IMO 1981

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

  1. Problem 1

    \(P\) is a point inside a given triangle \(ABC\). \(D, E, F\) are the feet of the perpendiculars from \(P\) to the lines \(BC, CA, AB\) respectively. Find all \(P\) for which \[ \frac{BC}{PD}+\frac{CA}{PE}+\frac{AB}{PF} \] is least.

    Solution →

  2. Problem 2

    Let \(1 \le r \le n\) and consider all subsets of \(r\) elements of the set \(\{1,2,\ldots,n\}\). Each of these subsets has a smallest member. Let \(F(n,r)\) denote the arithmetic mean of these smallest numbers; prove that \[ F(n,r)=\frac{n+1}{r+1}. \]

    Solution →

  3. Problem 3

    Determine the maximum value of \(m^3+n^3\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are integers satisfying \(m,n\in\{1,2,\ldots,1981\}\) and \((n^2-mn-m^2)^2=1\).

    Solution →

  4. Problem 4

    (a) For which values of \(n > 2\) is there a set of \(n\) consecutive positive integers such that the largest number in the set is a divisor of the least common multiple of the remaining \(n - 1\) numbers?

    (b) For which values of \(n > 2\) is there exactly one set having the stated property?

    Solution →

  5. Problem 5

    Three congruent circles have a common point \(O\) and lie inside a given triangle. Each circle touches a pair of sides of the triangle. Prove that the incenter and the circumcenter of the triangle and the point \(O\) are collinear.

    Solution →

  6. Problem 6

    The function \(f(x,y)\) satisfies \[ \begin{aligned} (1)\quad &f(0,y)=y+1,\\ (2)\quad &f(x+1,0)=f(x,1),\\ (3)\quad &f(x+1,y+1)=f(x,f(x+1,y)), \end{aligned} \] for all non-negative integers \(x,y\). Determine \(f(4,1981)\).

    Solution →

All years