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Junior problems J373. Let a, b, c be real numbers greater than -1. Prove that (a 2 + b 2 + 2)(b 2 + c 2 + 2)(c 2 + a 2 + 2) (a + 1) 2 (b + 1) 2 (c + 1) 2 . Proposed by Adrian Andreescu, Dallas, TX, USA Solution by Arkady Alt, San Jose, California, USA From Cauchy-Schwarz, we know that a 2 + b 2 +2= a 2 +1+ b 2 +1 (a + 1) 2 2 + (b + 1) 2 2 . By AM-GM, this is at least (a + 1) · (b + 1) . Thus Y cyc ( a 2 + b 2 +2 ) Y cyc (a + 1) · (b + 1) = (a + 1) 2 (b + 1) 2 (c + 1) 2 . Equality holds if and only if a = b = c =1. Also solved by Vincelot Ravoson, France, Paris, Lycée Henri IV; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Academy, Marion, MA, USA; Sushanth Sathish Kumar, Jeffery Trail Middle School, Irvine, CA, USA; Byeong Yeon (Jackie) Ryu, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA; Stanescu Florin, Serban Cioculescu School, Gaesti, Romania; Rajarshi Kanta Ghosh, Kolkata, India; Corneliu Mănescu-Avram, Transportation High School, Ploieşti, Romania; Joachim Studnia, Lycee Condorcet, Paris, France; A.S. Arun Srinivaas, Chennai, India; WSA; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzer- land; Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.Raptou High School, Larissa, Greece; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Alessandro Ventullo, Mi- lan, Italy; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Bazar Tumurkhan, National University of Mongolia; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Paul Revenant, Lycee du Parc, Lyon, France; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Stefan Petrevski, Pearson College UWC, Victoria, Canada; Alysson Espíndola de Sá Silveira, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; Catalin Prajitura, Student, College at Brockport, SUNY, USA; Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA; Adnan Ali, Student in A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Án- gel Plaza, Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan. Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 1
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Page 1: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

Junior problems

J373. Let a, b, c be real numbers greater than −1. Prove that

(a2 + b2 + 2)(b2 + c2 + 2)(c2 + a2 + 2) ≥ (a+ 1)2(b+ 1)2(c+ 1)2.

Proposed by Adrian Andreescu, Dallas, TX, USA

Solution by Arkady Alt, San Jose, California, USA

From Cauchy-Schwarz, we know that

a2 + b2 + 2 = a2 + 1 + b2 + 1 ≥ (a+ 1)2

2+

(b+ 1)2

2.

By AM-GM, this is at least (a+ 1) · (b+ 1) . Thus∏cyc

(a2 + b2 + 2

)≥∏cyc

(a+ 1) · (b+ 1) = (a+ 1)2(b+ 1)2(c+ 1)2.

Equality holds if and only if a = b = c = 1.

Also solved by Vincelot Ravoson, France, Paris, Lycée Henri IV; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata HighSchool, Plymouth, MN, USA; Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Academy, Marion, MA, USA; Sushanth Sathish Kumar,Jeffery Trail Middle School, Irvine, CA, USA; Byeong Yeon (Jackie) Ryu, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville,CT, USA; Stanescu Florin, Serban Cioculescu School, Gaesti, Romania; Rajarshi Kanta Ghosh, Kolkata,India; Corneliu Mănescu-Avram, Transportation High School, Ploieşti, Romania; Joachim Studnia, LyceeCondorcet, Paris, France; A.S. Arun Srinivaas, Chennai, India; WSA; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzer-land; Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.RaptouHigh School, Larissa, Greece; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Alessandro Ventullo, Mi-lan, Italy; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Bazar Tumurkhan, National University of Mongolia; SutanayBhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Paul Revenant, Lycee du Parc, Lyon, France;Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Stefan Petrevski, Pearson College UWC, Victoria, Canada; AlyssonEspíndola de Sá Silveira, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; Catalin Prajitura, Student, College at Brockport, SUNY,USA; Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA; Adnan Ali, Student in A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Án-gel Plaza, Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Joel Schlosberg,Bayside, NY, USA; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 1

Page 2: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

J374. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers such that a+ b+ c ≥ 3. Prove that

abc+ 2 ≥ 9

a3 + b3 + c3.

Proposed by Mehmet Berke, İsler, Denizli, Turkey

Solution by Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA

Since a+ b+ c ≥ 3, by Cauchy-Schwarz we have that

a2 + b2 + c2 ≥ (a+ b+ c)2

3≥ 3, and

a3 + b3 + c3 ≥ (a2 + b2 + c2)2

a+ b+ c≥ (a+ b+ c)3

9≥ 3.

Now recall the third-degree Schur’s inequality

a3 + b3 + c3 + 3abc ≥ a2(b+ c) + b2(c+ a) + c2(a+ b),

or equivalently2(a3 + b3 + c3) + 3abc ≥ (a+ b+ c)(a2 + b2 + c2).

The inequality to be proved is

abc(a3 + b3 + c3) + 2(a3 + b3 + c3) ≥ 9,

or equivalentlyabc(a3 + b3 + c3 − 3) + 2(a3 + b3 + c3) + 3abc ≥ 9.

Note that

abc(a3 + b3 + c3 − 3) + 2(a3 + b3 + c3) + 3abc ≥ 2(a3 + b3 + c3) + 3abc,

≥ (a+ b+ c)(a2 + b2 + c2),

≥ 9.

Equality holds if and only if a = b = c = 1.

Also solved by Vincelot Ravoson, France, Paris, Lycée Henri IV; WSA; Nicuşor Zlota, ”Traian Vuia”Technical College, Focşani, Romania; A.S. Arun Srinivaas, Chennai, India; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica,Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Polyahedra,Polk State College, FL, USA; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; ToshihiroShimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 2

Page 3: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

J375. Solve in real numbers the equation

3√x+ 3√y =

1

2+

√x+ y +

1

4.

Proposed by Adrian Andreescu, Dallas, TX, USA

Solution by Stefan Petrevski, Pearson College UWC, Victoria, Canada

Let a = 3√x and b = 3

√y. After transferring 1

2 to the left-hand side and squaring both sides, we obtain that

a3 + b3 = a2 + b2 + 2ab− a− b.

But this is equivalent to (a+ b)(a2 + b2 + 1− a− b− ab) = 0, so one of the factors must be 0. However, ifa+ b = 0, the left-hand side of the initial equation is 0, while the right-hand side is positive, a contradiction.

Therefore, a2 + b2 + 1 = a+ b+ ab. This rearranges nicely to (a− 1)2 + (b− 1)2 + (a− b)2 = 0, from wherewe easily see that the only solution is (a, b) = (1, 1). Thus (x, y) = (1, 1).

Also solved by Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Aca-demy, Marion, MA, USA; Sushanth Sathish Kumar, Jeffery Trail Middle School, Irvine, CA, USA; ByeongYeon (Jackie) Ryu, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA; Duy Quan Tran, University of Health Scien-ce, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Corneliu Mănescu-Avram, Transportation High School, Ploieşti, Romania;Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; WSA; Nicuşor Zlota, ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Ro-mania; Adnan Ali, Student in A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA; MarissaMeehan, Student, College at Brockport, SUNY, USA; Arpon Basu, AECS-4 , Mumbai, India; Joel Schlosberg,Bayside, NY, USA; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Alessandro Ventullo, Milan, Italy;Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Bazar Tumurkhan, National University of Mongolia; Sutanay Bhattacha-rya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Nguyen Viet Hung, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam;Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.Raptou High School, Larissa, Greece;Arkady Alt, San Jose, California, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 3

Page 4: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

J376. Let α, β, γ be the angles of a triangle. Prove that

1

5− 4 cosα+

1

5− 4 cosβ+

1

5− 4 cos γ≥ 1.

Proposed by Dragoljub Milošević, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia

Solution by Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA

Let x = s− a, y = s− b, and z = s− c. Then by the law of cosines,

1

5− 4 cosα=

bc

5bc− 2(b2 + c2 − a2)=

bc

bc+ 8(s− b)(s− c)=

(z + x)(x+ y)

(z + x)(x+ y) + 8yz.

Now by the AM-GM inequality,

(x+ y + z)(z + x)(x+ y)− x[(z + x)(x+ y) + 8yz] = (x+ y)(y + z)(z + x)− 8xyz ≥ 0,

so1

5− 4 cosα≥ x

x+ y + z. Adding this with the other two analogous inequalities gives the desired result.

Equality holds if and only if x = y = z, or α = β = γ.

Also solved by Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; Sushanth Sathish Kumar,Jeffery Trail Middle School, Irvine, CA, USA; Ioan Viorel Codreanu, Satulung, Maramures, Romania; AlbertStadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; AdnanAli, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India;Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Michel Faleiros Martins, PetrobrasUniversity, Brazil; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Bazar Tumurkhan,National University of Mongolia; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica,Bosnia and Herzegovina; Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.Raptou High School, Larissa, Greece; WSA; ToshihiroShimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 4

Page 5: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

J377. Let ABC be a triangle with ∠A ≤ 90. Prove that

sin2 A

2≤ ma

2R≤ cos2

A

2.

Proposed by Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas, USA

Solution by Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Let da be the distance from the circumcenter of triangle ABC to the side a. Then

da = R cosA.

Using the triangle inequality, we have

R− da ≤ ma ≤ R+ da ⇔

R(1− cosA) ≤ ma ≤ R(1 + cosA)⇔

1− cosA

2≤ ma

2R≤ 1 + cosA

2⇔

sin2 A

2≤ ma

2R≤ cos2

A

2

Equality holds on the RHS if and only if b = c or if ∠A =π

2. Equality holds on the LHS if only if ∠A =

π

2.

Also solved by WSA; Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Robert Bosch,Archimedean Academy, USA; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; AdnanAli, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Arpon Basu, AECS-4 , Mumbai, India; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain;Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.Raptou High School, Larissa, Greece; Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA;Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 5

Page 6: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

J378. Let P be a point in the interior of the triangle ABC such that ∠BAP = 105, and let D,E, F be theintersections of BP,CP,DE with the sides AC,AB,BC, respectively. Assume that the point B liesbetween C and F and that ∠BAF = ∠CAP. Find ∠BAC.

Proposed by Marius Stănean, Zalău, România

Solution by Polyahedra, Polk State College, FL, USA

Suppose that AP intersects BC at Q. By Ceva’s and Menelaus’s theorems,

AE

EB· BQQC· CDDA

= 1 =AE

EB· FBFC· CDDA

.

Hence, FB ·QC = BQ ·FC = FQ ·FC −FB(FQ+QC) = FQ ·BC −FB ·QC, so 2FB ·QC = FQ ·BC.Let x = ∠BAF . Then by the Law of Sines,

FB

sinx=

AB

sinF,

QC

sinx=

AQ

sinC,

FQ

sin(x+ 105)=

AQ

sinF,

BC

sin(x+ 105)=

AB

sinC.

Thus√

2 sinx = sin(x+ 105) =

√2−√

6

4sinx+

√6 +√

2

4cosx,

that is, tanx =√6+√2

3√2+√6

= 1√3and x = 30. Therefore, ∠BAC = x+ 105 = 135.

Also solved by Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; WSA; Joel Schlosberg,Bayside, NY, USA; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; NerminHodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 6

Page 7: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

Senior problems

S373. Let x, y, z be positive real numbers. Prove that∑cyc

1

xy + 2z2≤ xy + yz + zx

xyz(x+ y + z).

Proposed by Tolibjon Ismoilov, Academic Lyceum S.H.Sirojiddinov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Solution by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain

Multiplying throughout by the product of the denominators and rearranging terms, the proposed inequalityis equivalent to ∑

cyc

(4(y + z)2x4 − 4x4yz − 3x2y2z2

)(y − z)2 ≥ 0.

Now, clearly4(y + z)2x4 − 4x4yz − 3x2y2z2 = 4x4

(y2 + yz + z2

)− 3x2y2z2 =

= (y − z)2 + 3x2(xy + yz + zx)(xy − yz + zx),

or defining a = yz, b = zx and c = xy, it suffices to show that∑cyc

(a+ b− c)(a− b)2 ≥ 0,

which is in turn equivalent to

a3 + b3 + c3 + 3abc ≥ a2b+ ab2 + b2c+ bc2 + c2a+ ca2.

This is a well-known form of Schur’s inequality, and since x, y, z are positive reals, so are a, b, c, and equalityholds iff a = b = c, or iff x = y = z.

Also solved by Vincelot Ravoson, France, Paris, Lycée Henri IV; WSA; Nicuşor Zlota, ”Traian Vuia”Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica,Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India; Michel FaleirosMartins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Arkady Alt, San Jose, California, USA; Angel Plaza, Department ofMathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 7

Page 8: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

S374. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that at least one of the numbers

a+ b

a+ b− c,

b+ c

b+ c− a,

c+ a

c+ a− b

is not in the interval (1, 2).

Proposed by Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas, USA

Solution by Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal, India

If at least one of the numbers a+ b− c, b+ c−a, c+a− b, is negative, then the corresponding fraction(s) willbe negative, and we are done immediately. So let us assume that a+ b− c, b+ c− a, c+ a− b > 0. Withoutloss of generality, assume c = maxa, b, c. Then

a+ b

a+ b− c− 2 =

2c− a− ba+ b− c

=(c− a) + (c− b)

a+ b− c≥ 0 =⇒ a+ b

a+ b− c≥ 2,

so we are done.

Also solved by Vincelot Ravoson, France, Paris, Lycée Henri IV; WSA; Duy Quan Tran, University ofHealth Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA;Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Academy, Marion, MA, USA; Sushanth Sathish Kumar, Jeffery Trail Middle School,Irvine, CA, USA; Byeong Yeon (Jackie) Ryu, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA; Albert Stadler,Herrliberg, Switzerland; Corneliu Mănescu-Avram, Transportation High School, Ploieşti, Romania; ArkadyAlt, San Jose, California, USA; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica,Bosnia and Herzegovina; Tan Qi Huan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai,India; Christine Izyk, Student, College at Brockport, SUNY; Catalin Prajitura, Student, College at Brockport,SUNY, USA; Adnan Ali, Student in A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Li Zhou, Polk State College, Winter Haven,FL, USA; Ángel Plaza, Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;Andreas Charalampopoulos, 4th Lyceum of Glyfada, Glyfada, Greece; Evgenidis Nikolaos, M.N.Raptou HighSchool, Larissa, Greece; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Alessandro Ventullo, Milan, Italy; ToshihiroShimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 8

Page 9: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

S375. Let a, b, c be nonnegative real numbers such that ab+ bc+ ca = a+ b+ c > 0. Prove that

a2 + b2 + c2 + 5abc ≥ 8.

Proposed by An Zhen-Ping, Xianyang Normal University, China

Solution by Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA

Let k = ab+ bc+ ca = a+ b+ c. Then k2 = (a+ b+ c)2 ≥ 3(ab+ bc+ ca) = 3k. So k ≥ 3. If k > 4, thena2 + b2 + c2 = (a+ b+ c)2−2(ab+ bc+ ca) = k(k−2) > 8. Assume thus that k ≤ 4. By the Cauchy-Schwarzinequality, a3 + b3 + c3 ≥ (a2+b2+c2)2

a+b+c = k(k − 2)2. Hence,

6abc = (a+ b+ c)3 + 2(a3 + b3 + c3)− 3(a+ b+ c)(a2 + b2 + c2)

≥ k3 + 2k(k − 2)2 − 3k2(k − 2) = −2k2 + 8k.

Therefore,

3(a2 + b2 + c2 + 5abc− 8) ≥ 3k(k − 2)− 5k2 + 20k − 24 = 2(k − 3)(4− k) ≥ 0,

completing the proof.

Also solved by WSA; Ioan Viorel Codreanu, Satulung, Maramures, Romania; Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”TraianVuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; NerminHodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, West Bengal,India; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Adnan Ali, Student in A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; AndreaFanchini, Cantù, Italy; Nguyen Viet Hung, HSGS, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam; Arkady Alt, SanJose, California, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 9

Page 10: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

S376. Solve in integers the equation x5 − 2xy + y5 = 2016.

Proposed by Adrian Andreescu, Dallas, TX, USA

Solution by Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA and Richard Stong, Rice University, USA

If x = 0 or y = 0, the equation is unsolvable because 2016 is not a fifth-power. If x and y are negative thenthe equation is unsolvable because the left side is negative. Suppose that 0 < x ≤ y. We have

2016 = x5 − 2xy + y5 ≥ x5 − x2 + y5 − y2 ≥ y5 − y2.

Hence 1 ≤ y ≤ 4. So the possible pairs (x, y) to test are

(1, 1); (1, 2); (2, 2); (1, 3); (2, 3); (3, 3); (1, 4); (2, 4); (3, 4); (4, 4).

Obtaining the solution (x, y) = (4, 4). Note that if x = y the equation is x5 − x2 − 1008 = 0 or (x− 4)(x4 +4x3 + 16x2 + 63x+ 252) = 0, thus x = y = 4.

It only remains to consider when x > 0 and y < 0. In this case the equation becomes x5 + 2xz − z5 = 2016where z = −y > 0. Denoting by s = x−z and p = xz the equation becomes 5sp2+(5s3+2)p+(s5−2016) = 0.If s < 0, then the left side is negative. Suppose now s ≥ 0.

If s ≥ 5 then the left side is positive, so s = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. For s = 0 we obtain x2 = 1008, which is nota perfect square. For the other values consider the equation as a quadratic on p, thus the discriminant∆(s) = 5s6 +20s3 +40320s+4 have to be a perfect square, but ∆(1) = 40349,∆(2) = 81124,∆(3) = 125149and ∆(4) = 183044 are not.

Finally, the only solution to the original equation is (x, y) = (4, 4).

Also solved by Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Joseph Currier; Albert Stadler,Herrliberg, Switzerland; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University,Brazil; Li Zhou, Polk State College, Winter Haven, FL, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 10

Page 11: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

S377. If z is a complex number with |z| ≥ 1, prove that

|2z − 1|5

25√

5≥ |z − 1|4

4.

Proposed by Florin Stănescu, Găesti, România

Solution by Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Let z = a+ bi. We have |z| ≥ 1⇒ a2 + b2 ≥ 1. Now we have

|2z − 1|5

25√

5≥ |z − 1|4

4⇔

|2z − 1|10

55≥ |z − 1|8

16⇔

((2a− 1)2 + 4b2

5

)5

≥(

(a− 1)2 + b2

2

)4

.

From a2 + b2 ≥ 1, we have

a2 + b2 − a ≥ a2 + b2

2+

1

2− a =

(a− 1)2 + b2

2≥ 0

So it suffices to prove (4(a2 + b2 − a) + 1

5

)5

≥(a2 + b2 − a

)4Since a2 + b2 − a ≥ 0, from AM-GM we have(

4(a2 + b2 − a) + 1

5

)5

(5 5√

(a2 + b2 − a)4

5

)5

= (a2 + b2 − a)4

Equality holds if and only if a2 + b2 = 1 and a2 + b2 − a = 1, which imply z = ±i.

Also solved by Nicuşor Zlota‚ ”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Ji Eun Kim, TaborAcademy, Marion, MA, USA; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Byeong Yeon (Jackie) Ryu, The Hot-chkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Li Zhou, PolkState College, Winter Haven, FL, USA; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu,Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 11

Page 12: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

S378. In a triangle, let ma,mb,mc be the lengths of the medians, wa, wb, wc be the lengths of the anglebisectors, and r and R be the inradius and circumradius, respectively. Prove that

ma

wa+mb

wb+mc

wc≤(√

R

r+

√r

R

)2

.

Proposed by Dragoljub Milošević, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia

Solution by Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil

We will prove the following stronger statement

ma

wa+ma

wa+mc

wc≤ 1 +

R

r.

By the Figure we see quickly that

wac sinA

2+ wab sin

A

2= 2K ⇒ wa =

2K

(b+ c) sin A2

.

Using the similar expressions for wb and wc the inequality becomes

ma(b+ c) sinA

2+mb(c+ a) sin

B

2+mc(a+ b) sin

C

2≤ 2K

(1 +

R

r

)= 2K + 2sR.

By the triangle inequality we obtain

ma ≤ R+ ua and (b+ c) sinA

2≤ a,

and the other similar expressions

mb ≤ R+ ub, (a+ c) sinB

2≤ b and mc ≤ R+ uc, (a+ b) sin

C

2≤ c.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 12

Page 13: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

We conclude that

LHS ≤ ama + bmb + cmc ≤ aua + bub + cuc + (a+ b+ c)R = 2K + 2sR.

Also solved by Nicuşor Zlota ‚”Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focşani, Romania; Dorina Mormocea, Na-tional College of Informatics, Piatra Neamt, Romania; Nermin Hodzic, Dobosnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 13

Page 14: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

Undergraduate problems

U373. Prove the following inequality holds for all positive integers n ≥ 2,(1 +

1

1 + 2

)(1 +

1

1 + 2 + 3

)· · ·(

1 +1

1 + 2 + · · ·+ n

)< 3.

Proposed by Nguyen Viet Hung, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam

Solution by Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerlandn∏j=2

(1 +

1

1 + 2 + ...+ j

)=

n∏j=2

(1 +

2

j(j + 1)

)= exp

n∑j=2

log

(1 +

2

j(j + 1)

) ≤ exp

2n∑j=2

1

j(j + 1)

=

exp

2n∑j=2

(1

j− 1

j + 1

) = exp

(1− 2

n+ 1

)≤ e < 3.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, India;Vincelot Ravoson, Lycée Henri IV, Paris, France; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN,USA; Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Academy, MA, USA; Byeong Yeon Ryu, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA;Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai,India; Ángel Plaza, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA;Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henri IV, Paris, France; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil;Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Shohruh Ibragimov, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent,Uzbekistan; Alessandro Ventullo, Milan, Italy; Zafar Ahmed, BARC, Mumbai, India and Timilan Mandal,SVNIT, Surat, India; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki,Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 14

Page 15: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

U374. Let p and q be complex numbers such that two of the zeros a, b, c of the polynomial x3 + 3px2 + 3qx+3pq = 0 are equal. Evaluate a2b+ b2c+ c2a.

Proposed by Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas, USA

Solution by Alessandro Ventullo, Milan, ItalyAssume WLOG that a = b. Then, a2b+ b2c+ c2a = b3 + b2c+ bc2. By Viète’s Formulas, we have

abc = −3pqab+ bc+ ca = 3q

a+ b+ c = −3p.

Since a = b, we haveb2c = −3pq

b2 + 2bc = 3q2b+ c = −3p.

Multiplying side by side the last two equations, we get

(b2 + 2bc)(2b+ c) = −9pq.

Since −9pq = 3(−3pq) = 3b2c, we get

(b2 + 2bc)(2b+ c) = 3b2c,

i.e.b3 + b2c+ bc2 = 0.

It follows that a2b+ b2c+ c2a = 0.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth,MN, USA; Ji Eun Kim, Tabor Academy, MA, USA; Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Ángel Plaza, University of Las Palmas de GranCanaria, Spain; Corneliu Mănescu-Avram, Transportation High School, Ploieşti, Romania; Catalin Praji-tura, College at Brockport, SUNY, NY, USA; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Michel Faleiros Mar-tins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Evgenidis Nikolaos,M.N.Raptou High School, Larissa, Greece; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Shohruh Ibragimov,National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; ToshihiroShimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 15

Page 16: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

U375. Let

an =n∑k=1

k

√(k2 + 1)2

k4 + k2 + 1, n = 1, 2, 3, . . . .

Determine banc and evaluate limn→∞ann .

Proposed by Nguyen Viet Hung, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam

Solution by Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, SwitzerlandWe note that

1 ≤ k

√(k2 + 1)2

k4 + k2 + 1=

k

√1 +

k2

k4 + k2 + 1≤ 1 +

k

k4 + k2 + 1= 1 +

1

2(k2 − k + 1)− 1

2(k2 + k + 1)=

= 1 +1

2((k − 1)2 + (k − 1) + 1)− 1

2(k2 + k + 1).

Therefore,

n ≤n∑k=1

k

√(k2 + 1)2

k4 + k2 + 1≤ n+

1

2− 1

2(n2 + n+ 1),

and thus,banc = n, lim

n→∞

ann.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth,MN, USA; Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Ángel Plaza, Universityof Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Juan Manuel Sánchez Gallego, University of Antioquia, Medellín,Colombia; Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Henry Ricardo, NewYork Math Circle; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henri IV, Paris, France;Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;Nicusor Zlota ‚Traian Vuia Technical College, Focsani, Romania; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA;Shohruh Ibragimov, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki,Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 16

Page 17: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

U376. Evaluatelimn→∞

(1 + sin

1

n+ 1

)(1 + sin

1

n+ 2

)· · ·(

1 + sin1

n+ n

).

Proposed by Marius Cavachi, Constanţa, România

Solution by Henry Ricardo, New York Math CircleLetting P (n) denote the given product, we have, since ln(1 + x) = x+O(x2) for x close to 0 and sin(1/(n+k)) = O(1/n),

lnP (n) =

n∑k=1

ln

(1 + sin

1

n+ k

)=

n∑k=1

(sin

1

n+ k+O

(sin2 1

n+ k

))

=

n∑k=1

(sin

1

n+ k+O

(1

n2

))

=

n∑k=1

sin1

n+ k+ O

(1

n

). (∗)

Since sinx = x+O(x3) for small values of x, we see that

n∑k=1

sin1

n+ k=

n∑k=1

1

n+ k+

n∑k=1

O

(1

n3

)=

n∑k=1

1

n+ k+ O

(1

n2

).

Using the well-known result limn→∞∑n

k=1 1/(n+ k) = ln 2, we have

limn→∞

n∑k=1

sin1

n+ k= ln 2.

Finally, equation (∗) yields

ln( limn→∞

P (n)) = limn→∞

(lnP (n)) = limn→∞

n∑k=1

sin1

n+ k+ lim

n→∞O

(1

n

)= ln 2,

so limn→∞ P (n) = 2.

Also solved by Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Rithvik Pa-sumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; Stanescu Florin, Serban Cioculescu School, Gaesti,Romania; Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Zafar Ahmed, BARC, Mumbai, India and Timilan Mandal,SVNIT, Surat, India; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Ángel Plaza, University of Las Palmas de GranCanaria, Spain; Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Juan Felipe Buitrago Velez, University of Antioquia, Co-lombia; Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henri IV, Paris; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil;Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Shohruh Ibragimov, National University of Uzbekistan,Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 17

Page 18: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

U377. Let m and n be positive integers and let

fk(x) = sin(sin(. . . (sinx) . . . ))︸ ︷︷ ︸k times

.

Evaluatelimx→0

fm(x)

fn(x).

Proposed by Nguyen Viet Hung, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam

Solution by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, SpainIt is well known (or it can be easily proved by considering the Taylor expansion of sinx at x = 0) thatlimx→0

sinxx = 1, and consequently limx→0

xsinx = 1. We may generalize this result into the following

Claim: For every positive integer k, we have

limx→0

fk(x)

x= lim

x→0

x

fk(x)= 1.

Proof: The initial result is clearly the Claim for k = 1. If the Claim is true for k−1, denote y = fk−1(x),or clearly limx→0 y = 0, and fk(x) = sin (fk−1(x)), or

fk(x)

x=

sin y

y· fk−1(x)

x,

where the limit of both factors is 1 when x → 0 by hypothesis of induction, and hence the limit of theirproduct, and the limit of the inverse of their product, is also 1. The Claim follows.

If n = m, the expression whose limit is asked is clearly 1, and so is trivially its limit. Otherwise, if m > n,define y = fn(x) and k = m− n, or fm(x) = fk(y), and

limx→0

fm(x)

fn(x)= lim

y→0

fk(y)

y= 1,

and similarly when m < n defining y = fm(x) and k = n−m. It follows that

limx→0

fm(x)

fn(x)= 1.

Also solved by Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, India; Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School,Plymouth, MN, USA; Byeong Yeon Ryu, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, USA; Li Zhou, Polk State College,USA; Zafar Ahmed, BARC, Mumbai, India and Timilan Mandal, SVNIT, Surat, India; Juan Manuel SánchezGallego, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Adam Krause, College at Brockport, SUNY, NY, USA;Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Ángel Plaza, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Henry Ricardo, New York Math Circle; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA;Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henri IV, Paris, France; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Shohruh Ibragimov, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent,Uzbekistan; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 18

Page 19: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

U378. Let f : [0, 1]→ R be a continuous function. Prove that

(−1)n−1

(n− 1)!

∫ 1

0f(x) lnn−1 xdx =

∫ 1

0

∫ 1

0. . .

∫ 1

0f (x1x2 · · ·xn) dx1dx2 · · · dxn.

Proposed by Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland

Solution by Li Zhou, Polk State College, USAFor n = 1, both sides become

∫ 10 f(x)dx. As an induction hypothesis, assume that the claim is true for some

n ≥ 1. Then integrating by parts we get

(−1)n

n!

∫ 1

0f(x) lnn xdx = I(1)− lim

x→0+I(x) + J,

where

I(x) =(−1)n

n!lnn x

∫ x

0f(t)dt, J =

(−1)n−1

(n− 1)!

∫ 1

0

lnn−1 x

x

∫ x

0f(t)dtdx.

Now I(1) = 0, and by L’Hôpital’s rule,

limx→0+

I(x) =(−1)n−1

n!limx→0+

xf(x) lnn+1 x

n=

(−1)n−2(n+ 1)f(0)

nlimx→0+

x lnn x

n!

=(−1)n−3(n+ 1)f(0)

nlimx→0+

x lnn−1 x

(n− 1)!= · · ·

=−(n+ 1)f(0)

nlimx→0+

x lnx =(n+ 1)f(0)

nlimx→0+

x = 0.

Finally, using the substitution t = xy and applying the induction hypothesis to g(x) = f(yx), we get

J =

∫ 1

0

(−1)n−1

(n− 1)!

∫ 1

0f(yx) lnn−1 xdxdy =

∫ 1

0

∫ 1

0· · ·∫ 1

0f(yx1 · · ·xn)dx1 · · · dxndy,

completing the induction.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Juan ManuelSánchez Gallego, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henri IV, Paris,France; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Her-zegovina; Shohruh Ibragimov, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Toshihiro Shimizu,Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 19

Page 20: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

Olympiad problems

O373. Let n ≥ 3 be a natural number. On a n × n table we perform the following operation: choose a(n− 1)× (n− 1) square and add or subtract 1 to all its entries. At the beginning all the entries in thetable are 0. Is it possible after a finite number of operations to obtain all the numbers from 1 to n2 inthe table?

Proposed by Alessandro Ventullo, Milan, Italy

Solution by Li Zhou, Polk State College, USAIt is possible if and only if n = 6. Let a, b, c, and d be the numbers of times when the (n−1)×(n−1) squareson the upper-left (UL), upper-right (UR), lower-left (LL), and lower-right (LR) are chosen, respectively. Thenin modulo 2, the result will be: a, b, c, d appear in 1 cell each; a+ b, b+ d, d+ c, c+ a appear in n− 2 cellseach; and a+ b+ c+ d appears in (n− 2)2 cells. Note that the set 1, 2, . . . , n2 has

⌈n2/2

⌉odd entries and⌊

n2/2⌋even entries.

If a ≡ b ≡ c ≡ d ≡ 0, 1 (mod 2), then we have at least 4(n− 2) + (n− 2)2 even cells and at most 4 oddcells, and 4− 4(n− 2)− (n− 2)2 = 8− n2 < 0.

If a ≡ b ≡ c ≡ 0 and d ≡ 1 (mod 2), then we have 2n − 1 even cells and (n − 1)2 odd cells, and(n− 1)2 − (2n− 1) /∈ 0, 1.

If a ≡ b ≡ c ≡ 1 and d ≡ 0 (mod 2), then we have 2n − 3 even cells and (n − 1)2 + 2 odd cells, and(n− 1)2 + 2− (2n− 3) /∈ 0, 1.

If a ≡ b ≡ 1 and c ≡ d ≡ 0 (mod 2), then there are (n− 2)2 more even cells than odd cells.If a ≡ d ≡ 1 and b ≡ c ≡ 0 (mod 2), then there are (n − 2)2 + 2 even cells and 4(n − 2) + 2 odd cells,

and 4(n− 2) + 2− (n− 2)2 − 2 = (n− 2)(6− n) ∈ 0, 1 if and only if n = 6.Finally, we can see that the result is achievable for n = 6 by letting a = d = 35, b = 2, and c = 4. Also,

the b = 2 times we choose UR, we use 1 + 1 = 2 for its upper-right corner cell and 1 − 1 = 0 for its other(n− 1)2 − 1 cells; the c = 4 times we choose LL, we use 4 for its lower-left corner cell and 2− 2 = 0 for itsother (n − 1)2 − 1 cells; and the d = 35 times we choose LR, we use 18 − 17 = 1 for its (n − 2)2 upper-leftcells. Note that for any odd integer k, 1 ≤ k ≤ 35, the system x+ y = 35 and x− y = k always has integersolutions with 0 ≤ y < x ≤ 35, from which it is obvious that we can obtain all numbers from 1 to 36 in thetable.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Sutanay Bhattacharya, Bishnupur High School, India;Arpon Basu, AECS-4, Mumbai, India; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica,Bosnia and Herzegovina; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 20

Page 21: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

O374. Prove that in any triangle,

max (|A−B|, |B − C|, |C −A|) ≤ arccos

(4r

R− 1

).

Proposed by Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas, USA

Solution by Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USAWe can suppose without loss of generality that A ≤ B ≤ C. Hence

max |A−B| , |B − C| , |C −A| = C −A.

So we need to prove the following inequality

C −A ≤ arccos

(4r

R− 1

),

or equivalently

cos(C −A) ≥ 4r

R− 1 = 4(cosA+ cosB + cosC)− 5.

Note that

cosB = cos(180 − (A+ C)) = − cos(A+ C) = 2 cos2(A+ C

2

)− 1,

cosA+ cosC = 2 cos

(A+ C

2

)cos

(C −A

2

),

cos(C −A) = 2 cos2(C −A

2

)− 1.

Finally the inequality to be proved becomes[cos

(C −A

2

)− 2 cos

(A+ C

2

)]2≥ 0.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Arkady Alt, SanJose, CA, USA; Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosniaand Herzegovina; Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 21

Page 22: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

O375. Let a, b, c, d, e, f be real numbers such that ad− bc = 1 and e, f ≥ 12 . Prove that√

e2(a2 + b2 + c2 + d2) + e(ac+ bd) +√f2(a2 + b2 + c2 + d2)− f(ac+ bd) ≥ (e+ f)

√2

.

Proposed by Marius Stănean, Zalău, România

Solution by Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, BrazilUsing substitution

w = a+ bi and z = d+ ci

thenwz = (ad− bc) + (ac+ bd)i = ρ(cos θ + i sin θ).

Butad− bc = 1⇒ θ ∈

(−π

2,π

2

), 1 = ρ cos θ ⇒ ρ =

1

cos θ, ac+ bd =

sin θ

cos θ.

By the AM-GM inequality

a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 ≥ 2√

(a2 + b2)(c2 + d2) = 2√

(ad− bc)2 + (ac+ bd)2 = 2ρ =2

cos θ.

It is sufficient to prove that √2e2 + e sin θ

cos θ+

√2f2 − f sin θ

cos θ−√

2(e+ f) ≥ 0

or √2e2 + e sin θ +

√2f2 − f sin θ −

√2 cos θ(e+ f) ≥ 0 (?)

LetΩθ(x) =

√2x2 + x sin θ −

√2 cos θ x.

Ω′θ(x) =4x+ sin θ

2√

2x2 + x sin θ−√

2 cos θ

For x ≥ 12 (x = e or x = f), x ≥ sin θ

4 and x ≥ − sin θ4 .

Ω′θ(x) ≥ 0⇔ (4x+ sin θ)2 ≥ 8 cos θ(2x2 + x sin θ)

⇔ (1− cos θ)(16x2 + 8x sin θ + 1 + cos θ) ≥ 0

⇔ (4x+ sin θ)2 + cos θ(1 + cos θ) ≥ 0.

The last inequality is true for any θ ∈(−π

2 ,π2

). So Ωθ(x) is a increasing function and the same occurs for

Ω−θ(x). Thus

LHS? = Ωθ(e) + Ω−θ(f) ≥ Ωθ

(1

2

)+ Ω−θ

(1

2

)=√

2(√

1 + sin θ +√

1− sin θ − 2√

cos θ)

≥√

2

(2

√√1− sin2 θ − 2

√cos θ

)= 0

∴ Ωθ(e) + Ω−θ(f) ≥ 0.

Also solved by Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 22

Page 23: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

O376. Let a1, a2, . . . , a100 be a permutation of the numbers 1, 2, . . . , 100. Let S1 = a1, S2 = a1+a2, . . . , S100 =a1 + a2 + · · · + a100. Find the maximum possible number of perfect squares among the numbersS1, S2, . . . , S100.

Proposed by Nairi Sedrakyan, Yerevan, Armenia

Solution by Li Zhou, Polk State College, USAWe show that this maximum number is 60. First, 1+2+· · ·+100 = 5050 < 722. Next, there are 71 changes ofparity in the sequence (02, 12, 22, . . . , 712), and each change of parity requires adding at least one odd integerfrom the set 1, 3, . . . , 99. Note that removing one term from the sequence (12, 22, . . . , 712) eliminates atmost two changes of parity. Thus at least 11 terms need to be removed to eliminate 71− 50 = 21 changes ofparity. Hence, at most 60 squares are possible. Now for 1 ≤ i ≤ 50, let ai = 2i− 1, then Si = i2, achieving50 squares. Also, let

S53 = S50 + 100 + 98 + 6 = 522,

S56 = S53 + 96 + 94 + 22 = 542,

S59 = S56 + 92 + 90 + 38 = 562,

S62 = S59 + 88 + 86 + 54 = 582,

S65 = S62 + 84 + 82 + 70 = 602,

S69 = S65 + 80 + 78 + 76 + 10 = 622,

S74 = S69 + 74 + 72 + 68 + 36 + 2 = 642,

S79 = S74 + 66 + 64 + 62 + 60 + 8 = 662,

S85 = S79 + 58 + 56 + 52 + 50 + 48 + 4 = 682,

S93 = S85 + 46 + 44 + 42 + 40 + 34 + 32 + 26 + 12 = 702,

achieving 10 more squares.

Also solved by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, Spain; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 23

Page 24: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

O377. Let a1, a2, . . . , an, b1, b2, . . . , bn be positive real numbers such that aibi > 1 for all i ∈ 1, 2, . . . , n.Denote

a =a1 + a2 + · · ·+ an

nand b =

b1 + b2 + · · ·+ bnn

.

Prove that1√

a1b1 − 1+

1√a2b2 − 1

+ · · ·+ 1√anbn − 1

≥ n√ab− 1

.

Proposed by Marius Stănean, Zalău, România

Solution by Daniel Lasaosa, Pamplona, SpainIt is well known that Jensen’s inequality applies in multi-variable functions, as long as the Hessian matrix ofthe function is either positive definite (in which case the inequality holds as for strictly convex single-variablefunctions) or negative definite (in which case the inequality holds as for strictly concave single-variablefunctions). Define f(x, y) = 1√

xy−1 , or the Hessian matrix is(∂2f∂x2

∂2f∂x∂y

∂2f∂y∂x

∂2f∂y2

)=

1

4(√xy − 1

)5 ( 3y2 3x− 2xy + 23y − 2xy + 2 3y2

).

Now, since the prefactor is positive since xy > 1, the trace has the same sign as 3x2 + 3y2 and is thereforepositive, and the determinant has the same sign as

9x2y2 − (3x− 2xy + 2)(3y − 2xy + 2) = 5x2y2 + 8xy − 4 + 6(x+ y)(xy − 1),

also clearly positive since x + y > 0 and xy > 1. Or both eigenvalues of the Hessian have positive sumand positive product, hence both are positive, and the Hessian is positive definite. Multi-variable Jensen’sinequality therefore holds, and is equivalent to the proposed inequality, where equality holds iff all ai’s areequal and simultaneously all bi’s are equal.

Also solved by Rithvik Pasumarty, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN, USA; Adnan Ali, A.E.C.S-4, Mumbai, India; Arkady Alt, San Jose, CA, USA; Joel Schlosberg, Bayside, NY, USA; Michel FaleirosMartins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Robert Bosch,Archimedean Academy, USA; Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA; Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 24

Page 25: Junior problems a;b;c berealnumbersgreaterthan . Provethat€¦ · SolutionbyStefanPetrevski,PearsonCollegeUWC,Victoria,Canada Leta= 3 p xandb= 3 p y. Aftertransferring 1 2 totheleft-handsideandsquaringbothsides,weobtainthat

O378. Consider a convex hexagon ABCDEF such that AB ‖ DE, BC ‖ EF , and CD ‖ FA. Let M,N,Kbe the intersections of lines BD and AE, AC and DF , CE and BF , respectively. Prove that theperpendiculars from M,N,K to the lines AB,CD,EF respectively, are concurrent.

Proposed by Nairi Sedrakyan, Yerevan, Armenia

Solution by Li Zhou, Polk State College, USA

Q

PKN

M

F

D E

B

C

A

Since the hexagon ABCDEF has parallel opposite sides, it is well known that its six vertices lie on a conic.By Pascal’s theorem, N,P,Q are collinear, where P = CB ∩ DE and Q = EA ∩ BF . Now consider thehexagon BANPEK. The sides AN and EK concur with the diagonal BP (at C); the sides NP and KBconcur with the diagonal AE (at Q). Thus, by Pappus’ theorem, the sides BA and PE must also concurwith the diagonal NK (at a point at infinity), that is, NK ‖ AB. Likewise, KM ‖ CD and MN ‖ EF .Therefore, the perpendiculars from M,N,K to the lines AB,CD,EF respectively, are concurrent at theorthocenter of 4MNK.

Also solved by Michel Faleiros Martins, Petrobras University, Brazil; Nermin Hodžić, Dobošnica, Bosniaand Herzegovina; Robert Bosch, Archimedean Academy, USA; Saturnino Campo Ruiz, Salamanca, Spain;Toshihiro Shimizu, Kawasaki, Japan.

Mathematical Reflections 3 (2016) 25


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