3 Let $ (a,b,c,d \in \mathbb{N})$ such that $ (a \ge b \ge c \ge d)$. Show that the equation $ (x^4 - ax^3 - bx^2 - cx -d = 0)$ has no integer solution. Sketch of the Solution: Claim 1: There cannot be a negative integer solution. Suppose other wise. If possible $x= […]
1. Let $(\Gamma_1)$ and $(\Gamma_2)$ be two circles touching each other externally at R. Let $(O_1)$ and $(O_2)$ be the centres of $(\Gamma_1)$ and $(\Gamma_2)$, respectively. Let $(\ell_1)$ be a line which is tangent to $(\Gamma_2)$ at P and passing through $(O_1)$, and let $(\ell_2)$ be the line tangent to $(\Gamma_1)$ at Q and passing […]
This post contains problems from Indian National Mathematics Olympiad, INMO 2013. Try them and share your solution in the comments. Problem 1 Let $\Gamma_{1}$ and $\Gamma_{2}$ be two circles touching each other externally at $R$. Let $l_{1}$ be a line which is tangent to $\Gamma_{2}$ at $P$ and passing through the center $O_{1}$ of $\Gamma_{1}$. […]
6. Find all positive integers n such that $latex (3^{2n} + 3 n^2 + 7 )$ is a perfect square. Solution: We use the fact that between square of two consecutive numbers there exist no perfect square. That is between $(k^2 )$ and $((k+1)^2 )$ there is no square. Note that $(3^{2n} = (9^n)^2 )$ […]
5. Let ABC be a triangle. Let D, E be points on the segment BC such that BD = DE = EC. Let F be the mid point of AC. Let BF intersect AD in P and AE in Q respectively. Determine the ratio of triangle APQ to that of the quadrilateral PDEQ. Solution: Applying Menelaus' […]
4. Let X = {1, 2, 3, ... , 10}. Find the number of pairs {A, B} such that A ⊆ X, B ⊆ X, A ≠ B and A∩B = {5, 7, 8}. Solution: First we put 5, 7, 8 in each of A and B. We are left out with 7 elements of […]
3. Let a and b are positive real numbers such that a+b = 1. Prove that \( (a^a b^b + a^b b^a \le 1)\) Solution: We use the weighted A.M.-G.M. inequality which states that: \( \frac {w_1 a_1 + w_2 a_2 }{w_1 + w_2} \ge ({a_1}^{w_1} {a_2}^{w_2})^{\frac{1}{w_1 + w_2}} \) First we put \( w_1 […]
2. Let a, b, c be positive integers such that a divides $ (b^5)$ , b divides $(c^5)$ and c divides $ (a^5)$. Prove that abc divides $((a+b+c)^{31})$. Solution: A general term of the expansion of $((a+b+c)^{31})$ is $(\frac {31!}{p!q!r!} a^p b^q c^r)$ where p+q+r = 31 (by multinomial theorem; this may reasoned as following: […]
1. Let ABCD be a unit square. Draw a quadrant of a circle with A as the center and B, D as the end points of the arc. Similarly draw a quadrant of a circle with B as the center and A, C as the end points of the arc. Inscribe a circle Γ touching the […]