June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . .

- 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 1

by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

Chapter 1
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Quadratic Equations

The standard form of a quadratic equation is

ax2 + bx + c = 0 (a = 0),
and its simple form is Ax2 = B (A = 0).
If the root of the above equation is x0 , then
ax20 + bx0 + c = 0, (*)
and vice versa.
Using the formula (*), we can easily get the relationship between a, b, c
and x0 .
The quadratic formula for solving the equation ax2 +bx+c = 0 (a = 0) is
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x1,2 = .
2a
Example 1. Observe the following equations:

225 = 152
625 = 252
1225 = 352
2025 = 452
··· .

Given that 21025 = x2 , try to find the value of x according to the above
rules.

1
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 2

2 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad: Secondary 3

Solution Let x = 10n + 5, n > 0, so

21025 = (10n + 5)2 ,
n2 + n − 210 = 0,
(n + 15)(n − 14) = 0,
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

n = 14 or n = −15.
As n > 0, we discard n = −15.
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Thus n = 14, x = 10 × 14 + 5 = 145.

Example 2. Given that b and c are two roots of the equation x2 +bx+c = 0,
where c = 0, b = c, find the values of b and c.

Analysis Two identities are obtained by substituting b and c into the

equation respectively. Then, the two identities can be properly added or
subtracted, which is the basic method of identity deformation. In order to
simplify the problem, we can observe the characteristics of two equations
and try to subtract them.
Solution Because b and c are two roots of the equation x2 + bx + c = 0,
we can obtain that
 2
b + b2 + c = 0,
(1)
2
c + bc + c = 0.
(2)

From (1)–(2), we get (b − c)[(b + c) + b] = 0.

Since b − c = 0, the above equation can be reduced to

c + 2b = 0. (3)

Since c = 0, the equation (2) can be reduced to

c + b + 1 = 0. (4)

Combine the equations (3) and (4) to get the solution b = 1, c = −2.
Think about it Do you have any other solutions?

Example 3. As shown in Figure 1.1, it is planned to lay a rectangular

carpet in the middle of the floor of a rectangular conference room with a
length of 16m and a width of 12m. The width of the unpaved floor around
is the same. If the carpet area accounts for half of the floor area of the
entire conference room, find the length and width of the carpet.
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 3

1. Quadratic Equations 3
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Fig. 1.1

Solution Let the width of the unpaved floor around be xm, then 0 <
2x < 12, i.e. 0 < x < 6.
Thus the length of the carpet is (16 − 2x)m and the width of the carpet
is (12 − 2x)m.
From the given condition,
1
(16 − 2x)(12 − 2x) = 2 × 16 × 12,
2
x − 14x + 24 = 0,
x = 2 or x = 12.

As 0 < x < 6, we discard x = 12. Thus x = 2.

Therefore,
16 − 2x = 16 − 2 × 2 = 12,
12 − 2x = 12 − 2 × 2 = 8.

So the length of the carpet is 12m, and the width of the carpet is 8m.

Example 4. Suppose that the following three quadratic equations of x

ax2 + bx + c = 0, bx2 + cx + a = 0, cx2 + ax + b = 0
a2 b2 c2
have exactly one common real root, find the value of + + .
bc ca ab
Analysis Refer to Example 2, we can consider adding these three equa-
tions to simplify the problem.
Solution Let x0 be the common real root, then
ax20 + bx0 + c = 0, bx20 + cx0 + a = 0, cx20 + ax0 + b = 0.
Adding up the above three equations, we can obtain that
(a + b + c)(x20 + x0 + 1) = 0.
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 4

4 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad: Secondary 3

Since x20 + x0 + 1 = (x0 + 12 )2 + 3

4 > 0, the above equation can be reduced
to

a + b + c = 0.
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

2 2 2
a b c a3 + b 3 + c3 a3 + b3 − (a + b)3
Therefore, + + = = =
bc ca ab abc abc
−3ab(a + b)
= 3.
abc
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Remark The values of these two algebraic expressions x2 + x + 1 and

x2 − x + 1 are always greater than 0. This basic fact is often used.

Example 5. Given that m and √ n are rational numbers, and one root of
the equation x2 + mx + n = 0 is 5 − 2, find the value of m + n.

Solution From the given condition,

√ √
( 5 − 2)2 + m( 5 − 2) + n = 0,
√
i.e. (9 − 2m + n) + (m − 4) 5 = 0. √
Since m and n are rational numbers, and 5 is an irrational number,
we have that

9 − 2m + n = 0,
m − 4 = 0.

m = 4,
So
n = −1.
Hence m + n = 3.
√
Think about it (1) Can you prove that 5 is an irrational number?
√ √ √
(2) If 5 − 2 in the question is replaced by c − 2 and c is an irrational
number (c is a constant), what is the answer?

Example 6. Given that one root of the equation (a−1)x2 −4x−1+2a = 0

is x = 3,

(1) find the value of a and the other root of the equation;
(2) if the lengths of all three sides of a triangle are the roots of this equation,
find the perimeter of this triangle.
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 5

1. Quadratic Equations 5

Solution (1) From the given condition,

9(a − 1) − 4 × 3 − 1 + 2a = 0.

Thus a = 2.
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

So the equation is x2 − 4x + 3 = 0, the other root of the equation is x = 1.

(2) Since all three sides of the triangle are the roots of this equation, we
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

know that at least two sides of the triangle are equal. Then there are
two situations as follows:
(1) All three sides are equal. The lengths of the three sides are 1, 1, 1
or 3, 3, 3. So the perimeter of this triangle is 3 or 9.
(2) Only two sides are equal. Since 1 + 1 < 3, the length of the three
sides can just be 3, 3, 1. So the perimeter of this triangle is 7.

In summary, the perimeter of this triangle is 3 or 7 or 9.

Think about it If two sides of a triangle are the roots of this equation,
try to find the range of the length of the third side.

Example 7. Suppose that x1 and x2 are two roots of the equation x2 +

x − 3 = 0, find the value of x31 − 4x22 + 19.

Solution From the given condition,

x21 = 3 − x1 ,
x22 = 3 − x2 .

Therefore,
x31 − 4x22 + 19 = x1 (3 − x1 ) − 4(3 − x2 ) + 19
= 3x1 − (3 − x1 ) + 4x2 + 7
= 4(x1 + x2 ) + 4.
From the quadratic formula
√ we know
√ that the two roots of the equation
x2 + x − 3 = 0 are −1+2 13 and −1−2 13 , so x1 + x2 = −1.
Hence x31 − 4x22 + 19 = 0.
Remark The calculation of x1 + x2 can also be obtained by the factoriza-
tion of two equations x21 = 3 − x1 , x22 = 3 − x2 after subtraction. It can also
be directly obtained by using the relationship between the roots and the
coefficients in Chapter 4 (Vieta’s Theorem). Using the equations satisfied
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 6

6 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad: Secondary 3

by the roots of the equation to deal with the calculation of some algebraic
expressions gives the role of “reducing the power”, so as to simplify the
calculation process.
√
Example 8. Given that x = 1+1√2 , find the value of x3 + 2x2 − x + 8.
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

Solution From the given condition,

Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

x = 1+1√2
√
= 2 − 1,
√
i.e. x + 1 = 2.√
So (x + 1)2 = ( 2)2 ,
i.e. x2 + 2x
√− 1 = 0.  √
Therefore x3 + 2x2 − x + 8 = x(x2 + 2x − 1) + 8 = 2 2.

Reading

Learn to Try

When solving a mathematical problem, we should be confident and try

hard.
A little poem “I’ll try” by C. Rossetti (1830–1894) is worth reading:
The little boy who says “I’ll try”,
Will climb to the hill-top.
The little boy who says “I can’t”,
Will at the bottom stop.
“I’ll try” does great things every day,
“I can’t” gets nothing done.
Be sure then that you say “I’ll try”,
And let “I can’t” alone.
(Excerpted from: Shan Zun. Problem solving research. Shanghai:
Shanghai Education Press, 2016, 4–5 and 218.)

Exercises
1. Let b and c be integers. When x is taken as 1, 3, 6 and 11 in turn, Xiao
Cong calculates the values of the polynomials x2 + bx + c as 3, 5, 21
 June 2, 2022 15:16 Problems and Solutions in Mathematical. . . - 9in x 6in b4114-ch01 page 7

1. Quadratic Equations 7

and 93 respectively. It is verified that only one result is wrong. Which

one is wrong? ( )
(A) When x = 1, x2 + bx + c = 3.
(B) When x = 3, x2 + bx + c = 5.
by 2409:40e6:2:7cd3:8000:: on 06/23/24. Re-use and distribution is strictly not permitted, except for Open Access articles.

(C) When x = 6, x2 + bx + c = 21.

(D) When x = 11, x2 + bx + c = 93.
2. Solve the equation: (2x − 1)(x − 1) = (3x + 2)(x − 1).
Problems and Solutions in Mathematical Olympiad Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

3. Solve the equation: x2 − |x| − 1 = 0.

4. Let k be a real number. Given that a root of the quadratic equation
x2 − 3kx + k 2 − k = 0 is −1, find the value of k.
5. Let b be a real number. Given that the equation x2 + bx + 1 = 0 and
the equation x2 − x − b = 0 have a common real root, find the value
of b.
2
 b be√integers. Given that a root of the equation x + ax +
6. Let a and
b = 0 is 4 − 2 3, find the value of a + b.
7. Given that the real number a is a root of the equation x2 − 5x + 1 = 0,
find the last digit number of a4 + a−4 .
8. Let c be a real number. Given that the opposite number of a root of
the equation x2 − 3x + c = 0 is a root of the equation x2 + 3x − c = 0,
2
√ equation x − 3x + c4 = 20.
find the roots of the
9. Given that x = 3 , find the value of x +x
4− 7
x2
+1
.
10. Let m and n be real numbers. It is known that m2 = m+ 1, n2 = n+ 1,
m = n, find the value of m5 + n5 .