10 Problems for HOMC 2019

Nguyen Quang Tan

mrquangtan@gmail.com

March 20, 2019

Problem 1
Let n be a positive integer having 2019 distinct prime divisors. Determine the number of
x ∈ {1, 2, . . . , n} for which x2 ≡ x (mod n).

Solution. Consider the general problem, suppose that n has k distinct prime divisors.
That means n = pα1 1 · pα2 2 · · · pαk k .
From x2 ≡ x (mod n), we get n | x(x − 1).
Since gcd(x, x − 1) = 1 imply



 x ≡ r1 (mod pα1 1 )



...


x ≡ rk (mod pαk k )


where ri ∈ {0; 1} ∀1 ≤ i ≤ k.
Because ri can get 2 values 0 or 1, we have 2k systems of equations.
On the other hand {1, . . . , n} is a complete residue system.
According Chinese Remainder Theorem, we have 2k solutions.
The answer is 22019 .

Problem 2
Given the square ABCD. The point M belongs to the side AD such that AD = 3M D. Points
ND
I, N belong to the side CD such that ABM
\ =M \ BI and M N ⊥ BI. Calculate .
NC

\ , since hypotheses tan α = 2 , we have

Solution. Set α = ABM
3
DN 2 tan α 12
= tan DM C = tan ABI = tan 2α = 2
= .
MD 1 − tan α 5
DN DN 4 ND
So = = ⇒ = 4.
CD 3M D 5 NC
1
seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

A B

D C
I N

Problem 3
Given the arithmetic sequence (un ) with u1 = 1 such that the sum of 100 first terms is 24850.
1 1 1
Calculate S = + + ··· + .
u1 u2 u2 u3 u49 u50

Solution. Let d be the common difference of arithmetic sequence .

497 − 2u1
We have S100 = 50 (2u1 + 99d) = 24850 ⇒ d = = 5.
99
Therefore
5 5 5 u2 − u1 u3 − u2 u50 − u49
5S = + + ··· + = + + ··· +
u1 u2 u2 u3 u49 u50 u1 u2 u2 u3 u49 u50
1 1 1 1 245
= − = − =
u1 u50 u1 u1 + 49d 246
49
⇒S = .
246
49
So S = .
246

Problem 4
Let
f (x) = a2 x2 + bx + a2 c − 1 (a, b, c ∈ Z).

Suppose that the equation f (x) = −2 has two positive integral roots. Prove that A =
f 2 (1) + f 2 (−1)
is a composite number.
2

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seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

Solution. The equation f (x) = −2 ⇔ a2 x2 + bx + a2 c + 1 = 0. (1)

Let two positive integral roots of the equation be x1 , x2 .
1
According to Viete’s theorem, we have x1 x2 = c + 2 ∈ Z ⇒ a2 = 1 ⇒ f (x) = x2 + bx + c − 1.
a
Therefore f (1) = b + c; f (−1) = −b + c. 
 x1 + x2 = −b

The equation (1) becomes x2 + bx + c + 1 = 0, and 
 x1 x2 = c + 1.
We have
f 2 (1) + f 2 (−1) (b + c)2 + (−b + c)2
A = =
2 2
= b2 + c2 = (x1 + x2 )2 + (x1 x2 − 1)2
= x21 + x22 + x22 x22 + 1
= (x21 + 1)(x22 + 1).

Since x1 , x2 are positive integers, A = (x21 + 1)(x22 + 1) are the product of two intergers greater
than 1. So A is a composite number.

Problem 5
Given the function f (x) = x2 − 6x + 12. Solve the equation f (f (f (f (x)))) = 65539.

Solution. We have

f (x) = x2 − 6x + 12 = (x − 3)2 + 3 ⇔ f (x) − 3 = (x − 3)2 .

Therefore

f (f (x)) = (f (x) − 3)2 + 3 = (x − 3)4 + 3;

f (f (f (x))) = f (f (x) − 3)2 + 3 = (x − 3)8 + 3;
f (f (f (f (x)))) = (f (f (f (x))) − 3)2 + 3 = (x − 3)16 + 3. (1)

Hence

f (f (f (f (x)))) = 65539 ⇔ (x − 3)16 + 3 = 65539

 
x−3=2 x=5
⇔ (x − 3)16 = 216 ⇔ 
 ⇔

x − 3 = −2 x = 1.

So the given equation has two roots x = 5 and x = 1.

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seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

Problem 6
Suppose that the equation
x3 − ax2 + bx − c = 0

has 3 positive real roots. Prove that if

2a3 + 3a2 − 7ab + 9c − 6b − 3a + 2 = 0

then 1 ≤ a ≤ 2.

Solution. Suppose that x1 , x2 , x3 are positive roots of the given equation. Apply Viet’s theorem

x1 + x2 + x3 = a; x1 x2 + x2 x3 + x1 x3 = b; x1 x2 x3 = c.

We have

(x1 + x2 )(x1 − x2 )2 + (x2 + x3 )(x2 − x3 )2 + (x3 + x1 )(x3 − x1 )2 ≥ 0

⇔2(x1 + x2 + x3 )3 − (x1 + x2 + x3 )(x1 x2 + x2 x3 + x3 x1 ) + 9x1 x2 x3 ≥ 0
⇔2a3 − 7ab + 9c ≥ 0. (1)

And

(x1 − x2 )2 + (x2 − x3 )2 + (x3 − x1 )2 ≥ 0 ⇒ 2(x2 + x2 + x3 )2 − 6(x1 x2 + x2 x3 + x3 x1 ) ≥ 0.

Therefore 2a2 − 6b ≥ 0. (2)

From hypotheses we have

2a3 + 3a2 − 7ab + 9c − 6b − 3a + 2 = 0 ⇒ (2a3 − 7ab + 9c) + (2a2 − 6b) + a2 − 3a + 2 = 0. (3)

From (1), (2) and (3) imply a2 − 3 + 2 ≤ 0. So 1 ≤ a ≤ 2.

Problem 7
Let H be an interior point of 4ABC. And K is the orthocenter ABH. The straight line
passing through H and perpendicular to BC cuts AK at the point E. The straight line
passing through H and perpendicular to AC cuts BK at F . Prove that CH⊥EF .

Solution. Firstly we prove a lemma.

Lemma 4.1
Given 4 points A, B, C, D. We have AC⊥BD ⇔ AB 2 + CD2 = AD2 + BC 2 .

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seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

Proof. Let J be the midpoint BD. We have

−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
AB 2 + CD2 = AD2 + BC 2 ⇔ (AB 2 − AD2 ) + (CD2 − CB 2 ) = 0
−−→ −→ −−→ −→
⇔ DB · AJ + BD · CJ = 0
−−→ −→
⇔ BD · CA = 0 ⇔ AC⊥BD.

The lemma is proved.

F
A

M
K P

H
Q
B C
N

Apply the above lemma

EH 2 + AB 2 = BE 2 + AH 2 ;
CF 2 + AH 2 = AF 2 + CH 2 ;
AF 2 + BH 2 = F H 2 + AB 2 ;
CH 2 + BE 2 = CE 2 + BH 2 .
Adding 4 identities, we have

CF 2 + EH 2 = F H 2 + CE 2 ⇒ CH⊥EF.

Problem 8
Let ∆ABC be an isosceles triangle at A. In the half plane of BC not containging point A,
we get point D such that BAD
\ = 2ADC \ and CAD \ = 2ADB. \ Prove that CBD is isosceles
at D.

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seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

Solution.

B C
H

On the opposite ray of AD we get point E such that AE = AB. We have AE = AB = AC the
4ABE, 4ACE are isosceles at A. Imply
BAD
\ = 2AEB,
[ CAD
\ = 2AEC. [
On the other hand BAD
\ = 2ADC,
\ CAD\ = 2ADB.
\
Therefore BEA
[ = ADC,
\ AEC[ = ADB.
\
Impy 4BDE = 4CED (a.s.a) ⇒ BE = CD.
Let H be the intersection of AD and BC.
We have 4HBE = 4HCD (a.s.a) ⇒ BH = HC. Consider the isosceles triangle 4ABC at A,
AH is the median of the triangle so it is the perpendicular bisector of BC. Imply DB = DC.
Hence 4CBD is isosceles at D.

Problem 9
√ √ √
Let a, b, c be 3 positive real numbers such that a + b + c = 1. Find the maximum of
Ñ é
√ 1 1 1
P = abc » +» +» .
(a + b)(a + c) (b + c)(a + b) (c + b)(a + c)

Solution. Apply the AM-GM inequality we have

√ √ √
a + b ≥ 2 ab, b + c ≥ 2 bc, a + c ≥ 2 ac,

Imply
√ √ √
4
√ √
abc abc
bc b+ c
» ≤» √ √ = 2 ≤ . (1)
(a + b)(a + c) 2 ab · 2 ac 4

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seinior 10 Problems for HOMC 2019

with equality if and only if a = b = c. Similarly we have

√ √ √
abc a+ c
» ≤ , (2)
(a + b)(b + c) 4
√ √ √
abc a+ b
» ≤ . (3)
(a + c)(b + c) 4
√ √ √
From (1), (2), (3) and associate with the hypothesis a + b + c = 1 we have
√ √ √ √ √ √
a+ b c+ b a+ c 1
P ≤ + + = .
4 4 4 2
1
with equality if and only if a = b = c = .
9
1 1
So the maximum of the expression P is when a = b = c = .
2 9

Problem 10
Give the polynomial
f (x) = 20x2 − 11x + 2019.
.
Prove that there exists the integer α such that f (α)..22019 .

Solution. Consider the general problem, for all positive integer n there exists integer αn such that
.
f (αn ) ..2n . (?)
.. 1
With n = 1 we choose α1 = 1 then f (1).2 .
.
Suppose that this problem is true with n = k, that means existing αk such that β = f (αk ) ..2k .
We will prove that the problem is true with n = k + 1. Choose αk+1 = αk + β, we get
.
f (αk+1 ) = f (α) + 20β 2 + 40αβ − 11β = 10β (2β + 4αk − 1) ..2k+1
.
The general problem (?) is proved. Therefore there exists αn such that f (αn ) ..2n .

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