IMO 1968

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

  1. Problem 1

    Prove that there is one and only one triangle whose side lengths are consecutive integers, and one of whose angles is twice as large as another.

    Solution →

  2. Problem 2

    Find all natural numbers \(x\) such that the product of their digits (in decimal notation) is equal to \(x^2-10x-22\).

    Solution →

  3. Problem 3

    Consider the system of equations \[ \begin{aligned} ax_1^2+bx_1+c&=x_2\\ ax_2^2+bx_2+c&=x_3\\ &\cdots\\ ax_{n-1}^2+bx_{n-1}+c&=x_n\\ ax_n^2+bx_n+c&=x_1, \end{aligned} \] with unknowns \(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n\), where \(a,b,c\) are real and \(a\ne0\). Let \(\Delta=(b-1)^2-4ac\). Prove that for this system

    (a) if \(\Delta<0\), there is no solution,
    (b) if \(\Delta=0\), there is exactly one solution,
    (c) if \(\Delta>0\), there is more than one solution.

    Solution →

  4. Problem 4

    Prove that in every tetrahedron there is a vertex such that the three edges meeting there have lengths which are the sides of a triangle.

    Solution →

  5. Problem 5

    Let \(f\) be a real-valued function defined for all real numbers \(x\) such that, for some positive constant \(a\), the equation \[ f(x+a)=\frac12+\sqrt{f(x)-[f(x)]^2} \] holds for all \(x\).

    (a) Prove that the function \(f\) is periodic (i.e., there exists a positive number \(b\) such that \(f(x+b)=f(x)\) for all \(x\)).

    (b) For \(a=1\), give an example of a non-constant function with the required properties.

    Solution →

  6. Problem 6

    For every natural number \(n\), evaluate the sum \[ \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\left[\frac{n+2^k}{2^{k+1}}\right] = \left[\frac{n+1}{2}\right] + \left[\frac{n+2}{4}\right] +\cdots+ \left[\frac{n+2^k}{2^{k+1}}\right] +\cdots \] (The symbol \([x]\) denotes the greatest integer not exceeding \(x\).)

    Solution →

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