[Shortlists & Solutions] Ego Loss May Occur 2019

Algebra

1. Let $a$, $b$, $c$ be positive reals such that $\dfrac{1}{a}+\dfrac{1}{b}+\dfrac{1}{c}=1$. Show that $$a^abc+b^bca+c^cab\ge 27bc+27ca+27ab.$$
2. A function $g$ is surjective over $\mathbb Z$ if for all integers $y$, there exists an integer $x$ such that $g(x)=y$. Find all functions $f:\mathbb Z\to \mathbb Z$ such that for all surjective functions $g:\mathbb Z\to \mathbb Z$, $f+g$ is also surjective.
3. Let $m, n \ge 2$ be integers. Carl is given $n$ marked points in the plane and wishes to mark their centroid. He has no standard compass or straightedge. Instead, he has a device which, given marked points $A$ and $B$, marks the $m-1$ points that divide segment $\overline{AB}$ into $m$ congruent parts (but does not draw the segment). For which pairs $(m,n)$ can Carl necessarily accomplish his task, regardless of which $n$ points he is given?. Here, the centroid of $n$ points with coordinates $(x_1, y_1), \dots, (x_n, y_n)$ is the point with coordinates $\left( \frac{x_1 + \dots + x_n}{n}, \frac{y_1 + \dots + y_n}{n}\right)$.
4. Find all nondecreasing functions $f:\mathbb R\to \mathbb R$ such that, for all $x,y\in \mathbb R$, $$f(f(x))+f(y)=f(x+f(y))+1.$$
5. Carl chooses a functional expression $E$ which is a finite nonempty string formed from a set $x_1, x_2, \dots$ of variables and applications of a function $f$, together with addition, subtraction, multiplication (but not division), and fixed real constants. He then considers the equation $E = 0$, and lets $S$ denote the set of functions $f \colon \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ such that the equation holds for any choices of real numbers $x_1, x_2, \dots$. (For example, if Carl chooses the functional equation $$f(2f(x_1)+x_2) - 2f(x_1)-x_2 = 0$$ then $S$ consists of one function, the identity function. a) Let $X$ denote the set of functions with domain $\mathbb R$ and image exactly $\mathbb Z$. Show that Carl can choose his functional equation such that $S$ is nonempty but $S \subseteq X$. b) Can Carl choose his functional equation such that $|S|=1$ and $S \subseteq X$?.

Combinatorics

1. Elmo and Elmo's clone are playing a game. Initially, $n\geq 3$ points are given on a circle. On a player's turn, that player must draw a triangle using three unused points as vertices, without creating any crossing edges. The first player who cannot move loses. If Elmo's clone goes first and players alternate turns, who wins? (Your answer may be in terms of $n$.)
2. Adithya and Bill are playing a game on a connected graph with $n > 2$ vertices, two of which are labeled $A$ and $B$, so that $A$ and $B$ are distinct and non-adjacent and known to both players. Adithya starts on vertex $A$ and Bill starts on $B$. Each turn, both players move simultaneously: Bill moves to an adjacent vertex, while Adithya may either move to an adjacent vertex or stay at his current vertex. Adithya loses if he is on the same vertex as Bill, and wins if he reaches $B$ alone. Adithya cannot see where Bill is, but Bill can see where Adithya is. Given that Adithya has a winning strategy, what is the maximum possible number of edges the graph may have? (Your answer may be in terms of $n$.)
3. In the game of Ring Mafia, there are $2019$ counters arranged in a circle. $673$ of these counters are mafia, and the remaining $1346$ counters are town. Two players, Tony and Madeline, take turns with Tony going first. Tony does not know which counters are mafia but Madeline does. On Tony’s turn, he selects any subset of the counters (possibly the empty set) and removes all counters in that set. On Madeline’s turn, she selects a town counter which is adjacent to a mafia counter and removes it. Whenever counters are removed, the remaining counters are brought closer together without changing their order so that they still form a circle. The game ends when either all mafia counters have been removed, or all town counters have been removed. Is there a strategy for Tony that guarantees, no matter where the mafia counters are placed and what Madeline does, that at least one town counter remains at the end of the game?
4. Let $n \ge 3$ be a fixed integer. A game is played by $n$ players sitting in a circle. Initially, each player draws three cards from a shuffled deck of $3n$ cards numbered $1, 2, \dots, 3n$. Then, on each turn, every player simultaneously passes the smallest-numbered card in their hand one place clockwise and the largest-numbered card in their hand one place counterclockwise, while keeping the middle card. Let $T_r$ denote the configuration after $r$ turns (so $T_0$ is the initial configuration). Show that $T_r$ is eventually periodic with period $n$, and find the smallest integer $m$ for which, regardless of the initial configuration, $T_m=T_{m+n}$.
5. Given a permutation of $1,2,3,\dots,n$, with consecutive elements $a,b,c$ (in that order), we may perform either of the moves: If $a$ is the median of $a$, $b$, and $c$, we may replace $a,b,c$ with $b,c,a$ (in that order). If $c$ is the median of $a$, $b$, and $c$, we may replace $a,b,c$ with $c,a,b$ (in that order). What is the least number of sets in a partition of all $n!$ permutations, such that any two permutations in the same set are obtainable from each other by a sequence of moves?.

Geometry

1. Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle with orthocenter $H$ and circumcircle $\Gamma$. Let $BH$ intersect $AC$ at $E$, and let $CH$ intersect $AB$ at $F$. Let $AH$ intersect $\Gamma$ again at $P \neq A$. Let $PE$ intersect $\Gamma$ again at $Q \neq P$. Prove that $BQ$ bisects segment $\overline{EF}$.
2. Carl is given three distinct non-parallel lines $\ell_1, \ell_2, \ell_3$ and a circle $\omega$ in the plane. In addition to a normal straightedge, Carl has a special straightedge which, given a line $\ell$ and a point $P$, constructs a new line passing through $P$ parallel to $\ell$. (Carl does not have a compass.) Show that Carl can construct a triangle with circumcircle $\omega$ whose sides are parallel to $\ell_1,\ell_2,\ell_3$ in some order.
3. Let $\triangle ABC$ be an acute triangle with incenter $I$ and circumcenter $O$. The incircle touches sides $BC,CA,$ and $AB$ at $D,E,$ and $F$ respectively, and $A'$ is the reflection of $A$ over $O$. The circumcircles of $ABC$ and $A'EF$ meet at $G$, and the circumcircles of $AMG$ and $A'EF$ meet at a point $H\neq G$, where $M$ is the midpoint of $EF$. Prove that if $GH$ and $EF$ meet at $T$, then $DT\perp EF$.
4. Let triangle $ABC$ have altitudes $BE$ and $CF$ which meet at $H$. The reflection of $A$ over $BC$ is $A'$. Let $(ABC)$ meet $(AA'E)$ at $P$ and $(AA'F)$ at $Q$. Let $BC$ meet $PQ$ at $R$. Prove that $EF \parallel HR$.
5. Given a triangle $ABC$ for which $\angle BAC \neq 90^{\circ}$, let $B_1, C_1$ be variable points on $AB,AC$, respectively. Let $B_2,C_2$ be the points on line $BC$ such that a spiral similarity centered at $A$ maps $B_1C_1$ to $C_2B_2$. Denote the circumcircle of $AB_1C_1$ by $\omega$. Show that if $B_1B_2$ and $C_1C_2$ concur on $\omega$ at a point distinct from $B_1$ and $C_1$, then $\omega$ passes through a fixed point other than $A$.
6. Let $ABC$ be an acute scalene triangle and let $P$ be a point in the plane. For any point $Q\neq A,B,C$, define $T_A$ to be the unique point such that $\triangle T_ABP \sim \triangle T_AQC$ and $\triangle T_ABP, \triangle T_AQC$ are oriented in the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). Similarly define $T_B$, $T_C$. a) Find all $P$ such that there exists a point $Q$ with $T_A,T_B,T_C$ all lying on the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$. Call such a pair $(P,Q)$ a tasty pair with respect to $\triangle ABC$. b) Keeping the notations from a), determine if there exists a tasty pair which is also tasty with respect to $\triangle T_AT_BT_C$.

Number Theory

1. Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients such that $P(0)=1$, and let $c > 1$ be an integer. Define $x_0=0$ and $x_{i+1} = P(x_i)$ for all integers $i \ge 0$. Show that there are infinitely many positive integers $n$ such that $\gcd (x_n, n+c)=1$.
2. Let $f:\mathbb N\to \mathbb N$. Show that $f(m)+n\mid f(n)+m$ for all positive integers $m\le n$ if and only if $f(m)+n\mid f(n)+m$ for all positive integers $m\ge n$.
3. Let $S$ be a nonempty set of positive integers such that, for any (not necessarily distinct) integers $a$ and $b$ in $S$, the number $ab+1$ is also in $S$. Show that the set of primes that do not divide any element of $S$ is finite.
4. A positive integer $b$ and a sequence $a_0,a_1,a_2,\dots$ of integers $0\le a_i<b$ is given. It is known that $a_0\neq 0$ and the sequence $\{a_i\}$ is eventually periodic but has infinitely many nonzero terms. Let $S$ be the set of positive integers $n$ so that $n\mid (a_0a_1\dots a_n)_b$. Given that $S$ is infinite, show that there are infinitely many primes that divide at least one element of $S$.
5. Given an even positive integer $m$, find all positive integers $n$ for which there exists a bijection $f:[n]\to [n]$ so that, for all $x,y\in [n]$ for which $n\mid mx-y$, $$(n+1)\mid f(x)^m-f(y).$$ Note: For a positive integer $n$, we let $[n] = \{1,2,\dots, n\}$.

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