International Mathematical Olympiad  – IMO 1969  Problems

Problem 1

Prove that there are infinitely many natural numbers $a$ with the following property: the number $z = n^4 + a$ is not prime for any natural number $n$.

Problem 2

Let $a_1, a_2, \cdots, a_n$ be real constants, $x$ a real variable, and\[f(x) = \cos(a_1 + x) + \frac{1}{2}\cos(a_2 + x) + \frac{1}{4}\cos(a_3 + x) + \cdots + \frac{1}{2^{n – 1}}\cos(a_n + x).\]Given that $f(x_1) = f(x_2) = 0$, prove that $x_2 – x_1 = m\pi$ for some integer $m$.

Problem 3

For each value of $k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5$, find necessary and sufficient conditions on the number $a > 0$ so that there exists a tetrahedron with k edges of length $a$, and the remaining $6 – k$ edges of length 1.

Problem 4

A semicircular arc $\gamma$ is drawn on $AB$ as diameter. $C$ is a point on $\gamma$ other than $A$ and $B$, and $D$ is the foot of the perpendicular from $C$ to $AB$. We consider three circles, $\gamma_1, \gamma_2, \gamma_3$, all tangent to the line $AB$. Of these, $\gamma_1$ is inscribed in $\Delta ABC$, while $\gamma_2$ and $\gamma_3$ are both tangent to $CD$ and to $\gamma$, one on each side of $CD$. Prove that $\gamma_1$, $\gamma_2$ and $\gamma_3$ have a second tangent in common.

Problem 5

Given $n > 4$ points in the plane such that no three are collinear. Prove that there are at least $\tbinom{n – 3}{2}$ convex quadrilaterals whose vertices are four of the given points.

Problem 6

Prove that for all real numbers $x_1, x_2, y_1, y_2, z_1, z_2$, with $x_1 > 0, x_2 > 0, x_1y_1 – z_1^2 > 0, x_2y_2 – z_2^2 > 0$, the inequality\[\frac{8}{(x_1 + x_2)(y_1 + y_2) – (z_1 + z_2)^2} \leq \frac{1}{x_1y_1 – z_1^2} + \frac{1}{x_2y_2 – z_2^2}\]is satisfied. Give necessary and sufficient conditions for equality.