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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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k a March Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Mar 2, 2025
March is the month for State MATHCOUNTS competitions! Kudos to everyone who participated in their local chapter competitions and best of luck to all going to State! Join us on March 11th for a Math Jam devoted to our favorite Chapter competition problems! Are you interested in training for MATHCOUNTS? Be sure to check out our AMC 8/MATHCOUNTS Basics and Advanced courses.

Are you ready to level up with Olympiad training? Registration is open with early bird pricing available for our WOOT programs: MathWOOT (Levels 1 and 2), CodeWOOT, PhysicsWOOT, and ChemWOOT. What is WOOT? WOOT stands for Worldwide Online Olympiad Training and is a 7-month high school math Olympiad preparation and testing program that brings together many of the best students from around the world to learn Olympiad problem solving skills. Classes begin in September!

Do you have plans this summer? There are so many options to fit your schedule and goals whether attending a summer camp or taking online classes, it can be a great break from the routine of the school year. Check out our summer courses at AoPS Online, or if you want a math or language arts class that doesn’t have homework, but is an enriching summer experience, our AoPS Virtual Campus summer camps may be just the ticket! We are expanding our locations for our AoPS Academies across the country with 15 locations so far and new campuses opening in Saratoga CA, Johns Creek GA, and the Upper West Side NY. Check out this page for summer camp information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events:
[list][*]March 5th (Wednesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, HCSSiM Math Jam 2025. Amber Verser, Assistant Director of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, will host an information session about HCSSiM, a summer program for high school students.
[*]March 6th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar on Math Competitions from elementary through high school. Join us for an enlightening session that demystifies the world of math competitions and helps you make informed decisions about your contest journey.
[*]March 11th (Tuesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MATHCOUNTS Chapter Discussion MATH JAM. AoPS instructors will discuss some of their favorite problems from the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition. All are welcome!
[*]March 13th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar about Summer Camps at the Virtual Campus. Transform your summer into an unforgettable learning adventure! From elementary through high school, we offer dynamic summer camps featuring topics in mathematics, language arts, and competition preparation - all designed to fit your schedule and ignite your passion for learning.[/list]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
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0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 2, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Base 2n of n^k
KevinYang2.71   42
N 4 minutes ago by sansgankrsngupta
Source: USAMO 2025/1, USAJMO 2025/2
Let $k$ and $d$ be positive integers. Prove that there exists a positive integer $N$ such that for every odd integer $n>N$, the digits in the base-$2n$ representation of $n^k$ are all greater than $d$.
42 replies
KevinYang2.71
Mar 20, 2025
sansgankrsngupta
4 minutes ago
Guessing with intervals
navi_09220114   1
N an hour ago by ja.
Source: Malaysian IMO TST 2025 P2
Let $n\ge 4$ be a positive integer. Megavan and Minivan are playing a game, where Megavan secretly chooses a real number $x$ in $[0, 1]$. At the start of the game, the only information Minivan has about $x$ is $x$ in $[0, 1]$. He needs to now learn about $x$ based on the following protocols: at each turn of his, Minivan chooses a number $y$ and submits to Megavan, where Megavan replies immediately with one of $y > x$, $y < x$, or $y\simeq x$, subject to two rules:

$\bullet$ The answers in the form of $y > x$ and $y < x$ must be truthful;

$\bullet$ Define the score of a round, known only to Megavan, as follows: $0$ if the answer is in the form $y > x$ and $y < x$, and $|x - y|$ if in the form $y\simeq x$. Then for every positive integer $k$ and every $k$ consecutive rounds, at least one round has score no more than $\frac{1}{k + 1}$.

Minivan's goal is to produce numbers $a, b$ such that $a\le x\le b$ and $b - a\le \frac 1n$. Let $f(n)$ be the minimum number of queries that Minivan needs in order to guarantee success, regardless of Megavan's strategy. Prove that $$n\le f(n) \le 4n$$
Proposed by Anzo Teh Zhao Yang
1 reply
navi_09220114
Yesterday at 12:55 PM
ja.
an hour ago
permutations of sets
cloventeen   1
N an hour ago by alexheinis
Find the number of permutations of the set \( A = (1, 2, \dots, n) \) with the set \( B = (1, 1, 2, 3, \dots, n) \) such that each element in the permutations has at most one immediate neighbor greater than itself.
1 reply
cloventeen
Today at 2:36 AM
alexheinis
an hour ago
EM // AC wanted, isosceles trapezoid related
parmenides51   5
N an hour ago by Tsikaloudakis
Source: 2020 Austrian Mathematical Olympiad Junior Regional Competition , Problem 3
Given is an isosceles trapezoid $ABCD$ with $AB \parallel CD$ and $AB> CD$. The projection from $D$ on $ AB$ is $E$. The midpoint of the diagonal $BD$ is $M$. Prove that $EM$ is parallel to $AC$.

(Karl Czakler)
5 replies
parmenides51
Dec 18, 2020
Tsikaloudakis
an hour ago
triangles with equal areas
mathuz   7
N an hour ago by Tsikaloudakis
Source: SRMC 2023, P1
Let $ABCD$ be a trapezoid with $AD\parallel BC$. A point $M $ is chosen inside the trapezoid, and a point $N$ is chosen inside the triangle $BMC$ such that $AM\parallel CN$, $BM\parallel DN$. Prove that triangles $ABN$ and $CDM$ have equal areas.
7 replies
1 viewing
mathuz
Dec 28, 2023
Tsikaloudakis
an hour ago
number theory
karimeow   0
2 hours ago
Prove that there exist infinitely many positive integers m such that the equation (xz+1)(yz+1) = mz^3 + 1 has infinitely many positive integer solutions.
0 replies
karimeow
2 hours ago
0 replies
Eventually constant sequence with condition
PerfectPlayer   3
N 2 hours ago by egxa
Source: Turkey TST 2025 Day 3 P8
A positive real number sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3,\dots $ and a positive integer \(s\) is given.
Let $f_n(0) = \frac{a_n+\dots+a_1}{n}$ and for each $0<k<n$
\[f_n(k)=\frac{a_n+\dots+a_{k+1}}{n-k}-\frac{a_k+\dots+a_1}{k}\]Then for every integer $n\geq s,$ the condition
\[a_{n+1}=\max_{0\leq k<n}(f_n(k))\]is satisfied. Prove that this sequence must be eventually constant.
3 replies
PerfectPlayer
Mar 18, 2025
egxa
2 hours ago
A lot of tangent circle
ItzsleepyXD   2
N 2 hours ago by WLOGQED1729
Source: Own
Let \( \triangle ABC \) be a triangle with circumcircle \( \omega \) and circumcenter \( O \). Let \( \omega_A \) and \( I_A \) represent the \( A \)-excircle and \( A \)-excenter, respectively. Denote by \( \omega_B \) the circle tangent to \( AB \), \( BC \), and \( \omega \) on the arc \( BC \) not containing \( A \), and similarly for \( \omega_C \). Let the tangency points of \( \omega_A, \omega_B, \omega_C \) with line \( BC \) be \( X, Y, Z \), respectively. Let \( P \neq A \) be the intersection point of \( (AYZ) \) and \( \omega \). Define \( Q \) as the point on segment \( OI_A \) such that \( 2 \cdot OQ = QI_A \). Suppose that \( XP \) intersects \( \omega \) again at \( R \). Let \( T \) be the touch point of the \( A \)-mixtilinear incircle and \( \omega \), and let \( A' \) be the antipode of \( A \) with respect to \( \omega \). Let \( S \) be the intersection of \( A'Q \) and \( I_AT \).

Show that the line \( RS \) is the radical axis of \( \omega_B \) and \( \omega_C \).
2 replies
ItzsleepyXD
2 hours ago
WLOGQED1729
2 hours ago
deduction from function
MetaphysicalWukong   3
N 2 hours ago by pco
can we then deduce that h has exactly 1 zero?
3 replies
MetaphysicalWukong
3 hours ago
pco
2 hours ago
number theory question?
jag11   3
N 2 hours ago by Anabcde
Find the smallest positive integer n such that n is a multiple of 11, n +1 is a multiple of 10, n + 2 is a
multiple of 9, n + 3 is a multiple of 8, n +4 is a multiple of 7, n +5 is a multiple of 6, n +6 is a multiple of
5, n + 7 is a multiple of 4, n + 8 is a multiple of 3, and n + 9 is a multiple of 2.

I tried doing the mods and simplifying it but I'm kinda confused.
3 replies
jag11
Yesterday at 10:41 PM
Anabcde
2 hours ago
Circles and Chords
steven_zhang123   0
2 hours ago
(1) Let \( A \) , \( B \) and \( C \) be points on circle \( O \) divided into three equal parts. Construct three equal circles \( O_1 \), \( O_2 \), and \( O_3 \) tangent to \( O \) internally at points \( A \), \( B \), and \( C \) respectively. Let \( P \) be any point on arc \( AC \), and draw tangents \( PD \), \( PE \), and \( PF \) to circles \( O_1 \), \( O_2 \), and \( O_3 \) respectively. Prove that \( PE = PD + PF \).

(2) Let \( A_1 \), \( A_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( A_n \) be points on circle \( O \) divided into \( n \) equal parts. Construct \( n \) equal circles \( O_1 \), \( O_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( O_n \) tangent to \( O \) internally at \( A_1 \), \( A_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( A_n \). Let \( P \) be any point on circle \( O \), and draw tangents \( PB_1 \), \( PB_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( PB_n \) to circles \( O_1 \), \( O_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( O_n \). If the sum of \( k \) of \( PB_1 \), \( PB_2 \), \( \cdots \), \( PB_n \) equals the sum of the remaining \( n-k \) (where \( n \geq k \geq 1 \)), find all such \( n \).
0 replies
steven_zhang123
2 hours ago
0 replies
Distributing cupcakes
KevinYang2.71   18
N 4 hours ago by MathLuis
Source: USAMO 2025/6
Let $m$ and $n$ be positive integers with $m\geq n$. There are $m$ cupcakes of different flavors arranged around a circle and $n$ people who like cupcakes. Each person assigns a nonnegative real number score to each cupcake, depending on how much they like the cupcake. Suppose that for each person $P$, it is possible to partition the circle of $m$ cupcakes into $n$ groups of consecutive cupcakes so that the sum of $P$'s scores of the cupcakes in each group is at least $1$. Prove that it is possible to distribute the $m$ cupcakes to the $n$ people so that each person $P$ receives cupcakes of total score at least $1$ with respect to $P$.
18 replies
KevinYang2.71
Friday at 12:00 PM
MathLuis
4 hours ago
usamOOK geometry
KevinYang2.71   73
N 4 hours ago by deduck
Source: USAMO 2025/4, USAJMO 2025/5
Let $H$ be the orthocenter of acute triangle $ABC$, let $F$ be the foot of the altitude from $C$ to $AB$, and let $P$ be the reflection of $H$ across $BC$. Suppose that the circumcircle of triangle $AFP$ intersects line $BC$ at two distinct points $X$ and $Y$. Prove that $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$.
73 replies
KevinYang2.71
Friday at 12:00 PM
deduck
4 hours ago
Gunn Math Competition
the_math_prodigy   15
N 4 hours ago by the_math_prodigy
Gunn Math Circle is excited to host the fourth annual Gunn Math Competition (GMC)! GMC will take place at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California on Sunday, March 30th. Gather a team of up to four and compete for over $7,500 in prizes! The contest features three rounds: Individual, Guts, and Team. We welcome participants of all skill levels, with separate Beginner and Advanced divisions for all students.

Registration is free and now open at compete.gunnmathcircle.org. The deadline to sign up is March 27th.

Special Guest Speaker: Po-Shen Loh!!!
We are honored to welcome Po-Shen Loh, a world-renowned mathematician, Carnegie Mellon professor, and former coach of the USA International Math Olympiad team. He will deliver a 30-minute talk to both students and parents, offering deep insights into mathematical thinking and problem-solving in the age of AI!

View competition manual, schedule, prize pool at compete.gunnmathcircle.org . For any questions, reach out at ghsmathcircle@gmail.com or ask in Discord.
15 replies
the_math_prodigy
Mar 8, 2025
the_math_prodigy
4 hours ago
Base 2n of n^k
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: USAMO 2025/1, USAJMO 2025/2
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KevinYang2.71
407 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by MathRook7817, LostDreams
Let $k$ and $d$ be positive integers. Prove that there exists a positive integer $N$ such that for every odd integer $n>N$, the digits in the base-$2n$ representation of $n^k$ are all greater than $d$.
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bjump
987 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Soccerstar9, DouDragon
Finished my write up with 20 seconds to spare :gleam:
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by bjump, Mar 20, 2025, 12:01 PM
Z K Y
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rhydon516
537 posts
#3
Y by
too easy for a p2...?

We claim one such $N$ is $\boxed{N=2^{k-1}(d+1)}$. Begin by letting $a_i$ be the digit at the $i$th position from the right (0-indexed) of $n^k$ in base $2n$; i.e., $a_0$ is the units digit. Obviously, $a_i=0$ for all $i\ge k$, since $n^k<(2n)^k$. We WTS $a_i>d$ for each $i=0,1,\dots,k-1$, and observe the following:
\[ a_i=\left\lfloor\frac{n^k}{(2n)^i}\right\rfloor\text{ mod }2n=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}}{2^i}\right\rfloor\text{ mod }2n=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n}{2^i}\right\rfloor. \]Note that the numerator is a positive multiple of $n$, since 1) $k-i>0\implies n\mid\gcd(n^{k-i},2^{i+1}n)$ and 2)
($n$ is odd) $2^{i+1}n\nmid n^{k-i}$. Thus,
\[ a_i=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n}{2^i}\right\rfloor>d \quad\iff\quad n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n\ge n\ge2^i(d+1), \]which is true since $n>N=2^{k-1}(d+1)$ and $k-1\ge i$. $\square$
Z K Y
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BS2012
935 posts
#4
Y by
Just take n^k mod powers of 2
Also if my solution referenced "sufficiently large n" is that ok
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by BS2012, Mar 20, 2025, 12:03 PM
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KevinYang2.71
407 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by bjump, Mathandski
We claim that $\boxed{N=d2^k}$ works.

Let $n>N$ be an odd integer and let $m$ be the number of digits of $n^k$ when written in base $2n$. Clearly we have $m\leq k$. For $1\leq i\leq m$, let integer $0\leq r_i<(2n)^i$ be such that $n^k\equiv r_i\pmod{(2n)^i}$. Let $s_i:=\frac{r_{i+1}-r_i}{(2n)^i}$ for $1\leq i<m$ and let $s_0:=r_1$. Note that $s_i$ is an integer because $r_{i+1}\equiv r_i\pmod{(2n)^i}$. Also, $s_i$ is the $(i+1)$th digit (counting from the right) of $n^k$ when written in base $2n$, because $0\leq s_i<\frac{(2n)^{i+1}}{(2n)^i}=2n$ and
\[
\sum_{i=0}^{m-1}s_i(2n)^i=r_1+\sum_{i=1}^{m-1}(r_{i+1}-r_i)=r_m=n^k.
\]It suffices to prove that $s_i>d$ for all $i$.

Note that $s_0=r_1=n$ since $n$ is odd. Hence $r_i>0$ for all $i$. Fix $1\leq i\leq m-1$. Since $\frac{n^k-r_{i+1}}{(2n)^i}\equiv 0\pmod{2n}$ it follows that
\[
s_i\equiv\frac{r_{i+1}-r_i}{(2n)^i}+\frac{n^k-r_{i+1}}{(2n)^i}\equiv\frac{n^k-r_i}{(2n)^i}\pmod{2n}.
\]Then $n^{i+1}\mid n^k-r_i-s_i(2n)^i$ so $n^{i+1}\leq r_i+s_i(2n)^i<(2n)^i+s_i(2n)^i$ since $r_i+s_i(2n)^i\geq r_i$ is positive. Thus $s_i>\frac{n}{2^i}-1\geq 2d-1\geq d$, as desired. $\square$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by KevinYang2.71, 5 hours ago
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Pengu14
435 posts
#7
Y by
BS2012 wrote:
Also if my solution referenced "sufficiently large n" is that ok

I'm pretty sure that's okay.
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BS2012
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#9
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But I never actually gave an example of such N I just said in my solution "because for sufficiently large n, the result is true, such an N exists" is that a dock?
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vutukuri
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#10
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If we only looked at k=1 and k=2, is that partials at least?
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Pengu14
435 posts
#11
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vutukuri wrote:
If we only looked at k=1 and k=2, is that partials at least?

I doubt it.
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hashbrown2009
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#12
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is it just me or were #1 and #2 kinda trivial for USAJMO?
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greenAB08
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#13
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I proved that the amount of digits is $\leq k$, but annoyingly I said that $N=d\times(2^{k-1})$, which is incorrect, and that probably messed up the rest of my proof that used floors and whatever. How many points would that be?
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BS2012
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#14
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greenAB08 wrote:
I proved that the amount of digits is $\leq k$, but annoyingly I said that $N=d\times(2^{k-1})$, which is incorrect, and that probably messed up the rest of my proof that used floors and whatever. How many points would that be?

If the rest of your proof is fine, probably around 5ish

If not, then 0+
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greenAB08
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#15
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Yeah the rest is fine, I just threw lol
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bjump
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#16
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BS2012 wrote:
greenAB08 wrote:
I proved that the amount of digits is $\leq k$, but annoyingly I said that $N=d\times(2^{k-1})$, which is incorrect, and that probably messed up the rest of my proof that used floors and whatever. How many points would that be?

If the rest of your proof is fine, probably around 5ish

If not, then 0+

I used $N=d\cdot 2^k \cdot 1434^{1434}$ in my solution
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scannose
984 posts
#17
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BS2012 wrote:
greenAB08 wrote:
I proved that the amount of digits is $\leq k$, but annoyingly I said that $N=d\times(2^{k-1})$, which is incorrect, and that probably messed up the rest of my proof that used floors and whatever. How many points would that be?

If the rest of your proof is fine, probably around 5ish

If not, then 0+

did the same thing and if i get docked to a 2 for this im going to cry
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KevinChen_Yay
204 posts
#18
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rhydon516 wrote:
too easy for a p2...?

We claim one such $N$ is $\boxed{N=2^{k-1}(d+1)}$. Begin by letting $a_i$ be the digit at the $i$th position from the right (0-indexed) of $n^k$ in base $2n$; i.e., $a_0$ is the units digit. Obviously, $a_i=0$ for all $i\ge k$, since $n^k<(2n)^k$. We WTS $a_i>d$ for each $i=0,1,\dots,k-1$, and observe the following:
\[ a_i=\left\lfloor\frac{n^k}{(2n)^i}\right\rfloor\text{ mod }2n=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}}{2^i}\right\rfloor\text{ mod }2n=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n}{2^i}\right\rfloor. \]Note that the numerator is a positive multiple of $n$, since 1) $k-i>0\implies n\mid\gcd(n^{k-i},2^{i+1}n)$ and 2)
($n$ is odd) $2^{i+1}n\nmid n^{k-i}$. Thus,
\[ a_i=\left\lfloor\frac{n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n}{2^i}\right\rfloor>d \quad\iff\quad n^{k-i}\text{ mod }2^{i+1}n\ge n\ge2^i(d+1), \]which is true since $n>N=2^{k-1}(d+1)$ and $k-1\ge i$. $\square$

how many points if i had the same exact sol but...
1. did the same thing as BS2012 (my solution referenced the bound for n instead of saying for N), but did write in the conclusion sentence that "N obviously existed", and
2. in the conclusion sentence also wrote that considering $a_i=0$ for each $i$ would still show that $N$ exists even tho the sol was already sufficient assuming that $a_i>d$ anyway? (for this one, in other words, do the graders actually care about an unnecessary/slightly off sentence I wrote after a solution that would've probably gotten a 7?)
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plang2008
328 posts
#19 • 1 Y
Y by Mathandski
Fix $k$. Define $r_k = 1$ and $r_{i-1}$ to be the remainder when $nr_i$ is divided by $2^{i-1}$. Notice that $r_1 = 0$ and $r_i$ is odd for $i \neq 1$. Then, we claim that \[n^k = \sum_{i=1}^k \left(\frac{r_i n - r_{i-1}}{2^{i-1}}\right) \cdot (2n)^{i-1}.\]Indeed, notice that this sum equals $\sum_{i=1}^k (r_i n^i - r_{i-1} n^{i-1}) = r_k n^k = n^k$ since it telescopes. Now notice by definition of $(r_i)$, each coefficient of $(2n)^{i-1}$ is an integer. Also, since $r_i < 2(2^{i-1})$, each coefficient is between $0$ and $2n - 1$. Thus, the above sum is simply a base-$2n$ representation of $n^k$.

Finally, since $r_{i-1} < 2^{i-1}$, we have \[\frac{r_i n - r_{i-1}}{2^{i-1}} > \frac{r_i n}{2^{i-1}} - 1 \geq \frac{n}{2^{i-1}} - 1.\]Clearly, as $n$ becomes arbitrarily large, the lower bound of each digit becomes arbitrarily large as well.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by plang2008, Mar 20, 2025, 4:26 PM
Reason: r_1 not r_0
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EpicBird08
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#20
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Feeling kinda dumb after reading the above solutions :blush:

Define the function $g_n (x) = 2n \{x\}.$ We start with the following:
Claim: For all $m \ge 2$ we have $$n^k = \sum_{i=1}^{m-1} (2n)^{k-i} \left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor + (2n)^{k-m+1} \left\{ g_n^{m-2} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\}$$
Proof: By induction on $m.$ The base case $m=2$ is because $$(2n)^{k-1} \left(\left\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right\rfloor + \left\{ \frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right\}\right) = (2n)^{k-1} \cdot \frac{n}{2^{k-1}} = n^k.$$Now for the inductive step, we have
\begin{align*}
 (2n)^{k-m+1} \left\{ g_n^{m-2} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\} &= (2n)^{k-m} \cdot 2n \left\{ g_n^{m-2} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\} \\
  &= (2n)^{k-m} g_n^{m-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \\
  &= (2n)^{k-m} \left\lfloor g_n^{m-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor + (2n)^{k-m} \left\{ g_n^{m-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\}.
\end{align*}Plugging this into the inductive hypothesis completes the induction.

Using $m = k+1$ in the above claim gives $$n^k = \sum_{i=1}^{k} (2n)^{k-i} \left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor + \left\{ g_n^{k-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\}.$$Every term to the left of the rightmost term is an integer, so the rightmost term is also an integer. However, since $0 \le \{x\} < 1$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R},$ it must be $0.$ This gives us $$\boxed{n^k = \sum_{i=1}^{k} (2n)^{k-i} \left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor}.$$We have $$\left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor < 2n$$since $g(x) < 2n$ for all $x.$ Thus the boxed equation gives the unique base $2n$ representation of $n^k.$

Claim: We have that $2^{k-i-1} g_n^{i} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right)$ is an odd integer, for all $0 \le i \le k-2.$

Proof: Again by induction, this time on $i.$ The base case $i=0$ is trivial as $n$ is odd. For the inductive step, we have $g_n^i \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) = \frac{z}{2^{k-i-1}}$ for some odd integer $z,$ so $$2^{k-i-2} g_n^{i+1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) = 2^{k-i-1} n \left\{\frac{z}{2^{k-i-1}}\right\} = 2^{k-i-1} n \left(\frac{z}{2^{k-i-1}} - \left\lfloor \frac{z}{2^{k-i-1}} \right\rfloor \right).$$This is $$nz - 2^{k-i-1} n \left\lfloor \frac{z}{2^{k-i-1}} \right\rfloor.$$The last term is even for $i < k-1,$ and the first term is odd since $n$ and $z$ are odd. This completes the induction.

Now, when $i = 1,$ we have $$\left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor = \left\lfloor\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right\rfloor,$$so assume $i \ge 2.$ Then we have
\begin{align*}
 \left\lfloor g_n^{i-1} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\rfloor &= \left\lfloor 2n \left\{g_n^{i-2} \left(\frac{n}{2^{k-1}}\right) \right\}\right\rfloor \\
 &\ge \left\lfloor 2n \cdot \frac{1}{2^{k-i+1}}\right\rfloor \\
 &= \left\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-i}} \right\rfloor
\end{align*}since any odd positive integer is at least $1.$ Therefore, the $i$th digit from the left in the base $2n$ representation of $n^k$ is at least $\left\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-i}}\right\rfloor.$ Taking $n > (d+1) \cdot 2^{k-1}$ finishes.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by EpicBird08, Mar 20, 2025, 12:51 PM
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BS2012
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#21
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How many points would this get:

Let $m=\lfloor k\log_{2n}(n)\rfloor+1$ be the number of digits in $n^k$ when expressed in base $2n.$ Note that
$$m=\left\lfloor k\left(\dfrac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n)+\ln(2)}\right)\right\rfloor+1.$$Note that $\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n)+\ln(2)}<1$ but $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n)+\ln(2)}=1,$ so for sufficiently large $n$ we have that $m=k-1+1=k.$ Thus, we can just assume that going forward.

Let $a_0,a_1,\dots,a_{k-1}$ be the unique sequence of integers between $0$ and $2n-1$ inclusive such that
$$n^k=\displaystyle \sum_{i=0}^{k-1}a_{i}(2n)^{i}.$$Then, let $b_0,b_1,\dots,b_{k-1}$ be defined as
$$b_i=\displaystyle \sum_{c=0}^{i}a_{c}(2n)^{c}.$$Note that $b_{k-1}=n^k.$

Claim: $b_i\ge n^{i+1}.$ This is obviously true for $i=k-1,$ and for $0\le i<k-1,$ we have
$$b_i\equiv n^k\pmod {(2n)^{i+1}},$$so
$$b_i=n^k-r(2n)^{i+1}=n^{i+1}(n^{k-i-1}-r(2)^{i+1})$$for some integer $r.$ However, we have that $n^{k-i-1}$ is odd, $r(2)^{i+1}$ is even, and $b_i$ is nonnegative (would i get pts off for saying positive in contest?), so we have $n^{k-i-1}-r(2)^{i+1}\ge 1$ (might've accidentally said greater than here) and $b_i\ge n^{i+1}.$

Then, since $b_i$ is an $i$ digit base $2n$ number, we have that $b_i<(2n)^i.$ Then, we have for $i>0$ that
$$(2n)^i a_i=b_{i}-b_{i-1}>n^{i+1}-(2n)^i,$$so
$$a_i\ge \dfrac{n}{2^i}-1.$$For sufficiently large $n$ we have
$$a_i\ge \dfrac{n}{2^i}-1>d.$$If $i=0,$ we have for sufficiently large $n$
$$a_0=b_0\ge n>d,$$so the desired result is true for sufficiently large $n.$ Thus, such an $N$ exists, and we are done.
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Ilikeminecraft
302 posts
#23
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$N > (d+1)\cdot2^{k - 1}$ works
Claim:
For all sufficiently large $n,$ $n^k$ has exactly $k$ digits.
Proof:
Note that $N > 2^{k - 1}.$
Furthermore,
\begin{align*}
            \text{\# of digits} & = 1+\lfloor\log_{2n}(n^k)\rfloor \\
            & = 1 + \lfloor k \log_{2n}(n)\rfloor \\
            & = 1 + \lfloor k(1 - \log_{2n}(2))\rfloor 
        \end{align*}Also note that $0 < \log_{2n}(2) < \frac 1k$ from the bound $N > 2^{k - 1}.$ This finishes.

Let $n^k = \overline{a_{k - 1}\dots a_1a_0}.$

Let $0 \leq \ell < k.$
Claim:
$a_{\ell} = \left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell}}\right\rfloor - 2n\cdot\left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell + 1}}\right\rfloor $
Proof:
Note that:
\begin{align*}
            \left\lfloor\frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell}}\right\rfloor & = \left\lfloor\frac{\sum_{j = 0}^{k - 1} a_j (2n)^{j}}{(2n)^\ell}\right\rfloor \\
            & = \left\lfloor\sum_{j = \ell}^{k - 1}a_j(2n)^{j - \ell} + \sum_{j = 0}^{\ell - 1}a_j(2n)^{j - \ell}\right\rfloor \\ 
            & = \sum_{j = \ell}^{k - 1}a_j(2n)^{j - \ell}
        \end{align*}where the last equality is since that sum is obviously an integer and the other sum is obviously less than 1.

Hence,
\begin{align*}
            a_j & = \sum_{j = \ell}^{k - 1}a_j(2n)^{j - \ell} - 2n\cdot\sum_{j = \ell + 1}^{k - 1}a_j(2n)^{j - \ell - 1} \\
            & = \left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell}}\right\rfloor - 2n\cdot\left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell -1}}\right\rfloor 
        \end{align*}Now, we can finish.

Next, note that $\left\{\frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell + 1}}\right\} = \left\{\frac{n^{k- \ell + 1}}{2^{\ell + 1}}\right\} \geq \frac1{2^{\ell+1}} \geq \frac1{2^{k}}$ where the first inequality follows from $n$ being odd, and the second follows from $\ell < k.$

Now, pick some $N > (d + 1)\cdot 2^{k - 1}.$ From the first claim, we have:
\begin{align*}
        a_\ell & = \left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell}}\right\rfloor - 2n\cdot\left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell+1}}\right\rfloor \\
        & = \left\lfloor \frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell}}-2n\cdot \left\lfloor\frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell+1}}\right\rfloor\right\rfloor \\
        & = \left\lfloor2n\cdot\left\{\frac{n^k}{(2n)^{\ell+1}}\right\}\right\rfloor \\
        & \geq\left\lfloor\frac{2n}{2^k}\right\rfloor \\
        & \geq d + 1
    \end{align*}
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arfekete
246 posts
#24
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Claim 1: The base $2n$ representation of $n^k$ has at most $k$ digits.
Proof: Suppose $n^k$ had at least $k + 1$ digits. Then the least value of $n^k$ would be $100000\cdots$ ($k$ $0$s) $= (2n)^k$, which would imply $n^k \geq (2n)^k \to 1 \geq 2^k$ which is absurd since $k$ is positive.
Claim 2: The $m$th digit of $n^k$ from the right in base $2n$ is greater than $\frac{n}{(2)^{m-1}} - 1$.
Proof: By claim 1, $k \geq m$. Since we are working in base $2n$, the $m$th digit from the right will be equal to $\frac{p_{m} - p_{m-1}}{(2n)^{m-1}}$, where $p_m$ is the unique positive integer $0 \leq p_m < (2n)^m$ for which $p_m \equiv n^k \pmod{(2n)^m}$. $p_{m-1}$ is defined analogously. Since $m \leq k$, we have $n^m | n^k$ so by Chinese Remainder Theorem (note that CRT is applicable since $n$ is odd so $\gcd{(2^m, n^m)} = 1$), $p_m = q_mn^m$ for some $q_m \geq 1$ ($q_m = 0$ is impossible since then $n^k$ would be even). We are given by definition that $q_{m-1} < (2n)^{m - 1}$ so: $$\frac{p_m - p_{m-1}}{(2n)^{(m-1)}} > \frac{p_m}{(2n)^{(m-1)}} - 1 = \frac{q_mn^m}{2^{m-1}n^{m-1}} - 1 \geq \frac{n^m}{2^{m-1}n^{m-1}} - 1 = \frac{n}{2^{m-1}} - 1$$as desired.
Claim 3: $N = (d+1)2^{k-1}$ is sufficient \newline
Proof: Let $b_m$ be the nth digit from the right. Since we have $b_m > \frac{n}{2^{m - 1}} - 1$ and $m \leq k$, it follows that $b_m > \frac{n}{2^{k-1}} - 1$ $\forall m \in \{1, 2, \dots, k\}$, so letting $n > N = (d + 1)2^{k - 1}$, we get that $b_m > \frac{n}{2^{k-1}} - 1 > \frac{(d+1)2^{k-1}}{2^{k-1}} - 1 = d$, as desired.

This was what I wrote originally but when I had a bit of extra time I added a forth page:

In case this is needed: Proof that $b_m = \frac{p_m-p_{m-1}}{(2n)^{m-1}}$: We have that $$n^k = \sum_{i=1}^{k}b_i \cdot2^{i-1} = \sum_{i=1}^{k}\frac{p_i-p_{i-1}}{2^{i-1}} \cdot2^{i-1} = \sum_{i=1}^{k}{p_m-p_{m-1}} = p_k-p_0$$by telescoping. \newline $p_0 = 0$ since $(2n)^{0} = 1$ and $n^k \equiv 0 \pmod{1}$. \newline $p_k = n^k$ since $(2n)^k > n^k$ and $n^k \equiv n^k \pmod {(2n)^k}$. Therefore, our formula produces the right value as desired. Since there is a unique way to write $n^k$ in base $2n$, it remains to prove that each term of this formula is an integer. Since $p_m \equiv n^k \pmod{(2n)^m}$ and $(2n)^{m-1} | (2n)^m$, we have that $p_m \equiv n^k \pmod{(2n)^{m-1}}$. $p_{m-1} \equiv n^k \pmod{(2n)^{m-1}}$ by definition, so $p_m - p_{m-1} \equiv 0 \pmod{(2n)^{m-1}}$ and $\frac{p_m - p_{m-1}}{(2n)^{(m-1)}}$ is an integer, as desired.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by arfekete, Mar 20, 2025, 1:28 PM
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v_Enhance
6869 posts
#25 • 5 Y
Y by GrantStar, OronSH, MathRook7817, NaturalSelection, NicoN9
The problem actually doesn't have much to do with digits: the idea is to pick any length $\ell \le k$, and look at the rightmost $\ell$ digits of $n^k$; that is, the remainder upon division by $(2n)^\ell$. We compute it exactly:

Claim: Let $n \ge 1$ be an odd integer, and $k \ge \ell \ge 1$ integers. Then \[ n^k \bmod{(2n)^i} = c(k,\ell) \cdot n^i \]for some odd integer $1 \le c(k,\ell) \le 2^\ell-1$.
Proof. This follows directly by the Chinese remainder theorem, with $c(k,\ell)$ being the residue class of $n^{-k} \pmod{2^\ell}$ (which makes sense because $n$ was odd). $\blacksquare$
In particular, for the $\ell$th digit from the right to be greater than $d$, it would be enough that \[ c(k,\ell) \cdot n^\ell \ge (d+1) \cdot (2n)^{\ell-1}. \]But this inequality holds whenever $n \ge (d+1) \cdot 2^{\ell-1}$.
Putting this together by varying $\ell$, we find that for all odd \[ n \ge (d+1) \cdot 2^{k-1} \]we have that
  • $n^k$ has $k$ digits in base-$2n$; and
  • for each $\ell = 1, \dots, k$, the $\ell$\textsuperscript{th} digit from the right is at least $d+1$
so the problem is solved.

Remark: Note it doesn't really mater that $c(k,i)$ is odd per se; we only need that $c(k,i) \ge 1$.
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OronSH
1727 posts
#26 • 3 Y
Y by GrantStar, ihatemath123, Sleepy_Head
We claim $N=2^{k-1}(d+1)$ works. Suppose the $r$th digit from the right is $\le d$, where clearly $r\le k$. Then \[\frac{d+1}{2n}>\left\{\frac{n^k}{(2n)^r}\right\}=\left\{\frac{n^{k-r}}{2^r}\right\}\ge\frac1{2^r}\ge\frac1{2^k},\]failing at $n>N$ as desired.
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S.Das93
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#27
Y by
I messed it up and got $2^{k-1}*d+1$ does this still work or not
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ihatemath123
3440 posts
#29 • 1 Y
Y by OronSH
@above although i think that N is going to fail, it should be a 0 pt deduction bc of how close it is?

Here's a more 'conceptual' solution. We take $\boxed{N = (d+1) \cdot 2^{k-1}}$.

Dividing $n^k$ by $(2n)^k$ shifts it $k$ digits right, leaving us with $(\tfrac{1}{2})^k$. It suffices to show that the first $k$ digits after the decimal point are all greater than $d$.

Claim: For any number $x$, consider a digit $d$ in its base $2n$ representation. When we halve $x$, the digit $d$ is replaced by either $d \to \lfloor \tfrac{d}{2} \rfloor$ or $d \to \lfloor \tfrac{d}{2} \rfloor + n$.
Proof: This is apparent from interpreting half of $x$ as $x \cdot 0.b_{\text{base } 2b}$, and carrying out the column multiplication. In particular, note that since $0 \leq d \leq 2n-1$, $\lfloor \tfrac{d}{2} \rfloor + n$ is also at most $2n-1$.

When we repeatedly divide by $2$ for $k$ iterations, each of the first $k$ digits after the decimal point, while initially $0$, will become $n$ in one of the iterations. For each digit, after $0 \to n$, there are at most $k-1$ iterations remaining. Any digit is at least (the floor of) half of its previous value in one iteration, as established in the claim, so after all the iterations, the value of the digit is at least
\[\left \lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-1}} \right \rfloor \geq \left \lfloor \frac{N}{2^{k-1}} \right \rfloor > d.\]remark
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by ihatemath123, Mar 20, 2025, 1:45 PM
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cushie27
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#30
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greenAB08 wrote:
I proved that the amount of digits is $\leq k$, but annoyingly I said that $N=d\times(2^{k-1})$, which is incorrect, and that probably messed up the rest of my proof that used floors and whatever. How many points would that be?

I think that’s very insignificant because it’s not really a part of the main step for the floor solution, at least for the way I did it. (maybe -1 at max)

For me, I used floor and remainders as well but I did not know how to phrase it properly in the language of induction… so I just said “we have the same problem with index shifted one down, so repeat the same process.” Does anyone know if this will be a big issue?
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by cushie27, Mar 20, 2025, 2:16 PM
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BS2012
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#32
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Ok so I used $b_i$ as $n^k$ mod $(2n)^{i+1}$ (not exactly, but i proved that for my definition of $b_i$ that this is true) and i accidentally said that $b_i$ is positive instead of nonnegative. This does not impact the other steps in my solution.

Also, I got it down to $b_i=n^{i+1}(n^{k-i-1}-r(2)^{i+1})$ and it is clear that $n^{k-i-1}$ is odd and $r(2)^{i+1}$ is even, so I concluded that since $b_i$ is "positive" (nonnegative), that $n^{k-i-1}-r(2)^{i+1}\ge 1.$ Unfortunately, I may have said greater than instead of greater than or equal to. However, this also does not impact my claim since I had intended to do $\ge.$

How many points would be deducted?

EDIT: $b_i$ is in fact positive, and my solution kind of made it clear why by doing $b_i\equiv n^k\pmod{(2n)^{i+1}}.$ It should be obvious from this... right?
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by BS2012, Mar 20, 2025, 2:20 PM
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scannose
984 posts
#33
Y by
@above none possibly
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MathJams
3228 posts
#34
Y by
Does this work?
Let $N=2^k(d+1)$, so $(2n)^{k-1}<n^k<(2n)^k$. Then, the base $2n$ representation of $n^k$ is in the form $c_{k-1}c_{k-2}\dots c_0$. Assume FTSOC that $c_j\leq d$. Then, $$n^k=\sum_{j+1}^{k-1} c_i(2n)^i + c_j(2n)^j + \sum_{0}^{j-1} c_i(2n)^i.$$Taking both sides mod $n^{j+1}$, we have $0\equiv c_j(2n)^j +  \sum_{0}^{j-1} c_i(2n)^i$. However, $$c_j(2n)^j +  \sum_{0}^{j-1} c_i(2n)^i\leq d(2n)^j+(2n)^j-1 < (d+1)(2n)^j.$$This means, $$(d+1)(2n)^j = n^j(2^j\cdot (d+1))< n^{j+1}.$$Thus, we must have $c_j(2n)^j + \sum_{0}^{j-1} c_i(2n)^i = 0$. Then, $n^k=\sum_{j+1}^{k-1} c_i(2n)^i$. Taking both sides mod $2$ gives a contradiction as desired.
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Mathandski
720 posts
#35 • 2 Y
Y by ihatemath123, dolphinday
Really short solution (omitted some details):

We claim each digit of $n^k$ is at least $\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-1}}  \rfloor$. We do this by induction on $k$.

When we multiply each digit $d$ by $n$. The amount that carries over $\lfloor \frac{nd}{2n}  \rfloor = \lfloor \frac{d}{2}  \rfloor$ while the amount that stays is $n$ or $0$. Note that $\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k}}  \rfloor \le \lfloor \frac{d}{2}  \rfloor < n$ Therefore, the digits after multiplying $n^{k}$ with $n$ are less than $2n$ and at least $\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k}} \rfloor$ as desired.

Taking $N = (d+1) 2^{k-1}$ suffices.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by Mathandski, Mar 20, 2025, 2:38 PM
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mop
4053 posts
#36
Y by
do i lose points if i said that n>2^(k-1)d+2^(k-1)-1
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eg4334
614 posts
#37
Y by
sketch:
-n^k has k digits sufficiently large n
-the leading digit is floor(n/2^k-1)
-induct on k and show that the remaining digits take the form n^(k-1) * n mod 2^k-1 or somethiing like that
-use induct hypothesis to win
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greenAB08
14 posts
#38
Y by
cushie27 wrote:

I think that’s very insignificant because it’s not really a part of the main step for the floor solution, at least for the way I did it. (maybe -1 at max)

For me, I used floor and remainders as well but I did not know how to phrase it properly in the language of induction… so I just said “we have the same problem with index shifted one down, so repeat the same process.” Does anyone know if this will be a big issue?

Honestly it might be, I found that that was the crux of the proof. My induction was a little sketchy as well
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by greenAB08, Mar 20, 2025, 3:08 PM
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cursed_tangent1434
552 posts
#39
Y by
Very sus solution here. We prove the result on induction on $k$ (for all $d$). When $k=1$, $n_{2n}=n$ so for all $d \in \mathbb{N}$ there exists sufficiently large $N$ such that for all $n>N$ the digits of $n$ are greater than $d$.

Now, say the digits of $n^k$ in base $2n$ are,
\[n^k_{2n} = \overline{a_1a_2\dots a_r}\]Then,
\[2n^{k+1}_{2n} = \overline{a_1a_2\dots a_r0}\]
Now, we show the following pretty obvious claim.

Claim : If all digits of the positive integer $X$ are greater than $2z$ then all digits of $\lfloor\frac{X}{2}\rfloor$ (excluding possibly the last digit) are at least $z$.

Proof : We simply consider dividing $X$ by $2$. If a digit is even, its halve will be written which must be greater than $z$. If a digit is odd, its halve is written and a carry over of 1 is taken to the next place. Then, the halve of $2n+a$ will be written in the next place where $a$ is the number in this place which is clearly at least $z$ if $a>2z$. This process continues until the division is complete and it follows that all digits (except possibly the last if the final digit of $X$ is odd) will be at least $z$.

Now, applying this to $2n^{k+1}$, if we pick sufficiently large $n$ such that all digits of $n^k_{2n}$ are greater than $2d$ and $n>d$, then all the digits of $n^{k+1}$ will be greater than $d$ (the final digit must be $n$ since $n^{k}$ is odd (as $n$ is odd)). Thus, the induction is complete and the result follows.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by cursed_tangent1434, Mar 20, 2025, 3:45 PM
Reason: minor details
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Bole
574 posts
#41
Y by
cursed_tangent1434 wrote:
Very sus solution here. We prove the result on induction on $k$ (for all $d$). When $k=1$, $n_{2n}=n$ so for all $d \in \mathbb{N}$ there exists sufficiently large $N$ such that for all $n>N$ the digits of $n$ are greater than $d$.

Now, say the digits of $n^k$ in base $2n$ are,
\[n^k_{2n} = \overline{a_1a_2\dots a_r}\]Then,
\[2n^{k+1}_{2n} = \overline{a_1a_2\dots a_r0}\]
Now, we show the following pretty obvious claim.

Claim : If all digits of the positive integer $X$ are greater than $2z$ then all digits of $\lfloor\frac{X}{2}\rfloor$ (excluding possibly the last digit) are at least $z$.

Proof : We simply consider dividing $X$ by $2$. If a digit is even, its halve will be written which must be greater than $z$. If a digit is odd, its halve is written and a carry over of 1 is taken to the next place. Then, the halve of $2n+a$ will be written in the next place where $a$ is the number in this place which is clearly at least $z$ if $a>2z$. This process continues until the division is complete and it follows that all digits (except possibly the last if the final digit of $X$ is odd) will be at least $z$.

Now, applying this to $2n^{k+1}$, if we pick sufficiently large $n$ such that all digits of $n^k_{2n}$ are greater than $2d$ and $n>d$, then all the digits of $n^{k+1}$ will be greater than $d$ (the final digit must be $n$ since $n^{k}$ is odd (as $n$ is odd)). Thus, the induction is complete and the result follows.

This is basically identical to what I did in contest :coolspeak:
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YaoAOPS
1497 posts
#42
Y by
Solution in contest was basically fix $n \equiv e \pmod{2^k}$, then write
\[
n^k = \frac{f_{k-1}}{2^{k-1}} (2n)^{k-1} + \dots + \frac{f_1}{2} \cdot (2n) + f_0
\]where $f_i$ are nonconstant linear integer polynomials such that $2^k \mid f_i(e)$ with $f_i(n) < 2^{i+1} \cdot n$ for large $n$.
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deduck
175 posts
#44
Y by
Notice the digits (except units digit which is $n$ and first digit is $\lfloor \frac{n}{2^{k-1}} \rfloor$) are of the form
$$\frac{an-b}{2^x},$$where $1 \le x \le k-2$, $1 \le a \le 2^x$, and $1 \le b \le 2^{x-1}$. ($a,b$ change on the choice of $x$)

Then $2^{k-1}(d+1)$ wins.


stupid problem gets me confused between $>$ and $\ge$
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by deduck, Mar 20, 2025, 10:58 PM
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MathLuis
1464 posts
#45 • 3 Y
Y by KevinYang2.71, OronSH, megarnie
We claim that $N=2^{k-1}(d+1)$ just works because if the rightmost digit $r \le k$ happend to be $\le d$ then:
\[ \frac{d+1}{2n}> \left\{ \frac{n^k}{(2n)^r} \right\}=\left\{\frac{n^{k-r}}{2^r} \right\}>\frac{1}{2^r} \ge \frac{1}{2^k} \]Which happens only when $(d+1)2^{k-1}>n$ and thus we are done :cool:.
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DouDragon
1731 posts
#46 • 1 Y
Y by ihatemath123
ihatemath123 wrote:
@above although i think that N is going to fail, it should be a 0 pt deduction bc of how close it is?

Here's a more 'conceptual' solution. ...

This was basically my solution, except I spent 4 pages formalizing details. :skull: I really need to cut down
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sepehr2010
102 posts
#47
Y by
Denote $a_{v,k}$ as the first $v$ digits of $n^k$ base $2n$. Notice that the $s$th digit of $n^k$ base $2n$ is simply $\frac{n^k \mod (2n)^s - a_{s-1,k}}{(2n)^{s-1}}$.

By basic mod properties, $n^k \mod (2n)^s = n^s (n^{k-s} \mod 2^s)$, which has a minimum value of $n^s$ as $n$ is odd.

Claim: It is sufficient for $N = 2^{k-1}(d+1)$.

Proof: Notice that at $s = k$, $\frac{n^k \mod (2n)^k - a_{k-1,k}}{(2n)^{k-1}}$, and for our hypothesis to be true, $\frac{n^k \mod (2n)^k - a_{k-1,k}}{(2n)^{k-1}} > d$. Since the left hand side is integer, it is minimized when it is equal to $d+1$. After some minimal computation, we find this to be true.

Notice that this is also trivially the most harsh bound.
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awesomeming327.
1671 posts
#48 • 2 Y
Y by VicKmath7, KevinYang2.71
We will prove an even stronger form of the problem: let $n^k$ have base-$2n$ representation of
\[n^k=d_{k-1}(2n)^{k-1}+d_{k-2}(2n)^{k-2}+\ldots+d_1(2n)+d_0\]where $0\le d_i\le 2n-1$ for all $i$. We'll show that there exists a positive integer $N$ such that for all $n\ge N$, $d_{i}>d$ for all $i$. In short, we are adding possible leading zeroes to the base-$2n$ representation.

Let $N=(d+1)2^{k-1}$. Let $r_a(b)$, read the reduction of $b \pmod {a}$ denote the integer in $0\le c\le b-1$ such that $b\equiv c\pmod a$. Then the digit $d_i$ of $n^k$ will largely decided by $r_{(2n)^{i+1}}(n^k)$. Since $n^k\equiv 0\pmod {n^{i+1}}$, $n^{i+1}\mid r_{(2n)^{i+1}}(n^k)$. Since $n$ is odd, the reduction is not zero, so it is at least $n^{i+1}$.

We have
\[n^{i+1}\le d_i(2n)^i+d_{i-1}(2n)^{i-1}+\dots+d_1(2n)+d_0<(d_i+1)(2n)^i=(d_i+1)2^in^i\]which rearranges to $d_i>n/2^i-1\ge (d+1)-1=d$. We are done.
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mineric
60 posts
#49
Y by
I had the k digit claim, the floor claim, as well as $(d+1)(2^{k-1})$, but in my induction, I said that every digit is one of four forms, and this would mean $23 = 1+8x \pmod{46}$ implies that $20$ is of the form $\frac{23-1}{8}$, which it obviously isn't, since $8$ doesn't have an inverse mod $46$. However, $20$ is much larger than $\frac{11}{4}$, so this doesn't ruin the $\lfloor{\frac{n}{2^{k-i}}}\rfloor$ thing, or anything else really, but I'm not sure if this will get 0-2 or 5/6 now.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by mineric, Today at 3:19 AM
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sansgankrsngupta
128 posts
#50
Y by
OG! did anyone use induction here?
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