IMO 1961

6 problems with complete solutions · Official problem paper (PDF)

  1. Problem 1

    Solve the system of equations: \[ \begin{aligned} x+y+z&=a\\ x^2+y^2+z^2&=b^2\\ xy&=z^2 \end{aligned} \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. Give the conditions that \(a\) and \(b\) must satisfy so that \(x,y,z\) (the solutions of the system) are distinct positive numbers.

    Solution →

  2. Problem 2

    Let \(a,b,c\) be the sides of a triangle, and \(T\) its area. Prove: \(a^2+b^2+c^2 \ge 4\sqrt{3}T\). In what case does equality hold?

    Solution →

  3. Problem 3

    Solve the equation \(\cos^n x-\sin^n x=1\), where \(n\) is a natural number.

    Solution →

  4. Problem 4

    Consider triangle \(P_1P_2P_3\) and a point \(P\) within the triangle. Lines \(P_1P, P_2P, P_3P\) intersect the opposite sides in points \(Q_1, Q_2, Q_3\) respectively. Prove that, of the numbers \[ \frac{P_1P}{PQ_1},\ \frac{P_2P}{PQ_2},\ \frac{P_3P}{PQ_3} \] at least one is \(\leq 2\) and at least one is \(\geq 2\).

    Solution →

  5. Problem 5

    Construct triangle \(ABC\) if \(AC=b\), \(AB=c\) and \(\angle AMB=\omega\), where \(M\) is the midpoint of segment \(BC\) and \(\omega<90^\circ\). Prove that a solution exists if and only if \[ b\tan\frac{\omega}{2}\le c<b. \] In what case does the equality hold?

    Solution →

  6. Problem 6

    Consider a plane \(\varepsilon\) and three non-collinear points \(A,B,C\) on the same side of \(\varepsilon\); suppose the plane determined by these three points is not parallel to \(\varepsilon\). In plane a take three arbitrary points \(A',B',C'\). Let \(L,M,N\) be the midpoints of segments \(AA',BB',CC'\); let \(G\) be the centroid of triangle \(LMN\). (We will not consider positions of the points \(A',B',C'\) such that the points \(L,M,N\) do not form a triangle.) What is the locus of point \(G\) as \(A',B',C'\) range independently over the plane \(\varepsilon\)?

    Solution →

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