IMO 2008

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

  1. Problem 1

    An acute-angled triangle \(ABC\) has orthocentre \(H\). The circle passing through \(H\) with centre the midpoint of \(BC\) intersects the line \(BC\) at \(A_1\) and \(A_2\). Similarly, the circle passing through \(H\) with centre the midpoint of \(CA\) intersects the line \(CA\) at \(B_1\) and \(B_2\), and the circle passing through \(H\) with centre the midpoint of \(AB\) intersects the line \(AB\) at \(C_1\) and \(C_2\). Show that \(A_1\), \(A_2\), \(B_1\), \(B_2\), \(C_1\), \(C_2\) lie on a circle.

    Solution →

  2. Problem 2

    (a) Prove that \[ \frac{x^2}{(x-1)^2}+\frac{y^2}{(y-1)^2}+\frac{z^2}{(z-1)^2}\geq 1 \] for all real numbers \(x,y,z\), each different from \(1\), and satisfying \(xyz=1\).

    (b) Prove that equality holds above for infinitely many triples of rational numbers \(x,y,z\), each different from \(1\), and satisfying \(xyz=1\).

    Solution →

  3. Problem 3

    Prove that there exist infinitely many positive integers \(n\) such that \(n^2+1\) has a prime divisor which is greater than \(2n+\sqrt{2n}\).

    Solution →

  4. Problem 4

    Find all functions \(f:(0,\infty)\to(0,\infty)\) (so, \(f\) is a function from the positive real numbers to the positive real numbers) such that \[ \frac{(f(w))^2+(f(x))^2}{f(y^2)+f(z^2)} = \frac{w^2+x^2}{y^2+z^2} \] for all positive real numbers \(w,x,y,z,\) satisfying \(wx=yz\).

    Solution →

  5. Problem 5

    Let \(n\) and \(k\) be positive integers with \(k \geq n\) and \(k-n\) an even number. Let \(2n\) lamps labelled \(1,2,\ldots,2n\) be given, each of which can be either on or off. Initially all the lamps are off. We consider sequences of steps: at each step one of the lamps is switched (from on to off or from off to on).

    Let \(N\) be the number of such sequences consisting of \(k\) steps and resulting in the state where lamps \(1\) through \(n\) are all on, and lamps \(n+1\) through \(2n\) are all off.

    Let \(M\) be the number of such sequences consisting of \(k\) steps, resulting in the state where lamps \(1\) through \(n\) are all on, and lamps \(n+1\) through \(2n\) are all off, but where none of the lamps \(n+1\) through \(2n\) is ever switched on.

    Determine the ratio \(N/M\).

    Solution →

  6. Problem 6

    Let \(ABCD\) be a convex quadrilateral with \(|BA| \neq |BC|\). Denote the incircles of triangles \(ABC\) and \(ADC\) by \(\omega_1\) and \(\omega_2\) respectively. Suppose that there exists a circle \(\omega\) tangent to the ray \(BA\) beyond \(A\) and to the ray \(BC\) beyond \(C\), which is also tangent to the lines \(AD\) and \(CD\). Prove that the common external tangents of \(\omega_1\) and \(\omega_2\) intersect on \(\omega\).

    Solution →

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