Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
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.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]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]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes run 7:30pm-8:45pm ET/4:30pm - 5:45pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Tuesday, May 13 - Aug 26
Thursday, May 29 - Sep 11
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Monday, Jun 30 - Oct 20
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Wednesday, May 7 - Aug 20
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 29 - Oct 26
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Sunday, May 11 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, May 14 - Aug 27
Friday, May 30 - Sep 26
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Thursday, Jun 26 - Oct 9
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Thursday, May 15 - Jul 31
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Wednesday, Jul 9 - Sep 24
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19

Introduction to Number Theory
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Monday, Jun 9 - Aug 25
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Sunday, May 11 - Nov 9
Tuesday, May 20 - Oct 28
Monday, Jun 16 - Dec 8
Friday, Jun 20 - Jan 9
Sunday, Jun 29 - Jan 11
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Nov 18
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 10
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Tuesday, May 27 - Nov 11
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 17

Group Theory
Thursday, Jun 12 - Sep 11

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Friday, May 23 - Aug 15
Monday, Jun 2 - Aug 18
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Sunday, May 11 - Aug 10
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Sunday, May 11 - Jun 8
Tuesday, May 27 - Jun 17
Monday, Jun 30 - Jul 21

AMC 12 Problem Series
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22

AMC 12 Final Fives
Sunday, May 18 - Jun 15

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

F=ma Problem Series
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27

WOOT Programs
Visit the pages linked for full schedule details for each of these programs!


MathWOOT Level 1
MathWOOT Level 2
ChemWOOT
CodeWOOT
PhysicsWOOT

Programming

Introduction to Programming with Python
Thursday, May 22 - Aug 7
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

Intermediate Programming with Python
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Tuesday, May 13 - Jul 29
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 1

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
Thailand MO 2025 P2
Kaimiaku   2
N 4 minutes ago by carefully
A school sent students to compete in an academic olympiad in $11$ differents subjects, each consist of $5$ students. Given that for any $2$ different subjects, there exists a student compete in both subjects. Prove that there exists a student who compete in at least $4$ different subjects.
2 replies
Kaimiaku
Today at 7:38 AM
carefully
4 minutes ago
Aime 2005a #15
4everwise   22
N 6 minutes ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: Aime 2005a #15
Triangle $ABC$ has $BC=20$. The incircle of the triangle evenly trisects the median $AD$. If the area of the triangle is $m \sqrt{n}$ where $m$ and $n$ are integers and $n$ is not divisible by the square of a prime, find $m+n$.
22 replies
4everwise
Nov 10, 2005
Ilikeminecraft
6 minutes ago
Problem 2 (First Day)
Valentin Vornicu   84
N 22 minutes ago by cj13609517288
Find all polynomials $f$ with real coefficients such that for all reals $a,b,c$ such that $ab+bc+ca = 0$ we have the following relations

\[ f(a-b) + f(b-c) + f(c-a) = 2f(a+b+c). \]
84 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Jul 12, 2004
cj13609517288
22 minutes ago
Maximum number of divisor in Binom Coeff.
nataliaonline75   0
28 minutes ago
Let $k \geq 2$, determine the maximal number of divisors from $n \choose k $ may have in the range $n-k+ 1,...,n$ , as $n$ runs through integers $\geq k$.
0 replies
nataliaonline75
28 minutes ago
0 replies
Derivative of unknown continuous function
smartvong   2
N 3 hours ago by solyaris
Source: UM Mathematical Olympiad 2024
Let $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ be a function whose derivative is continuous on $[0,1]$. Show that
$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum^n_{k = 1}\left[f\left(\frac{k}{n}\right) - f\left(\frac{2k - 1}{2n}\right)\right] = \frac{f(1) - f(0)}{2}.$$
2 replies
smartvong
Today at 1:05 AM
solyaris
3 hours ago
Divisibility of cyclic sum
smartvong   1
N 4 hours ago by alexheinis
Source: UM Mathematical Olympiad 2024
Let $n$ be a positive integer greater than $1$. Show that
$$4 \mid (x_1x_2 + x_2x_3 + \cdots + x_{n-1}x_n + x_nx_1 - n)$$where each of $x_1, x_2, \dots, x_n$ is either $1$ or $-1$.
1 reply
smartvong
Today at 9:49 AM
alexheinis
4 hours ago
Polynomial with integer coefficients
smartvong   1
N Today at 10:04 AM by alexheinis
Source: UM Mathematical Olympiad 2024
Prove that there is no polynomial $f(x)$ with integer coefficients, such that $f(p) = \dfrac{p + q}{2}$ and $f(q) = \dfrac{p - q}{2}$ for some distinct primes $p$ and $q$.
1 reply
smartvong
Today at 9:46 AM
alexheinis
Today at 10:04 AM
Existence of scalars
smartvong   0
Today at 9:44 AM
Source: UM Mathematical Olympiad 2024
Let $U$ be a finite subset of $\mathbb{R}$ such that $U = -U$. Let $f,g : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ be functions satisfying
$$g(x) - g(y ) = (x - y)f(x + y)$$for all $x,y \in \mathbb{R} \backslash U$.
Show that there exist scalars $\alpha, \beta, \gamma \in \mathbb{R}$ such that
$$f(x) = \alpha x + \beta$$for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$,
$$g(x) = \alpha x^2 + \beta x + \gamma$$for all $x \in \mathbb{R} \backslash U$.
0 replies
smartvong
Today at 9:44 AM
0 replies
Invertible matrices in F_2
smartvong   1
N Today at 9:02 AM by alexheinis
Source: UM Mathematical Olympiad 2024
Let $n \ge 2$ be an integer and let $\mathcal{S}_n$ be the set of all $n \times n$ invertible matrices in which their entries are $0$ or $1$. Let $m_A$ be the number of $1$'s in the matrix $A$. Determine the minimum and maximum values of $m_A$ in terms of $n$, as $A$ varies over $S_n$.
1 reply
smartvong
Today at 12:41 AM
alexheinis
Today at 9:02 AM
ISI UGB 2025 P3
SomeonecoolLovesMaths   13
N Today at 8:29 AM by iced_tea
Source: ISI UGB 2025 P3
Suppose $f : [0,1] \longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is differentiable with $f(0) = 0$. If $|f'(x) | \leq f(x)$ for all $x \in [0,1]$, then show that $f(x) = 0$ for all $x$.
13 replies
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
May 11, 2025
iced_tea
Today at 8:29 AM
Group Theory
Stephen123980   3
N Yesterday at 9:01 PM by BadAtMath23
Let G be a group of order $45.$ If G has a normal subgroup of order $9,$ then prove that $G$ is abelian without using Sylow Theorems.
3 replies
Stephen123980
May 9, 2025
BadAtMath23
Yesterday at 9:01 PM
calculus
youochange   2
N Yesterday at 7:46 PM by tom-nowy
$\int_{\alpha}^{\theta} \frac{d\theta}{\sqrt{cos\theta-cos\alpha}}$
2 replies
youochange
Yesterday at 2:26 PM
tom-nowy
Yesterday at 7:46 PM
ISI UGB 2025 P1
SomeonecoolLovesMaths   6
N Yesterday at 5:10 PM by SomeonecoolLovesMaths
Source: ISI UGB 2025 P1
Suppose $f \colon \mathbb{R} \longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is differentiable and $| f'(x)| < \frac{1}{2}$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$. Show that for some $x_0 \in \mathbb{R}$, $f \left( x_0 \right) = x_0$.
6 replies
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
May 11, 2025
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
Yesterday at 5:10 PM
Cute matrix equation
RobertRogo   3
N Yesterday at 2:23 PM by loup blanc
Source: "Traian Lalescu" student contest 2025, Section A, Problem 2
Find all matrices $A \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ such that $$2025A^{2025}=A^{2024}+A^{2023}+\ldots+A$$Edit: Proposed by Marian Vasile
3 replies
RobertRogo
May 9, 2025
loup blanc
Yesterday at 2:23 PM
Beautiful Number Theory
tastymath75025   33
N Apr 28, 2025 by awesomehuman
Source: 2022 ISL N8
Prove that $5^n-3^n$ is not divisible by $2^n+65$ for any positive integer $n$.
33 replies
tastymath75025
Jul 9, 2023
awesomehuman
Apr 28, 2025
Beautiful Number Theory
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: 2022 ISL N8
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
tastymath75025
3223 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Rounak_iitr, tofubear, cubres
Prove that $5^n-3^n$ is not divisible by $2^n+65$ for any positive integer $n$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by tastymath75025, Jul 9, 2023, 4:20 PM
Reason: fix wording
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
tastymath75025
3223 posts
#2 • 3 Y
Y by tofubear, cubres, Kingsbane2139
Note that if $n$ is even then $3\mid2^n+65$ but $3\not | 5^n-3^n$, impossible, so $n$ is odd, and clearly $n=1$ fails. Now we claim all $n>1$ fail. To see why, note that

\[-1 = \left( \frac{2^n+65}{5} \right) = \left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right) = \left( \frac{5^n}{2^n+65} \right),\]
and now if $2^n+65 \mid 5^n-3^n$ this in turn equals

\[\left( \frac{3^n}{2^n+65} \right) = \left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right) = \left( \frac{2^n+65}{3} \right) = +1,\]
a contradiction.

(Here we make use Jacobi symbols.)
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by tastymath75025, Jul 9, 2023, 4:49 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
DottedCaculator
7354 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, ehuseyinyigit, cubres
1998 n5

Suppose $2^n+65\mid5^n-3^n$. Since $3\nmid 5^n-3^n$ and $5\nmid 5^n-3^n$, we get $n\equiv1\pmod2$. Therefore, $5^n-3^n=5x^2-3y^2$ for some $x$ and $y$, implying $15\equiv\frac{(3y)^2}{x^2}\pmod{2^n+65}$, so $\left(\frac{15}{2^n+65}\right)=1$. Clearly, $2^1+65\nmid5^1-3^1$, so $n\geq2$. However, we also have
\begin{align*}
\left(\frac{15}{2^n+65}\right)&=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{15}\right)\\
&=\left(\frac{2^n+65}5\right)\left(\frac{2^n+65}3\right)\\
&=\left(\frac{2^n}5\right)\left(\frac{2^n+2}3\right)\\
&=(-1)(1)\\
&=-1,
\end{align*}contradiction. Therefore, $2^n+65\nmid 5^n-3^n$ for all $n$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by DottedCaculator, Jul 20, 2023, 10:18 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
brainfertilzer
1831 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by hdnlz, cubres
solution
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by brainfertilzer, Jul 9, 2023, 5:48 PM
Reason: n is positive, not nonnegative
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
VicKmath7
1390 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by ehuseyinyigit, cubres
Quite similar to Romania TST 2008/3/3 and exactly the same approach works here. Definitely easier than N5 and N6.

Solution of N8
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by VicKmath7, Jul 10, 2023, 8:14 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MatteD
90 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Isn't the wording supposed to be this one?
Quote:
Prove that $5^n-3^n$ is not divisible by $2^n+65$ for any positive integer $n$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
IAmTheHazard
5001 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, cubres
No such $n$. By taking modulo $3$, $n$ is odd, and it is clear that $n=1$ fails, so assume $n \geq 2$. Therefore, if $(\tfrac{5}{3})^n-1 \equiv 0 \pmod{2^n+65}$, $\tfrac{5}{3}$ must be a quadratic residue modulo $2^n+65$. However, letting $(\tfrac{a}{b})$ denote the Jacobi symbol, by quadratic reciprocity we have
$$\left(\frac{5/3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)\left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right)=\left(\frac{\pm 2}{5}\right)\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)=(-1)(1)=-1,$$contradiction. $\blacksquare$

Remark: "IT'S [redacted] JACOBI" [dies]
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by IAmTheHazard, Jul 9, 2023, 12:42 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
blackmetalmusic
30 posts
#8 • 4 Y
Y by Kingsbane2139, hdnlz, ehuseyinyigit, cubres
Is this really n8?
It's just some simple quadratic residue stuff
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
megarnie
5608 posts
#9 • 3 Y
Y by GeorgeRP, ehuseyinyigit, cubres
Definition: In the solution below, $\left( \frac{a}{b} \right)$ denotes the Jacobi symbol.

No solutions.

Since $n = 1$ fails, assume that $n > 1$. Note that $2^n + 65 \equiv 1\pmod 4$.

Clearly $n$ even fails, as $3$ would divide $2^n + 65$ but $3$ cannot divide $5^n - 3^n$. Now assume $n$ is odd.

Notice that $\frac{\left( \frac{5^n}{2^n + 65} \right)}{ \left( \frac{3^n}{2^n + 65} \right) }$ is equal to $1$ (since $5^n\equiv 3^n \pmod{2^n + 65}$), since $n$ is odd, this implies $\frac{\left( \frac{5}{2^n + 65} \right)}{ \left( \frac{3}{2^n + 65} \right) } = 1$.


However, we have that \[\left( \frac{5}{2^n + 65} \right) = \left( \frac{2^n + 65}{5} \right) = -1\]and \[\left( \frac{3}{2^n + 65} \right) = \left( \frac{2^n + 65}{3} \right) = \left( \frac{1}{3}  \right) = 1,\]absurd.

Note: Another way to show that $\frac{\left( \frac{5}{2^n + 65} \right)}{ \left( \frac{3}{2^n + 65} \right) } = 1$ is to let $p$ be a prime dividing $2^n + 65$. Then $1 = \left( \frac{ \frac{5}{3} }{p}  \right) = \frac{ \left( \frac{5}{p} \right) }{ \left( \frac{3}{p} \right)} $. Since this is true for all primes $p\mid 2^n + 65$, we have the desired result.
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by megarnie, Jul 9, 2023, 6:48 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Leo.Euler
577 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Why are N8s easier than N5s?

I claim the answer is $n=0$. Assume for contradiction that there exists a solution for $n > 0$.

Taking $\pmod{3}$ of the fractional expression, it is clear that $n$ must be odd (because otherwise $3$ divides the denominator but not the numerator). Let $(\tfrac{a}{b})$ denote the Jacobi symbol henceforth.

Note that $(5/3)^n \equiv 1 \pmod{2^n+65}$, and as $n$ is odd, it is clear that $5/3$ must be a quadratic residue (mod $2^n+65$). But:

\begin{align*}
\left(\frac{5/3}{2^n+65}\right) &= \left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right) \left(\frac{3^{-1}}{2^n+65}\right) \\
&= \left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right) \left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)
&= \left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right) \left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)
&= 1 \cdot \left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^n
&= 1 \cdot (-1)
&= -1,
\end{align*}a contradiction, and we conclude. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cj13609517288
1918 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
lol what

Assume FTSOC that there does exist some $n$ such that $2^n+65\mid 5^n-3^n$. If $n$ is even, then $2^n+65$ is a multiple of $3$, impossible. So $n$ is odd.

Let $p$ be a prime dividing $2^n+65$. Obviously $p\not\in\{2,3,5\}$. Then
\[p\mid 2^n+65\mid 5^n-3^n\mid 15^n-9^n,\]so $15$ is a QR mod $p$.

By Quadratic Reciprocity,
\[\left(\frac{p}{3}\right)\left(\frac{p}{5}\right)=\left(\frac{15}{p}\right)\left(\frac{p}{15}\right)=(-1)^{(p-1)/2}.\]Caseworking, we get that $p$ mod $60$ is one of $S=\{1,7,11,17,43,49,53,59\}$. Under further inspection, we note that $S$ is closed under multiplication mod $60$, so $2^n+65$ mod $60$ is also in $S$. So $2^n$ mod $60$ is in
\[\{2,6,12,38,44,48,54,56\}.\]Since it must be a multiple of $4$ and not a multiple of $3$, it must be one of $\{44,56\}$. But that means $2^n$ is $1$ or $4$ mod $5$, impossible since $n$ is odd. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
BlazingMuddy
282 posts
#12 • 3 Y
Y by sabkx, pavel kozlov, cubres
May I give a small comment to the placement of this problem?

It seems that this problem is a kind of a problem that gets killed with one trick... Which reminds me of ISL 2017 N8. The difficulty in finding the trick is supposed to be what makes the problem an N8. The difference between this thing and ISL 2017 N8, in my opinion, is that the kind of trick that kills ISL 2017 N8 is something that might be too hard to find in a contest setting. Meanwhile this? I'm not so sure about that...

Anyways, let's replace $5$ and $65$ with arbitrary odd positive integers, say $A$ and $B$, and see how well this problem generalizes. For $n$ even, you want $3 \mid 2^n + B$, so $B \equiv 2 \pmod{3}$; also you want $3 \nmid A$. For $n = 1$, you just want $B + 2 \nmid A - 3$. For $n$ odd with $n > 1$, applying Jacobi symbol, you want that
$$ \left(\frac{A}{2^n + B}\right) = -\left(\frac{3}{2^n + B}\right) = (-1)^{(B + 1)/2} \left(\frac{2^n + B}{3}\right) = (-1)^{(B + 1)/2}. $$For a huge convenience, you also want $A \mid B$, so
$$ \left(\frac{A}{2^n + B}\right) = (-1)^{(A - 1)(B - 1)/4} \left(\frac{2}{A}\right). $$We can now pick $B \equiv 1 \pmod{4}$ and $A \equiv 3, 5 \pmod{8}$ (as in the original problem). In summary...
Quote:
If $A \equiv 3, 5 \pmod{8}$, $3 \nmid A$, $B \equiv 5 \pmod{12}$, $A \mid B$, and $B + 2 \nmid A - 3$, then $2^n + B$ does not divide $A^n - 3^n$ for any $n \geq 1$.
Quote:
If $A \equiv 3, 5 \pmod{8}$, $3 \nmid A$, $B \equiv 5 \pmod{12}$, and $A \mid B$, then $2^n + B$ does not divide $A^n - 3^n$ for any $n > 1$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Orthogonal.
593 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Huh.

Assume that there exists an $n$ such that $\frac{5^n-3^n}{2^n+65}$ is an integer. By taking mod $3$, $n$ must be odd. Clearly, $n=1$ fails. Let $\left (\frac{a}{b}\right)$ denote the Jacobi symbol. We then have that $$\frac{\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n+65}\right)}{\left(\frac{3^n}{2^n+65}\right)}=\frac{\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)}{\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)}=1.$$
But $$\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right) = 1$$and $$\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right) = -1,$$
a contradiction.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sourorange
107 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Is this really difficult enough to be N8?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
vsamc
3789 posts
#15 • 2 Y
Y by kamatadu, cubres
Solution
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
awesomeming327.
1719 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We use the Jacobi symbol. Taking $\pmod 3$ forces $n$ odd. We have for $n\ge 3$
\[\left(\frac{5\cdot 3^{-1}}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)\left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right)=(-1)(1)=-1\]a contradiction because we need $5\cdot 3^{-1}\equiv 1\pmod {2^n+65}$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by awesomeming327., Aug 4, 2023, 5:35 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sourorange
107 posts
#17 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Here is the official answer proposed by IMO committee.
Attachments:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
TheBigMath13876
2 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
I've just started pursuing math at this level, so I'm not at all good at all of this. With that being said, does anyone know if there is another way to solve this without the use of modules?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Hertz
32 posts
#20 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Let's assume $n$ is even, then $3 \mid 2^n + 65$ but $3 \nmid 5^n - 3^n$ contradiction. Since $n \neq 1$ we get $n \ge 3$ odd number.

Now let's assume that $2^n + 65 \mid 5^n-3^n$ then we get $5^n \equiv 3^n ($mod $ 2^n+65)$ Now let us introduce the jaccobi symbol. We get

$$\left( \frac{5^n}{2^n+65} \right) = \left (\frac{3^n}{2^n+65} \right)$$
Now lets count them seperatly:
$$\left( \frac{3^n}{2^n+65} \right) = \prod_{i=1}^n \left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right)^n = \left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right) $$
But since $2^n + 65 \equiv 1 ($mod $ 4) $ we get $\left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right) = \left( \frac{2^n+65}{3} \right) = 1 $

$$\left( \frac{5^n}{2^n+65} \right) = \prod_{i=1}^n \left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right)^n = \left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right) $$
Since $5 \equiv 1 ($mod $  4)$ we get $\left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right) = \left( \frac{2^n+65}{5} \right)$

But $2^n \equiv 2;3 ($mod $ 5)$ and $5 \mid 65$ so $\left( \frac{2^n+65}{5} \right) = -1$ a contradiction
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
hectorleo123
344 posts
#21 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
tastymath75025 wrote:
Prove that $5^n-3^n$ is not divisible by $2^n+65$ for any positive integer $n$.
$\color{blue}\boxed{\textbf{Proof:}}$
$\color{blue}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
Here $\left(\frac{a}{b}\right)$ is the Jacobi symbol
Suppose there exists $n$ such that
$$2^n+65|5^n-3^n$$If $n=1\Rightarrow 67|2(\Rightarrow \Leftarrow)$
$$\Rightarrow n>1$$$\color{red}\boxed{\textbf{If n is even:}}$
$\color{red}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
$$\Rightarrow 2^n\equiv 1\pmod{3}$$$$\Rightarrow 2^n+65\equiv 0\pmod{3}$$$$\Rightarrow 3|5^n-3^n$$$$\Rightarrow 3|5^n(\Rightarrow \Leftarrow)$$$\color{red}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
$\color{red}\boxed{\textbf{If n is odd:}}$
$\color{red}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
$$2^n+65|5^n-3^n$$$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{5^n}{2^n+65} \right)=\left( \frac{3^n}{2^n+65} \right)$$$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right)^n=\left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right)^n$$$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{5}{2^n+65} \right)=\left( \frac{3}{2^n+65} \right)$$$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{2^n+65}{5} \right)(-1)^{\frac{(2^n+64)(4)}{4}}=\left( \frac{2^n+65}{3} \right)(-1)^{\frac{(2^n+64)(2)}{4}}$$Since $n>1\Rightarrow \frac{(2^n+64)(2)}{4}$ is even:
$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{2^n}{5} \right)=\left( \frac{2^n-1}{3} \right)$$$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{2(2^{n-1})}{5} \right)=\left( \frac{1}{3} \right)=1$$Since $n$ is odd $\Rightarrow 2^{n-1}$ is a perfect square
$$\Rightarrow \left( \frac{2}{5} \right)=1$$$$\Rightarrow -1=1(\Rightarrow \Leftarrow)$$$\color{red}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
$$\Rightarrow 2^n+65\nmid 5^n-3^n$$$\color{blue}\rule{24cm}{0.3pt}$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by hectorleo123, Mar 13, 2024, 3:27 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
M.rastgar
18 posts
#22 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
pretty same as #2. n is odd . Let k= 2^n +65 then we have 5^n = 3^n mod k then (15/k)=1 this means (3/k)= (5/k) but we have (3/k) = 1 and (5/k) = -1 which is contradiction.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
math_comb01
662 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Jacobi kills it, probably same as others.
ISL 2022 N8 wrote:
Prove that $2^n+65$ does not divide $5^n-3^n$ for any positive integer $n$
Clearly $n$ has to be odd, because if it is even then $3 \mid 2^n+65 \mid 5^n-3^n$ which is a contradiction, $5^n \equiv 3^n (\mod 2^n+65)$
then:
$\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)=-1$
$\left(\frac{3^n}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right)=1$
where the last 2 lines are in jacobi symbol. Contradiction...
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by math_comb01, Mar 21, 2024, 3:15 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
thdnder
198 posts
#24 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Assume $2^n + 65 \mid 5^n - 3^n$. If $n \equiv 0 (2)$, then $3 \mid 2^n + 65 \mid 5^n - 3^n$, a contradiction. Thus $n \equiv 1 (2)$. Now note that $\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n + 65} \right) = \left(\frac{3^n}{2^n + 65}\right)$. By using quadratic reciprocity law, we get $\left(\frac{3^n}{2^n + 65}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n + 65}{3^n}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n + 65}{3}\right)^n = \left(\frac{2^n + 65}{3}\right) = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right) = 1$.

But $\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n + 65}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n + 65}{5^n}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n + 65}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right) = -1$, which is an evident contradiction. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ihategeo_1969
235 posts
#25 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Assume some $n$ works.

Obviously $n=1$ does not work for size reasons. And also even $n$ does not work because we get $3 \mid 2^n+65 \mid 5^n-3^n \implies 3 \mid 5$, which I think is wrong as far as I know.

See that we get \[\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{3^n}{2^n+65}\right) \iff \left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right) \iff \left(\frac{2^n+65}5\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}3 \right) \iff \left(\frac{2^n}5 \right)=\left(\frac{2^n-1}3\right)\]which is obviously false for odd $n$ because it implies $\left(\frac{2^n}5\right)=-1$ but $\left(\frac{2^n-1}3\right)=1$, a contradiction.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
OronSH
1747 posts
#26 • 2 Y
Y by Clew28, cubres
First $n\ne 1$ clearly and $n\not\equiv 0\pmod 2$ by $\pmod 3.$ Now if $p\mid 5^n-3^n$ then $(5/3)^n\equiv 1\pmod n$ with $n$ odd, so $\left(\frac{5/3}p\right)=\left(\frac{15}p\right)=1.$ Now we must have $\left(\frac{15}{2^n+65}\right)=1,$ which is equivalent by QR to $\left(\frac{2^n+5}{15}\right)=1.$ But $2^n\equiv 2,8\pmod{15}$ for odd $n,$ and we can check $\left(\frac7{15}\right)=\left(\frac{13}{15}\right)=-1,$ contradiction.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
AshAuktober
1007 posts
#27 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
What's the motivation behind using the Jacobi symbol here?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Vulch
2699 posts
#28 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Can anyone solve it without Jacobi symbol?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mr.Aura
1 post
#29 • 2 Y
Y by Nobitasolvesproblems1979, cubres
Clearly when $n$ is even we get a contradiction, so $n$ is odd and $n$ $\geq$ 3.

Now, using Jacobi's symbol we get

$\left(\frac{5^n}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)=-1$, and

$\left(\frac{3^n}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right)=\left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right)=1$.

But this two must be equal, then we have a contradiction.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Mr.Aura, Dec 13, 2024, 12:43 PM
Reason: I forgot to write
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Eka01
204 posts
#30 • 2 Y
Y by cubres, L13832
Solved on the recommendation of the orz Sammy27.
If $n$ is even then $A=2^n +65$ is divisible by $3$ which doesn't divide $5^n-3^n$.
Henceforth assume $n$ is odd. This implies $5^n \equiv 3^n(mod \ A) \implies \left( \frac{5^n}{A} \right) =\left( \frac{3^n}{A} \right)$.
Now since the jacobi function is multiplicative, we have $\left( \frac{5^n}{A} \right) = \left( \frac{5}{A} \right)= \left( \frac{A}{5} \right)=-1$
And $\left( \frac{3^n}{A} \right) = \left( \frac{3}{A} \right)= \left( \frac{A}{3} \right)=1$
Which is a contradiction, hence there's no solutions for any $n$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
orangesyrup
130 posts
#31 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
any sols without using jacobi?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
zuat.e
59 posts
#32 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Claim: $n$ is odd
Note that $3\nmid 5^n-3^n$, hence $3 \nmid 2^n + 65$. As:
\[\left\{\begin{array}{cl}
             2^n \equiv 1&n \mbox{ odd}  \\
             2^n \equiv 2&n \mbox{ even} 
        \end{array}\right.\]$2^n+65\equiv 2^n+2 \equiv \{0,1\} \pmod{3}$ and for $2^n+65\equiv 1\pmod{3}$, we must have $n$ odd.
Therefore, looking at $\pmod{5}$, we have:
\[\left\{\begin{array}{cc}
         2^n\equiv2&n\equiv1\pmod{4}  \\
         2^n\equiv4&n\equiv2\pmod{4}  \\
         2^n\equiv3&n\equiv3\pmod{4}  \\
         2^n\equiv1&n\equiv4\pmod{4}  \\
    \end{array}\right.\]and as $n$ is odd, $2^n \equiv 2,3 \pmod{5}$
We now rewrite $(\frac{5}{3})^n\equiv1 \pmod{2^n+65}$, consequently $(\frac{5}{3})^{n+1}\equiv \frac{5}{3} \pmod{2^n+65}$, implying $\frac{5}{3}$ is $QR$ $\pmod{2^n + 65}$.
Nonetheless:\[\left( \frac{(\frac{5}{3})}{2^n +65}\right) \equiv \left( \frac{5}{3}\right)\left( \frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)\equiv \left( \frac{2^n+65}{5}\right)\equiv\left( \frac{\{2,3\}}{5}\right)\]but: \[\left( \frac{2}{5}\right), \left( \frac{3}{5}\right)\equiv -1\]therefore as: \[\left( \frac{(\frac{5}{3})}{2^n +65})\right)=\prod_{p\mid 2^n +65}\left(\frac{(\frac{5}{3})}{p}\right)\]there exists $p\mid 2^n +65$ prime such that $(\frac{5}{3})$ isn't $QR$ $\pmod{p}$, contradicting the fact that $(\frac{5}{3})$ is $QR$ $\pmod{2^n +65}$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cubres
119 posts
#33
Y by
Storage - grinding ISL problems
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by cubres, Jan 29, 2025, 9:03 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Ilikeminecraft
640 posts
#34
Y by
triv n8???
the answer is no solutions
If $n$ is even, then $3\mid65 + 2^n\mid 5^n-3^n,$ contradiction
Thus, $n$ is odd. Specifically, we can get that $5^{2k + 1} \equiv 3^{2k +1}\pmod{2^n + 65}.$ This implies $15$ is a quadratic residue modulo $2^n + 65.$ However,
\begin{align*}
\left(\frac{15}{2^n+65}\right) & = \left(\frac{5}{2^n+65}\right)\left(\frac{3}{2^n+65}\right) \\
& = \left(\frac{5}{2^n}\right) = -1
\end{align*}which is a contradiction.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
awesomehuman
499 posts
#35
Y by
Assume toward a contradiction $n$ works.

Claim: $n$ is odd.
Proof: Assume toward a contradiction $n$ is even. Then, $3\mid 2^n+65$, but $3\nmid 5^n-3^n$. $\blacksquare$

Let $p$ be a prime factor of $2^n+65$. Then,
\[\left(\frac{5}{p}\right) = \left(\frac{5^n}{p}\right) = \left(\frac{3^n}{p}\right) = \left(\frac{3}{p}\right).\]
Let $a$ and $b$ be positive integers such that $ab = 2^n+65$ and every prime factor of $a$ is $1\pmod{4}$ and every prime factor of $b$ is $3\pmod{4}$.

Let $p\mid a$. Then, by quadratic reciprocity, $\left(\frac{p}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{5}{p}\right) = \left(\frac{3}{p}\right) = \left(\frac{p}{3}\right)$.

Let $p\mid b$. Then, by quadratic reciprocity, $\left(\frac{q}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{5}{q}\right) = \left(\frac{3}{q}\right) = -\left(\frac{q}{3}\right)$.

Let $b=p_1\dots p_k$ with $p_1,\dots, p_k$ prime.
Because $1\equiv 2^n+65\equiv ab\equiv b \equiv p_1\dots p_k \equiv 3^k\pmod{4}$, $k$ is even.
So, we have
\[\left(\frac{b}{5}\right) = \prod_{i=1}^k \left(\frac{p_i}{5}\right) = \prod_{i=1}^k -\left(\frac{p_i}{3}\right) =  \prod_{i=1}^k \left(\frac{p_i}{3}\right) = \left(\frac{b}{3}\right).\]By similar logic, $\left(\frac{a}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{a}{3}\right)$. Multiplying, we get $\left(\frac{2^n+65}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{2^n+65}{3}\right)$.

However, since $n$ is odd, the LHS is $-1$ and the RHS is $1$, a contradiction.
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a