − (y + 1))2 + 4z 2 = (x + y + 1)2 + 4z 2 − 4x(y + 1) = a2 − 4b = 0.
This implies the system has a unique solution

a a
(x, y + 1, z) = , ,0 .
2 2
Question 7. Let two positive integers x, y satisfy the condition

.
x2 + y 2 .. 44. Determine the smallest value of T = x3 + y 3 .
.
Solution. By the assumption we have x2 + y 2 .. 11. One can prove
. .
that x .. 11 and y .. 11. Due to limitted space we left the proof
for the reader. In other side, by the assumption we have x and

y are even. Hence, x ≡ 0 (mod 22) and y ≡ 0 (mod 22). Thus,
min A = (22)3 + (22)3 = 21296.

a 4b 9c
M= + + .
Solution. Let x = ,y = ,z = then
2 2 2
a+b+c
x, y, z > 0 and x + y + z = = 6, a = y + z, b = z + x, c =
2
x + y. We have
y + z 4(z + x) 9(x + y)
M= + +
2x 2y 2z

1 y 4x z 9x 4z 9y
= + + + + +
2 x y x z y z
r r r !
1 y 4x z 9x 4z 9y
≥ 2 . +2 . +2 . = 11.
2 x y x z y z
The equality yields if and only if

 y 4x
 =
x y



z 9x

=
 x z

 4z 9y
= .


y z
Equivelently, 
 y = 2x

z = 3x

2z = 3y.

By simple computation we receivex = 1, y = 2, z = 3. Therefore,

min S = 11 when (a, b, c) = 5, 4, 3 .
Question 9. Cut off a square carton by a straight line into two

pieces, then cut one of two pieces into two small pieces by a straight
line, ect. By cutting 2017 times we obtain 2018 pieces. We write
number 2 in every triangle, number 1 in every quadrilateral, and 0
in the polygons. Is the sum of all inserted numbers always greater
than 2017?
Solution. After 2017 cuts, we obtain 2018 n-convex polygons

with n ≥ 3. After each cut the total of all sides of those n-convex
polygons increases at most 4. We deduce that the total number of
sides of 2018 pieces is not greater than 4 × 2018. If the side of a
piece is kj , then the number inserted on it is greater or equal to
5 − kj . Therefore, the total of all inserted numbers on the pieces is
greater or equal to
X X
(5−kj ) = 5×2018− kj ≥ 5×2018−4×2018 = 2018 > 2017.
j j
The answer is positive.
Question 10. Consider all words constituted by eight letters

from {C, H, M, O}. We arrange the words in an alphabet sequence.
Precisely, the first word is CCCCCCCC, the second one is CCCCC-
CCH, the third is CCCCCCCM, the fourth one is CCCCCCCO,. . . ,
and the last word is OOOOOOOO.
a) Determine the 2017th word of the sequence?
b) What is the position of the word HOMCHOMC in the se-
quence?
Solution. We can associate the letters C, H, M, O with four num-

bers 0, 1, 2, 3, respectively. Thus, the arrangement of those words
as a dictionary is equivalent to arrangement of those numbers in-
creasing.
a) Number 2017 in quaternary is {133201}4 = {00133201}4 ∼
CCHOOM CH.
b) The word HOM CHOM C is corresponding to the num-
ber {13201320}4 which means the number 13201320 in quaternary.
Namely,
{13201320}4 = 47 +3×46 +2×45 +0×44 +1×43 +3×42 +2×4+0.
A simple computation gives {13201320}4 = 30840. Thus, the word

HOM CHOM C is 30840th in the sequence.
Question 11. Let ABC be an equilateral triangle, and let P stand

for an arbitrary point inside the triangle. Is it true that

P AB − P AC ≥ P BC − P CB ?
[ [ \ \

Solution. If P lies on the symmetric straightline Ax of ∆ABC,
then
P AB − P AC = P BC − P CB .
[ [ \ \
We should consider other cases. Let P 0 denote the symmetric point

of P with respect to Ax. The straightline P P 00 intersects AB and
AC at M and N, respectively. Choose B 0 that is symmetric point
of B with respect to M N. Then

\0
P AB − P AC = P AP ,
[ [
and
\ \ \0
P BC − P CB B0P 0.
= P BP = P\
We will prove that
P
\ AP 0 ≥ P\
B0P 0. (∗)
Indeed, consider the circumscribed circle (O) of the equilateral tri-
angle AM N. Since
M
\ B0N = M
\ BN ≤ M
\ BC = M
\ AN = 600 ,
B 0 is outside (O). Consider the circumscribed circle (O0 ) of the
equilateral triangle AP P 0 . It is easy to see that (O0 ) inside (O), by
which B 0 is outside (O0 ). Hence, P \AP 0 ≥ P\ B 0 P 0 . The inequality
(*) is proved.
Question 12. Let (O) denote a circle with a chord AB, and let W
be the midpoint of the minor arc AB. Let C stand for an arbitrary
point on the major arc AB. The tangent to the circle (O) at C
meets the tangents at A and B at points X and Y, respectively.
The lines W X and W Y meet AB at points N and M , respectively.
Does the length of segment N M depend on position of C?
Solution. Let T be the common point of AB and CW . Consider

circle (Q) touching XY at C and touching AB at T .
Since
1 _ 1 _
ACW
\ =W \ AT = AW = W B
2 2
and AW\ T = CW
\ A, we obtain that ∆AW T, ∆CW A are similar
triangles. Then
W A2 = W T × W C.
It is easy to see that W X is the radical axis of A and (Q), thus
it passes through the midpoint N of segment AT . Similarly, W Y
passes through the midpoint M of segment BT . We deduce M N =
AB
.
2
Question 13. Let ABC be a triangle. For some d > 0 let P stand
for a point inside the triangle such that
|AB| − |P B| ≥ d, and |AC| − |P C| ≥ d.
Is the following inequality true
|AM | − |P M | ≥ d,
for any position of M ∈ BC?
Solution. Note that AM always intersects P B or P C of ∆P BC.

Without loss of generality, assume that AM has common point
with P B. Then ABM P is a convex quadrilateral with diagonals
AM and P B.
It is known that for every convex quadrilateral, we have
|AM | + |P B| ≥ |AB| + |P M |,
that follows
|AM | − |P M | ≥ |AB| − |P B| ≥ d.
Question 14. Put
P = m2003 n2017 − m2017 n2003 , where m, n ∈ N.
a) Is P divisible by 24?
b) Do there exist m, n ∈ N such that P is not divisible by 7?
Solution. We have
P = m2003 n2013 n14 − m14 ) = m2003 n2013 n7 − m7 ) n7 + m7 ).
It is easy to prove P is divisible by 8, and by 3.

b) It suffices to chose m, n such that the remainders of those
divided by 7 are not 0 and distinct. For instance, m = 2 and n = 1.
Question 15. Let S denote a square of side-length 7, and let eight

squares with side-length 3 be given. Show that it is impossible
to cover S by those eight small squares with the condition: an
arbitrary side of those (eight) squares is either coincided, parallel,
or perpendicular to others of S.
Solution. For convenient, ABCD is denoted by the square S.

Let M, N, P, Q be the midpoints of sides of S, and O be the center
of ABCD. Consider nine points: A, B, C, D, M, N, P, Q, O. Each
square of the side-length 3 satisfied the condition cover at most one
of those nine points. The proof is complete.

Homc 2015-2017

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Homc 2015-2017

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chu Xuan Dung, Nguyen Minh Tuan

Nguyen Van Mau (editor-in-chief)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOMC’S

(FROM 2015 TO 2017)

1 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 7

2 Answers and Solutions 23

Founded in 2004 by the Hanoi Society of Mathematics, Hanoi

Hanoi Open Mathematics

1.1 Junior section

Question 2. The last digit of number 20172017 − 20132015 is

(A): 2; (B): 4; (C): 6; (D): 8; (E): None of the above.

a + b + c = (a − b)(b − c)(c − a) = m (mod 27)

where [x] is an integral part of x.

(2015x − 2014)3 = 8(x − 1)3 + (2013x − 2012)3 .

Question 9. Let a, b, c be positive numbers with abc = 1. Prove

Question 10. A right-angled triangle has property that, when

Question 11. Give a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Let O be the

Question 12. Give a triangle ABC with heights ha = 3 cm, hb = 7

x2 + y 2 − 2 (x + y)2 + (xy + 1)2 = 0.

Question 15. Let the numbers a, b, c satisfy the relation a2 + b2 +

1.1.2 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 2016

(A): 8 (B): 9 (C): 10 (D): 11 (E): None of the above.

Question 2. The number of all positive integers n such that

where s(n) is the sum of all digits of n, is

(A): 1 (B): 2 (C): 3 (D): 4 (E): None of the above.

Question 3. Given two positive numbers a, b such that a3 + b3 =

Question 4. A monkey in Zoo becomes lucky if he eats three

(A): 30 (B): 35 (C): 40 (D): 45 (E): None of the above.

Question 5. There are positive integers x, y such that 3x2 + x =

(A): 2013 (B): 2014 (C): 2015 (D): 2016

Question 6. Determine the smallest positive number a such that

Question 7. Nine points form a grid of size 3 × 3. How many

Question 8. Find all positive integers x, y, z such that

Question 9. Let x, y, z satisfy the following inequalities

Determine the greatest value of M = |x| + |y| + |z|.

Question 10. Let ha , hb , hc and r be the lengths of altitudes and

Question 12. In the trapezoid ABCD, AB k CD and the diag-

Question 13. Let H be orthocenter of the triangle ABC. Let

Question 14. Given natural

Question 15. Find all polynomials of degree 3 with integer coef-

1.1.3 Hanoi Open Mathematics Competition 2017

Question 1. Suppose x1 , x2 , x3 are the roots of polynomial

P (x) = x3 − 6x2 + 5x + 12.

The sum |x1 | + |x2 | + |x3 | is

(A): 1 (B): 2 (C): 3 (D): 4 (E): None of the above.

S = 21 + 35 + 49 + 513 + · · · + 5052013 + 5062017 .

The last digit of S is

Question 6. Find all triples of positive integers (m, p, q) such

Question 7. Determine two last digits of number

Question 8. Determine all real solutions x, y, z of the following

Question 9. Prove that the equilateral triangle of area 1 can be

are non-negative integers.

Question 13. Let a, b, c be the side-lengths of triangle ABC with

Question 14. Given trapezoid ABCD with bases AB k CD

1.2 Senior section

Question 2. A regular hexagon and an equilateral √ triangle have

Question 3. Suppose that a > b > c > 1. One of solutions of the

Question 4. Let a, b, c and m (0 ≤ m ≤ 26) be integers such that

Question 5. The last digit of number 20172017 − 20132015 is

Question 6. Let a, b, c ∈ [−1, 1] such that 1 + 2abc ≥ a2 + b2 + c2 .

Question 9. Let a, b, c be positive numbers with abc = 1. Prove

Question 10. A right-angled triangle has property that, when