International Mathematical Olympiad  – IMO 2008 Problems

Problem 1

Let $ H$ be the orthocenter of an acute-angled triangle $ ABC$. The circle $ \Gamma_{A}$ centered at the midpoint of $ BC$ and passing through $ H$ intersects the sideline $ BC$ at points $ A_{1}$ and $ A_{2}$. Similarly, define the points $ B_{1}$, $ B_{2}$, $ C_{1}$ and $ C_{2}$.

Prove that the six points $ A_{1}$, $ A_{2}$, $ B_{1}$, $ B_{2}$, $ C_{1}$ and $ C_{2}$ are concyclic.

Problem 2

(a) Prove that
\[\frac {x^{2}}{\left(x – 1\right)^{2}} + \frac {y^{2}}{\left(y – 1\right)^{2}} + \frac {z^{2}}{\left(z – 1\right)^{2}} \geq 1\]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 $xyz=1$.

Problem 3

Prove that there are infinitely many positive integers $ n$ such that $ n^{2} + 1$ has a prime divisor greater than $ 2n + \sqrt {2n}$.

Problem 4

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

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$, …, $ 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 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 $ \frac {N}{M}$.

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 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 to $ \omega_{1}$ and $\omega_{2}$ intersect on $ \omega$.