Twelfth International Olympiad, 1970

1970/1.
Let M be a point on the side AB of ∆ABC. Let r1 , r2 and r be the radii
of the inscribed circles of triangles AM C, BM C and ABC. Let q1 , q2 and q
be the radii of the escribed circles of the same triangles that lie in the angle
ACB. Prove that
r1 r2 r
· = .
q1 q2 q
1970/2.
Let a, b and n be integers greater than 1, and let a and b be the bases of
two number systems. An−1 and An are numbers in the system with base a,
and Bn−1 and Bn are numbers in the system with base b; these are related as
follows:
An = xn xn−1 · · · x0 , An−1 = xn−1 xn−2 · · · x0 ,
Bn = xn xn−1 · · · x0 , Bn−1 = xn−1 xn−2 · · · x0 ,
xn 6= 0, xn−1 6= 0.
Prove:
An−1 Bn−1
< if and only if a > b.
An Bn
1970/3.
The real numbers a0 , a1 , ..., an , ... satisfy the condition:
1 = a0 ≤ a1 ≤ a2 ≤ · · · ≤ an ≤ · · · .
The numbers b1 , b2 , ..., bn , ... are defined by
n µ
X ¶
ak−1 1
bn = 1− √ .
k=1 ak ak
(a) Prove that 0 ≤ bn < 2 for all n.
(b) Given c with 0 ≤ c < 2, prove that there exist numbers a0 , a1 , ... with
the above properties such that bn > c for large enough n.
1970/4.
Find the set of all positive integers n with the property that the set {n, n +
1, n + 2, n + 3, n + 4, n + 5} can be partitioned into two sets such that the
product of the numbers in one set equals the product of the numbers in the
other set.
1970/5.
In the tetrahedron ABCD, angle BDC is a right angle. Suppose that the
foot H of the perpendicular from D to the plane ABC is the intersection of
the altitudes of ∆ABC. Prove that

(AB + BC + CA)2 ≤ 6(AD2 + BD2 + CD2 ).

For what tetrahedra does equality hold?

1970/6.
In a plane there are 100 points, no three of which are collinear. Consider all
possible triangles having these points as vertices. Prove that no more than
70% of these triangles are acute-angled.
Thirteenth International Olympiad, 1971
1971/1.
Prove that the following assertion is true for n = 3 and n = 5, and that it is
false for every other natural number n > 2 :
If a1 , a2 , ..., an are arbitrary real numbers, then
(a1 − a2 )(a1 − a3 ) · · · (a1 − an ) + (a2 − a1 )(a2 − a3 ) · · · (a2 − an )
+ · · · + (an − a1 )(an − a2 ) · · · (an − an−1 ) ≥ 0
1971/2.
Consider a convex polyhedron P1 with nine vertices A1 A2 , ..., A9 ; let Pi be
the polyhedron obtained from P1 by a translation that moves vertex A1 to
Ai (i = 2, 3, ..., 9). Prove that at least two of the polyhedra P1 , P2 , ..., P9 have
an interior point in common.
1971/3.
Prove that the set of integers of the form 2k − 3(k = 2, 3, ...) contains an
infinite subset in which every two members are relatively prime.
1971/4.
All the faces of tetrahedron ABCD are acute-angled triangles. We consider
all closed polygonal paths of the form XY ZT X defined as follows: X is a
point on edge AB distinct from A and B; similarly, Y, Z, T are interior points
of edges BCCD, DA, respectively. Prove:
(a) If 6 DAB + 6 BCD 6= 6 CDA + 6 ABC, then among the polygonal paths,
there is none of minimal length.
(b) If 6 DAB + 6 BCD = 6 CDA + 6 ABC, then there are infinitely many
shortest polygonal paths, their common length being 2AC sin(α/2), where
α = 6 BAC + 6 CAD + 6 DAB.
1971/5.
Prove that for every natural number m, there exists a finite set S of points
in a plane with the following property: For every point A in S, there are
exactly m points in S which are at unit distance from A.
1971/6.
Let A = (aij )(i, j = 1, 2, ..., n) be a square matrix whose elements are non-
negative integers. Suppose that whenever an element aij = 0, the sum of the
elements in the ith row and the jth column is ≥ n. Prove that the sum of
all the elements of the matrix is ≥ n2 /2.
Fourteenth International Olympiad, 1972
1972/1.
Prove that from a set of ten distinct two-digit numbers (in the decimal sys-
tem), it is possible to select two disjoint subsets whose members have the
same sum.
1972/2.
Prove that if n ≥ 4, every quadrilateral that can be inscribed in a circle can
be dissected into n quadrilaterals each of which is inscribable in a circle.
1972/3.
Let m and n be arbitrary non-negative integers. Prove that
(2m)!(2n)!
m0n!(m + n)!
is an integer. (0! = 1.)
1972/4.
Find all solutions (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 ) of the system of inequalities

(x21 − x3 x5 )(x22 − x3 x5 ) ≤ 0
(x22 − x4 x1 )(x23 − x4 x1 ) ≤ 0
(x23 − x5 x2 )(x24 − x5 x2 ) ≤ 0
(x24 − x1 x3 )(x25 − x1 x3 ) ≤ 0
(x25 − x2 x4 )(x21 − x2 x4 ) ≤ 0
where x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 are positive real numbers.
1972/5.
Let f and g be real-valued functions defined for all real values of x and y,
and satisfying the equation
f (x + y) + f (x − y) = 2f (x)g(y)
for all x, y. Prove that if f (x) is not identically zero, and if |f (x)| ≤ 1 for all
x, then |g(y)| ≤ 1 for all y.
1972/6.
Given four distinct parallel planes, prove that there exists a regular tetrahe-
dron with a vertex on each plane.
Fifteenth International Olympiad, 1973
1973/1.
−−→ −−→ −−→
Point O lies on line g; OP1 , OP2 , ..., OPn are unit vectors such that points
P1 , P2 , ..., Pn all lie in a plane containing g and on one side of g. Prove that
if n is odd, ¯−−→ −−→
¯ −−→¯¯
¯OP1 + OP2 + · · · + OPn ¯ ≥ 1
¯−−→¯ −−→
¯ ¯
Here ¯OM ¯ denotes the length of vector OM .

1973/2.
Determine whether or not there exists a finite set M of points in space not
lying in the same plane such that, for any two points A and B of M, one can
select two other points C and D of M so that lines AB and CD are parallel
and not coincident.
1973/3.
Let a and b be real numbers for which the equation
x4 + ax3 + bx2 + ax + 1 = 0
has at least one real solution. For all such pairs (a, b), find the minimum
value of a2 + b2 .
1973/4.
A soldier needs to check on the presence of mines in a region having the
shape of an equilateral triangle. The radius of action of his detector is equal
to half the altitude of the triangle. The soldier leaves from one vertex of the
triangle. What path shouid he follow in order to travel the least possible
distance and still accomplish his mission?
1973/5.
G is a set of non-constant functions of the real variable x of the form
f (x) = ax + b, a and b are real numbers,
and G has the following properties:
(a) If f and g are in G, then g ◦ f is in G; here (g ◦ f )(x) = g[f (x)].
(b) If f is in G, then its inverse f −1 is in G; here the inverse of f (x) = ax + b
is f −1 (x) = (x − b)/a.
(c) For every f in G, there exists a real number xf such that f (xf ) = xf .
Prove that there exists a real number k such that f (k) = k for all f in G.
1973/6.
Let a1 , a2 , ..., an be n positive numbers, and let q be a given real number such
that 0 < q < 1. Find n numbers b1 , b2 , ..., bn for which
(a) ak < bk for k = 1, 2, · · · , n,
(b) q < bk+1
bk
< 1q for k = 1, 2, ..., n − 1,
(c) b1 + b2 + · · · + bn < 1+q1−q
(a1 + a2 + · · · + an ).
Sixteenth International Olympiad, 1974
1974/1.
Three players A, B and C play the following game: On each of three cards
an integer is written. These three numbers p, q, r satisfy 0 < p < q < r. The
three cards are shuffled and one is dealt to each player. Each then receives
the number of counters indicated by the card he holds. Then the cards are
shuffled again; the counters remain with the players.
This process (shuffling, dealing, giving out counters) takes place for at least
two rounds. After the last round, A has 20 counters in all, B has 10 and C
has 9. At the last round B received r counters. Who received q counters on
the first round?

1974/2.
In the triangle ABC, prove that there is a point D on side AB such that CD
is the geometric mean of AD and DB if and only if
C
sin A sin B ≤ sin2 .
2
1974/3. ³ ´
Pn 2n+1
Prove that the number k=0 2k+1
23k is not divisible by 5 for any integer
n ≥ 0.

1974/4.
Consider decompositions of an 8 × 8 chessboard into p non-overlapping rect-
angles subject to the following conditions:
(i) Each rectangle has as many white squares as black squares.
(ii) If ai is the number of white squares in the i-th rectangle, then a1 < a2 <
· · · < ap . Find the maximum value of p for which such a decomposition is
possible. For this value of p, determine all possible sequences a1 , a2 , · · · , ap .

1974/5.
Determine all possible values of
a b c d
S= + + +
a+b+d a+b+c b+c+d a+c+d
where a, b, c, d are arbitrary positive numbers.
1974/6.
Let P be a non-constant polynomial with integer coefficients. If n(P ) is
the number of distinct integers k such that (P (k))2 = 1, prove that n(P ) −
deg(P ) ≤ 2, where deg(P ) denotes the degree of the polynomial P.
Seventeenth International Olympiad, 1975
1975/1.
Let xi , yi (i = 1, 2, ..., n) be real numbers such that

x1 ≥ x2 ≥ · · · ≥ xn and y1 ≥ y2 ≥ · · · ≥ yn .

Prove that, if z1 , z2 , · · · , zn is any permutation of y1 , y2 , · · · , yn , then

n
X n
X
2
(xi − yi ) ≤ (xi − zi )2 .
i=1 i=1

1975/2.
Let a1 , a2 , a3, · · · be an infinite increasing sequence of positive integers. Prove
that for every p ≥ 1 there are infinitely many am which can be written in
the form
am = xap + yaq
with x, y positive integers and q > p.

1975/3.
On the sides of an arbitrary triangle ABC, triangles ABR, BCP, CAQ are
constructed externally with 6 CBP = 6 CAQ = 45◦ , 6 BCP = 6 ACQ =
30◦ , 6 ABR = 6 BAR = 15◦ . Prove that 6 QRP = 90◦ and QR = RP.

1975/4.
When 44444444 is written in decimal notation, the sum of its digits is A. Let
B be the sum of the digits of A. Find the sum of the digits of B. (A and B
are written in decimal notation.)

1975/5.
Determine, with proof, whether or not one can find 1975 points on the cir-
cumference of a circle with unit radius such that the distance between any
two of them is a rational number.

1975/6.
Find all polynomials P, in two variables, with the following properties:
(i) for a positive integer n and all real t, x, y

P (tx, ty) = tn P (x, y)

(that is, P is homogeneous of degree n),
(ii) for all real a, b, c,

P (b + c, a) + P (c + a, b) + P (a + b, c) = 0,

(iii) P (1, 0) = 1.
Eighteenth International Olympiad, 1976
1976/1.
In a plane convex quadrilateral of area 32, the sum of the lengths of two
opposite sides and one diagonal is 16. Determine all possible lengths of the
other diagonal.

1976/2.
Let P1 (x) = x2 − 2 and Pj (x) = P1 (Pj−1 (x)) for j = 2, 3, · · ·. Show that,
for any positive integer n, the roots of the equation Pn (x) = x are real and
distinct.

1976/3.
A rectangular box can be filled completely with unit cubes. If one places as
many cubes as possible, each with volume 2, in the box, so that their edges
are parallel to the edges of the box, one can fill exactly 40% of the box.
Determine the possible dimensions of all such boxes.

1976/4.
Determine, with proof, the largest number which is the product of positive
integers whose sum is 1976.

1976/5.
Consider the system of p equations in q = 2p unknowns x1 , x2 , · · · , xq :

a11 x1 + a12 x2 + · · · + a1q xq = 0

a21 x1 + a22 x2 + · · · + a2q xq = 0
···
ap1 x1 + ap2 x2 + · · · + apq xq = 0

with every coefficient aij member of the set {−1, 0, 1}. Prove that the system
has a solution (x1 , x2 , · · · , xq ) such that
(a) all xj (j = 1, 2, ..., q) are integers,
(b) there is at least one value of j for which xj 6= 0,
(c) |xj | ≤ q(j = 1, 2, ..., q).

1976/6.
A sequence {un } is defined by

u0 = 2, u1 = 5/2, un+1 = un (u2n−1 − 2) − u1 for n = 1, 2, · · ·

Prove that for positive integers n,
n −(−1)n ]/3
[un ] = 2[2

where [x] denotes the greatest integer ≤ x.

Nineteenth International Mathematical Olympiad,
1977
1977/1.
Equilateral triangles ABK, BCL, CDM, DAN are constructed inside the
square ABCD. Prove that the midpoints of the four segments KL, LM, M N, N K
and the midpoints of the eight segments AKBK, BL, CL, CM, DM, DN, AN
are the twelve vertices of a regular dodecagon.
1977/2.
In a finite sequence of real numbers the sum of any seven successive terms is
negative, and the sum of any eleven successive terms is positive. Determine
the maximum number of terms in the sequence.
1977/3.
Let n be a given integer > 2, and let Vn be the set of integers 1 + kn, where
k = 1, 2, .... A number m ∈ Vn is called indecomposable in Vn if there do not
exist numbers p, q ∈ Vn such that pq = m. Prove that there exists a number
r ∈ Vn that can be expressed as the product of elements indecomposable in
Vn in more than one way. (Products which differ only in the order of their
factors will be considered the same.)
1977/4.
Four real constants a, b, A, B are given, and
f (θ) = 1 − a cos θ − b sin θ − A cos 2θ − B sin 2θ.
Prove that if f (θ) ≥ 0 for all real θ, then
a2 + b2 ≤ 2 and A2 + B 2 ≤ 1.
1977/5.
Let a and b be positive integers. When a2 +b2 is divided by a+b, the quotient
is q and the remainder is r. Find all pairs (a, b) such that q 2 + r = 1977.
1977/6.
Let f (n) be a function defined on the set of all positive integers and having
all its values in the same set. Prove that if
f (n + 1) > f (f (n))
for each positive integer n, then
f (n) = n for each n.
Twentieth International Olympiad, 1978
1978/1. m and n are natural numbers with 1 ≤ m < n. In their decimal
representations, the last three digits of 1978m are equal, respectively, to the
last three digits of 1978n . Find m and n such that m + n has its least value.
1978/2. P is a given point inside a given sphere. Three mutually perpendic-
ular rays from P intersect the sphere at points U, V, and W ; Q denotes the
vertex diagonally opposite to P in the parallelepiped determined by P U, P V,
and P W. Find the locus of Q for all such triads of rays from P
1978/3. The set of all positive integers is the union of two disjoint subsets
{f (1), f (2), ..., f (n), ...}, {g(1), g(2), ..., g(n), ...}, where

f (1) < f (2) < · · · < f (n) < · · · ,

g(1) < g(2) < · · · < g(n) < · · · ,

and
g(n) = f (f (n)) + 1for all n ≥ 1.
Determine f (240).
1978/4. In triangle ABC, AB = AC. A circle is tangent internally to the
circumcircle of triangle ABC and also to sides AB, AC at P, Q, respectively.
Prove that the midpoint of segment P Q is the center of the incircle of triangle
ABC.
1978/5. Let {ak }(k = 1, 2, 3, ..., n, ...) be a sequence of distinct positive
integers. Prove that for all natural numbers n,
n
X n
X
ak 1
≥ .
k=1 k2 k=1 k

1978/6. An international society has its members from six different countries.
The list of members contains 1978 names, numbered 1, 2, ..., 1978. Prove that
there is at least one member whose number is the sum of the numbers of two
members from his own country, or twice as large as the number of one member
from his own country.
Twenty-first International Olympiad, 1979
1979/1. Let p and q be natural numbers such that
p 1 1 1 1 1
= 1 − + − + ··· − + .
q 2 3 4 1318 1319
Prove that p is divisible by 1979.
1979/2. A prism with pentagons A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 and B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 as top and
bottom faces is given. Each side of the two pentagons and each of the line-
segments Ai Bj for all i, j = 1, ..., 5, is colored either red or green. Every
triangle whose vertices are vertices of the prism and whose sides have all
been colored has two sides of a different color. Show that all 10 sides of the
top and bottom faces are the same color.
1979/3. Two circles in a plane intersect. Let A be one of the points of
intersection. Starting simultaneously from A two points move with constant
speeds, each point travelling along its own circle in the same sense. The two
points return to A simultaneously after one revolution. Prove that there is
a fixed point P in the plane such that, at any time, the distances from P to
the moving points are equal.
1979/4. Given a plane π, a point P in this plane and a point Q not in π,
find all points R in π such that the ratio (QP + P A)/QR is a maximum.
1979/5. Find all real numbers a for which there exist non-negative real
numbers x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 satisfying the relations
5
X 5
X 5
X
kxk = a, k 3 xk = a2 , k 5 xk = a 3 .
k=1 k=1 k=1

1979/6. Let A and E be opposite vertices of a regular octagon. A frog starts

jumping at vertex A. From any vertex of the octagon except E, it may jump
to either of the two adjacent vertices. When it reaches vertex E, the frog
stops and stays there.. Let an be the number of distinct paths of exactly n
jumps ending at E. Prove that a2n−1 = 0,
1
a2n = √ (xn−1 − y n−1 ), n = 1, 2, 3, · · · ,
2
√ √
where x = 2 + 2 and y = 2 − 2.
Note. A path of n jumps is a sequence of vertices (P0 , ..., Pn ) such that
(i) P0 = A, Pn = E;
(ii) for every i, 0 ≤ i ≤ n − 1, Pi is distinct from E;
(iii) for every i, 0 ≤ i ≤ n − 1, Pi and Pi+1 are adjacent.