International Mathematics Competition
for University Students
2015

IMC2015: Problems on Day 1

1. For any integer $n\ge 2$ and two $n\times n$ matrices with real entries $A,\; B$ that satisfy the equation $$A^{-1}+B^{-1}=(A+B)^{-1}\;$$ prove that $\det (A)=\det(B)$.

Does the same conclusion follow for matrices with complex entries?

Proposed by Zbigniew Skoczylas, Wroclaw University of Technology

  Hint    Solution  

2. For a positive integer $n$, let $f(n)$ be the number obtained by writing $n$ in binary and replacing every 0 with 1 and vice versa. For example, $n=23$ is 10111 in binary, so $f(n)$ is 1000 in binary, therefore $f(23) =8$. Prove that \[\sum_{k=1}^n f(k) \leq \frac{n^2}{4}.\] When does equality hold?

Proposed by Stephan Wagner, Stellenbosch University

  Hint    Solution  

3. Let $F(0)=0$, $F(1)=\frac32$, and $F(n)=\frac{5}{2}F(n-1)-F(n-2)$ for $n\ge2$.

Determine whether or not $\displaystyle{\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\, \frac{1}{F(2^n)}}$ is a rational number.

Proposed by Gerhard Woeginger, Eindhoven University of Technology

  Hint    Solution  

4. Determine whether or not there exist 15 integers $m_1,\ldots,m_{15}$ such that~ $$\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{15}\,m_k\cdot\arctan(k) = \arctan(16). \qquad\qquad(1)$$

Proposed by Gerhard Woeginger, Eindhoven University of Technology

  Hint    Solution  

5. Let $n\ge2$, let $A_1,A_2,\ldots,A_{n+1}$ be $n+1$ points in the $n$-dimensional Euclidean space, not lying on the same hyperplane, and let $B$ be a point strictly inside the convex hull of $A_1,A_2,\ldots,A_{n+1}$. Prove that $\angle A_iBA_j>90^\circ$ holds for at least $n$ pairs $(i,j)$ with $\displaystyle{1\le i<j\le n+1}$.

Proposed by Géza Kós, Eötvös University, Budapest

  Hint    Solution