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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Yesterday at 11:16 PM
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

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[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
Yesterday at 11:16 PM
0 replies
Function equation
LeDuonggg   3
N 2 minutes ago by luutrongphuc
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R^+} \rightarrow \mathbb{R^+}$ , such that for all $x,y>0$:
\[ f(x+f(y))=\dfrac{f(x)}{1+f(xy)}\]
3 replies
+1 w
LeDuonggg
Yesterday at 2:59 PM
luutrongphuc
2 minutes ago
A sequence containing every natural number exactly once
Pomegranat   4
N 11 minutes ago by Pomegranat
Source: Own
Does there exist a sequence \( \{a_n\}_{n=1}^{\infty} \), which is a permutation of the natural numbers (that is, each natural number appears exactly once), such that for every \( n \in \mathbb{N} \), the sum of the first \( n \) terms is divisible by \( n \)?
4 replies
Pomegranat
3 hours ago
Pomegranat
11 minutes ago
hard square root problem
kjhgyuio   0
21 minutes ago
........
0 replies
kjhgyuio
21 minutes ago
0 replies
Queue geo
vincentwant   5
N 38 minutes ago by Ilikeminecraft
Let $ABC$ be an acute scalene triangle with circumcenter $O$. Let $Y, Z$ be the feet of the altitudes from $B, C$ to $AC, AB$ respectively. Let $D$ be the midpoint of $BC$. Let $\omega_1$ be the circle with diameter $AD$. Let $Q\neq A$ be the intersection of $(ABC)$ and $\omega$. Let $H$ be the orthocenter of $ABC$. Let $K$ be the intersection of $AQ$ and $BC$. Let $l_1,l_2$ be the lines through $Q$ tangent to $\omega,(AYZ)$ respectively. Let $I$ be the intersection of $l_1$ and $KH$. Let $P$ be the intersection of $l_2$ and $YZ$. Let $l$ be the line through $I$ parallel to $HD$ and let $O'$ be the reflection of $O$ across $l$. Prove that $O'P$ is tangent to $(KPQ)$.
5 replies
vincentwant
Wednesday at 3:54 PM
Ilikeminecraft
38 minutes ago
System of two matrices of the same rank
Assassino9931   1
N 2 hours ago by RobertRogo
Source: Vojtech Jarnik IMC 2025, Category II, P2
Let $A,B$ be two $n\times n$ complex matrices of the same rank, and let $k$ be a positive integer. Prove that $A^{k+1}B^k = A$ if and only if $B^{k+1}A^k = B$.
1 reply
Assassino9931
5 hours ago
RobertRogo
2 hours ago
Putnam 1952 B1
centslordm   4
N 5 hours ago by Gauler
A mathematical moron is given two sides and the included angle of a triangle and attempts to use the Law of Cosines: $a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc \cos A,$ to find the third side $a.$ He uses logarithms as follows. He finds $\log b$ and doubles it; adds to that the double of $\log c;$ subtracts the sum of the logarithms of $2, b, c,$ and $\cos A;$ divides the result by $2;$ and takes the anti-logarithm. Although his method may be open to suspicion his computation is accurate. What are the necessary and sufficient conditions on the triangle that this method should yield the correct result?
4 replies
centslordm
May 30, 2022
Gauler
5 hours ago
Miklós Schweitzer 1956- Problem 8
Coulbert   2
N 5 hours ago by izzystar
8. Let $(a_n)_{n=1}^{\infty}$ be a sequence of positive numbers and suppose that $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n^2$ is divergent. Let further $0<\epsilon<\frac{1}{2}$. Show that there exists a sequence $(b_n)_{n=1}^{\infty}$ of positive numbers such that $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}b_n^2$ is convergent and

$\sum_{n=1}^{N}a_n b_n >(\sum_{n=1}^{N}a_n^2)^{\frac{1}{2}-\epsilon}$

for every positive integer $N$. (S. 8)
2 replies
Coulbert
Oct 11, 2015
izzystar
5 hours ago
Very straightforward linear recurrence
Assassino9931   1
N 5 hours ago by Etkan
Source: Vojtech Jarnik IMC 2025, Category II, P1
Let $x_0=a, x_1= b, x_2 = c$ be given real numbers and let $x_{n+2} = \frac{x_n + x_{n-1}}{2}$ for all $n\geq 1$. Show that the sequence $(x_n)_{n\geq 0}$ converges and find its limit.
1 reply
Assassino9931
5 hours ago
Etkan
5 hours ago
Integration Bee in Czechia
Assassino9931   0
5 hours ago
Source: Vojtech Jarnik IMC 2025, Category II, P3
Evaluate the integral $\int_0^{\infty} \frac{\log(x+2)}{x^2+3x+2}\mathrm{d}x$.
0 replies
Assassino9931
5 hours ago
0 replies
Trace with minimal polynomial x^n + x - 1
Assassino9931   0
5 hours ago
Source: Vojtech Jarnik IMC 2025, Category I, P4
Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ real matrix with minimal polynomial $x^n + x - 1$. Prove that the trace of $(nA^{n-1} + I)^{-1}A^{n-2}$ is zero.
0 replies
Assassino9931
5 hours ago
0 replies
Fast-growing sequences
Assassino9931   0
5 hours ago
Source: Vojtech Jarnik IMC 2025, Category I, P3
Let us call a sequence $(b_1, b_2, \ldots)$ of positive integers fast-growing if $b_{n+1} \geq b_n + 2$ for all $n \geq 1$. Also, for a sequence $a = (a(1), a(2), \ldots)$ of real numbers and a sequence $b = (b_1, b_2, \ldots)$ of positive integers, let us denote
\[
S(a, b) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left| a(b_n) + a(b_n + 1) + \cdots + a(b_{n+1} - 1) \right|.
\]
a) Do there exist two fast-growing sequences $b = (b_1, b_2, \ldots)$, $c = (c_1, c_2, \ldots)$ such that for every sequence $a = (a(1), a(2), \ldots)$, if all the series
\[
    \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a(n), \quad S(a, b) \quad \text{and} \quad S(a, c)
    \]are convergent, then the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} |a(n)|$ is also convergent?

b) Do there exist three fast-growing sequences $b = (b_1, b_2, \ldots)$, $c = (c_1, c_2, \ldots)$, $d = (d_1, d_2, \ldots)$ such that for every sequence $a = (a(1), a(2), \ldots)$, if all the series
\[
    S(a, b), \quad S(a, c) \quad \text{and} \quad S(a, d)
    \]are convergent, then the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} |a(n)|$ is also convergent?
0 replies
Assassino9931
5 hours ago
0 replies
Strange ring property
sapience   2
N Yesterday at 11:48 PM by RobertRogo
Let \( (A, +, \cdot) \) be a ring with \( Z(A) \) its centre (\( Z = \{ x \in A \mid xy = yx \text{ for any } x, y \in A \} \)), \( U(A) \) the set of invertible elements and \( A^* = A \setminus \{0\} \).
We will say \(A\) has the property \( \mathcal{P} \) if there exists a subgroup \(H \) of group \( (U(A), \cdot) \) such that \( H \subset Z(A) \), \( H \neq A^* \) and \( x^3 = y^3 \) for any \( x, y \in A^* \setminus H \).
Prove the following:
a) any ring with property \( \mathcal{P} \) is commutative;
b) if \(A \) has the property \( \mathcal{P} \), then \( x^3 = 0 \), for any \( x \in A \setminus U(A) \).

Note: \(0 \) and \(1 \) are the identity elements for \(+ \) and \(\cdot \)
2 replies
sapience
Mar 5, 2025
RobertRogo
Yesterday at 11:48 PM
real analysis
ILOVEMYFAMILY   1
N Yesterday at 5:04 PM by Alphaamss
Source: real analysis
For which value of $p\in\mathbb{R}$ does the series $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\ln \left(1+\frac{(-1)^n}{n^p}\right)$$converge (and absolutely converge)?
1 reply
ILOVEMYFAMILY
Dec 2, 2023
Alphaamss
Yesterday at 5:04 PM
Putnam 1962 B5
sqrtX   4
N Yesterday at 4:56 PM by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1962
Prove that for every integer $n$ greater than $1:$
$$\frac{3n+1}{2n+2} < \left( \frac{1}{n} \right)^{n} + \left( \frac{2}{n} \right)^{n}+ \ldots+\left( \frac{n}{n} \right)^{n} <2.$$
4 replies
sqrtX
May 21, 2022
centslordm
Yesterday at 4:56 PM
Paint and Optimize: A Grid Strategy Problem
mojyla222   2
N Apr 21, 2025 by sami1618
Source: Iran 2025 second round p2
Ali and Shayan are playing a turn-based game on an infinite grid. Initially, all cells are white. Ali starts the game, and in the first turn, he colors one unit square black. In the following turns, each player must color a white square that shares at least one side with a black square. The game continues for exactly 2808 turns, after which each player has made 1404 moves. Let $A$ be the set of black cells at the end of the game. Ali and Shayan respectively aim to minimize and maximise the perimeter of the shape $A$ by playing optimally. (The perimeter of shape $A$ is defined as the total length of the boundary segments between a black and a white cell.)

What are the possible values of the perimeter of $A$, assuming both players play optimally?
2 replies
mojyla222
Apr 20, 2025
sami1618
Apr 21, 2025
Paint and Optimize: A Grid Strategy Problem
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G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: Iran 2025 second round p2
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mojyla222
103 posts
#1
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Ali and Shayan are playing a turn-based game on an infinite grid. Initially, all cells are white. Ali starts the game, and in the first turn, he colors one unit square black. In the following turns, each player must color a white square that shares at least one side with a black square. The game continues for exactly 2808 turns, after which each player has made 1404 moves. Let $A$ be the set of black cells at the end of the game. Ali and Shayan respectively aim to minimize and maximise the perimeter of the shape $A$ by playing optimally. (The perimeter of shape $A$ is defined as the total length of the boundary segments between a black and a white cell.)

What are the possible values of the perimeter of $A$, assuming both players play optimally?
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YaoAOPS
1535 posts
#2
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The answer is $2 \cdot 1404 + 6 = 2814$.

Ali's strategy is to place their second cell to form an $L$, and then always fill black cells with two neighbors. This only breaks down if the currently colored black squares are an $2a \times b$ rectangle. Then if we consider the last time occurs then there's at most $2a + 2b + 2\cdot (1404 - ab) < 2814$. Else, Ali adds at most $6$ to the perimeter and Shayan $2$ each turn giving the result.

Shayans strategy is to place each of their moves to add $2$, with Ali's first two moves must add $2$ and $4$ the result follows.
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sami1618
901 posts
#3
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Answer: $2814$

Solution. We show two strategies, one for Ali to ensure that the perimeter of $A$ is at most $2814$, regardless of how Shayan plays, and one for Shayan to ensure that the perimeter of $A$ is at least $2814$, regardless of how Ali plays. This is clearly sufficient to show that if both players play optimally, the perimeter of $A$ will be $2814$.

Strategy for Ali: Let $I$ be an index starting at $0$. Each time someone colors a square increase $I$ be the number of black squares that are adjacent to that square. For Ali's second move, he should play so that the black squares form an $L$-tromino. Thus after three turns, $I=2$. We claim that for each of the following $1402$ pairs of turns where Shayan plays and then Ali plays, Ali can guarantee that $I$ increases by at least $3$ during their pair of turns. Each move will increase $I$ by at least $1$. If Shayan's move increases $I$ by at least $2$, then we are done. If Shayan's move increases $I$ by exactly $1$, then the resulting colored squares can not form a rectangle (notice the rectangle can not be a stick because of Ali's second move). Then it is always possible for Ali to color a square that will increase $I$ by at least $2$ (otherwise the shape cannot have holes and the boundary would be rectangular). Thus after these $1402$ pairs of turns, $I$ has increased by at least $4206$. For Shayan's final move, $I$ will increase by at least one more. To finish, $$\text{Perimeter}(A)=4\cdot \#\text{black squares}-2\cdot I\leq 4\cdot 2808-2\cdot 4209=2814$$
Strategy for Shayan: Let $I$ be an index counting the sum of the height and width of the smallest axis-aligned rectangle containing all of the black cells. After Ali's second move, it will always be that $I=4$. Then for each of Shayan's next moves he can always increase $I$ by $1$ by coloring a square directly below one of the lowest existing black squares. Thus by the end, Shayan can ensure that $I$ is at least $1407$. Then shooting a laser through each unit on the perimeter of the rectangle must hit different edges along the perimeter of $A$. Thus to finish, $$\text{Perimeter}(A)\geq 2I\geq 2814$$
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