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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 2025
0 replies
Rectangular line segments in russia
egxa   1
N 3 minutes ago by Quantum-Phantom
Source: All Russian 2025 9.1
Several line segments parallel to the sides of a rectangular sheet of paper were drawn on it. These segments divided the sheet into several rectangles, inside of which there are no drawn lines. Petya wants to draw one diagonal in each of the rectangles, dividing it into two triangles, and color each triangle either black or white. Is it always possible to do this in such a way that no two triangles of the same color share a segment of their boundary?
1 reply
egxa
Friday at 10:00 AM
Quantum-Phantom
3 minutes ago
old and easy imo inequality
Valentin Vornicu   212
N 41 minutes ago by Sleepy_Head
Source: IMO 2000, Problem 2, IMO Shortlist 2000, A1
Let $ a, b, c$ be positive real numbers so that $ abc = 1$. Prove that
\[ \left( a - 1 + \frac 1b \right) \left( b - 1 + \frac 1c \right) \left( c - 1 + \frac 1a \right) \leq 1.
\]
212 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Oct 24, 2005
Sleepy_Head
41 minutes ago
Killer NT that nobody solved (also my hardest NT ever created)
mshtand1   1
N an hour ago by YaoAOPS
Source: Ukraine IMO 2025 TST P8
A positive integer number \( a \) is chosen. Prove that there exists a prime number that divides infinitely many terms of the sequence \( \{b_k\}_{k=1}^{\infty} \), where
\[
b_k = a^{k^k} \cdot 2^{2^k - k} + 1.
\]
Proposed by Arsenii Nikolaev and Mykhailo Shtandenko
1 reply
2 viewing
mshtand1
5 hours ago
YaoAOPS
an hour ago
Mildly interesting
GreekIdiot   1
N 3 hours ago by GreekIdiot
Source: my teacher
Let numbers $a_1,a_2,a_3,\cdots,a_n \in \mathbb{Z_+}$ such that $\forall \: 1 \leq i \leq n, a_i<1000$ and $\forall \: i \neq j, \: lcm(a_i,a_j)>1000$. Prove that $\sum_{i=1}^{n} \dfrac{1}{a_i}<3/2$.
1 reply
GreekIdiot
Yesterday at 12:54 PM
GreekIdiot
3 hours ago
fourier series divergence
DurdonTyler   1
N Yesterday at 6:20 PM by aiops
I previously proved that there is $f \in C_{\text{per}}([-\pi,\pi]; \mathbb{C})$ such that its Fourier series diverges at $x=0$. There is nothing special about the point $x=0$, it was just for convenience. The same proof showed that for every $t \in [-\pi,\pi]$, there is $f_t \in C_{\text{per}}([-\pi,\pi]; \mathbb{C})$ such that the Fourier series of $f_t(x)$ diverges at $x=t$, not to show.

My question to prove:
(a) Let $(X, \| \cdot \|_X)$ be a Banach space and for every $n \geq 1$ we have a normed space $(Y_n, \| \cdot \|_{Y_n})$. Suppose that for every $n \geq 1$ there is $(T_{n,k})_{k \geq 1} \subset L(X; Y_n)$ and $x_n \in X$ such that
\[
    \sup_{k \geq 1} \| T_{n,k}x_n \|_{Y_n} = \infty.
    \]Show that
\[
    B = \left\{ x \in X : \sup_{k \geq 1} \| T_{n,k}x \|_{Y_n} = \infty \ \forall n \geq 1 \right\}
    \]is of second category. (I am given the hint to write $A = X \setminus B$ as
\[
    A = \bigcup_{n \geq 1} A_n = \bigcup_{n \geq 1} \left\{ x \in X : \sup_{k \geq 1} \| T_{n,k}x \|_{Y_n} < \infty \right\}
    \]and show that $A_n$ is of first category.)

(b) Let $D = \{t_1, t_2, \ldots\} \subset [-\pi, \pi)$. Show that there is $f_D \in C_{\text{per}}([-\pi,\pi]; \mathbb{C})$ such that the Fourier series of $f_D(x)$ diverges at $x = t_n$ for all $n \geq 1$. (I'm given the hint to use part a) with
\[
    T_{n,k} : (C_{\text{per}}([-\pi,\pi]; \mathbb{C}), \| \cdot \|_\infty) \to \mathbb{C}, \quad f \mapsto S_k(f)(t_n),
    \]where
\[
    S_k(f)(x) = \sum_{|j| \leq k} c_j(f) e^{ijx}.
    \]
1 reply
DurdonTyler
Yesterday at 6:15 PM
aiops
Yesterday at 6:20 PM
Soviet Union University Mathematical Contest
geekmath-31   1
N Yesterday at 3:48 PM by Filipjack
Given a n*n matrix A, prove that there exists a matrix B such that ABA = A

Solution: I have submitted the attachment

The answer is too symbol dense for me to understand the answer.
What I have undertood:

There is use of direct product in the orthogonal decomposition. The decomposition is made with kernel and some T (which the author didn't mention) but as per orthogonal decomposition it must be its orthogonal complement.

Can anyone explain the answer in much much more detail with less use of symbols ( you can also use symbols but clearly define it).

Also what is phi | T ?
1 reply
geekmath-31
Yesterday at 3:40 AM
Filipjack
Yesterday at 3:48 PM
Sequence of functions
Tricky123   0
Yesterday at 3:17 PM
Q) let $f_n:[-1,1)\to\mathbb{R}$ and $f_n(x)=x^{n}$ then is this uniformly convergence on $(0,1)$ comment on uniformly convergence on $[0,1]$ where in general it is should be uniformly convergence.

My I am trying with some contradicton method like chose $\epsilon=1$ and trying to solve$|f_n(a)-f(a)|<\epsilon=1$
Next take a in (0,1) and chose a= 2^1/N but not solution
How to solve like this way help.
Is this is a good approach or any simple way please prefer.
0 replies
Tricky123
Yesterday at 3:17 PM
0 replies
Dimension of a Linear Space
EthanWYX2009   1
N Yesterday at 2:14 PM by loup blanc
Source: 2024 May taca-10
Let \( V \) be a $10$-dimensional inner product space of column vectors, where for \( v = (v_1, v_2, \dots, v_{10})^T \) and \( w = (w_1, w_2, \dots, w_{10})^T \), the inner product of \( v \) and \( w \) is defined as \[\langle v, w \rangle = \sum_{i=1}^{10} v_i w_i.\]For \( u \in V \), define a linear transformation \( P_u \) on \( V \) as follows:
\[ P_u : V \to V, \quad x \mapsto x - \frac{2\langle x, u \rangle u}{\langle u, u \rangle} \]Given \( v, w \in V \) satisfying
\[ 0 < \langle v, w \rangle < \sqrt{\langle v, v \rangle \langle w, w \rangle} \]let \( Q = P_v \circ P_w \). Then the dimension of the linear space formed by all linear transformations \( P : V \to V \) satisfying \( P \circ Q = Q \circ P \) is $\underline{\quad\quad}.$
1 reply
EthanWYX2009
Yesterday at 2:50 AM
loup blanc
Yesterday at 2:14 PM
Solve this
themathkidthatlikesaops   1
N Yesterday at 1:44 PM by Mathzeus1024
Audrey deposited $10,000$ into a 3-year certificate of deposit that earned 10% annual interest, compounded annually. Audrey made no additional deposits to or withdrawals from the certificate of deposit. What was the value of the certificate of deposit at the end of the 3-year period?

A. $13,000$
B. $13,300$
C. $13,310$
D. $13,401$
1 reply
themathkidthatlikesaops
Mar 15, 2024
Mathzeus1024
Yesterday at 1:44 PM
complex integral with two circle (contour) against each other
azzam2912   4
N Yesterday at 12:18 PM by Mathzeus1024
Source: seleksi onmipa itb 2022
Let $C_1$ be a circle $|z|=3$ with counterclockwise orientation and $C_2$ be a circle $|z|=1$ with clockwise orientation.
If $f(z)=\dfrac{z^4-16z^2}{z^2+3z-10}$, then the value of $\int_{C_1 \cup C_2} f(z) dz = \dots$

ps: i'm confused with the concept union of two contour. how i proceed? The reason behind solution is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
4 replies
azzam2912
Jul 27, 2022
Mathzeus1024
Yesterday at 12:18 PM
Differential equation ,asymptotic
Moubinool   1
N Yesterday at 11:08 AM by Mathzeus1024
f’’(t)=tf(t), f(0)=1,f’(0)=0

Find limit of $$\frac{f(t)t^{1/4}}{exp(2t^{3/2}/3)}$$when t tend $+\infty$
1 reply
Moubinool
Jul 21, 2020
Mathzeus1024
Yesterday at 11:08 AM
Jordan form and canonical base of a matrix
And1viper   3
N Yesterday at 10:57 AM by Suan_16
Find the Jordan form and a canonical basis of the following matrix $A$ over the field $Z_5$:
$$A = \begin{bmatrix}
    2 & 1 & 2 & 0 & 0 \\
    0 & 4 & 0 & 3 & 4 \\
    0 & 0 & 2 & 1 & 2 \\
    0 & 0 & 0 & 4 & 1 \\
    0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 2
  \end{bmatrix}
$$
3 replies
And1viper
Feb 26, 2023
Suan_16
Yesterday at 10:57 AM
Putnam 1938 B2
jhu08   3
N Yesterday at 10:29 AM by Mathzeus1024
Find all solutions of the differential equation $zz" - 2z'z' = 0$ which pass through the point $x=1, z=1.$
3 replies
jhu08
Aug 20, 2021
Mathzeus1024
Yesterday at 10:29 AM
Differential equations , Matrix theory
c00lb0y   1
N Yesterday at 10:19 AM by loup blanc
Source: RUDN MATH OLYMP 2024 problem 4
Any idea?? Diff equational system combined with Matrix theory.
Consider the equation dX/dt=X^2, where X(t) is an n×n matrix satisfying the condition detX=0. It is known that there are no solutions of this equation defined on a bounded interval, but there exist non-continuable solutions defined on unbounded intervals of the form (t ,+∞) and (−∞,t). Find n.
1 reply
c00lb0y
Apr 17, 2025
loup blanc
Yesterday at 10:19 AM
R to R FE
a_507_bc   10
N Apr 3, 2025 by jasperE3
Source: Baltic Way 2023/4
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that $$f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$$for reals $x, y$.
10 replies
a_507_bc
Nov 11, 2023
jasperE3
Apr 3, 2025
R to R FE
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: Baltic Way 2023/4
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a_507_bc
676 posts
#1
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Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that $$f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$$for reals $x, y$.
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SBLNuclear17
75 posts
#2
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Quite an interesting question. Here's my partial solution:
Make x=0, y=-f(0), then we will have f(f(0)-f(0))+0f(-f(0))=f(0*-f(0)-f(0))+f(0).
Which means f(-f(0))=0
Make x=-f(0),y=0, then we will have f(0)^2=0, f(0)=0
Make y=0, then we will know f(f(x))=f(x)
(not sure about the rest)
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Kimchiks926
256 posts
#3 • 5 Y
Y by Tintarn, Deadline, Tellocan, math_comb01, Beeoin
This problem is proposed by me. Hope you all enjoyed it!

Official Solution
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tadpoleloop
311 posts
#4
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I think maybe I can tidy it up a bit.

Solution
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by tadpoleloop, Nov 11, 2023, 9:02 PM
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eulerleonhardfan
50 posts
#5
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Let $p(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.
Since $f(x)=0$ is a solution, suppose that $f$ is not always 0.
$p(x, \frac{f(x)}{x}):$ $f(\frac{f(x)}{x})=\frac{f(x)}{x}$ for all $x\neq 0$
$p(0, -f(0)): f(-f(0))=0$
If $f(0) \neq 0$, then $$f(\frac{f(-f(0))}{-f(0)})=\frac{f(-f(0))}{-f(0)}=0$$Let there be some real number $t \neq 0$ s.t. $f(t) \neq 0$. Then
$$f(\frac{f(\frac{f(t)}{t})}{\frac{f(t)}{t}})=f(\frac{\frac{f(t)}{t}}{\frac{f(t)}{t}})=f(1)=1$$Let there be some real number $u\neq 0$ s.t. $f(u)=0$. This is impossible as $$p(1, u): f(u+1)=u+1$$and $$p(u, 1): f(u+1)=f(2u)+1$$yielding $$f(2u)=u$$Taking $f$ on both sides, we get $f(u)=f(f(2u))=f(2u)=u=0$, a contradiction.
The finishing steps are the same as the official solution.
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megarnie
5583 posts
#6
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Solved with vsamc

The only solutions are $\boxed{f\equiv 0}$ and $\boxed{f(x) = x}$, which both work. Now we prove they are the only solutions. Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.

We may assume that $f$ is nonconstant since the only constant solution is clearly zero.

For $x\ne 0$, $P\left( x, \frac{f(x)}{x} \right): x f\left( \frac{f(x)}{x} \right) = f(x)$, so $f\left( \frac{f(x)}{x} \right) = \frac{f(x)}{x}$. Let $f(0) = c$.

$P(0,x): f(x + c) = f(x) + c$, so $f(-c) = 0$. If $c\ne 0$, then $\frac{f(-c)}{-c} =0$ is a fixed point of $f$, so $c = 0$.

$P(x,0): f(f(x)) = f(x)$.

$P(f(x), 1): f(f(x) + 1) + f(x)f(1) = f(f(x) + 1) + f(x)\implies f(x) f(1) = f(x)\implies f(1) = 1$. Now let $f(-1) = d$. We see that $f(d) = d$.

$P(-1,x): f(x + d)  = f(x) + d$.

$P(x, d): f(f(x) + d) +  xd = f(xd + d) + f(x)$. Since $f(f(x) + d) = f(f(x)) + d = f(x) +d $, we see $f(xd + d) = xd + d$. If $d\ne 0$, then setting $x$ to $-\frac{1}{d} - 1$ gives $f(-1) = -1$, so $d = -1$, which implies $f(x - 1) = x-1$, so $f$ is the identity. Now we assume $d = 0$.

$P(1,x): f(x +1) + f(x) = f(2x) + 1$. Hence $f(2x) = f(x + 1) + f(x) - 1$ for each $x$. Thus, $f(-2) = f(-1) + f(0) - 1 = -1$. Hence $\frac{f(-2)}{-2} = 2$, so $f(2) = 2$.

$P(x, 2): f(f(x) + 2) + 2x = f(2x + 2) + f(x) = f(x) + f(x+1) + f(x+2) - 1$. Plugging $x = -2$ here gives $f(-1 + 2) - 4 = f(-2) + f(-1) + f(0) - 1$, so $-3= -2$, absurd! Therefore, $d\ne 0$, so $f(x) = x$ is our only nonconstant solution.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by megarnie, Nov 12, 2023, 3:26 PM
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Cali.Math
128 posts
#7
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We uploaded our solution https://calimath.org/pdf/BalticWay2023-4.pdf on youtube https://youtu.be/TPsMv_clprQ.
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solasky
1566 posts
#8
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Solution
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MathLuis
1498 posts
#9
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Denote $P(x,y)$ as the assertion of the following F.E.
By $P(0,-f(0))$ we get $f(-f(0))=0$, now by $P(-f(0),x)$ we get $(1-f(0))f(0)=f(0)$ which gives $f(0)=0$.
Now $P(x.0)$ gives $f(f(x))=f(x)$, $P(-1,x)$ gives $f(x+f(-1))=f(x)+f(-1)$, and for $x \ne 0$ by $P \left(x, \frac{f(x)}{x} \right)$ we get $f \left(\frac{f(x)}{x} \right)=\frac{f(x)}{x}$. Since $f(x)=0$ is a solution suppose there exists $d$ s.t. $f(d) \ne 0$ then by $x=f(d)$ here we get $f(1)=1$ and by $P(1,x)$ we get $f(x+1)+f(x)=f(2x)+1$, now by indooks we get $f(x+nf(-1))=f(x)+nf(-1)$ for any integer $n$ so in the previous equation set $x$ to be $x+nf(-1)$ to get that $f(x+nf(-1)+1)=f(2x)-f(x)+nf(-1)+1$, also remember that $f(nf(-1))=nf(-1)$ and now $f(nf(-1)+1)=nf(-1)+1$ follow directly. From $P(x,nf(-1))$ we get $f(nf(-1)x)=nf(-1)x$ so if $f(-1) \ne 0$ then we get $f(x)=x$ for all reals $x$.
So suppose otherwise that $f(-1)=0$ then $f(-2)=-1$ but this means $f(-1)=-1$ which contradicts $f(-1)=0$.
Therefore the only solutions to this F.E. are $f(x)=x$ and $f(x)=0$ for all reals $x$, thus done :cool:
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Teirah
2 posts
#10
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nice problem : )
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jasperE3
11223 posts
#11
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Let $P(x,y)$ be the assertion $f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$.
$P(0,-f(0))\Rightarrow f(-f(0))=0$
$P(-f(0),0)\Rightarrow f(0)=0$
$P(x,0)\Rightarrow f(f(x))=f(x)$
$P(-1,x)\Rightarrow f(x+f(-1))=f(x)+f(-1)$
P(x,f(-1))\Rightarrow f(xf(-1))=xf(-1)$
So if $f(-1)\ne0$ we have the solution $\boxed{f(x)=x}$, which fits. Otherwise:
$P(f(x),1)\Rightarrow f(x)f(1)=f(x)4
So if $f(1)\ne1$ we have the solution $\boxed{f(x)=0}$, which fits. Otherwise:
$P(1,-1)\Rightarrow f(-2)=-1$
$P(-2,1)\Rightarrow-2=-1$
So no more solutions.
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