IMO 1988

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

  1. Problem 1

    Consider two coplanar circles of radii \(R\) and \(r\) (\(R>r\)) with the same center. Let \(P\) be a fixed point on the smaller circle and \(B\) a variable point on the larger circle. The line \(BP\) meets the larger circle again at \(C\). The perpendicular \(l\) to \(BP\) at \(P\) meets the smaller circle again at \(A\). (If \(l\) is tangent to the circle at \(P\) then \(A=P\).)

    (i) Find the set of values of \(BC^2+CA^2+AB^2\).

    (ii) Find the locus of the midpoint of \(BC\).

    Solution →

  2. Problem 2

    Let \(n\) be a positive integer and let \(A_1, A_2, \ldots, A_{2n+1}\) be subsets of a set \(B\). Suppose that

    (a) Each \(A_i\) has exactly \(2n\) elements,

    (b) Each \(A_i \cap A_j\) \((1 \leq i < j \leq 2n+1)\) contains exactly one element, and

    (c) Every element of \(B\) belongs to at least two of the \(A_i\).

    For which values of \(n\) can one assign to every element of \(B\) one of the numbers 0 and 1 in such a way that \(A_i\) has 0 assigned to exactly \(n\) of its elements?

    Solution →

  3. Problem 3

    A function \(f\) is defined on the positive integers by \[ \begin{aligned} f(1)&=1,\quad f(3)=3,\\ f(2n)&=f(n),\\ f(4n+1)&=2f(2n+1)-f(n),\\ f(4n+3)&=3f(2n+1)-2f(n), \end{aligned} \] for all positive integers \(n\).

    Determine the number of positive integers \(n\), less than or equal to 1988, for which \(f(n)=n\).

    Solution →

  4. Problem 4

    Show that set of real numbers \(x\) which satisfy the inequality \[ \sum_{k=1}^{70}\frac{k}{x-k}\geq\frac54 \] is a union of disjoint intervals, the sum of whose lengths is 1988.

    Solution →

  5. Problem 5

    \(ABC\) is a triangle right-angled at \(A\), and \(D\) is the foot of the altitude from \(A\). The straight line joining the incenters of the triangles \(ABD\), \(ACD\) intersects the sides \(AB\), \(AC\) at the points \(K\), \(L\) respectively. \(S\) and \(T\) denote the areas of the triangles \(ABC\) and \(AKL\) respectively. Show that \(S \geq 2T\).

    Solution →

  6. Problem 6

    Let \(a\) and \(b\) be positive integers such that \(ab+1\) divides \(a^2+b^2\). Show that \[ \frac{a^2+b^2}{ab+1} \] is the square of an integer.

    Solution →

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