Problemas – Álgebra Perú

(Nivel 1)
1. Se consideran las funciones reales de variable real f(x) de la
forma:
f(x) = ax + b, siendo a y b números reales.
Además se define: f 2 (x)  f(f(x)) , f3 (x)  f(f(f(x))) y así sucesivamente.
¿Para qué valores de a y b se verifica f 2014 (x)  x para todo
número real x.

Fuente: Olimpiada matemática española (modificada)

Problemas de academia
1. Dados m;n; p R tales que 3m + 4n + 5p = 12
Halle el mínimo valor de: m 2  n 2  p 2

2. Sea “S” el área un triángulo de lados a, b y c.

a2  b2  c 2
Determine el mínimo valor de:
3S

Dado que f(x + 1) – f(x) = 4x + 5 y f(0) = 6, determine f(x).(J.I.R MC

Knight Problems Contest, 1996)

SOLUCIÓN: Como f(x + 1) – f(x) = 4x + 5 entonces f(x) – f(x – 1) =

4(x – 1) + 5, f(x - 1) – f(x – 2) = 4(x – 2) +5, f(x - 2) – f(x – 3) = 4(x –
3) + 5,
…, f(2) – f(1) = 4(1) + 5, f(1) – f(0) = 4(0) + 5. Sumando miembro a
miembro cada una de estas ecuaciones obtenemos f(x) – f(0) = 4x(x –
1) / 2 + 5x de donde f(x) = 2x2+ 3x + 6

Problema 24 ( Olimpiada Nacional España, 2000 )

Demuestra que no existe ninguna función f : N → N que cumpla: f
(f (n)) = n+1.

Solución.
Supongamos que exista () () 1 | : + = → n n f f N N f .
Se tiene que f (0) = a ∈ N . Por el enunciado:
() (); 1 0 = f f () ()()1 0 = = a f f f
del mismo modo , f (1) = a + 1, f (a + 1) = 2, f (2) = a + 2,........
Supongamos que f (n - 1) = a + n - 1, entonces f ( a + n -1) = a + n
luego hemos probado por
inducción que
() () ( ) n a n a f n f + = + = 2
entonces,
Nanna∉=⇒+=+
2
1
12
hemos llegado a una contradicción y la condición supuesta es falsa
con lo que queda
demostrado la inexistencia de la función f.
Problem 5

Find all positive integer solutions to a3 - b3 - c3 = 3abc, a2 = 2(a + b + c).

Answer

(a,b,c) = (4,1,3), (4,2,2), (4,3,1)

Solution
The first equation shows that a > b and c. So the second equation gives a2 < 6a, and
hence a < 6. The second equation shows that a is even, so a = 2, 4 or 6. If a = 2, then we
must have b = c = 1, which does not satisfy the second equation. If a = 4, then b + c = 4.
It is easy to check that (b,c) = (3,1), (1,3), (2,2) all work. If a = 6, then b + c = 12, but
then b or c ≥ 6, so a3 - b3 - c3 < 0, whereas 3abc > 0.

Problem 4

Find all positive integers m, n such that all roots of (x2 - mx + n)(x2 - nx + m) are
positive integers.

Answer

(m,n) = (4,4), (5,6) or (6,5)

Solution

Let the roots of (x2 - mx + n) be a, b and the roots of (x2 - nx + m) be c, d. Then a+b =
cd and c+d = ab, so (a-1)(b-1) + (c-1)(d-1) = 2. But a-1, b-1, c-1, d-1 are all non-
negative integers. So either 1 ∈ {a,b} and {c,d} = {2,3} or vice versa, or a = b = c = d =
2.

The first case gives n = c+d = 5, m = cd = 6. The vice versa gives n = 6, m = 5. The
final case gives m = n = 4.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 4

Show that the only solution to x + y2 + z3 = 3, y + z2 + x3 = 3, z + x2 + y3 = 3 in positive

reals is x = y = z = 1.

Solution

If x, y ≥ 1, then x + y2 ≤ x2 + y3 (with equality iff x = y = 1). But z3 = 3 - (x+y2) ≥ 3 -

(x2+y3) = z, so z ≥ 1. But obviously if x, y, z are all ≥ 1, then they must all equal 1.
Similarly, if x, y ≤ 1, then z ≤ 1 and hence (x,y,z) = (1,1,1). So if (x,y,z) ≠ (1,1,1), then x
and y are on opposite sides of 1. But a similar argument shows that (assuming (x,y,z) ≠
(1,1,1) ) that y and z are on opposite sides of 1, and z and x are on opposite sides of 1.
Contradiction.
Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 6

For reals a, b define the function f(x) = 1/(ax+b). For which a, b are there distinct reals
x1, x2, x3 such that f(x1) = x2, f(x2) = x3, f(x3) = x1.

Answer

a + b2 = 0

Solution

We find that f(f(f(x))) = (a + b2 + abx)/(b3+2ab + (a2+ab2)x). Now f(f(f(x))) = x is

equivalent to (a2+ab2)x2 + (b3+ab)x - (a+b2) = 0. But this quadratic has three distinct
solutions x1, x2, x3 so it must vanish identically. The constant term vanishes if a + b2 =
0, but then the other coefficients also vanish. So we must have a = -b2.

If a = -b2, then it is easy to check that f(x) = 1/(b - b2x), f(f(x)) = (bx-1)/b2x, f(f(f(x))) =
x, so x1, x2, x3 certainly exist.

Problem 5

The reals a, b satisfy a3 - 3a2 + 5a - 17 = 0, b3 - 3b2 + 5b + 11 = 0. Find a+b.

Answer

Solution

For x < 3, x3 < 3x2 and 5x < 17, so x3 - 3x2 + 5x - 17 < 0. Hence any real roots of x3 -
3x2 + 5x - 17 = 0 must be > 3. But the product of the roots is 17, so the equation cannot
have 3 real roots. Since it had odd degree, it has at least one real root. Non-real roots
occur in complex conjugate pairs, so the equation must have just one real root.
We have (2-a)3 - 3(2-a)2 + 5(2-a) + 11 = (8 - 12a + 6a2 - a3) + (-12 + 12a - 3a2) + (10 -
5a) + 11 = 17 - 5a + 3a2 - a3 = 0. Hence there is a bijection between roots of the two
cubics. Hence the other cubic also has just one real root and the sum of the two roots is
2.

Problem 12

x3 + ax2 + bx + c has three distinct real roots, but (x2 + x + 2001)3 + a(x2 + x + 2001)2 +
b(x2 + x + 2001) + c has no real roots. Show that 20013 + a 20012 + b 2001 + c > 1/64.

Solution

We can write x2 + x + 2001 = (x + 1/2)2 + 2000 - 1/4, so it takes any value ≥ 2000 - 1/4.
Hence the roots of x3 + ax2 + bx + c must all be < 2000 - 1/4. Suppose the roots are p, q,
r. We have p, q, r < 2000 - 1/4, hence 2000-p > 1/4. Similarly, 2000-q > 1/4 and 2000-r
> 1/4. Multiplying we get 20013 + a 20012 + b 2001 + c > 1/64.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 6

Find all integers x, y satisfying x2 + x = y4 + y3 + y2 + y.

Solution

The only solutions are x,y = -1,1-; 0,-1; -1,0; 0,0; -6,2; or 5,2.

(y2 + y/2 - 1/2)(y2 + y/2 + 1/2) = y4 + y3 + 1/4 y2 - 1/4 < y4 + y3 + y2 + y except for -1
<= y <= -1/3. Also (y2 + y/2)(y2 + y/2 + 1) = y4 + y3 + 5/4 y2 + y/2 which is greater than
y4 + y3 + y2 + y unless 0 <= y <= 2.

But no integers are greater than y2 + y/2 - 1/2 and less than y2 + y/2. So the only
possible solutions have y in the range -1 to 2. Checking these 4 cases, we find the
solutions listed.

Problem 8

a, b, c are positive reals. Show that a3 + b3 + c3 + 3abc ≥ ab(a + b) + bc(b + c) + ca(c +

a).

Solution
The inequality is homogeneous, so we can take a = 1 and put b = 1+x, c = 1+y, where x,
y ≥ 0. Then after some reduction the inequality is equivalent to x3+y3+x2+y2-x2y-xy2-xy
≥ 0, or (after factorising x3+y3) to (x+y+1)(x-y)2 + xy ≥ 0, which is obviously true.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 13

Find all solutions (x, y) in positive integers to x3 - y3 = xy + 61.

Answer

(6,5)

Solution

Put x = y + a. Then (3a-1)y2 + a(3a-1)y + (a3-61) = 0. The first two terms are positive,
so the last term must be negative, so a = 1, 2, 3. Trying each case in turn, we get
(y+6)(y-5) = 0, 5y2+10y-53 = 0, 4y2+12y-17 = 0. The last two equations have no
integers solutions.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 16

The positive reals x, y satisfy x3 + y3 = x - y. Show that x2 + y2 < 1.

Solution

Since x, y are positive, so is x3 + y3, and hence x > y. So (x2 + y2)(x - y) = (x3 - y3) -
xy(x - y) < x3 - y3 = x - y. Hence x2 + y2 < 1.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 15

x is a positive integer. Put a = x1/12, b = x1/4, c = x1/6. Show that 2a + 2b ≥ 21+c.

Solution

Put x = r12. Since x is a positive integer, we have r ≥ 1. We have to show that (2r + 2r3)/2
≥ 2r2. But this follows immediately from AM/GM.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 20

x is a real number. Define x0 = 1 + √(1 + x), x1 = 2 + x/x0, x2 = 2 + x/x1, ... , x1985 = 2 +

x/x1984. Find all solutions to x1985 = x.

Answer

Solution

If x = 0, then x1985 = 2 ≠ x. Otherwise we find x1 = 2 + x/(1+√(1+x)) = 2 + (√(1+x) - 1)

= 1 + √(1+x). Hence x1985 = 1 + √(1+x). So x - 1 = √(1+x). Squaring, x = 0 or 3. We
have already ruled out x = 0. It is easy to check that x = 3 is a solution.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 18

Find the minimum value of xy/z + yz/x + zx/y for positive reals x, y, z with x2 + y2 + z2
= 1.

Solution

Answer: min √3 when all equal.

Let us consider z to be fixed and focus on x and y. Put f(x, y, z) = xy/z + yz/x + zx/y.
We have f(x, y, z) = p/z + z(1-z2)/p = (p + k2/p)/z, where p = xy, and k = z√(1-z2). Now
p can take any value in the range 0 < p ≤ (1-z2)/2. The upper limit is achieved when x =
y.

We have p + k2/p = (p - k)2/p. For p ≤ k, (p - k) and 1/p are both decreasing functions of
p, so p + k2/p is a decreasing function of p. Thus if p is restricted to the interval (0, h],
then for k ≤ h the minimum value of p + k2/p is 2k and occurs at p = k. For k ≥ h the
minimum is h + k2/h and occurs at p = h.

We have h = (1-z2)/2, k = z√(1-z2). So k ≤ h iff z <= 1/√5. So if z ≤ 1/√5, then f(x, y, z)

≥ 2k/z = 2√(1-z2) ≥ 27√(1-1/5) = 4/√5 > √3.

If z > 1/√5, then the minimum of f(x, y, z) occurs at x = y and is x2/z + z + z = (1-
z2)/(2z) + 2z = 3z/2 + 1/(2z) = (√3)/2 (z√3 + 1/(z√3) ≥ √3 with equality at z = 1/√3 (and
hence x = y = 1/√3 also).

Problem 22

What is the smallest n for which there is a solution to sin x1 + sin x2 + ... + sin xn = 0,
sin x1 + 2 sin x2 + ... + n sin xn = 100?

Solution

Put x1 = x2 = ... = x10 = 3/2, x11 = x12 = ... = x20 = /2. Then sin x1 + sin x2 + ... + sin x20
= (-1 - 1 - 1 - ... - 1) + (1 + 1 + ... + 1) = 0, and sin x1 + 2 sin x2 + ... + 20 sin x20 = - (1 +
2 + ... + 10) + (11 + 12 + ... + 20) = 100. So there is a solution with n = 20. If there is a
solution with n < 20, then there must be a solution for n = 19 (put any extra xi = 0). But
then 100 = (sin x1 + 2 sin x2 + ... + 19 sin x19 ) - 10 (sin x1 + sin x2 + ... + sin x19 ) = -9
sin x1 - 8 sin x2 - 7 sin x3 - ... - sin x9 + sin x11 + 2 sin x12 + ... + 9 sin x19. But | rhs | ≤ (9
+ 8 + ... + 1) + (1 + 2 + ... + 9) = 90. Contradiction. So there is no solution for n < 20.

Problem 10

Let x1, x2, ... , xn be positive reals with sum 1. Show that x12/(x1 + x2) + x22/(x2 + x3) + ...
+ xn-12/(xn-1 + xn) + xn2/(xn + x1) ≥ 1/2.

Solution

∑ xi2/(xi+xi+1) - ∑ xi+12/(xi+xi+1) = ∑ (xi - xi+1) = 0. Hence ∑ xi2/(xi+xi+1) = ½ ∑

(xi2+xi+12)/(xi+xi+1) ≥ ¼ ∑ (xi + xi+1) = ½.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 18

p(x) is the cubic x3 - 3x2 + 5x. If h is a real root of p(x) = 1 and k is a real root of p(x) =
5, find h + k.
Solution

Put y = 2-h, where p(h) = 1, then (2-y)3 - 3(2-y)2 + 5(2-y) - 1 = 0, so 8-12y+6y2-y3 -

12+12y-3y2 + 10-5y - 1 = 0, or y3 - 3y2 + 5y = 5, or p(y) = 5. So if h is a root of p(h) =
1, then there is a root k of p(k) = 5 such that h+k = 2. To complete the proof we have to
show that p(x) = 5 has only one real root.

But x3 - 3x2 + 5x = (x-1)3 + 2(x-1) + 3 which is a strictly increasing function of x-1 and
hence of x. So p(x) = k has only one real root.

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 9

Show that (x + y + z)2/3 ≥ x√(yz) + y√(zx) + z√(xy) for all non-negative reals x, y, z.

Solution

By AM/GM xy + yz ≥ 2x√(yz). Adding the similar results gives 2(xy + yz + zx) ≥

2(x√(yz) + y√(zx) + z√(xy) ).

By AM/GM x2 + x2 + y2 + z2 ≥ 4x√(yz). Adding the similar results gives x2 + y2 + z2 ≥

x√(yz) + y√(zx) + z√(xy). Adding the first result gives (x + y + z)2/3 ≥ x√(yz) + y√(zx)
+ z√(xy).

Thanks to Suat Namli

Problem 23

If a > b > c > d > 0 are integers such that ad = bc, show that (a - d)2 ≥ 4d + 8.

Solution

We need first that a + d > b + c. Put a = m + h, d = m - h, b = m' + k, c = m' - k. Then

since a - d > b - c, we have h > k. But m2 - h2 = ad = bc = m'2 - k2, so m > m' and hence
a + d > b + c. Since a, b, c, d are integers it follows that (a + d - b - c) ≥ 1.

Now (a - d)2 = (a + d)2 - 4ad = (a + d)2 - 4bc > (a + d)2 - (b + c)2 (AM/GM) = (a + b + c
+ d)(a + d - b - c) ≥ (a + b + c + d). But a ≥ d + 3, b ≥ d + 2, c ≥ d + 1, so (a - d)2 ≥ 4d +
6. But a square cannot = 2 or 3 mod 4, so (a - d)2 ≥ 4d + 8.
Problem 7

Find all real x, y such that (1 + x)(1 + x2)(1 + x4) = 1+ y7, (1 + y)(1 + y2)(1 + y4) = 1+
x7?

Answer

(x,y) = (0,0) or (-1,-1)

Solution

If x = y, then clearly x ≠ 1, so we have (1-x8) = (1-x)(1+x7) = 1-x8-x+x7, so x = 0 or x6 =

1, whose only real root (apart from the x = 1 we have discarded) is x = -1. That gives
the two solutions above. So assume x ≠ y. wlog x > y.

So (1+x) > (1+y) and (1+x7) > (1+y7). So we must have (1+x2)(1+x4) < (1+y2)(1+y4)
and hence y < 0. If x > 0, then (1 + x)(1 + x2)(1 + x4) > 1 > 1+y7, so x < 0 also.

Multiplying the first equ by (1-x) and the second by (1-y) and subtracting: y8 - x8 = (y-
x) + (y7 - x7) + xy(x6 - y6). But lhs > 0 and each term on rhs < 0. Contradiction. So there
are no more solutions.

Problem 1

Show that x4 + y4 + z2 ≥ xyz √8 for all positive reals x, y, z.

Solution

By AM/GM x4 + y4 ≥ 2x2y2. Then by AM/GM again 2x2y2 + z2 ≥ (√8)xyz.

Problem A2

How many (x, y, z) satisfy x2 + y2 + z2 = 9, x4 + y4 + z4 = 33, xyz = -4?

Answer

12 solutions
(x,y,z) = (2,2,-1), (2,-2,1), (-2,2,1), (-2,-2,-1)
 (2,1,-2), (2,-1,2), (-2,1,2), (-2,-1,-2)
(1,2,-2), (1,-2,2), (-1,2,2), (-1,-2,-2)

Solution

Put X = x2, Y = y2, Z = z2. Then X+Y+Z = 9, X2+Y2+Z2 = 33, XYZ = 16. Hence
XY+YZ+ZX = ((X+Y+Z)2 - (X2+Y2+Z2))/2 = 24. So X, Y, Z are roots of the
polynomial k3 - 9k2 + 24k - 16 = 0. The polynomial factorises as (k-4)2(k-1), so the
roots are 1, 1, 4. Thus x, y, z ∈ {1, -1, 2, -2}.

To get xyz = -4, we must have one of |x|, |y|, |z| = 1 and the others = 2. Also an odd
number must be negative. It is easy to check that we then satisfy the other equations.

Problem B5

Show that for any positive reals ai, bi, we have (a1a2 ... an)1/n + (b1b2 ... bn)1/n ≤ (
(a1+b1)(a2+b2) ... (an+bn) )1/n with equality iff a1/b1 = a2/b2 = ... = an/bn.

Solution

Dividing through by the rhs and putting ti = ai/(ai+bi), si = bi/(ai+bi), the lhs becomes
(t1t2...tn)1/n + (s1s2...sn)1/n. But by AM/GM we have this ≤ (1/n) ∑ ti + (1/n) ∑ si = (1/n) ∑
(si+ti) = 1. We have equality iff all ti (and hence all si) are equal. But that is equivalent
to all ai/bi equal.

Problem A1

The real numbers x, y satisfy x3 - 3x2 + 5x - 17 = 0, y3 - 3y2 + 5y + 11 = 0. Find x + y.

Answer

Solution

x3-3x2+5x = (x-1)3+2(x-1)+3, which is a strictly monotonic increasing function. Hence

x3-3x2+5x-17 = 0 has just one real root. Similarly so does y3-3y2+5y+11 = 0.
If we substitute x = 2-y in x3-3x2+5x-17 we get -(y3-3y2+5y+11). Hence the two roots
satisfy x+y = 2.

Problem B4

w, a, b, c are distinct real numbers such that the equations:

x+y+z=1
xa2 + yb2 + zc2 = w2
xa3 + yb3 + zc3 = w3
xa4 + yb4 + zc4 = w4
have a real solution x, y, z. Express w in terms of a, b, c.

Answer

-abc/(ab+bc+ca)

Solution

Label the equations (0),(1),(2),(3). Suppose c = 0. Then a, b ≠ 0. Note also that (a-b), (b-
c) and (c-a) ≠ 0. (1) and (2) give x = w2(w-b)/(a2(a-b)), y = w2(a-w)/(b2(a-b)).
Substituting in (3) we get w = 0 or, after some reduction w2 - (a+b)w + ab = 0, so w = a
or b. But w, a, b, c are all distinct, so we must have w = 0. Checking, we see that x = y =
0, z = 1, w = 0 certainly satisfies the equations if c = 0. Similarly, if a or b = 0, then w
must be 0.

So suppose a, b, c are all non-zero. Taking a(1)-(2), we get yb2(a-b) + zc2(a-c) = w2(a-
w). Taking a(2)-(3), we get yb3(a-b) + zc3(a-c) = w3(a-w). Hence y = w2(a-w)(c-
w)/(b2(a-b)(c-b)). Similarly, x = w2(b-w)(c-w)/(a2(b-a)(c-a)) and z = w2(a-w)(b-w)/(c2(a-
c)(b-c)). Now substituting in (0) gives a quartic in w which has no w term. But by
inspection we see that there is a solution x = 1, y = z = 0 for w = a, so w = a must be one
root of the quartic. Similarly, b and c must be roots. Suppose the other root is k. Then
since the coefficient of w is 0, we have abc + abk + bck + cak = 0. Hence k = -
abc/(ab+bc+ca). Note that this also gives the correct result if any of a, b, c are 0.

Problem B2

a, b, c are complex numbers. All roots of z3 + az2 + bz + c = 0 satisfy |z| = 1. Show that
all roots of z3 + |a|z2 + |b|z + |c| = 0 also satisfy |z| = 1.

Solution
Let the roots of z3 + az2 + bz + c = 0 be α, β, γ. Then |c| = |αβγ| = 1. Also |βγ + γα +
alpha;β| = |1/α + 1/β + 1/γ|. But 1/α is the complex conjugate of α, and similarly for β
and γ, so 1/α + 1/β + 1/γ is the complex conjugate of α + β + γ and hence has the same
modulus. So |b| = |βγ + γα + αβ| = |α + β + γ| = |a|. Obviously 0 ≤ |a| ≤ 3. Put |a| = 2k+1,
so -1/2 ≤ k ≤ 1. Thus z3 + |a|z2 + |b|z + |c| can be written as z3 + (2k+1)z2 + (2k+1)z + 1
= (z+1)(z2 + 2kz + 1)

So it has roots -1 and -k ± √(k2-1). Obviously -1 has modulus 1. Since k2 ≤ 1, we have

√(k2-1) = i√(1-k2) and so |-k ± √(k2-1)|2 = k2 + 1 - k2 = 1, so all the roots have modulus
1.

Problem A4

a, b, c are non-negative reals such that a + b + c ≥ abc. Show that a2 + b2 + c2 ≥ abc.

Solution

If any of a, b, c are zero then a2 + b2 + c2 ≥ 0 = abc. So assume they are all positive.

Suppose that a2 + b2 + c2 < abc. Then a2 < abc, so a < bc. Similarly, b < ca, c < ab.
Hence ab + bc + ca > a + b + c. But (a2 + b2)/2 ≥ ab (AM/GM), and similarly (b2 + c2)/2
≥ bc and (c2 + a2)/2 ≥ ca. Adding, a2 + b2 + c2 ≥ ab + bc + ca. Hence a + b + c ≥ abc > a2
+ b2 + c2 ≥ ab + bc + ca > a + b + c. Contradiction.

Problem B4

The sequence x0, x1, x2, ... is defined by x0 = a, x1 = b, xn+2 = (1+xn+1)/xn. Find x1998.

Answer

(1+a+b)/(ab)

Solution

We calculate x2 = (1+b)/a, x3 = (1+a+b)/ab, x4 = (1+a)/b, x5 = a, x6 = b. So xn+5 = xn.

Hence x1998 = x3 = (1+a+b)/ab.

Problem B2
Show that for positive reals a, b, c we have 9/(a+b+c) ≤ 2/(a+b) + 2/(b+c) + 2/(c+a) ≤
1/a + 1/b + 1/c.

Solution

Putting A = b+c, B = c+a, C = a+b, we have by AM/GM (1/A + 1/B + 1/C)/3 ≥

(1/ABC)1/3 ≥ 3/(A + B + C) and hence (1/A + 1/B + 1/C) ≥ 9/(A + B + C), which is the
first inequality.

Similarly, 4/(a+b) ≤ 1/a + 1/b. Adding to the two similar inequalities, 4/(a+b) + 4/(b+c)
+ 4/(c+a) ≤ 2/a + 2/b + 2/c, which is the second inequality.

Problem A1

Find all real solutions to x2/(x+1-√(x+1))2 < (x2+3x+18)/(x+1)2.

Answer

-1 < x < 3

Solution

The square root means that we must have x ≥ -1. The denominators mean that x ≠ -1, so
x > -1. Put x = y2 - 1. We get (y2-1)2/(y2-y)2 < (y4+y2+16)/y4 or (y+1)2y2 < y4+y2+16, or
y3 < 8, so y < 2. Thus we must have -1 < x < 3.

Problem B1

Solve: y2 = (x+8)(x2+2) and y2 - (8+4x)y + (16+16x-5x2) = 0.

Answer

(x,y) = (0,4), (-2, ±6), (-5,9), (19,99)

Solution
Eliminating y is feasible, but something of a slog. After a good deal of multiplication
one gets x6 - 10x5 - 147x4 - 436x3 - 380x2 = 0. So x = 0 is one root. By trial one can find
-2 is another root. Removing this factor gives x3 - 12x2 - 123x - 190. We find there is
another root -2. Removing it gives x2 - 14x - 95, which factorises immediately to
(x+5)(x-19). It is then straightforward to find y. Note substituting the first equation in
the second gives (8+4x)y = polynomial in x. So provided x ≠ -2, there is just one root y
for each root x. For x = -2, the two equations are the same and have two roots y.

Problem B3

Show that a2/(a+b) + b2/(b+c) + c2/(c+d) + d2/(d+a) ≥ 1/2 for positive reals a, b, c, d
such that a + b + c + d = 1, and that we have equality iff a = b = c = d.

Solution

Applying Cauchy-Schwartz to a/√(a+b), b/√(b+c) etc and √(a+b), √(b+c), ... we get (a +
b + c + d)2 ≤ (a2/(a+b) + b2/(b+c) + c2/(c+d) + d2/(d+a))(a+b + b+c + c+d + d+a), which
is the required inequality.

We have equality iff a/(a+b) = b/(b+c) = c/(c+d) = d/(d+a). But a/(a+b) = b/(b+c) gives
ac = b2. Similarly bd = c2, ca = d2. Hence b = d (b and d are both positive). Hence b2 =
c2, so b = c. Hence ba = b2, also a = b. So we have equality iff a = b = c = d.

Problem A5

Show that ( a2b2(a+b)2/4 )1/3 ≤ (a2+10ab+b2)/12 for all reals a, b such that ab > 0. When
do we have equality? Find all real numbers a, b for which ( a2b2(a+b)2/4 )1/3 ≤
(a2+ab+b2)/3.

Solution

Applying AM/GM to 4ab, 4ab, (a+b)2 we have (16a2b2(a+b)2)1/3 ≤ (a2 + 10ab + b2)/3.
Dividing by 4 gives the required inequality. We have equality iff 4ab = (a+b)2 or a = b.

We have 3(a-b)2 ≥ 0, so 4a2 + 4ab + 4b2 &ge a2 + 10ab + b2 and hence (a2 + 10ab +
b2)/12 ≤ (a2 + ab + b2)/3, so the second inequality is certainly true for all a, b with ab >
0. If ab = 0, then lhs = 0, so the second inequality is obviously true. So suppose a, b
have opposite signs.

wlog b < 0. Put B = -b. Suppose a > B. Then B, a-B are positive, so we have (B2(a-
B)2a2/4)1/3 ≤ (B2 + B(a-B) + (a-B)2)/3 = (a2 - aB + B2)/3. Replacing B by -b gives the
required result. Similarly if a < B, then a, B-a are positive, so we have (a2(B-a)2B2/4)1/3
≤ (a2 + a(B-a) + (B-a)2)/3 = (B2 - aB + a2)/3, which is again the required. result.

Problem B3

Let Q be the rationals. Find all functions f : Q → Q such that f(x + f(y) ) = f(x) + y for
all x, y.

Answer

f(x) = x or f(x) = -x

Solution

Suppose f(0) = k. Putting x = 0, f(f(y)) = k + y. Suppose f(x) = f(y), then f(f(x)) =

f(f(y)), so k + x = k + y, so x = y. Hence f is injective. But putting y = 0, f(x + k) = f(x),
so x = x + k. Hence k = 0. Hence also f(f(x)) = x.

f(x+y) = f(x + f(f(y)) ) = f(x) + f(y). Hence by a trivial induction, f(nx) = nf(x) for n a
positive integer. Now take any x > 0. Put x = r/s with r and s positive integers. Then
f(sx) = f(r) = r f(1). But also f(sx) = s f(x), so f(x) = (r/s) f(1) = x f(1). But 0 = f(0) = f(x
- x) = f(x) + f(-x), so f(-x) = -f(x) = -x f(1), so we have f(x) = x f(1) for all x.

Put x = f(1), then 1 = f(f(1)) = f(1) f(1), so f(1) = 1 or -1. It is eaasy to check that both
f(x) = x and f(x) = -x work.

Notice the close similarity of the question to B5 the previous year. But the method of
solution is different.

Problem B3

Find all integer solutions to m2 + 2m = n4 + 20n3 + 104n2 + 40n + 2003.

Answer

m = 128, n = 7 or -17.

Solution

Note that m2 + 2m + 1 = (m + 1)2 and n4 + 20n3 + 104n2 + 40n + 4 = (n2 + 10n + 2)2. Put
M = m+1, N = n2 + 10n + 2 and the equation becomes M2 - N2 = 2000. Thus (M + N)(M
- N) = 2000, also M + N and M - N have the same parity (since their sum is even). They
cannot both be odd, since 2000 is even, so they must both be even. Thus {M + N, M -
N} must be {2, 1000}, {4, 500}, {8, 250}, {10, 200}, {20, 100} or {40, 50} or the
corresponding negative pairs. But note that N = (n + 5)2 - 23 >= -23. Thus N = (1000 -
2)/2 = 499, 248, 121, 95, 40, 5 or -5. That corresponds to (n+5)2 = 522, 271, 144, 118,
63, 28, 18. So the only possibilitiy is 144, giving n = 7 or -17 and N = 121, M = 129, m
= 128.

No es posible. Supongamos por absurdo que lo fuese. Entonces h(1),

h(2),..., h(8) deben ser raíces del polinomio de cuarto grado f(g(x)),
que tiene 4 raíces. Pongamos h(x)=ax^2+bx+c. Como para i\neq j
sólo puede ocurrir h(i)=h(j) si i y j son simétricos respecto a -b/a, los
8 h(i) deben ser iguales de a pares y más aún los pares deben ser
h(1)=h(8), h(2)=h(7), h(3)=h(6) y h(4)=h(5). Además debe cumplirse
-b/a=9. Ahora bien, g(h(1)), g(h(2)), g(h(3)) y g(h(4)) son raíces de
f(x), por lo cual también deben agruparse de a pares. Hay tres casos:

1) g(h(1))=g(h(2)) y g(h(3))=g(h(4)). En este caso debe cumplirse

h(1)+h(2)=h(3)+h(4), de donde 5a+3b+2c= 25a+7b+2c y -b/a=5,
absurdo.

2) g(h(1))=g(h(3)) y g(h(2))=g(h(4)). En este caso debe cumplirse

h(1)+h(3)=h(2)+h(4), de donde 10a+4b+2c= 20a+6b+2c y -b/a=5,
absurdo.

3) g(h(1))=g(h(4)) y g(h(2))=g(h(3)). En este caso debe cumplirse

h(1)+h(4)=h(2)+h(3), de donde 17a+5b+2c=13a+5b+2c y a=0,
absurdo.

Como siempre se llega a una contradicción, no es posible.

Problem B4
a, b, c, A, B, C, D are reals such that (Ax + B)(Cx + D) = ax2 + bx + c for all x. Show
that at least one of a, b, c is not less than 4(A + B)(C + D)/9.

Solution

One of several official solutions is as follows:

Note first that a, A etc may be positive or negative, so one has to be careful with signs
in the inequalities.

We have a = AC, b = AD + BC, c = BD and a + b + c = (A + B)(C + D). Assume the

result is false, so that:
5a < 4b + 4c
5b < 4c + 4a
5c < 4a + 4b

Also: b2 = (AD + BC)2 = (AD - BC)2 + 4ABCD >= 4ABCD = 4ac. Hence 16/25 (a + c)2
> b2 >= 4ac, so a2 - 17/4 ac + c2 > 0, or (a - c/4)(a - 4c) > 0. Hence either a - 4c is
positive or (a - c/4) is negative.

Suppose first that a > 4c. Then from 5a < 4b + 4c, we deduce 4b > 5a - 4c > 16c, so b >
4c also. But we have 5a + 5b < 4a + 4b + 8c, or (a + b) < 8c. Contradiction. Similarly, if
a < c/4, then c > 4a. Then from 5c < 4a + 4b, we deduce 4b > 5c - 4a > 16a, so b > 4a
also. But then 5b + 5c < 4b + 4c + 8a, we get b + c < 8a. Contradiction.

Problem A4

Show that 4x8 - 2x7 + x6 - 3x4 + x2 - x + 1 has no real roots.

Solution

The official solution is:

x2 - 2x + 1 >= 0, equality iff x = 1

x6 - 2x4 + x2 ≥ 0, equality iff x = 1
4x8 - 4x7 + x6 ≥ 0, equality iff x = 1/2
4x8 - 4x4 + 1 ≥ 0, equality iff x = 1/2

So, adding: 8x8 - 4x7 + 2x6 - 6x4 + 2x2 - 2x + 2 > 0 for all x.

I missed this and got there by brute force, not a pretty sight:

Call the expression f(x). If x < 0, then all terms are positive except -3x4. If -1 ≤ x < 0,
then |x2|, |x|, 1 >= |x4|, so -3x4 + x2 - x + 1 >= 0 and hence f(x) > 0. Similarly, if x < -1,
then 4x8 - 3x4 > 0 and hence f(x) > 0. So there are no roots for x < 0.
If x > 1, then 2x8 - 2x7 > 0, 2x8 + x6 - 3x4 > 0 and x2 - x > 0, so f(x) > 1. Thus we need
only consider the interval [0, 1].

We may write f(x) = 8/3 x8 + 4/3 x6(x - 3/4)2 + x2(3/2 x2 - 1)2 - 2x6 - x + 1. So it is
sufficient to show that 8/3 x8 - 2x6 - x + 1 > 0.

We may write g(x) = 8/3 x8 - 2x6 - x + 1 = 8/3 x4(x2 - 3/8)2 - 3/8 x4 - x + 1. For x ≤ 0.8,
we have 3/8 x4 + x < 0.992, so -3/8 x4 - x + 1 > 0 and hence g(x) > 0.

If x < 0.86, then x2 < 0.74, so -3/8 x4 - x + 1 > -0.07. But for x > 0.8, 8/3 x4(x2 - 3/8)2 >
0.07, so g(x) > 0 for 0.8 < x < 0.86.

If x >= 0.86, then x2 = 0.7396 > 0.73, so 8/3 x4 > 8/3 0.732 > 8 x 0.53/3 > 1.41, also (x2 -
3/8) > 0.36, so (x2 - 3/8)2 > 0.12 and 8/3 x4(x2 - 3/8)2 > 1.41 x 0.12 > 0.16. But if x <
0.9, then -3/8 x4 - x + 1 > -0.375 x 0.6561 + 0.1 > -0.25 + 0.1 > -0.15. So g(x) > 0 for
0.86 <= x < 0.9. Finally, for 1 >= x > 0.9, we have 8/3 x8 - 2x6 > (8 x 0.27 - 2)x6 > 0 and
-x + 1 >= 0, so f(x) > 0.

Problem B1

Find all real valued functions f(x) on the reals such that f( (x - y)2) = x2 - 2y f(x) + f(y)2.

Solution

Answer: f(x) = x or f(x) = x + 1.

Put x = y = 0, then f(0) = f(0)2, so f(0) = 0 or 1. Suppose first that f(0) = 1.

Putting y = 0, f(x2) = x2 + 1, so f(x) = x + 1 for x >= 0. Putting x = 0, f(y2) = -2y + f(y)2,

so f(y)2 = y2 + 1 + 2y = (y + 1)2, so f(y) = y + 1 or - y - 1. Putting x = y, 1 = x2 - 2xf(x) +
f(x)2 = (x - f(x))2, so f(x) = x + 1 or x - 1. Hence f(x) = x + 1 for all x. Checking, this
gives f( (x-y)2) = (x-y)2 + 1 = x2 - 2xy + y2 + 1, and x2 - 2yf(x) + f(y)2 = x2 - 2xy - 2y +
y2 + 2y + 1 = x2 - 2xy + y2 + 1. So f(x) = x + 1 is a solution.

Now consider the other possibility, f(0) = 0. Putting y = 0, we get f(x2) = x2, so f(x) = x
for x >= 0. Putting x = y gives 0 = x2 - 2xf(x) + x2, so f(x) = x for all x. Checking: f( (x-
y)2) = (x-y)2 = x2 - 2xy + y2, and x2- 2yf(x) + f(y)2 = x2 - 2yx + y2. So f(x) = x is a
solution.