CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE

Postgraduate Programme in Mathematics

MSc/PhD Entrance Examination
18 May 2017
Important: Questions in Part A will be used for screening. There will be a cut-off for Part A,
which will not be more than twenty (20) marks (out of 40). Your solutions to the questions in
Part B will be marked only if your score in Part A places you over the cut-off. (In particular, if
your score in Part A is at least 20 then your solutions to the questions in Part B will be marked.)
However, note that the scores in both the sections will be taken into account while making the
final decision. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you must
obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions (17∗ )–(20∗ ).

Notation: N, Z, Q, R and C stand, respectively, for the sets of non-negative integers, of

integers, of rational numbers, of real numbers, and of complex numbers. For a prime number
p, Fp is the field with p elements. For a field F , GLn (F ) is the set of invertible n × n matrices
over F . The symbol ı denotes a square-root of −1. When considered as a topological space, Rn
is taken with the euclidean topology.

Part A
Instructions: Each of the questions 1–9 has one or more correct answers. Record your
answers on the attached bubble-sheet by filling in the appropriate circles. Every question is
worth four (4) marks. A solution receives credit if and only if all the correct answers are chosen,
and no incorrect answer is chosen.

(1) Let G be a finite subgroup of GLn (k) where k is an algebraically closed field. Choose
the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) Every element of G is diagonalizable;
(B) Every element of G is diagonalizable if k is an algebraic closure of Q;
(C) Every element of G is diagonalizable if k is an algebraic closure of Fp ;
(D) There exists a basis of kn with respect to which every element of G is a diagonal
matrix.

(2) Consider the ideal I := (ux, uy, vx, uv) in the polynomial ring Q[u, v, x, y], where
u, v, x, y are indeterminates. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) Every prime ideal containing I contains the ideal (x, y);
(B) Every prime ideal containing I contains the ideal (x, y) or the ideal (u, v);
(C) Every maximal ideal containing I contains the ideal (u, v);
(D) Every maximal ideal containing I contains the ideal (u, v, x, y).

(3) Let f be an irreducible cubic polynomial over Q with at most one real root and k the
smallest subfield of C containing the roots of f . Choose the correct statement(s) from
below:
(A) σ(K) ⊆ K where σ denotes complex conjugation;
(B) [K : Q] is an even number;
(C) [(K ∩ R) : Q] is an even number;
(D) K is uncountable.

1
(4) For a positive integer n, let Sn denote the permutation group on n symbols. Choose the
correct statement(s) from below:
(A) For every positive integer n and for every m with 1 ≤ m ≤ n, Sn has a cyclic
subgroup of order m;
(B) For every positive integer n and for every m with n < m < n!, Sn has a cyclic
subgroup of order m;
(C) There exist positive integers n and m with n < m < n! such that Sn has a cyclic
subgroup of order m;
(D) For every positive integer n and for every group G of order n, G is isomorphic to
a subgroup of Sn .

(5) Let A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 | x2 + y 2 < 1} and B = {(x, y) ∈ R2 | 1 < x2 + y 2 < 2}, both
taken with the subspace topology of R2 . Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) Every continuous function from A to R has bounded image;
(B) There exists a non-constant continuous function from B to N (in the subspace
topology of R);
(C) For every surjective continuous function from A ∪ B to a topological space X, X
has at most two connected components;
(D) B is homeomorphic to the unit circle.

(6) Let (X, d) be a metric space. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) There exists a metric d˜ on X such that d and d˜ define the same topology and such
that d˜ is bounded (i.e., there exists a real number M such that d(x,
˜ y) < M for all
x, y ∈ X.);
(B) Every closed subset of X that is bounded with respect to d is compact;
(C) X is connected;
(D) For every x ∈ X, there exists y ∈ X such that d(x, y) is a non-zero rational number.

(7) Which of the following are equivalence relations on R?

(A) a ∼ b if and only if |a − b| ≤ 25;
(B) a ∼ b if and only if a − b is rational;
(C) a ∼ b if and only if a − b is irrational;
(D) a ∼ b if and only if f (a) = f (b) for every continuous f : R −→ R.

2
 (8) Let f, g : R2 −→ R be two differentiable functions such that f (x + 1, y) = f (x, y + 1) =
f (x, y) and g(x + 1, y) = g(x, y + 1) = g(x, y) for all (x, y) ∈ R2 . Choose the correct
statement(s) from below:
(A) f is uniformly continuous;
(B) f is bounded;
(C) The function (f, g) : R2 −→ R2 is differentiable;
(D) If ∂f /∂x = ∂g/∂y and ∂f /∂y = −∂g/∂x, then the function C −→ C sending
(x + ıy) −→ f (x, y) + ıg(x, y) (with x, y ∈ R) is constant.

(9) Consider the equation

1 1 1
+ = .
a b a+b
Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) There exists (a, b) ∈ R2 satisfying the above equation;
(B) There exists (a, b) ∈ C2 satisfying the above equation;
(C) There exists (a, b) ∈ C2 with a = b satisfying the above equation;
(D) There exists (a, b) ∈ (F3 )2 with a = b satisfying the above equation.

Instructions: The answer to Question 10 is an integer. You are required to write

the answer in decimal form in the attached bubble-sheet. The question is worth four
(4) marks.

(10) Let p = (0, 0), q = (0, 1), r = (ı, 0) be points of C2 . What is the dimension of the
C-vector space
{f (X, Y ) ∈ C[X, Y ] | deg f ≤ 2 and f (p) = f (q) = f (r) = 0},
where by deg f , we mean the total degree of the polynomial f ?

3
 Part B
Instructions: Answer six (6) questions from below. Provide sufficient justification.
Write your solutions on the page assigned to each question. Each of the questions is worth
ten (10) marks. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you
must obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions
(17∗ )–(20∗ ). Clearly indicate which six questions you would like us to mark in the six
boxes in the bubble sheet. If the boxes are unfilled, we will mark the first six solutions
that appear in your answer-sheet. If you do not want a solution to be considered, clearly
strike it out.

(11) Let (X, τ ) be a topological space and d : X × X −→ R≥0 a continuous function where
X×X has the product topology and R≥0 is the set of non-negative real numbers, with the
subspace topology of the usual topology of R. Assume that d−1 (0) = {(x, x) | x ∈ X},
and that d(x, y) ≤ d(x, z) + d(y, z) for all x, y, z ∈ X. Show the following:
(A) (X, τ ) is Hausdorff.
(B) The sets Bx, := {y ∈ X | d(x, y) < }, 0 <  ∈ R is the basis for a topology τ 0 on
X.
(C) τ 0 is coarser than τ (i.e., every set open in τ 0 is open in τ ).

(12) (A) Let f be an entire function such that |f (z)| ≤ |z|. Show that f is a polynomial of
degree ≤ 1.
(B) Let Γ be a closed differentiable contour oriented counterclockwise and let
Z
z dz = A.
Γ
What is the integral Z
(x + y) dz
Γ
(where x and y, respectively, are the real and imaginary parts of z) in terms of A?

(13) Let fn , f be real-valued functions on [0, 1] with f continuous. Suppose that for all
convergent sequences {xn : n ≥ 1} ⊆ [0, 1] with x = limn→∞ xn one has
lim fn (xn ) = f (x).
n→∞
Show that fn converges to f uniformly.

(14) (A) Show that for any positive rational number r, the sequence { log n
nr : n ≥ 1} is
bounded.
(B) Show that the series
X (log n)2 (log log n)
n2
n≥10
is convergent.

4
 (15) For a group G, let Aut(G) denote the group of group automorphisms of G. (The
group operation of Aut(G) is composition.) Let p be prime number. Show that the
multiplicative group Fp r {0} is isomorphic to Aut((Fp , +)) under the map a 7→ [b 7→ ab]
(a ∈ Fp r {0}, b ∈ Fp ).

(16) Let k be a field, X an indeterminate and R = k[X]/(X 7 − 1). Determine the set
{dimk R/m | m is a maximal ideal in R}
in the following three cases: k = Q; k = C; k is a field of characteristic 7.

(17∗ ) For a 3 × 3 matrix A, say that a point p on the unit sphere centred at the origin in R3
is a pole of A if Ap = p. Denote by SO3 the subgroup of GL3 (R) consisting of all the
orthogonal matrices with determinant 1.
(A) Show that if A ∈ SO3 , then A has a pole.
(B) Let G be a subgroup of SO3 . Show that G acts on the set
{p ∈ S2 | p is a pole for some matrix A ∈ G}.

(18∗ ) Let f : X −→ Y be a continuous surjective map such that for every closed A ⊆ X, f (A)
is closed in Y . Show that if Y and all the fibres f −1 (y), y ∈ Y are compact, then X
is compact. Show that if Y is Hausdorff and X is compact, then Y and the all fibres
f −1 (y), y ∈ Y are compact.

(19∗ ) Let k be an algebraically closed uncountable field and m a maximal ideal in the polyno-
mial ring R := k[x1 , . . . , xn ] in the indeterminates x1 , . . . , xn . Show that the composite
map k −→ R −→ R/m is a field isomorphism. You may use without proof the following
fact from linear algebra: If a vector space has a countable spanning set, it cannot have
a linearly independent uncountable set in it. (Hint: If t is transcendental over k, then
1
consider the set { t−α | α ∈ k}.)

P∞ sin(z/n)
(20∗ ) Prove that for every z ∈ C, the series n=1 n converges. For z ∈ C, let f (z) =
P∞ sin(z/n)
n=1 n . Prove that f is entire.

5
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Postgraduate Programme in Mathematics
MSc/PhD Entrance Examination
18 May 2016
Important: Questions in Part A will be used for screening. There will be a cut-off for Part A,
which will not be more than twenty (20) marks (out of 40). Your solutions to the questions in
Part B will be marked only if your score in Part A places you over the cut-off. (In particular, if
your score in Part A is at least 20 then your solutions to the questions in Part B will be marked.)
However, note that the scores in both the sections will be taken into account while making the
final decision. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you must
obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions (17∗ )–(20∗ ).

Notation: N, Z, Q, R and C stand, respectively, for the sets of natural numbers, of integers,
of rational numbers, of real numbers, and of complex numbers. For a prime number p, Fp is
the field with p elements. For a field F , Mm×n (F ) stands for the set of m × n matrices over F
and GLn (F ) is the set of invertible n × n matrices over F . The symbol ı denotes a square-root
of −1.

Part A
Instructions: Each of the questions 1–8 has one or more correct answers. Record your
answers on the attached bubble-sheet by filling in the appropriate circles. Every question is
worth four (4) marks. A solution receives credit if and only if all the correct answers are chosen,
and no incorrect answer is chosen.

(1) We say that two subsets X and Y of R are order-isomorphic if there is a bijective map
φ : X −→ Y such that for every x1 ≤ x2 ∈ X, φ(x1 ) ≤ φ(x2 ), where ‘≤’ denotes the
usual order on R. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) N and Z are not order-isomorphic;
(B) N and Q are order-isomorphic;
(C) Z and Q are order-isomorphic;
(D) The sets N, Z and Q are pairwise non-order-isomorphic.

(2) Let xn = 1 − n1 sin nπ

3 , n ≥ 1. Write l = lim inf xn and s = lim sup xn . Choose the
correct √statement(s) √from below:
(A) − 23 ≤ l < s ≤ 23 ;
(B) − 21 ≤ l < s ≤ 12 ;
(C) l = −1 and s = 1;
(D) l = s = 0.

(3) Let f : R −→ R be defined as

(
x2 sin( x12 ), if x 6= 0;
f (x) =
0, otherwise.
Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) f is continuous;
(B) f is discontinuous at 0;
(C) f is differentiable;
(D) f is continuously differentiable.
1
 (4) Let A ∈ Mm×n (R) be of rank m. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) The map Rn −→ Rm given by v 7→ Av is injective;  
(B) There exist matrices B ∈ Mm (R) and C ∈ Mn (R) such that BAC = Im | 0n−m ;
(C) There exist matrices B ∈ GLm (R) and C ∈ GLn (R) such that BAC = Im | 0n−m ;
(D) For every (B, C) ∈ Mm (R) × Mn (R) such that BAC = m I | 0 n−m , C is uniquely
determined by B.

(5) Let f : C −→ C be an entire function such that f (z + 1) = f (z + ı) = f (z) for every

z ∈ C. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) f is constant;
(B) f (z) = 0 for every z ∈ C;
(C) There exist complex numbers a, b such that for every x, y ∈ R, f (x+ıy) = a sin(x)+
ıb cos(y);
(D) f is not necessarily constant but |f (z)| is constant.

(6) What is the cardinality of the centre of O2 (R)? (Definition: The centre of a group G is
{g ∈ G | gh = hg for every h ∈ G}. Hint: Reflection matrices and permutation matrices
are orthogonal.)
(A) 1;
(B) 2;
(C) The cardinality of N;
(D) The cardinality of R.

(7) Let U ⊆ R be a non-empty open subset. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) U is uncountable;
(B) U contains a closed interval as a proper subset;
(C) U is a countable union of disjoint open intervals;
(D) U contains a convergent sequence of real numbers.

(8) Let R be a commutative ring. The characteristic of R is the smallest positive integer n
such that a + a + · · · + a (n times) is zero for every a ∈ R, if such an integer exists, and
zero, otherwise. Choose the correct statement(s) from below:
(A) For every n ∈ N, there exists a commutative ring whose characteristic is n;
(B) There exists a integral domain with characteristic 57;
(C) The characteristic of a field is either 0 or a prime number;
(D) For every prime number p, every commutative ring of characteristic p contains Fp
as a subring.

Instructions: The answers to questions 9–10 are integers. You are required to write
the answers in decimal form in the attached bubble-sheet. Every question is worth four
(4) marks.

(9) Consider the Q-vector-space

{f : R −→ R | f is continuous and Image(f ) ⊆ Q}.
What is its dimension?

(10) Let p be a prime number and F a field of p23 elements. Let φ : F −→ F be the field
automorphism of F sending a to ap . Let K := {a ∈ F | φ(a) = a}. What is the value
of [K : Fp ]?
2
 Part B
Instructions: Answer six (6) questions from below. Provide sufficient justification.
Write your solutions on the page assigned to each question. Each of the questions is worth
ten (10) marks. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you
must obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions
(17∗ )–(20∗ ). Clearly indicate which six questions you would like us to mark in the six
boxes in the bubble sheet. If the boxes are unfilled, we will mark the first six solutions
that appear in your answer-sheet. If you do not want a solution to be considered, clearly
strike it out.

(11) Let U = {(x, y) ∈ R2 | 1 < x2 + y 2 < 4}. Let p, q ∈ U . Show that there is a continuous
map γ : [0, 1] −→ U such that γ(0) = p and γ(1) = q and such that γ is differentiable
on (0, 1).
(12) If I, J are two maximal ideals in a PID that is not a field, then show that IJ is never a
prime ideal.
(13) Let f : C −→ C be an entire function. Suppose that f (z) ∈ R if z is on the real axis or
on the imaginary axis. Show that f 0 (z) = 0 at z = 0.
(14) Let A ⊆ Rn be a closed proper subset. For x, y ∈ Rn , denote the usual (Euclidean)
distance between them by d(x, y). Let x ∈ Rn r A; define δ := inf{d(x, y) | y ∈ A}.
Show that there exists y ∈ A such that δ = d(x, y).
(15) Let F be a field and V a finite-dimensional vector-space over F . Let T : V −→ V be a
linear transformation, such that for every v ∈ V , there exists n ∈ N such that T n (v) = v.
(A) Show that if F = C, then T is diagonalizable.
(B) Show that if char(F ) > 0, then there exists a non-diagonalizable T satisfying the
above hypothesis.
√
(16) Let F = Q(ω, 3 2), where ω ∈ C is a primitive cube-root of unity. Find a Q-basis for
F (with proof). Let µ : F −→ F be the Q-linear map given by µ(a) = ω 2 a. Find the
matrix of µ with respect to the basis obtained above.
(17∗ ) Let G be a non-trivial subgroup of the group (R, +). Show that either G is dense in R
or that G = Z · l where l = inf{x ∈ G | x > 0}.
(18∗ ) Let G be a subgroup of the group of permutations on a finite set X. Let F be the
C-vector-space of all the functions from X to C. G acts on F by (g · f ) : x 7→ f (g −1 (x)).
Show that there is an φ ∈ F such that g · φ = φ for every g ∈ G. Show that there is a
subspace F 0 of F such that F = F 0 ⊕ Chφi and such that g · f ∈ F 0 for every g ∈ G and
f ∈ F 0.
(19∗ ) (A) Let A and B be n × n matrices with entries in N. Show that if B = A−1 then A
and B are permutation matrices. (A permutation matrix is a matrix obtained by
permuting the rows of the identity matrix.)
(B) Let A be an n × n complex matrix that is not a scalar multiple of In . Show that
A is similar to a matrix B such that B1,1 (i.e. the top left entry of B) is 0.

(20∗ ) Let S 1 = {z ∈ C : |z| = 1}. Consider the map Sq : S 1 −→ S 1 ,

Sq(z) = z 2 .
Show that there does not exist a continuous map Sqrt : S 1 −→ S 1 such that Sq ◦ Sqrt =
IdS 1 ? (That is, (Sqrt(w))2 = w.) (Hint: If such a map existed, show that there would
be a bijective continuous map S 1 × {1, −1} −→ S 1 .)
3
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Postgraduate Programme in Mathematics
MSc/PhD Entrance Examination
18 May 2015
Important: Questions in Part A will be used for screening. There will be a cut-off for Part A,
which will not be more than twenty (20) marks (out of 40). Your solutions to the questions in
Part B will be marked only if your score in Part A places you over the cut-off. (In particular, if
your score in Part A is at least 20 then your solutions to the questions in Part B will be marked.)
However, note that the scores in both the sections will be taken into account while making the
final decision. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you must
obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions (17∗ )–(20∗ ).

Notation: N, Z, Q, R and C stand, respectively, for the sets of the natural numbers, of the
integers, of the rational numbers, of the real numbers, and of the complex numbers. For a
prime number p, Fp is the field with p elements. For a field F , Mm×n (F ) stands for the set of
m × n matrices over F and GLn (F ) is the set of invertible n × n matrices
qPover F . If F = R or
2
F = C, we treat these sets as metric spaces with the metric d(A, B) = i,j |aij − bij | where
A = (aij ) and B = (bij ).

Part A
Instructions: Each of the questions 1–7 has one or more correct answers. Record your
answers on the attached bubble-sheet by filling in the appropriate circles. Every question is
worth four (4) marks. A solution receives credit if and only if all the correct answers are chosen,
and no incorrect answer is chosen.

(1) Which of the following topological spaces is/are connected?

(A) GL1 (R)
(B) GL1 (C)
(C) 
GL2 (R)  
x −y
(D) : x, y ∈ R, x2 + y 2 = 1
y x

(2) Consider f : {z ∈ C : |z| > 1} −→ C, f (z) = z1 . Choose the correct statement(s):

(A) There are infinitely many entire functions g such that g(z) = f (z) for every z ∈ C
with |z| > 1.
(B) There does not exist an entire function g such that g(z) = f (z) for every z ∈ C
with |z| > 1.
(C) g : C −→ C with (
1 − 1 z 2 , |z| ≤ 1
g(z) = 1 2
z, |z| > 1
is an entire function such that g(z) = f (z) for every z ∈ C with |z| > 1.

(3) Let
n  n 
a b 1 b
o o
G= : a, b ∈ R, a > 0 , N = : b ∈ R .
0 a−1 0 1
Which of the following are true?
(A) G/N is isomorphic to R under addition.
(B) G/N is isomorphic to {a ∈ R : a > 0} under multiplication.
(C) There is a proper normal subgroup N 0 of G which properly contains N .
(D) N is isomorphic to R under addition.
1
 (4) Choose the correct statement(s):
(A) There is a continuous surjective function from [0, 1) to R;
(B) R and [0, 1) are homeomorphic to each other;
(C) There is a bijective function from [0, 1) to R;
(D) Bounded subspaces of R cannot be homeomorphic to R.

(5) Which of the following complex numbers has/have a prime number as the degree of its
minimal polynomial over Q?
(A) ζ√7 , a primitive
√ 7th root of unity;
(B) √2 + 3;
(C) √−1;
(D) 3 2.

(6) Let R be an integral domain such that every non-zero prime ideal of R[X] (where X is
an indeterminate) is maximal. Choose the correct statement(s):
(A) R is a field;
(B) R contains Z as a subring;
(C) Every ideal in R[X] is principal;
(D) R contains Fp as a subring for some prime number p.

R∞
(7) Let f : R −→ R be such that −∞ |f (x)|dx < ∞. Define F : R −→ R by F (x) =
Rx
−∞ f (t)dt. Choose the correct statement(s):
(A) f is continuous;
(B) F is continuous;
(C) F is uniformly continuous;
(D) There exists a positive real number M such that |f (x)| < M for all x ∈ R.

Instructions: The answers to questions 8–10 are integers. You are required to write
the answers in decimal form in the attached bubble-sheet. Every question is worth four
(4) marks.

(8) Let ω ∈ C be a primitive third root of unity. How many distinct possible images of ω
are there under all the field homomorphisms Q(ω) −→ C.

(9) Let C := {z ∈ C : |z| = 5}. What is value of M such that

Z
1
2πıM = 2
dz?
C z − 5z + 6

(10) Consider the set R[X] of polynomials in X with real coefficients as a real vector space.
Let T be the R-linear operator on R[X] given by
d2 f df
T (f ) = 2
− + f.
dX dX
What is the nullity of f ?
2
 Part B
Instructions: Answer six (6) questions from below. Provide sufficient justification.
Write your solutions on the page assigned to each question. Each of the questions is worth
ten (10) marks. In order to qualify for the PhD Mathematics interview, you
must obtain at least fifteen (15) marks from among the starred questions
(17∗ )–(20∗ ). Clearly indicate which six questions you would like us to mark in the six
boxes in the bubble sheet. If the boxes are unfilled, we will mark the first six solutions
that appear in your answer-sheet. If you do not want a solution to be considered, clearly
strike it out.

(11) Let f ∈ R[x, y] be such that there exists a non-empty open set U ⊆ R2 such that
f (x, y) = 0 for every (x, y) ∈ U . Show that f = 0.

(12) Let A ∈ Mn×n (C).

(a) Suppose that A2 = 0. Show that λ is an eigenvalue of (In + A) if and only if
λ = 1. (In is the n × n identity matrix.)
(b) Suppose that A2 = −1. Determine (with proof) whether A is diagonalizable.

(13) Let f be a non-constant entire function satisfying the following conditions:

(a) f (0) = 0;
(b) For every positive real number M , the set {z : |f (z) < M } is connected.
Prove that f (z) = cz n for some constant c and positive integer n.

(14) Let (amn )m≥1,n≥1 be a double sequence of real numbers such that
(a) For every n, bn := lim amn exists;
m→∞
(b) For all strictly increasing sequences (mk )k≥1 and (nk )k≥1 of positive integers,
lim amk nk = 1.
k→∞
Show that the sequence (bn )n≥1 converges to 1.

(15) Let f ∈ C[x, y] be such that f (x, y) = f (y, x). Show that there is a g ∈ C[x, y] such
that f (x, y) = g(x + y, xy).

(16) Let X be a topological space and f : X −→ [0, 1] be a closed continuous surjective map
such that f −1 (a) is compact for every 0 ≤ a ≤ 1. Prove or disprove: X is compact. (A
map is said to be closed if it takes closed sets to closed sets.)

(17∗ ) Determine the cardinality of set of subrings of Q. (Hint: For a set P of positive prime
numbers, consider the smallest subring of Q that contains { p1 | p ∈ P }.)

(18∗ ) Let
X sin( x )
n
f (x) = .
n
n≥1
Show that f is continuous. Determine (with justification) whether f differentiable.

(19∗ ) Let m and n be positive integers and p a prime number. Let G ⊆ GLm (Fp ) be a subgroup
of order pn . Let U ⊆ GLm (Fp ) be the subgroup that consists of all the matrices with
1’s on the diagonal and 0’s below the diagonal. Show that there exists A ∈ GLm (Fp )
such that AGA−1 ⊆ U .

(20∗ ) Let m and n be positive integers and 0 ≤ k ≤ min{m, n} an integer. Prove or disprove:
The subspace of Mm×n (C) consisting of all matrices of rank equal to k is connected.
(You may use the following fact: For t ≥ 2, GLt (C) is connected.)
3
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Postgraduate Programme in Mathematics
MSc/PhD Entrance Examination
15 May 2014
Important: Questions in Part A will be used for screening. Your solutions to the questions
in Part B will be marked only if your score in Part A places you over the cut-off. However, the
scores in both the sections will be taken into account while making the final decision.
For qualifying for the PhD interview, you should answer at least two (2) from
among the starred questions (17∗ )–(20∗ ) in Part B.

Notation: N, Q, R and C stand, respectively, for the sets of the natural numbers, of the
rational numbers, of the real numbers, and of the complex numbers. For a field F , Mm×n (F )
stands for the set of m × n matrices
qP over F . We treat Mm×n (R) and Mm×n (C) as metric spaces
2
with the metric d(A, B) = i,j |aij − bij | where A = (aij ) and B = (bij ).

Part A
Instructions: Each of the questions 1–8 has one or more correct answers. Record your
answers on the attached bubble-sheet by filling in the appropriate circles. Every question is
worth four (4) marks. A solution receives credit if and only if all the correct answers are chosen,
and no incorrect answer is chosen.

(1) Let f : R → R be a function such that f (x + 1) = f (x) for all x ∈ R. Which of the
following statement(s) is/are true?
(A) f is bounded.
(B) f is bounded if it is continuous.
(C) f is differentiable if it is continuous.
(D) f is uniformly continuous if it is continuous.

(2) Let W ⊂ Rn be a linear subspace of dimension at most n − 1. Which of the following

statement(s) is/are true?
(A) W is nowhere dense.
(B) W is closed.
(C) Rn \ W is connected.
(D) Rn \ W is not connected.

(3) Let G be a finite group. An element a ∈ G is called a square if there exists x ∈ G such
that x2 = a. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
(A) If a, b ∈ G are not squares, ab is a square.
(B) Suppose that G is cyclic. Then if a, b ∈ G are not squares, ab is a square.
(C) G has a normal subgroup.
(D) If every proper subgroup of G is cyclic then G is cyclic.

(4) Let A ∈ Mm×n (R) and let b0 ∈ Rm . Suppose the system of equations Ax = b0 has a
unique solution. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
(A) Ax = b has a solution for every b ∈ Rm .
(B) If Ax = b has a solution then it is unique.
(C) Ax = 0 has a unique solution.
(D) A has rank m.
1
 (5) Let A ∈ Mn×n (C). Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
(A) There exists B ∈ Mn×n (C) such that B 2 = A.
(B) A is diagonalizable.
(C) There exists an invertible matrix P such that P AP −1 is upper-triangular.
(D) A has an eigenvalue.

(6) Let f : C → C be a function. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?

∂fi
(A) Consider f as a function (f1 , f2 ) : R2 → R2 . Suppose that for i = 1, 2, both ∂X
and ∂f i
∂Y exist and are continuous. Then f is entire.
(B) Assume that f is entire and |f (z)| < 1 for all z ∈ C. Then f is constant.
(C) Assume that f is entire and Im(f (z)) > 0 for all z ∈ C. Then f is constant.

(7) Let C(R) be the R-vector space of continuous functions from R to R. Let a1 , a2 , a3 be
distinct real numbers. For i = 1, 2, 3, let fi ∈ C(R) be the function fi (t) = eai t . Which
of the following statement(s) is/are true?
(A) f1 , f2 and f3 are linearly independent.
(B) f1 , f2 and f3 are linearly dependent.
(C) f1 , f2 and f3 form a basis of C(R).

(8) Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?

∞ 2
e−n converges.
P
(A) The series
n=1
∞
P (−1)n
(B) The series n converges.
n=1
∞
P (−1)n
(C) The series n converges absolutely.
n=1
∞
P sin(nx)
(D) The series n2
converges uniformly on R.
n=1

Instructions: The answers to questions 9 and 10 are integers. You are required to
write the answers in decimal form in the attached bubble-sheet. Every question is worth
four (4) marks.

(9) What is the dimension of the ring Q[x]/((x + 1)2 ) as a Q-vector space?
 Pn 
π i=1 sin( iπ
n )
(10) Evaluate lim n .
n→∞

2
Please indicate in the bubble-sheet the questions in Part B to be marked.
Solution to Question (20*)

13
 Chennai Mathematical Institute
MSc/PhD Entrance Examination, 2013
15th May 2013

Problems in Part A will be used for screening purposes. Your solutions to the questions in Part B will
be marked only if your score in Part A places you over the cut-off. However, the scores in both the sections
will be taken into account to decide whether you qualify for the interview.
Notation: Z, R, and C stand, respectively, for the sets of integers, of the real numbers, and of the complex
numbers.

Part A
This section consists of fifteen (15) multiple-choice questions, each with one or more correct answers. Record
your answers on the attached bubble-sheet by filling in the appropriate circles. Every question is worth four
(4) marks. A solution receives credit if and only if all the correct answers are chosen, and no incorrect answer
is chosen.
1. Pick the correct statement(s) below.
(a) There exists a group of order 44 with a subgroup isomorphic to Z/2 ⊕ Z/2.
(b) There exists a group of order 44 with a subgroup isomorphic to Z/4.
(c) There exists a group of order 44 with a subgroup isomorphic to Z/2⊕Z/2 and a subgroup isomorphic
to Z/4.
(d) There exists a group of order 44 without any subgroup isomorphic to Z/2 ⊕ Z/2 or to Z/4.
2. Let G be group. The following statements hold.
(a) If G has nontrivial centre C, then G/C has trivial centre.
(b) If G 6= 1, there exists a nontrivial homomorphism h : Z → G.
(c) If |G| = p3 , for p a prime, then G is abelian.
(d) If G is nonabelian, then it has a nontrivial automorphism.

3. Let C[0, 1] be the space of continuous real-valued functions on the interval [0, 1]. This is a ring under
point-wise addition and multiplication. The following are true.
(a) For any x ∈ [0, 1], the ideal M (x) = {f ∈ C[0, 1] | f (x) = 0} is maximal.
(b) C[0, 1] is an integral domain.
(c) The group of units of C[0, 1] is cyclic.
(d) The linear functions form a vector-space basis of C[0, 1] over R.

1
 2 9
4. Let A : R2 → R2 be a linear transformation with eigenvalues 3 and 5. Then, there exists a non-zero
vector v ∈ R2 such that
(a) kAvk > 2kvk;
(b) kAvk < 12 kvk;
(c) kAvk = kvk;
(d) Av = 0;
5. Let F be a field with 256 elements, and f ∈ F [x] a polynomial with all its roots in F . Then,
(a) f 6= x15 − 1;
(b) f 6= x63 − 1;
(c) f 6= x2 + x + 1;
(d) if f has no multiple roots, then f is a factor of x256 − x.
6. Let h : C → C be an analytic function such that h(0) = 0; h( 12 ) = 5, and |h(z)| < 10 for |z| < 1. Then,
(a) the set {z : |h(z)| = 5} is unbounded by the Maximum Principle;
(b) the set {z : |h0 (z)| = 5} is a circle of strictly positive radius;
(c) h(1) = 10;
(d) regardless of what h0 is, h00 ≡ 0.

7. Suppose that f (z) is analytic, and satisfies the condition |f (z)2 − 1| = |f (z) − 1| · |f (z) + 1| < 1 on a
non-empty connected open set U . Then,
(a) f is constant.
(b) The imaginary part of f , Im(f ), is positive on U .
(c) The real part of f , Re(f ), is non-zero on U .
(d) Re(f ) is of fixed sign on U .
8. Consider the following subsets of R2 : X1 = {(x, sin x1 )|0 < x < 1}, X2 = [0, 1] × {0}, and X3 = {(0, 1)}.
Then,
(a) X1 ∪ X2 ∪ X3 is a connected set;
(b) X1 ∪ X2 ∪ X3 is a path-connected set;
(c) X1 ∪ X2 ∪ X3 is not path-connected, but X1 ∪ X2 is path-connected;
(d) X1 ∪ X2 is not path-connected, but every open neighbourhood of a point in this set contains a
smaller open neighbourhood which is path-connected.
9. For a set A ⊂ R, denote by Cl(A) the closure of A, and by Int(A) the interior of A. There is a set
A ⊂ R such that
(a) A, Cl(A), and Int(A) are pairwise distinct;
(b) A, Cl(A), Int(A), and Cl(Int(A)) are pairwise distinct;
(c) A, Cl(A), Int(A), and Int(Cl(A)) are pairwise distinct;
(d) A, Cl(A), Int(A), Int(Cl(A)), and Cl(Int(A)) are pairwise distinct.

Page 2
10. Let f, g : [0, 1] → R be given by

x2

if x is rational,
f (x) :=
0 if x is irrational;

if x = pq is rational, with gcd(p, q) = 1,


1/q
g(x) :=
0 if x is irrational.
Then,
(a) g is Riemann integrable, but not f ;
(b) both f and g are Riemann integrable;
R1
(c) the Riemann integral 0 f (x)dx = 0;
R1
(d) the Riemann integral 0 g(x)dx = 0.
11. Let C be the ellipse 24x2 + xy + 5y 2 + 3x + 2y + 1 = 0. Then, the line integral (x2 ydy + xy 2 dx)
H

(a) lies in (0, 1);

(b) is 1;
(c) is either 1 or −1 depending on whether C is traversed clockwise or counterclockwise;
(d) is 0.
P∞ 2
12. The series n=1 an where an = (−1)n+1 n4 e−n
(a) has unbounded partial sums;
(b) is absolutely convergent;
(c) is convergent but not absolutely convergent;
(d) is not convergent, but partial sums oscillate between −1 and +1.
13. Let f be continuously differentiable on R. Let fn (x) = n f (x + n1 ) − f (x) . Then,

(a) fn converges uniformly on R;

(b) fn converges on R, but not necessarily uniformly;
(c) fn converges to the derivative of f uniformly on [0, 1];
(d) there is no guarantee that fn converges on any open interval.
14. Let f : X → Y be a nonconstant continuous map of topological spaces. Which of the following statements
are true?
(a) If Y = R and X is connected then X is uncountable.
(b) If X is Hausdorff then f (X) is Hausdorff.
(c) If X is compact then f (X) is compact.
(d) If X is connected then f (X) is connected.
15. Let X be a set with the property that for any two metrics d1 , and d2 on X, the identity map

id : (X, d1 ) → (X, d2 )

is continuous. Which of the following are true?

(a) X must be a singleton.
(b) X can be any finite set.
(c) X cannot be infinite.
(d) X may be infinite but not uncountable.

Page 3
Part B
Solve six (6) problems from below, clearly indicating which problems you would like us to mark. Every
problem is worth ten (10) marks. Justify all your arguments to receive credit.
1. Let G be a finite group, p the smallest prime divisor of |G|, and x ∈ G an element of order p. Suppose
h ∈ G is such that hxh−1 = x10 . Show that p = 3.

2. (a) Show that there exists a 3 × 3 invertible matrix M 6= I3 with entries in the field F2 such that
M 7 = I3 .
(b) Let A be an m × n matrix, and b an m × 1 vector, both with integer entries.
1. Suppose that there exists a prime number p such that the equation Ax = b seen as an equation
over the finite field Fp has a solution. Then does there exist a solution to Ax = b over the real
numbers?
2. If Ax = b has a solution over Fp for every prime p, is a real solution guaranteed?

3. Let Mn (C) denote the set of n × n matrices over C. Think of Mn (C) as the 2n2 -dimensional Euclidean
2
space R2n . Show that the set of all diagonalizable n × n matrices is dense in Mn (C).
4. Compute the integral Z ∞
x
dx.
−∞ (x2 + 2x + 2)(x2 + 4)

5. Show that there does not exists an analytic function f defined in open unit disk for which f ( n1 ) is 2−n .

6. Let f be a real valued continuous function on [0, 2] which is differentiable at every point except possibly
at x = 1. Suppose that limx→1 f 0 (x) = 2013. Show that f is differentiable at x.
7. (a) Show that there exists no bijective map f : R2 → R3 such that f and f −1 are differentiable.
(b) Let f : Rm → Rn be a differentiable map such that the derivative Df (x) is surjective for all x. Is f
surjective?
8. (a) Let f ∈ Z[x] be a non-constant polynomial with integer coefficients. Show that as a varies over the
integers, the set of divisors of f (a) includes infinitely many different primes.
(b) Assume known the following result: If G is a finite group of order n such that for integer d > 0,
d|n, there is no more than one subgroup of G of order d, then G is cyclic. Using this (or otherwise)
prove that the multiplicative group of units in any finite field is cyclic.
9. Let K1 ⊃ K2 ⊃ . . . be a sequence of connected compact subsets of R2 . Is it true that their intersection
K = ∩∞i=1 Ki is connected also? Provide either a proof or a counterexample.

10. Let A be a subset of R2 with the property that every continuous function f : A → R has a maximum in
A. Prove that A is compact.

Page 4
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Graduate Programme in Mathematics - M.Sc./Ph.D.
Entrance Examination, 2012
100
Part A

State whether True or False and give brief reasons in the sheets provided. Marks will be
given only when reasons are provided. Try to answer 10 questions. Each question carries 5
marks.

1. The function f : Rn → R, defined as f (x1 , · · · , xn ) = M ax{|xi |}, i = 1, · · · , n, is

uniformly continuous.

2. Let xn be a sequence with the following property: Every subsequence of xn has a

further subsequence which converges to x. Then the sequence xn converges to x.

3. Let f : (0, ∞) −→ R be a continuous function. Then f maps any Cauchy sequence to

a Cauchy sequence.

4. Let {fn : R −→ R} be a sequence of continuous functions. Let xn −→ x be a convergent

sequence of reals. If fn −→ f uniformly then fn (xn ) −→ f (x).

5. Let K ⊂ Rn such that every real valued continuous function on K is bounded. Then
K is compact (i.e closed and bounded).

6. If A ⊂ R2 is a countable set, then R2 \ A is connected.

7. The set A = {(z, w) ∈ C2 | z 2 + w2 = 1} is bounded in C2 .

8. Let f, g : C −→ C be complex analytic, and let h : [0, 1] −→ C be a non-constant

continuous map. Suppose f (z) = g(z) for every z ∈ Im h, then f = g. (Here Im h
denotes the image of the function h.)

9. There is a field with 121 elements.

!
π π
10. The matrix 22 is diagonalizable over C.
0 7

11. There are no infinite group with subgroups of index 5.

12. Every finite group of odd order is isomorphic to a subgroup of An , the group of all
even permutations.

13. Every group of order 6 abelian.

1
14. Two abelian groups of the same order are isomorphic.

15. There is a non-constant continuous function f : R → R whose image is contained in Q.

2
 Part B
Each question carries 10 marks. Try to answer 5 questions.

1. Suppose f : R 7→ Rn be a differentiable mapping satisfying kf (t)k = 1 for all t ∈ R.

Show that hf 0 (t), f (t)i = 0 for all t ∈ R. (Here k.k denotes standard norm or length
of a vector in Rn , and h., .i denotes the standard inner product (or scalar product) in
Rn .)

2. Let A, B ⊂ Rn and define A + B = {a + b; a ∈ A, b ∈ B}. If A and B are open, is

A + B open? If A and B are closed, is A + B closed? Justify your answers.

3. Let f : X →
7 Y be continuous map onto Y , and let X be compact. Also g : Y 7→ Z is
such that g ◦ f is continuous. Show g is continuous.

4. Let A be a n × m matrix with real entries, and let B = AAt and let α be the supremum
of xt Bx where supremum is taken over all vectors x ∈ Rn with norm less than or equal
to 1. Consider
k
Bj .
X
Ck = I +
j=1

Show that the sequence of matrices Ck converges if and only if α < 1.

5. Show that a power series n≥0 an z n where an → 0 as n → ∞ cannot have a pole on the
P

unit circle. Is the statement true with the hypothesis that (an ) is a bounded sequence?

6. Show that a biholomorphic map of the unit ball onto itself which fixes the origin is
necessarily a rotation.

7. (i) Let G = GL(2, Fp ). Prove that there is a Sylow p−subgroup H of G whose normal-
izer NG (H) is the group of all upper triangular matrices in G.

(ii) Hence prove that the number of Sylow subgroups of G is 1 + p.

√ 2πi
8. Calculate the minimal polynomial of 2e 3 over Q.

9. Let G be a group F a field and n a positive integer. A linear action of G on Fn is

a map α : G × Fn → Fn such that α(g, v) = ρ(g)v for some group homomorphism
ρ : G → GLn (F). Show that for every finite group G, there is an n such that there is
a linear action α of G on Fn and such that there is a nonzero vector v ∈ Fn such that
α(g, v) = v for all g ∈ G.

10. Let R be an integral domain containing a field F as a subring. Show that if R is a

finite-dimensional vector space over F , then R is a field.

3
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Graduate Programme in Mathematics
Entrance Examination, 2011
Part A
State whether True or False and give brief reasons. Marks will be given only when reasons are
provided. Answer any 10 questions in this part. All questions carry 5 marks.

T∞
1. There is a sequence of open intervals In ⊂ R such that n=1 In = [0, 1].
m
2. The set S of real numbers of the form with m, n ∈ Z and n ≥ 0 is a dense subset of R.
10n
3. There is a continuous bijection from R2 → R.

4. There is a bijection between Q and Q × Q.

5. If {an }∞ ∞
n=1 , {bn }n=1 are two sequences of positive real numbers with the first converging to
zero, and the second diverging to ∞, then the sequence of complex numbers cn = an eibn also
converges to zero.

6. For any polynomial f (x) with real coefficients and of degree 2011, there is a real number b
such that f (b) = f 0 (b).

7. If f : [0, 1] → [−π, π] is a continuous bijection then it is a homeomorphism.

8. For any n ≥ 2 there is an n × n matrix A with real entries such that A2 = A and trace (A) =
n + 1.

9. There is 2 × 2 real matrix with characteristic polynomial x2 + 1.

10. There is a field with 10 elements.

11. There are at least three non-isomorphic rings with 4 elements.

12. The group (Q, +) is a finitely generated abelian group.

√ √
13. Q( 7) and Q( 17) are isomorphic as fields.

14. A vector space of dimension ≥ 2 can be expressed as a union of two proper subspaces.

15. There is a bijective analytic function from the complex plane to the upper half-plane.

16. There is a non-constant bounded analytic function on C \ {0}.

 Part B
Answer any five questions. All questions carry 10 marks

1. (a) Consider the ring R of polynomials in n variables with integer coefficients. Prove that
the polynomial f (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ) = x1 x2 · · · xn has 2n+1 − 2 non-constant polynomials in
R dividing it.
(b) Let p1 , p2 , . . . , pn be distinct prime numbers. Then show that the number N = p1 p22 p33 · · · pnn
has (n + 1)! positive divisors.

2. Let f (x) = (x2 − 2)(x2 − 3)(x2 − 6). For every prime number p, show that f (x) ≡ 0 (mod p)
has a solution in Z.

3. Let S denote the group of all those permutations of the English alphabet that fix the letters
T,E,N,D,U,L,K,A and R. Other letters may or may not be fixed. Show that S has elements
σ, τ of order 36 and 39 respectively, but does not have any element of order 37 or 38.

4. Show that there are at least two non-isomorphic groups of order 198. Show that in all those
groups the number of elements of order 11 is the same.

5. Suppose f, g, p
h are functions from the set of positive real numbers into itself satisfying
f (x)g(y) = h( x2 + y 2 ) for all x, y ∈ (0, ∞). Show that the three functions f (x)/g(x), g(x)/h(x),
and h(x)/f (x) are all constant.

6. Let a, b > 0.

(a) Prove that limn→∞ (an + bn )1/n = max{a, b}.

(b) Define a sequence by x1 = a, x2 = b and xn = 21 (xn−1 + xn−2 ) for n > 2. Show that
{xn } is a convergent sequence.

7. Let f : C → C be an entire function withP

the following property: In the power series expan-
sion around any a ∈ C, given as f (z) = ∞ n
n=o cn (a)(z − a) , the coefficient cn (a) is zero for
some n ( with n depending on a). Show that f (z) is in fact a polynomial.

8. (a) Show that in a Hausdorff topological space any compact set is closed.
(b) If (X, d1 ) and (Y, d2 ) are two metric spaces that are homeomorphic then does complete-
ness of (X, d1 ) imply the completeness of (Y, d2 )? Give reasons for your answer.

9. Fix an integer n > 1. Show that there is a real n × n diagonal matrix D such that the
condition AD = DA is valid only for a diagonal matrix A.
 CHENNAI Mathematical Institute
Graduate Programme in Mathematics
Entrance Examination, 2010
Part A
State whether True or False and give brief reasons in the sheets provided (e.g., if you feel
that a statement is “False” then give a counter-example). Marks will be given only when
reasons are provided.

1. Suppose A is an m × n matrix, V an m × 1 matrix, with both A and V having rational

entries. If the equation AX = V has a solution in Rn , then the equation has a solution
with rational entries. (Here and in Question 5 below of Part A, Rn is identified with
the space of n × 1 real matrices.)

2. A closed and bounded subset of a complete metric space is compact.

3. Let p be a prime number. If P is a p-Sylow subgroup of some finite group G, then for
every subgroup H of G, H ∩ P is a p-Sylow subgroup of H.

4. There exists a real 3 × 3 orthogonal matrix with only non-zero entries.

5. A 5 × 5 real matrix has an eigenvector in R5 .

6. A continuous function on Q ∩ [0, 1] can be extended to a continuous function on [0, 1].

7. Let f : R → R be a differentiable function. Then f 0 (x) is continuous.

8. There is a continuous onto function from the unit sphere in R3 to the complex plane
C.

9. f : C → C is an entire function such that the function g(z) given by g(z) = f ( z1 ) has
a pole at 0. Then f is a surjective map.

10. Every finite group of order 17 is abelian.

11. Let n ≥ 2 be an integer. Given an integer k there exists an n × n matrix A with integer
entries such that det A = k and the first row of A is (1, 2, . . . , n).

12. There is a finite Galois extension of R whose Galois group is nonabelian.

1
13. There is a non-constant continuous function from the open unit disc

D = {z ∈ C | |z| < 1}

to R which takes only irrational values.

14. There is a field of order 121.

2
 Part B
Answer all questions.

1. Let α, β be two complex numbers with β 6= 0, and f (z) a polynomial function on

C such that f (z) = α whenever z 5 = β. What can you say about the degree of the
polynomial f (z)?

2. Let f, g : Z/5Z → S5 be two non-trivial group homomorphisms. Show that there is a

σ ∈ S5 such that f (x) = σg(x)σ −1 , for every x ∈ Z/5Z.

3. Suppose f is continuous on [0, ∞), differentiable on (0, ∞) and f (0) ≥ 0. Suppose

f 0 (x) ≥ f (x) for all x ∈ (0, ∞). Show that f (x) ≥ 0 for all x ∈ (0, ∞).

4. A linear transformation T : R8 → R8 is defined on the standard basis e1 , . . . , e8 by

T ej = ej+1 j = 1, . . . , 5
T e6 = e7
T e7 = e6
T e8 = e2 + e4 + e6 + e8 .

What is the nullity of T ?

5. If f and g are continuous functions on [0, 1] satisfying f (x) ≥ g(x) for every 0 ≤ x ≤ 1,
R1 R1
and if 0 f (x)dx = 0 g(x)dx, then show that f = g.

6. Let {an } and {bn } be sequences of complex numbers such that each an is non-zero,
limn→∞ an = limn→∞ bn = 0, and such that for every natural number k,
bn
lim = 0.
n→∞ ak
n

Suppose f is an analytic function on a connected open subset U of C which contains

0 and all the an . Show that if f (an ) = bn for every natural number n, then bn = 0 for
every natural number n.

7. Let T : R3 → R3 be an orthogonal transformation such that det T = 1 and T is not

the identity linear transformation. Let S ⊂ R3 be the unit sphere, i.e.,

S = {(x, y, z) | x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1}.

Show that T fixes exactly two points on S.

3
 8. Compute
∞
x1/3
Z
dx.
0 1 + x2

9. Let f (x) = xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a0 be a polynomial with integer coefficients and whose
degree is at least 2. Suppose each ai (0 ≤ i ≤ n − 1) is of the form

17!
ai = ±
r!(17 − r)!

with 1 ≤ r ≤ 16. Show that f (m) is not equal to zero for any integer m.

10. Suppose ϕ = (ϕ2 , . . . , ϕn ) : Rn → Rn−1 is a C 2 function, i.e. all second order partial
derivatives of the ϕi exist and are continuous. Show that the symbolic determinant
 
 ∂ ∂ϕ2 . . . ∂ϕn 
 ∂x1 ∂x1 ∂x1 
 . .. .. 
 .. . . 

 ∂ ∂ϕ2 ∂ϕn 
 ∂x ∂x . . . ∂x 
n n n

vanishes indentically.