AoPS Community 1989 IMO Shortlist

IMO Shortlist 1989

www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3940
by orl, Altheman, Pascual2005

1 ABC is a triangle, the bisector of angle A meets the circumcircle of triangle ABC in A1 , points
B1 and C1 are defined similarly. Let AA1 meet the lines that bisect the two external angles at
B and C in A0 . Define B0 and C0 similarly. Prove that the area of triangle A0 B0 C0 = 2· area of
hexagon AC1 BA1 CB1 ≥ 4· area of triangle ABC.

2 Ali Barber, the carpet merchant, has a rectangular piece of carpet whose dimensions are un-
known. Unfortunately, his tape measure is broken and he has no other measuring instruments.
However, he finds that if he lays it flat on the floor of either of his storerooms, then each corner
of the carpet touches a different wall of that room. If the two rooms have dimensions of 38
feet by 55 feet and 50 feet by 55 feet, what are the carpet dimensions?

3 Ali Barber, the carpet merchant, has a rectangular piece of carpet whose dimensions are un-
known. Unfortunately, his tape measure is broken and he has no other measuring instruments.
However, he finds that if he lays it flat on the floor of either of his storerooms, then each corner
of the carpet touches a different wall of that room. He knows that the sides of the carpet are
integral numbers of feet and that his two storerooms have the same (unknown) length, but
widths of 38 feet and 50 feet respectively. What are the carpet dimensions?

4 Prove that ∀n > 1, n ∈ N the equation

n
X xk
+1=0
k!
k=1

has no rational roots.

5 Find the roots ri ∈ R of the polynomial

p(x) = xn + n · xn−1 + a2 · xn−2 + . . . + an

satisfying
16
X
rk16 = n.
k=1

6 For a triangle ABC, let k be its circumcircle with radius r. The bisectors of the inner angles
A, B, and C of the triangle intersect respectively the circle k again at points A0 , B 0 , and C 0 .
Prove the inequality

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16Q3 ≥ 27r4 P,

where Q and P are the areas of the triangles A0 B 0 C 0 and ABC respectively.

7 Show that any two points lying inside a regular n−gon
E can be joined by two circular arcs
lying inside E and meeting at an angle of at least 1 − n2 · π.

8 Let R be a rectangle that is the union of a finite number of rectangles Ri , 1 ≤ i ≤ n, satisfying

the following conditions:

(i) The sides of every rectangle Ri are parallel to the sides of R.

(ii) The interiors of any two different rectangles Ri are disjoint.
(iii) Each rectangle Ri has at least one side of integral length.

Prove that R has at least one side of integral length.

Variant: Same problem but with rectangular parallelepipeds having at least one integral side.

9 ∀n > 0, n ∈ Z, there exists uniquely determined integers an , bn , cn ∈ Z such

 √
3
√
3
n √3
√
3
1 + 4 · 2 − 4 · 4 = an + bn · 2 + cn · 4.

Prove that cn = 0 implies n = 0.

10 Let g : C → C, ω ∈ C, a ∈ C, ω 3 = 1, and ω 6= 1. Show that there is one and only one function
f : C → C such that
f (z) + f (ωz + a) = g(z), z ∈ C

Define sequence (an ) by = 2n . Show that n|an .

P
11 d|n ad

12 There are n cars waiting at distinct points of a circular race track. At the starting signal each
car starts. Each car may choose arbitrarily which of the two possible directions to go. Each
car has the same constant speed. Whenever two cars meet they both change direction (but
not speed). Show that at some time each car is back at its starting point.

13 Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral such that the sides AB, AD, BC satisfy AB = AD + BC.
There exists a point P inside the quadrilateral at a distance h from the line CD such that
AP = h + AD and BP = h + BC. Show that:
1 1 1
√ ≥√ +√
h AD BC

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AoPS Community 1989 IMO Shortlist

14 A bicentric quadrilateral is one that is both inscribable in and circumscribable about a circle,
i.e. both the incircle and circumcircle exists. Show that for such a quadrilateral, the centers of
the two associated circles are collinear with the point of intersection of the diagonals.

15 Let a, b, c, d, m, n ∈ Z+ such that

a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 = 1989,

a + b + c + d = m2 ,
and the largest of a, b, c, d is n2 . Determine, with proof, the values of m and n.

16 The set {a0 , a1 , . . . , an } of real numbers satisfies the following conditions:

(i) a0 = an = 0,
(ii) for 1 ≤ k ≤ n − 1,
n−1
X
ak = c + ai−k · (ai + ai+1 )
i=k

Prove that c ≤ 1
4n .

17 Given seven points in the plane, some of them are connected by segments such that:

(i) among any three of the given points, two are connected by a segment;
(ii) the number of segments is minimal.

How many segments does a figure satisfying (i) and (ii) have? Give an example of such a
figure.

18 Given a convex polygon A1 A2 . . . An with area S and a point M in the same plane, determine
the area of polygon M1 M2 . . . Mn , where Mi is the image of M under rotation RA
α around A
i i
by αi , i = 1, 2, . . . , n.

19 A natural number is written in each square of an m × n chess board. The allowed move is
to add an integer k to each of two adjacent numbers in such a way that non-negative num-
bers are obtained. (Two squares are adjacent if they have a common side.) Find a necessary
and sufficient condition for it to be possible for all the numbers to be zero after finitely many
operations.

20 Let n and k be positive integers and let S be a set of n points in the plane such that

i.) no three points of S are collinear, and

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ii.) for every point P of S there are at least k points of S equidistant from P.

Prove that:
1 √
k< + 2·n
2

21 Prove that the intersection of a plane and a regular tetrahedron can be an obtuse-angled tri-
angle and that the obtuse angle in any such triangle is always smaller than 120◦ .

22 Prove that in the set {1, 2, . . . , 1989} can be expressed as the disjoint union of subsets Ai , {i =
1, 2, . . . , 117} such that

i.) each Ai contains 17 elements

ii.) the sum of all the elements in each Ai is the same.

23 A permutation {x1 , x2 , . . . , x2n } of the set {1, 2, . . . , 2n} where n is a positive integer, is said to
have property T if |xi − xi+1 | = n for at least one i in {1, 2, . . . , 2n − 1}. Show that, for each n,
there are more permutations with property T than without.

24 For points A1 , . . . , A5 on the sphere of radius 1, what is the maximum value that min1≤i,j≤5 Ai Aj
can take? Determine all configurations for which this maximum is attained. (Or: determine the
diameter of any set {A1 , . . . , A5 } for which this maximum is attained.)

25 Let a, b ∈ Z which are not perfect squares. Prove that if

x2 − ay 2 − bz 2 + abw2 = 0
has a nontrivial solution in integers, then so does
x2 − ay 2 − bz 2 = 0.

26 Let n ∈ Z+ and let a, b ∈ R. Determine the range of x0 for which

n
X n
X
xi = a and x2i = b,
i=0 i=0

where x0 , x1 , . . . , xn are real variables.

27 Let m be a positive odd integer, m > 2. Find the smallest positive integer n such that 21989
divides mn − 1.

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28 Consider in a plane P the points O, A1 , A2 , A3 , A4 such that

σ(OAi Aj ) ≥ 1 ∀i, j = 1, 2, 3, 4, i 6= j.

where σ(OAi Aj ) is the area of triangle OAi Aj . Prove that there exists at least one pair i0 , j0 ∈
{1, 2, 3, 4} such that √
σ(OAi Aj ) ≥ 2.

29 155 birds P1 , . . . , P155 are sitting down on the boundary of a circle C. Two birds Pi , Pj are mu-
tually visible if the angle at centre m(·) of their positions m(Pi Pj ) ≤ 10◦ . Find the smallest
number of mutually visible pairs of birds, i.e. minimal set of pairs {x, y} of mutually visible
pairs of birds with x, y ∈ {P1 , . . . , P155 }. One assumes that a position (point) on C can be
occupied simultaneously by several birds, e.g. all possible birds.

30 Prove that for each positive integer n there exist n consecutive positive integers none of which
is an integral power of a prime number.

31 Let a1 ≥ a2 ≥ a3 ∈ Z+ be given and let N(a1 , a2 , a3 ) be the number of solutions (x1 , x2 , x3 ) of

the equation
3
X ak
= 1.
xk
k=1

where x1 , x2 , and x3 are positive integers. Prove that

N (a1 , a2 , a3 ) ≤ 6a1 a2 (3 + ln(2a1 )).

32 The vertex A of the acute triangle ABC is equidistant from the circumcenter O and the ortho-
center H. Determine all possible values for the measure of angle A.

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AoPS Community 1986 IMO Shortlist

IMO Shortlist 1986

www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3937
by orl, Amir Hossein

1 Let A, B be adjacent vertices of a regular n-gon (n ≥ 5) with center O. A triangle XY Z, which is

congruent to and initially coincides with OAB, moves in the plane in such a way that Y and Z
each trace out the whole boundary of the polygon, with X remaining inside the polygon. Find
the locus of X.

2 Let f (x) = xn where n is a fixed positive integer and x = 1, 2, · · · . Is the decimal expansion
a = 0.f (1)f (2)f (3)... rational for any value of n ?
The decimal expansion of a is defined as follows: If f (x) = d1 (x)d2 (x) · · · dr(x) (x) is the decimal
expansion of f (x), then a = 0.1d1 (2)d2 (2) · · · dr(2) (2)d1 (3)...dr(3) (3)d1 (4) · · · .

3 Let A, B, and C be three points on the edge of a circular chord such that B is due west of C
and ABC is an equilateral triangle whose side is 86 meters long. A boy swam from A directly
toward B. After covering a distance of x meters, he turned and swam westward, reaching the
shore after covering a distance of y meters. If x and y are both positive integers, determine y.

4 Provided the equation xyz = pn (x + y + z) where p ≥ 3 is a prime and n ∈ N. Prove that

the equation has at least 3n + 3 different solutions (x, y, z) with natural numbers x, y, z and
x < y < z. Prove the same for p > 3 being an odd integer.

5 Let d be any positive integer not equal to 2, 5 or 13. Show that one can find distinct a, b in the
set {2, 5, 13, d} such that ab − 1 is not a perfect square.

6 Find four positive integers each not exceeding 70000 and each having more than 100 divisors.

7 Let real numbers x1 , x2 , · · · , xn satisfy 0 < x1 < x2 < · · · < xn < 1 and set x0 = 0, xn+1 = 1.
Suppose that these numbers satisfy the following system of equations:
n+1
X 1
= 0 where i = 1, 2, ..., n.
xi − xj
j=0,j6=i

Prove that xn+1−i = 1 − xi for i = 1, 2, ..., n.

8 From a collection of n persons q distinct two-member teams are selected and ranked 1, · · · , q
(no ties). Let m be the least integer larger than or equal to 2q/n. Show that there are m distinct
teams that may be listed so that :
(i) each pair of consecutive teams on the list have one member in common and
(ii) the chain of teams on the list are in rank order.

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Alternative formulation.
Given a graph with n vertices and q edges numbered 1, · · · , q, show that there exists a chain
of m edges, m ≥ 2q n , each two consecutive edges having a common vertex, arranged mono-
tonically with respect to the numbering.

9 Given a finite set of points in the plane, each with integer coordinates, is it always possible to
color the points red or white so that for any straight line L parallel to one of the coordinate
axes the difference (in absolute value) between the numbers of white and red points on L is
not greater than 1?

10 Three persons A, B, C, are playing the following game:

A k-element subset of the set {1, ..., 1986} is randomly chosen, with an equal probability of
each choice, where k is a fixed positive integer less than or equal to 1986. The winner is A, B or
C, respectively, if the sum of the chosen numbers leaves a remainder of 0, 1, or 2 when divided
by 3.
For what values of k is this game a fair one? (A game is fair if the three outcomes are equally
probable.)

11 Let f (n) be the least number of distinct points in the plane such that for each k = 1, 2, · · · , n
there exists a straight line containing exactly k of these points. Find an explicit expression for
f (n).
Simplified version.
Show that f (n) = . Where [x] denoting the greatest integer not exceeding x.
 n+1   n+2 
2 2

12 To each vertex of a regular pentagon an integer is assigned, so that the sum of all five num-
bers is positive. If three consecutive vertices are assigned the numbers x, y, z respectively, and
y < 0, then the following operation is allowed: x, y, z are replaced by x + y, −y, z + y respec-
tively. Such an operation is performed repeatedly as long as at least one of the five numbers is
negative. Determine whether this procedure necessarily comes to an end after a finite number
of steps.

13 A particle moves from (0, 0) to (n, n) directed by a fair coin. For each head it moves one step
east and for each tail it moves one step north. At (n, y), y < n, it stays there if a head comes
up and at (x, n), x < n, it stays there if a tail comes up. Letk be a fixed positive integer. Find
the probability that the particle needs exactly 2n + k tosses to reach (n, n).

14 The circle inscribed in a triangle ABC touches the sides BC, CA, AB in D, E, F , respectively,
and X, Y, Z are the midpoints of EF, F D, DE, respectively. Prove that the centers of the in-
scribed circle and of the circles around XY Z and ABC are collinear.

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15 Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral whose vertices do not lie on a circle. Let A0 B 0 C 0 D0 be a
quadrangle such that A0 , B 0 , C 0 , D0 are the centers of the circumcircles of triangles BCD, ACD, ABD,
and ABC. We write T (ABCD) = A0 B 0 C 0 D0 . Let us define A00 B 00 C 00 D00 = T (A0 B 0 C 0 D0 ) =
T (T (ABCD)).
(a) Prove that ABCD and A00 B 00 C 00 D00 are similar.
(b) The ratio of similitude depends on the size of the angles of ABCD. Determine this ratio.

16 Let A, B be adjacent vertices of a regular n-gon (n ≥ 5) with center O. A triangle XY Z, which is

congruent to and initially coincides with OAB, moves in the plane in such a way that Y and Z
each trace out the whole boundary of the polygon, with X remaining inside the polygon. Find
the locus of X.

17 Given a point P0 in the plane of the triangle A1 A2 A3 . Define As = As−3 for all s ≥ 4. Construct
a set of points P1 , P2 , P3 , . . . such that Pk+1 is the image of Pk under a rotation center Ak+1
through an angle 120o clockwise for k = 0, 1, 2, . . .. Prove that if P1986 = P0 , then the triangle
A1 A2 A3 is equilateral.

18 Let AX, BY, CZ be three cevians concurrent at an interior point D of a triangle ABC. Prove
that if two of the quadrangles DY AZ, DZBX, DXCY are circumscribable, so is the third.

19 A tetrahedron ABCD is given such that AD = BC = a; AC = BD = b; AB · CD = c2 . Let

f (P ) = AP + BP + CP + DP , where P is an arbitrary point in space. Compute the least value
of f (P ).

20 Prove that the sum of the face angles at each vertex of a tetrahedron is a straight angle if and
only if the faces are congruent triangles.

21 Let ABCD be a tetrahedron having each sum of opposite sides equal to 1. Prove that
√
3
rA + rB + rC + rD ≤
3
where rA , rB , rC , rD are the inradii of the faces, equality holding only if ABCD is regular.

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AoPS Community 1987 IMO Shortlist

IMO Shortlist 1987

www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3938
by Amir Hossein

1 Let f be a function that satisfies the following conditions:

(i) If x > y and f (y) − y ≥ v ≥ f (x) − x, then f (z) = v + z, for some number z between x and y.
(ii) The equation f (x) = 0 has at least one solution, and among the solutions of this equation,
there is one that is not smaller than all the other solutions; (iii) f (0) = 1. (iv) f (1987) ≤ 1988.
(v) f (x)f (y) = f (xf (y) + yf (x) − xy).
Find f (1987).
Proposed by Australia.

2 At a party attended by n married couples, each person talks to everyone else at the party
except his or her spouse. The conversations involve sets of persons or cliques C1 , C2 , · · · , Ck
with the following property: no couple are members of the same clique, but for every other pair
of persons there is exactly one clique to which both members belong. Prove that if n ≥ 4, then
k ≥ 2n.
Proposed by USA.

3 Does there exist a second-degree polynomial p(x, y) in two variables such that every non-
negative integer n equals p(k, m) for one and only one ordered pair (k, m) of non-negative
integers?
Proposed by Finland.

4 Let ABCDEF GH be a parallelepiped with AE k BF k CG k DH. Prove the inequality

AF + AH + AC ≤ AB + AD + AE + AG.

In what cases does equality hold?

Proposed by France.

5 Find, with proof, the point P in the interior of an acute-angled triangle ABC for which BL2 +
CM 2 +AN 2 is a minimum, where L, M, N are the feet of the perpendiculars from P to BC, CA, AB
respectively.
Proposed by United Kingdom.

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6 Show that if a, b, c are the lengths of the sides of a triangle and if 2S = a + b + c, then
 n−2
an bn cn 2
+ + ≥ S n−1 ∀n ∈ N
b+c c+a a+b 3

Proposed by Greece.

7 Given five real numbers u0 , u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 , prove that it is always possible to find five real num-
bers v0, v1 , v2 , v3 , v4 that satisfy the following conditions:
(i) ui − vi ∈ N, 0 ≤ i ≤ 4
(ii) 0≤i<j≤4 (vi − vj )2 < 4.
P

Proposed by Netherlands.

8 (a) Let gcd(m, k) = 1. Prove that there exist integers a1 , a2 , ..., am and b1 , b2 , ..., bk such that
each product ai bj (i = 1, 2, · · · , m; j = 1, 2, · · · , k) gives a different residue when divided by
mk.
(b) Let gcd(m, k) > 1. Prove that for any integers a1 , a2 , ..., am and b1 , b2 , ..., bk there must be
two products ai bj and as bt ((i, j) 6= (s, t)) that give the same residue when divided by mk.
Proposed by Hungary.

9 Does there exist a set M in usual Euclidean space such that for every plane λ the intersection
M ∩ λ is finite and nonempty ?
Proposed by Hungary.
I’m not sure I’m posting this in a right Forum.

10 Let S1 and S2 be two spheres with distinct radii that touch externally. The spheres lie inside a
cone C, and each sphere touches the cone in a full circle. Inside the cone there are n additional
solid spheres arranged in a ring in such a way that each solid sphere touches the cone C, both
of the spheres S1 and S2 externally, as well as the two neighboring solid spheres. What are the
possible values of n?
Proposed by Iceland.

11 Find the number of partitions of the set {1, 2, · · · , n} into three subsets A1 , A2 , A3 , some of
which may be empty, such that the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) After the elements of every subset have been put in ascending order, every two consecutive
elements of any subset have different parity.
(ii) If A1 , A2 , A3 are all nonempty, then in exactly one of them the minimal number is even .

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Proposed by Poland.

12 Given a nonequilateral triangle ABC, the vertices listed counterclockwise, find the locus of the
centroids of the equilateral triangles A0 B 0 C 0 (the vertices listed counterclockwise) for which
the triples of points A, B 0 , C 0 ; A0 , B, C 0 ; and A0 , B 0 , C are collinear.
Proposed by Poland.

13 Is it possible to put 1987 points in the Euclidean plane such that the distance between each pair
of points is irrational and each three points determine a non-degenerate triangle with rational
area? (IMO Problem 5)
Proposed by Germany, DR

14 How many words with n digits can be formed from the alphabet {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, if neighboring
digits must differ by exactly one?
Proposed by Germany, FR.

15 Let x1 , x2 , . . . , xn be real numbers satisfying x21 + x22 + . . . + x2n = 1. Prove that for every integer
k ≥ 2 there are integers a√ 1 , a2 , . . . , an , not all zero, such that |ai | ≤ k − 1 for all i, and |a1 x1 +
a2 x2 + . . . + an xn | ≤ (k−1) n
kn −1 . (IMO Problem 3)

Proposed by Germany, FR

16 Let pn (k) be the number of permutations of the set {1, 2, 3, . . . , n} which have exactly k fixed
points. Prove that nk=0 kpn (k) = n!.(IMO Problem 1)
P

Original formulation
Let S be a set of n elements. We denote the number of all permutations of S that have exactly
k fixed points by pn (k). Prove:
(a) nk=0 kpn (k) = n! ;
P

(b) nk=0 (k − 1)2 pn (k) = n!

P

Proposed by Germany, FR

17 Prove that there exists a four-coloring of the set M = {1, 2, · · · , 1987} such that any arithmetic
progression with 10 terms in the set M is not monochromatic.
Alternative formulation
Let M = {1, 2, · · · , 1987}. Prove that there is a function f : M → {1, 2, 3, 4} that is not constant
on every set of 10 terms from M that form an arithmetic progression.
Proposed by Romania

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18 For any integer r ≥ 1, determine the smallest integer h(r) ≥ 1 such that for any partition of
the set {1, 2, · · · , h(r)} into r classes, there are integers a ≥ 0 ; 1 ≤ x ≤ y, such that a + x, a +
y, a + x + y belong to the same class.
Proposed by Romania

19 Let α, β, γ be positive real numbers such that α + β + γ < π, α + β > γ,β + γ > α, γ + α > β.
Prove that with the segments of lengths sin α, sin β, sin γ we can construct a triangle and that
its area is not greater than
1
A= (sin 2α + sin 2β + sin 2γ) .
8

Proposed by Soviet Union

Let n ≥ 2 be an integer. Prove that if k 2 + k + n is prime for all integers k such that 0 ≤ k ≤ 3,
pn
20
then k 2 + k + n is prime for all integers k such that 0 ≤ k ≤ n − 2.(IMO Problem 6)
Original Formulation
q
p
Let f (x) = x2 + x + p, p ∈ N. Prove that if the numbers f (0), f (1), · · · , f ( 3) are primes, then
all the numbers f (0), f (1), · · · , f (p − 2) are primes.
Proposed by Soviet Union.

21 In an acute-angled triangle ABC the interior bisector of angle A meets BC at L and meets the
circumcircle of ABC again at N . From L perpendiculars are drawn to AB and AC, with feet
K and M respectively. Prove that the quadrilateral AKN M and the triangle ABC have equal
areas.(IMO Problem 2)
Proposed by Soviet Union.

22 Does there exist a function f : N → N, such that f (f (n)) = n + 1987 for every natural number
n? (IMO Problem 4)
Proposed by Vietnam.

23 Prove that for every natural number k (k ≥ 2) there exists an irrational number r such that for
every natural number m,
[rm ] ≡ −1 (mod k).

Remark. An easier variant: Find r as a root of a polynomial of second degree with integer co-
efficients.

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Proposed by Yugoslavia.

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Art of Problem Solving is an ACS WASC Accredited School.
AoPS Community 1985 IMO Shortlist

IMO Shortlist 1985

www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3936
by Amir Hossein, orl

1 Given a set M of 1985 positive integers, none of which has a prime divisor larger than 26, prove
that the set has four distinct elements whose geometric mean is an integer.

2 A polyhedron has 12 faces and is such that:

(i) all faces are isosceles triangles,
(ii) all edges have length either x or y,
(iii) at each vertex either 3 or 6 edges meet, and
(iv) all dihedral angles are equal.
Find the ratio x/y.

3 For any polynomial P (x) = a0 + a1 x + . . . + ak xk with integer coefficients, the number of odd
coefficients is denoted by o(P ). For i − 0, 1, 2, . . . let Qi (x) = (1 + x)i . Prove that if i1 , i2 , . . . , in
are integers satisfying 0 ≤ i1 < i2 < . . . < in , then:

o(Qi1 + Qi2 + . . . + Qin ) ≥ o(Qi1 ).

4 Each of the numbers in the set N = {1, 2, 3, · · · , n − 1}, where n ≥ 3, is colored with one of two
colors, say red or black, so that:
(i) i and n − i always receive the same color, and
(ii) for some j ∈ N , relatively prime to n, i and |j − i| receive the same color for all i ∈ N, i 6= j.
Prove that all numbers in N must receive the same color.

5 Let D be the interior of the circle C and let A ∈ C. Show that the function f : D → R, f (M ) =
|M A| f (M1 )+f (M2 )
|M M 0 | where M = AM ∩ C, is strictly convex; i.e., f (P ) <
0 , ∀M1 , M2 ∈ D, M1 6= M2
2
where P is the midpoint of the segment M1 M2 .

√
q
Let xn = 2 + 3 3 + · · · + n n. Prove that
2
p
6

1
xn+1 − xn < n = 2, 3, · · ·
n!

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7 The positive integers x1 , · · · , xn , n ≥ 3, satisfy x1 < x2 < · · · < xn < 2x1 . Set P = x1 x2 · · · xn .
Prove that if p is a prime number, k a positive integer, and P is divisible by pk, then pPk ≥ n!.

8 Let A be a set of n points in the space. From the family of all segments with endpoints in
A, q segments have been selected and colored yellow. Suppose that all yellow segments are
of different length. Prove that there exists a polygonal line composed of m yellow segments,
where m ≥ 2q n , arranged in order of increasing length.

9 Determine the radius of a sphere S that passes through the centroids of each face of a given
tetrahedron T inscribed in a unit sphere with center O. Also, determine the distance from O to
the center of S as a function of the edges of T.

10 Prove that for every point M on the surface of a regular tetrahedron there exists a point M 0
such that there are at least three different curves on the surface joining M to M 0 with the
smallest possible length among all curves on the surface joining M to M 0 .

11 Find a method by which one can compute the coefficients of P (x) = x6 + a1 x5 + · · · + a6 from
the roots of P (x) = 0 by performing not more than 15 additions and 15 multiplications.

12 A sequence of polynomials Pm (x, y, z), m = 0, 1, 2, · · · , in x, y, and z is defined by P0 (x, y, z) = 1

and by
Pm (x, y, z) = (x + z)(y + z)Pm−1 (x, y, z + 1) − z 2 Pm−1 (x, y, z)
for m > 0. Prove that each Pm (x, y, z) is symmetric, in other words, is unaltered by any permu-
tation of x, y, z.

13 Let m boxes be given, with some balls in each box. Let n < m be a given integer. The following
operation is performed: choose n of the boxes and put 1 ball in each of them. Prove:
(a) If m and n are relatively prime, then it is possible, by performing the operation a finite number
of times, to arrive at the situation that all the boxes contain an equal number of balls.
(b) If m and n are not relatively prime, there exist initial distributions of balls in the boxes such
that an equal distribution is not possible to achieve.

14 A set of 1985 points is distributed around the circumference of a circle and each of the points
is marked with 1 or −1. A point is called good if the partial sums that can be formed by starting
at that point and proceeding around the circle for any distance in either direction are all strictly
positive. Show that if the number of points marked with −1 is less than 662, there must be at
least one good point.

15 Let K and K 0 be two squares in the same plane, their sides of equal length. Is it possible to
decompose K into a finite number of triangles T1 , T2 , . . . , Tp with mutually disjoint interiors

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AoPS Community 1985 IMO Shortlist

and find translations t1 , t2 , . . . , tp such that

p
[
0
K = ti (Ti ) ?
i=1

16 If possible, construct an equilateral triangle whose three vertices are on three given circles.

17 The sequence f1 , f2 , · · · , fn , · · · of functions is defined for x > 0 recursively by

 
1
f1 (x) = x, fn+1 (x) = fn (x) fn (x) +
n

Prove that there exists one and only one positive number a such that 0 < fn (a) < fn+1 (a) < 1
for all integers n ≥ 1.

18 Let x1 , x2 , · · · , xn be positive numbers. Prove that

x21 x22 x2n−1 x2n

+ + · · · + + ≤n−1
x21 + x2 x3 x22 + x3 x4 x2n−1 + xn x1 x2n + x1 x2

19 For which integers n ≥ 3 does there exist a regular n-gon in the plane such that all its vertices
have integer coordinates in a rectangular coordinate system?

20 A circle whose center is on the side ED of the cyclic quadrilateral BCDE touches the other
three sides. Prove that EB + CD = ED.

21 The tangents at B and C to the circumcircle of the acute-angled triangle ABC meet at X. Let
M be the midpoint of BC. Prove that
(a) ∠BAM = ∠CAX, and
AM
(b) AX = cos ∠BAC.

22 A circle with center O passes through the vertices A and C of the triangle ABC and intersects
the segments AB and BC again at distinct points K and N respectively. Let M be the point
of intersection of the circumcircles of triangles ABC and KBN (apart from B). Prove that
∠OM B = 90◦ .

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AoPS Community 1988 IMO Shortlist

IMO Shortlist 1988

www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3939
by orl, Armo

1 An integer sequence is defined by

an = 2an−1 + an−2 , (n > 1), a0 = 0, a1 = 1.

Prove that 2k divides an if and only if 2k divides n.

2 Let n be a positive integer. Find the number of odd coefficients of the polynomial

un (x) = (x2 + x + 1)n .

3 The triangle ABC is inscribed in a circle. The interior bisectors of the angles A, B and C meet
the circle again at A0 , B 0 and C 0 respectively. Prove that the area of triangle A0 B 0 C 0 is greater
than or equal to the area of triangle ABC.

4 An n×n, n ≥ 2 chessboard is numbered by the numbers 1, 2, . . . , n2 (and every number occurs).

Prove that there exist two neighbouring (with common edge) squares such that their numbers
differ by at least n.

5 Let n be an even positive integer. Let A1 , A2 , . . . , An+1 be sets having n elements each such
that any two of them have exactly one element in common while every element of their union
belongs to at least two of the given sets. For which n can one assign to every element of the
union one of the numbers 0 and 1 in such a manner that each of the sets has exactly n2 zeros?

6 In a given tedrahedron ABCD let K and L be the centres of edges AB and CD respectively.
Prove that every plane that contains the line KL divides the tedrahedron into two parts of
equal volume.

Let be the greatest positive root of the equation 3 − 3 · x2 + 1 = 0. Show that a1788 and
 
7 a x
are both divisible by 17. Here [x] denotes the integer part of x.
 1988 
a

8 Let u1 , u2 , . . . , um be m vectors in the plane, each of length ≤ 1, with zero sum. Show that
one can arrange u1 , u2 , . . . , um as a sequence v1 , v2 , . . . , vm such that√ each partial sum v1 , v1 +
v2 , v1 + v2 + v3 , . . . , v1 , v2 , . . . , vm has length less than or equal to 5.

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AoPS Community 1988 IMO Shortlist
a2 +b2
9 Let a and b be two positive integers such that a · b + 1 divides a2 + b2 . Show that a·b+1 is a
perfect square.

10 Let N = {1, 2 . . . , n}, n ≥ 2. A collection F = {A1 , . . . , At } of subsets Ai ⊆ N, i = 1, . . . , t,

is said to be separating, if for every pair {x, y} ⊆ N, there is a set Ai ∈ F so that Ai ∩ {x, y}
contains just one element. F is said to be covering, if every element of N is contained in at
least one set Ai ∈ F. What is the smallest value f (n) of t, so there is a set F = {A1 , . . . , At }
which is simultaneously separating and covering?

11 The lock of a safe consists of 3 wheels, each of which may be set in 8 different ways positions.
Due to a defect in the safe mechanism the door will open if any two of the three wheels are in
the correct position. What is the smallest number of combinations which must be tried if one
is to guarantee being able to open the safe (assuming the ”right combination” is not known)?

12 In a triangle ABC, choose any points K ∈ BC, L ∈ AC, M ∈ AB, N ∈ LM, R ∈ M K and F ∈
KL. If E1 , E2 , E3 , E4 , E5 , E6 and E denote the areas of the triangles AM R, CKR, BKF, ALF, BN M, CLN
and ABC respectively, show that
p
E ≥ 8 · 6 E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 .

13 In a right-angled triangle ABC let AD be the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse and let the
straight line joining the incentres of the triangles ABD, ACD intersect the sides AB, AC at the
points K, L respectively. If E and E1 dnote the areas of triangles ABC and AKL respectively,
show that
E
≥ 2.
E1

14 For what values of n does there exist an n × n array of entries -1, 0 or 1 such that the 2 · n sums
obtained by summing the elements of the rows and the columns are all different?

15 Let ABC be an acute-angled triangle. The lines LA , LB and LC are constructed through the
vertices A, B and C respectively according the following prescription: Let H be the foot of the
altitude drawn from the vertex A to the side BC; let SA be the circle with diameter AH; let
SA meet the sides AB and AC at M and N respectively, where M and N are distinct from A;
then let LA be the line through A perpendicular to M N . The lines LB and LC are constructed
similarly. Prove that the lines LA , LB and LC are concurrent.

16 Show that the solution set of the inequality

70
X k 5
≥
x−k 4
k=1

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AoPS Community 1988 IMO Shortlist

is a union of disjoint intervals, the sum of whose length is 1988.

17 In the convex pentagon ABCDE, the sides BC, CD, DE are equal. Moreover each diagonal
of the pentagon is parallel to a side (AC is parallel to DE, BD is parallel to AE etc.). Prove
that ABCDE is a regular pentagon.

18 Consider 2 concentric circle radii R and r (R > r) with centre O. Fix P on the small circle
and consider the variable chord P A of the small circle. Points B and C lie on the large circle;
B, P, C are collinear and BC is perpendicular to AP.

i.) For which values of ∠OP A is the sum BC 2 + CA2 + AB 2 extremal?

ii.) What are the possible positions of the midpoints U of BA and V of AC as ∠OP A varies?

19 Let f (n) be a function defined on the set of all positive integers and having its values in the
same set. Suppose that f (f (n)+f (m)) = m+n for all positive integers n, m. Find the possible
value for f (1988).

20 Find the least natural number n such that, if the set {1, 2, . . . , n} is arbitrarily divided into two
non-intersecting subsets, then one of the subsets contains 3 distinct numbers such that the
product of two of them equals the third.

21 Forty-nine students solve a set of 3 problems. The score for each problem is a whole number
of points from 0 to 7. Prove that there exist two students A and B such that, for each problem,
A will score at least as many points as B.

22 Let p be the product of two consecutive integers greater than 2. Show that there are no integers
x1 , x2 , . . . , xp satisfying the equation
p p
!2
X 4 X
x2i − xi =1
4·p+1
i=1 i=1

OR

Show that there are only two values of p for which there are integers x1 , x2 , . . . , xp satisfying
p p
!2
X 4 X
x2i − xi =1
4·p+1
i=1 i=1

23 Let Q be the centre of the inscribed circle of a triangle ABC. Prove that for any point P,

a(P A)2 + b(P B)2 + c(P C)2 = a(QA)2 + b(QB)2 + c(QC)2 + (a + b + c)(QP )2 ,

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AoPS Community 1988 IMO Shortlist

where a = BC, b = CA and c = AB.

24 Let {ak }∞
1 be a sequence of non-negative real numbers such that:

ak − 2ak+1 + ak+2 ≥ 0
Pk
and j=1 aj ≤ 1 for all k = 1, 2, . . .. Prove that:

2
0 ≤ ak − ak+1 <
k2
for all k = 1, 2, . . ..

25 A positive integer is called a double number if its decimal representation consists of a block
of digits, not commencing with 0, followed immediately by an identical block. So, for instance,
360360 is a double number, but 36036 is not. Show that there are infinitely many double num-
bers which are perfect squares.

26 A function f defined on the positive integers (and taking positive integers values) is given by:
f (1) = 1, f (3) = 3
f (2 · n) = f (n)
f (4 · n + 1) = 2 · f (2 · n + 1) − f (n)
f (4 · n + 3) = 3 · f (2 · n + 1) − 2 · f (n),
for all positive integers n. Determine with proof the number of positive integers ≤ 1988 for
which f (n) = n.

27 Let ABC be an acute-angled triangle. Let L be any line in the plane of the triangle ABC. Denote
by u, v, w the lengths of the perpendiculars to L from A, B, C respectively. Prove the inequality
u2 · tan A + v 2 · tan B + w2 · tan C ≥ 2 · S, where S is the area of the triangle ABC. Determine
the lines L for which equality holds.

28 The sequence {an } of integers is defined by

a1 = 2, a2 = 7

and
1 a2
− < an+1 − n ≤ , n ≥ 2.
2 an−1
Prove that an is odd for all n > 1.

29 A number of signal lights are equally spaced along a one-way railroad track, labeled in oder
1, 2, . . . , N, N ≥ 2. As a safety rule, a train is not allowed to pass a signal if any other train is in
motion on the length of track between it and the following signal. However, there is no limit to
the number of trains that can be parked motionless at a signal, one behind the other. (Assume

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AoPS Community 1988 IMO Shortlist

the trains have zero length.) A series of K freight trains must be driven from Signal 1 to Signal
N. Each train travels at a distinct but constant spped at all times when it is not blocked by the
safety rule. Show that, regardless of the order in which the trains are arranged, the same time
will elapse between the first train’s departure from Signal 1 and the last train’s arrival at Signal
N.

30 A point M is chosen on the side AC of the triangle ABC in such a way that the radii of the
circles inscribed in the triangles ABM and BM C are equal. Prove that
 
2 B
BM = X cot
2

where X is the area of triangle ABC.

31 Around a circular table an even number of persons have a discussion. After a break they sit
again around the circular table in a different order. Prove that there are at least two people such
that the number of participants sitting between them before and after a break is the same.

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