1971 IMO Shortlist

1

Consider a sequence of polynomials $P_0(x), P_1(x), P_2(x), \ldots, P_n(x), \ldots$, where $P_0(x) = 2, P_1(x) = x$ and for every $n \geq 1$ the following equality holds: \[P_{n+1}(x) + P_{n-1}(x) = xP_n(x).\] Prove that there exist three real numbers $a, b, c$ such that for all $n \geq 1,$ \[(x^2 - 4)[P_n^2(x) - 4] = [aP_{n+1}(x) + bP_n(x) + cP_{n-1}(x)]^2.\]

2

Prove that for every positive integer $m$ we can find a finite set $S$ of points in the plane, such that given any point $A$ of $S$, there are exactly $m$ points in $S$ at unit distance from $A$.

3

Knowing that the system \[x + y + z = 3,\]\[x^3 + y^3 + z^3 = 15,\]\[x^4 + y^4 + z^4 = 35,\] has a real solution $x, y, z$ for which $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 < 10$, find the value of $x^5 + y^5 + z^5$ for that solution.

4

We are given two mutually tangent circles in the plane, with radii $r_1, r_2$. A line intersects these circles in four points, determining three segments of equal length. Find this length as a function of $r_1$ and $r_2$ and the condition for the solvability of the problem.

5

Let \[ E_n=(a_1-a_2)(a_1-a_3)\ldots(a_1-a_n)+(a_2-a_1)(a_2-a_3)\ldots(a_2-a_n)+\ldots+(a_n-a_1)(a_n-a_2)\ldots(a_n-a_{n-1}). \] Let $S_n$ be the proposition that $E_n\ge0$ for all real $a_i$. Prove that $S_n$ is true for $n=3$ and $5$, but for no other $n>2$.

6

Let $n \geq 2$ be a natural number. Find a way to assign natural numbers to the vertices of a regular $2n$-gon such that the following conditions are satisfied: (1) only digits $1$ and $2$ are used; (2) each number consists of exactly $n$ digits; (3) different numbers are assigned to different vertices; (4) the numbers assigned to two neighboring vertices differ at exactly one digit.

7

All faces of the tetrahedron $ABCD$ are acute-angled. Take a point $X$ in the interior of the segment $AB$, and similarly $Y$ in $BC, Z$ in $CD$ and $T$ in $AD$. a.) If $\angle DAB+\angle BCD\ne\angle CDA+\angle ABC$, then prove none of the closed paths $XYZTX$ has minimal length; b.) If $\angle DAB+\angle BCD=\angle CDA+\angle ABC$, then there are infinitely many shortest paths $XYZTX$, each with length $2AC\sin k$, where $2k=\angle BAC+\angle CAD+\angle DAB$.

8

Determine whether there exist distinct real numbers $a, b, c, t$ for which: (i) the equation $ax^2 + btx + c = 0$ has two distinct real roots $x_1, x_2,$ (ii) the equation $bx^2 + ctx + a = 0$ has two distinct real roots $x_2, x_3,$ (iii) the equation $cx^2 + atx + b = 0$ has two distinct real roots $x_3, x_1.$

9

Let $T_k = k - 1$ for $k = 1, 2, 3,4$ and \[T_{2k-1} = T_{2k-2} + 2^{k-2}, T_{2k} = T_{2k-5} + 2^k \qquad (k \geq 3).\] Show that for all $k$, \[1 + T_{2n-1} = \left[ \frac{12}{7}2^{n-1} \right] \quad \text{and} \quad 1 + T_{2n} = \left[ \frac{17}{7}2^{n-1} \right],\] where $[x]$ denotes the greatest integer not exceeding $x.$

10

Prove that we can find an infinite set of positive integers of the from $2^n-3$ (where $n$ is a positive integer) every pair of which are relatively prime.

11

The matrix \[A=\begin{pmatrix} a_{11} & \ldots & a_{1n} \\ \vdots & \ldots & \vdots \\ a_{n1} & \ldots & a_{nn} \end{pmatrix}\] satisfies the inequality $\sum_{j=1}^n |a_{j1}x_1 + \cdots+ a_{jn}x_n| \leq M$ for each choice of numbers $x_i$ equal to $\pm 1$. Show that \[|a_{11} + a_{22} + \cdots+ a_{nn}| \leq M.\]

12

Two congruent equilateral triangles $ABC$ and $A'B'C'$ in the plane are given. Show that the midpoints of the segments $AA',BB', CC'$ either are collinear or form an equilateral triangle.

13

Let $ A = (a_{ij})$, where $ i,j = 1,2,\ldots,n$, be a square matrix with all $ a_{ij}$ non-negative integers. For each $ i,j$ such that $ a_{ij} = 0$, the sum of the elements in the $ i$th row and the $ j$th column is at least $ n$. Prove that the sum of all the elements in the matrix is at least $ \frac {n^2}{2}$.

14

A broken line $A_1A_2 \ldots A_n$ is drawn in a $50 \times 50$ square, so that the distance from any point of the square to the broken line is less than $1$. Prove that its total length is greater than $1248.$

15

Natural numbers from $1$ to $99$ (not necessarily distinct) are written on $99$ cards. It is given that the sum of the numbers on any subset of cards (including the set of all cards) is not divisible by $100$. Show that all the cards contain the same number.

16

Let $P_1$ be a convex polyhedron with vertices $A_1,A_2,\ldots,A_9$. Let $P_i$ be the polyhedron obtained from $P_1$ by a translation that moves $A_1$ to $A_i$. Prove that at least two of the polyhedra $P_1,P_2,\ldots,P_9$ have an interior point in common.

17

Prove the inequality \[ \frac{a_1+ a_3}{a_1 + a_2} + \frac{a_2 + a_4}{a_2 + a_3} + \frac{a_3 + a_1}{a_3 + a_4} + \frac{a_4 + a_2}{a_4 + a_1} \geq 4, \] where $a_i > 0, i = 1, 2, 3, 4.$