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v5 n1 PDF
v5 n1 PDF
Problem Corner
3 x 1 +
1
=2
z = u + iv, then the given equations
We welcome readers to submit solutions x + y become the real and imaginary parts of the
1
to the problems posed below for 1 complex equation z + = c , where c =
7 y 1 − =4 2. z
x + y
publication consideration. Solutions
should be preceeded by the solver’s name, 2 4 2
(This is the corrected version of problem 86.) +i . Multiplying by z, we can
home address and school affiliation. 3 7
Please send submissions to Dr. Kin Y. Li, apply the quadratic formula to get u + iv,
Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong Solution. (CHENG Kei Tsi, LEE Kar then squaring u, v, we can get x, y.
University of Science and Technology, Wai, TANG Yat Fai) (La Salle College,
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon. The deadline Form 5), CHEUNG Yui Ho Yves Problem 92. Let a1 , a2 , ..., an (n > 3) be
for submitting solutions is March 4, 2000. (University of Toronto), HON Chin
real numbers such that a1 + a2 + L +
Wing (Pui Ching Middle School, Form 5)
Problem 96. If every point in a plane is KU Hong Tung (Carmel Divine Grace an ≥ n and a12 + a22 + L + an2 ≥ n 2 .
colored red or blue, show that there Foundation Secondary School, Form 6), Prove that max (a1 , a2 , ..., an ) ≥ 2 .
exists a rectangle all of its vertices are of LAU Chung Ming Vincent (STFA (Source: 1999 USA Math Olympiad).
the same color. Leung Kau Kui College, Form 5), LAW
Siu Lun Jack (Ming Kei College, Form Solution. FAN Wai Tong Louis (St.
Problem 97. A group of boys and girls Mark's School, Form 7).
5), Kevin LEE (La Salle College, Form
went to a restaurant where only big pizzas
4), LEUNG Wai Ying (Queen Elizabeth Suppose max (a1 , a 2 , ..., a n ) < 2 . By
cut into 12 pieces were served. Every boy
School, Form 5), MAK Hoi Kwan relabeling the indices, we may assume 2
could eat 6 or 7 pieces and every girl 2 or
Calvin (Form 4), NG Chok Ming Lewis > a1 ≥ a2 ≥ L ≥ an . Let j be the largest
3 pieces. It turned out that 4 pizzas were
(STFA Leung Kau Kui College, Form 6),
not enough and that 5 pizzas were too index such that a j ≥ 0 . For i > j, let
many. How many boys and how many NG Ka Wing Gary (STFA Leung Kau
Kui College, Form 7), NGAN Chung bi = −ai > 0 . Then
girls were there? (Source: 1999 National
Math Olympiad in Slovenia) Wai Hubert (St. Paul’s Co-educational 2 j − n > (a1 + L + a j ) − n ≥ b j +1 + L + bn .
College, Form 7), SIU Tsz Hang (STFA
So (2 j − n) 2 > b 2j +1 + L + bn2 . Then
Problem 98. Let ABC be a triangle with Leung Kau Kui College, Form 4), TANG
BC > CA > AB. Select points D on BC King Fun (Valtorta College, Form 5), 4 j + (2 j − n) 2 > a12 + L + an2 ≥ n 2 ,
and E on the extension of AB such that WONG Chi Man (Valtorta College, which implies j > n – 1. Therefore, j = n
BD = BE = AC. The circumcircle of Form 5) and WONG Chun Ho Terry and all ai ≥ 0 . This yields
BED intersects AC at point P and BP (STFA Leung Kau Kui College, Form 5).
meets the circumcircle of ABC at point (All solutions received were essentially 4n > a12 + L + an2 ≥ n 2 , which gives the
Q. Show that AQ + CQ = BP. (Source: the same.) Clearly, if (x, y) is a solution, contradiction that 3 ≥ n .
1998-99 Iranian Math Olympiad) then x, y > 0 and Other recommended solvers: LEUNG Wai
1 2 Ying (Queen Elizabeth School, Form 5),
Problem 99. At Port Aventura there are 1+ = NG Ka Wing Gary (STFA Leung Kau Kui
x+ y 3x
16 secret agents. Each agent is watching College, Form 7), NGAN Chung Wai
one or more other agents, but no two 1 4 2 Hubert (St. Paul’s Co-educational College,
1− = .
agents are both watching each other. x+ y 7y Form 7) and WONG Wing Hong (La Salle
Moreover, any 10 agents can be ordered College, Form 2).
so that the first is watching the second, Taking the difference of the squares of
the second is watching the third, etc., and both equations, we get
4 4 32 Problem 93. Two circles of radii R and r
the last is watching the first. Show that = − .
x + y 3x 7 y are tangent to line L at points A and B
any 11 agents can also be so ordered.
respectively and intersect each other at C
(Source: 1996 Spanish Math Olympiad) Simplifying this, we get 0 = 7 y 2 - 38xy - and D. Prove that the radius of the
Problem 100. The arithmetic mean of a 24x 2 = (7y + 4x)(y – 6x). Since x, y > 0, y circumcircle of triangle ABC does not
number of pairwise distinct prime = 6x. Substituting this into the first given depend on the length of segment AB.
numbers equals 27. Determine the 1 (Source: 1995 Russian Math Olympiad).
equation, we get 3 x 1 + =2 ,
biggest prime that can occur among 7x
them. (Source: 1999 Czech and Slovak Solution. CHAO Khek Lun (St. Paul's
which simplifies to 7 3x − 14 x + 3 = College, Form 5).
Math Olympiad)
0. By the quadratic formula,
Let O, O' be the centers of the circles of
x = (7 ± 2 7 ) /(7 3 ) . Then x = (11 ± radius R, r, respectively. Let α = ∠CAB
*****************
Solutions 4 7 ) /21 and y = 6x = (22 ± 8 7 )/7. = ∠AOC / 2 and β = ∠CBA = ∠BO'C / 2.
***************** Direct checking shows these are solutions. Then AC = 2R sin α and BC = 2r sin β .
The distance from C to AB is AC sin α =
Problem 91. Solve the system of
Comments: An alternative way to get the BC sin β , which implies sin α / sin β =
equations:
answers is to substitute u = x ,v= y, r / R . The circumradius of triangle
Mathematical Excalibur, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 00 – Feb 00 Page 4
(2 ( r −1) / 2
) (2
+1 ( r −1) / 2
)
− 1 = 3k . – 2a are under attacked horizontally or
vertically. The other squares, with 2a + 2
To get the answer, we will apply
Cavalieri’s principle. Consider a solid
Since the difference of the factors is 2, ≤ x ≤ n and 1 ≤ y ≤ n – 2a – 1, have right cylinder with height 1 and base
not both are divisible by 3. Then the 2a + 3 ≤ x + y ≤ 2n – 2a – 1. Now the region A. Numerically, the volume of
factor 2 ( r −1) / 2 − 1 = 1 . Therefore, sums x + y of the k pieces range from n – this solid equals the area of the region A.
r = 3, k = 1, (m, n) = (4, 2), which is a + 1 = 2a + 3 to n + a + 1 = 2n – 2a – 1. Now rotate the solid so that the 1× c 2
easily checked to be a solution. So the k pieces also attack the other rectangular face becomes the base. As
squares diagonally. we expect the answer to be 1 c 3 , we
Other recommended solvers: CHAO 3
Next, if n = 3a + 3, then k = 2a + 2 and we compare this rotated solid with a solid
Khek Lun (St. Paul’s College, Form 5),
can use the 2a + 1 pieces above and add a right pyramid with height c and square
CHENG Kei Tsi (La Salle College, Form
piece at the southeast corner to attack all base of side c.
5), FAN Wai Tong Louis (St. Mark’s
School, Form 7), KU Hong Tung squares. Finally, if n = 3a + 4, then k =
(Carmel Divine Grace Foundation 2a + 3 and again use the 2a + 2 pieces in Both solids have height c. At a level x
Secondary School, Form 6), LAW Siu the last case and add another piece at the units below the top, the cross section of
Lun Jack (Ming Kei College, Form 5), southeast corner. the rotated solid is a 1× x 2 rectangle.
LEUNG Wai Ying (Queen Elizabeth Other recommended solvers: (LEE Kar The cross section of the right pyramid is
School, Form 5), NG Ka Chun Wai Alvin, CHENG Kei Tsi Daniel, LI a square of side x. So both solids have
Batholomew (Queen Elizabeth School), Chi Pang Bill, TANG Yat Fai Roger) the same cross sectional areas at all
NG Ka Wing Gary (STFA Leung Kau (La Salle College, Form 5), NGAN levels. Therefore, the area of A equals
Kui College, Form 7), NG Ting Chi Chung Wai Hubert (St. Paul’s numerically to the volume of the
(TWGH Chang Ming Thien College, Co-educational College, Form 7). pyramid, which is 1 c 3 .
3
Form 7) and SIU Tsz Hang (STFA