THE 1989 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Let x1 , x2 , . . . , xn be positive real numbers, and let

S = x1 + x2 + · · · + xn .

Prove that
S2 S3 Sn
(1 + x1 )(1 + x2 ) · · · (1 + xn ) ≤ 1 + S + + + ··· + .
2! 3! n!

Question 2
Prove that the equation
6(6a2 + 3b2 + c2 ) = 5n2
has no solutions in integers except a = b = c = n = 0.

Question 3
Let A1 , A2 , A3 be three points in the plane, and for convenience, let A4 = A1 , A5 = A2 .
For n = 1, 2, and 3, suppose that Bn is the midpoint of An An+1 , and suppose that Cn is
the midpoint of An Bn . Suppose that An Cn+1 and Bn An+2 meet at Dn , and that An Bn+1
and Cn An+2 meet at En . Calculate the ratio of the area of triangle D1 D2 D3 to the area of
triangle E1 E2 E3 .

Question 4
Let S be a set consisting of m pairs (a, b) of positive integers with the property that
1 ≤ a < b ≤ n. Show that there are at least
2
(m − n4 )
4m ·
3n
triples (a, b, c) such that (a, b), (a, c), and (b, c) belong to S.

Question 5
Determine all functions f from the reals to the reals for which
(1) f (x) is strictly increasing,
(2) f (x) + g(x) = 2x for all real x,
where g(x) is the composition inverse function to f (x). (Note: f and g are said to be
composition inverses if f (g(x)) = x and g(f (x)) = x for all real x.)
 THE 1990 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Given triagnle ABC, let D, E, F be the midpoints of BC, AC, AB respectively and let G
be the centroid of the triangle.
For each value of ∠BAC, how many non-similar triangles are there in which AEGF is a
cyclic quadrilateral?

Question 2
Let a1 , a2 , . . . , an be positive real numbers, and let Sk be the sum of the products of a1 , a2 ,
. . . , an taken k at a time. Show that
µ ¶2
n
Sk Sn−k ≥ a1 a2 · · · an
k

for k = 1, 2, . . . , n − 1.

Question 3
Consider all the triangles ABC which have a fixed base AB and whose altitude from C is a
constant h. For which of these triangles is the product of its altitudes a maximum?

Question 4
A set of 1990 persons is divided into non-intersecting subsets in such a way that
1. No one in a subset knows all the others in the subset,
2. Among any three persons in a subset, there are always at least two who do not know each
other, and
3. For any two persons in a subset who do not know each other, there is exactly one person
in the same subset knowing both of them.
(a) Prove that within each subset, every person has the same number of acquaintances.
(b) Determine the maximum possible number of subsets.
Note: It is understood that if a person A knows person B, then person B will know person
A; an acquaintance is someone who is known. Every person is assumed to know one’s self.

Question 5
Show that for every integer n ≥ 6, there exists a convex hexagon which can be dissected into
exactly n congruent triangles.
 THE 1991 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Let G be the centroid of triangle ABC and M be the midpoint of BC. Let X be on AB
and Y on AC such that the points X, Y , and G are collinear and XY and BC are parallel.
Suppose that XC and GB intersect at Q and Y B and GC intersect at P . Show that triangle
M P Q is similar to triangle ABC.

Question 2
Suppose there are 997 points given in a plane. If every two points are joined by a line
segment with its midpoint coloured in red, show that there are at least 1991 red points in
the plane. Can you find a special case with exactly 1991 red points?

Question 3
Let a1 , a2 , . . . , an , b1 , b2 , . . . , bn be positive real numbers such that a1 + a2 + · · · + an =
b1 + b2 + · · · + bn . Show that

a21 a22 a2n a1 + a2 + · · · + an

+ + ··· + ≥ .
a1 + b1 a2 + b2 an + bn 2

Question 4
During a break, n children at school sit in a circle around their teacher to play a game.
The teacher walks clockwise close to the children and hands out candies to some of them
according to the following rule. He selects one child and gives him a candy, then he skips the
next child and gives a candy to the next one, then he skips 2 and gives a candy to the next
one, then he skips 3, and so on. Determine the values of n for which eventually, perhaps
after many rounds, all children will have at least one candy each.

Question 5
Given are two tangent circles and a point P on their common tangent perpendicular to the
lines joining their centres. Construct with ruler and compass all the circles that are tangent
to these two circles and pass through the point P .
 THE 1992 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
A triangle with sides a, b, and c is given. Denote by s the semiperimeter, that is s =
(a + b + c)/2. Construct a triangle with sides s − a, s − b, and s − c. This process is repeated
until a triangle can no longer be constructed with the side lengths given.
For which original triangles can this process be repeated indefinitely?

Question 2
In a circle C with centre O and radius r, let C1 , C2 be two circles with centres O1 , O2 and
radii r1 , r2 respectively, so that each circle Ci is internally tangent to C at Ai and so that
C1 , C2 are externally tangent to each other at A.
Prove that the three lines OA, O1 A2 , and O2 A1 are concurrent.

Question 3
Let n be an integer such that n > 3. Suppose that we choose three numbers from the set
{1, 2, . . . , n}. Using each of these three numbers only once and using addition, multiplication,
and parenthesis, let us form all possible combinations.
(a) Show that if we choose all three numbers greater than n/2, then the values of these
combinations are all distinct.
√
(b) Let p be a prime number such that p ≤ n. Show that the number of ways of choosing
three numbers so that the smallest one is p and the values of the combinations are not all
distinct is precisely the number of positive divisors of p − 1.

Question 4
Determine all pairs (h, s) of positive integers with the following property:

If one draws h horizontal lines and another s lines which satisfy

(i) they are not horizontal,
(ii) no two of them are parallel,
(iii) no three of the h + s lines are concurrent,
then the number of regions formed by these h + s lines is 1992.

Question 5
Find a sequence of maximal length consisting of non-zero integers in which the sum of any
seven consecutive terms is positive and that of any eleven consecutive terms is negative.
 THE 1993 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Let ABCD be a quadrilateral such that all sides have equal length and angle ABC is 60 deg.
Let l be a line passing through D and not intersecting the quadrilateral (except at D). Let
E and F be the points of intersection of l with AB and BC respectively. Let M be the point
of intersection of CE and AF .
Prove that CA2 = CM × CE.

Question 2
Find the total number of different integer values the function
5x
f (x) = [x] + [2x] + [ ] + [3x] + [4x]
3
takes for real numbers x with 0 ≤ x ≤ 100.

Question 3
Let
f (x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a0 and
g(x) = cn+1 xn+1 + cn xn + · · · + c0
be non-zero polynomials with real coefficients such that g(x) = (x + r)f (x) for some real
number r. If a = max(|an |, . . . , |a0 |) and c = max(|cn+1 |, . . . , |c0 |), prove that ac ≤ n + 1.

Question 4
Determine all positive integers n for which the equation
xn + (2 + x)n + (2 − x)n = 0
has an integer as a solution.

Question 5
Let P1 , P2 , . . . , P1993 = P0 be distinct points in the xy-plane with the following properties:
(i) both coordinates of Pi are integers, for i = 1, 2, . . . , 1993;
(ii) there is no point other than Pi and Pi+1 on the line segment joining Pi with Pi+1 whose
coordinates are both integers, for i = 0, 1, . . . , 1992.
Prove that for some i, 0 ≤ i ≤ 1992, there exists a point Q with coordinates (qx , qy ) on the
line segment joining Pi with Pi+1 such that both 2qx and 2qy are odd integers.
 THE 1994 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Let f : R → R be a function such that
(i) For all x, y ∈ R,
f (x) + f (y) + 1 ≥ f (x + y) ≥ f (x) + f (y),

(ii) For all x ∈ [0, 1), f (0) ≥ f (x),

(iii) −f (−1) = f (1) = 1.
Find all such functions f .

Question 2
Given a nondegenerate triangle ABC, with circumcentre O, orthocentre H, and circumradius
R, prove that |OH| < 3R.

Question 3
Let n be an integer of the√form a2 + b2 , where a and b are relatively prime integers and such
that if p is a prime, p ≤ n, then p divides ab. Determine all such n.

Question 4
Is there an infinite set of points in the plane such that no three points are collinear, and the
distance between any two points is rational?

Question 5
You are given three lists A, B, and C. List A contains the numbers of the form 10k in base
10, with k any integer greater than or equal to 1. Lists B and C contain the same numbers
translated into base 2 and 5 respectively:

A B C
10 1010 20
100 1100100 400
1000 1111101000 13000
.. .. ..
. . .

Prove that for every integer n > 1, there is exactly one number in exactly one of the lists B
or C that has exactly n digits.
 THE 1995 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Determine all sequences of real numbers a1 , a2 , . . . , a1995 which satisfy:
p
2 an − (n − 1) ≥ an+1 − (n − 1), for n = 1, 2, . . . 1994,

and √
2 a1995 − 1994 ≥ a1 + 1.

Question 2
Let a1 , a2 , . . . , an be a sequence of integers with values between 2 and 1995 such that:
(i) Any two of the ai ’s are realtively prime,
(ii) Each ai is either a prime or a product of primes.
Determine the smallest possible values of n to make sure that the sequence will contain a
prime number.

Question 3
Let P QRS be a cyclic quadrilateral such that the segments P Q and RS are not paral-
lel. Consider the set of circles through P and Q, and the set of circles through R and S.
Determine the set A of points of tangency of circles in these two sets.

Question 4
Let C be a circle with radius R and centre O, and S a fixed point in the interior of C. Let
AA0 and BB 0 be perpendicular chords through S. Consider the rectangles SAM B, SBN 0 A0 ,
SA0 M 0 B 0 , and SB 0 N A. Find the set of all points M , N 0 , M 0 , and N when A moves around
the whole circle.

Question 5
Find the minimum positive integer k such that there exists a function f from the set Z of
all integers to {1, 2, . . . k} with the property that f (x) 6= f (y) whenever |x − y| ∈ {5, 7, 12}.
 THE 1996 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Let ABCD be a quadrilateral AB = BC = CD = DA. Let M N and P Q be two segments
perpendicular to the diagonal BD and such that the distance between them is d > BD/2,
with M ∈ AD, N ∈ DC, P ∈ AB, and Q ∈ BC. Show that the perimeter of hexagon
AM N CQP does not depend on the position of M N and P Q so long as the distance between
them remains constant.

Question 2
Let m and n be positive integers such that n ≤ m. Prove that
(m + n)!
2n n! ≤ ≤ (m2 + m)n .
(m − n)!

Question 3
Let P1 , P2 , P3 , P4 be four points on a circle, and let I1 be the incentre of the triangle P2 P3 P4 ;
I2 be the incentre of the triangle P1 P3 P4 ; I3 be the incentre of the triangle P1 P2 P4 ; I4 be the
incentre of the triangle P1 P2 P3 . Prove that I1 , I2 , I3 , I4 are the vertices of a rectangle.

Question 4
The National Marriage Council wishes to invite n couples to form 17 discussion groups under
the following conditions:
1. All members of a group must be of the same sex; i.e. they are either all male or all
female.
2. The difference in the size of any two groups is 0 or 1.
3. All groups have at least 1 member.
4. Each person must belong to one and only one group.
Find all values of n, n ≤ 1996, for which this is possible. Justify your answer.

Question 5
Let a, b, c be the lengths of the sides of a triangle. Prove that
√ √ √ √ √ √
a+b−c+ b+c−a+ c+a−b≤ a+ b+ c ,
and determine when equality occurs.
 THE 1997 ASIAN PACIFIC MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD

Time allowed: 4 hours

NO calculators are to be used.
Each question is worth seven points.

Question 1
Given
1 1 1
S =1+ 1 + 1 1 + ··· + 1 1 1 ,
1+ 3 1+ 3 + 6 1 + 3 + 6 + · · · + 1993006
where the denominators contain partial sums of the sequence of reciprocals of triangular
numbers (i.e. k = n(n + 1)/2 for n = 1, 2, . . . , 1996). Prove that S > 1001.

Question 2
Find an integer n, where 100 ≤ n ≤ 1997, such that
2n + 2
n
is also an integer.

Question 3
Let ABC be a triangle inscribed in a circle and let
ma mb mc
la = , lb = , lc = ,
Ma Mb Mc
where ma , mb , mc are the lengths of the angle bisectors (internal to the triangle) and Ma ,
Mb , Mc are the lengths of the angle bisectors extended until they meet the circle. Prove that
la lb lc
+ + ≥ 3,
sin A sin B sin2 C
2 2

and that equality holds iff ABC is an equilateral triangle.

Question 4
Triangle A1 A2 A3 has a right angle at A3 . A sequence of points is now defined by the following
iterative process, where n is a positive integer. From An (n ≥ 3), a perpendicular line is
drawn to meet An−2 An−1 at An+1 .
(a) Prove that if this process is continued indefinitely, then one and only one point P is
interior to every triangle An−2 An−1 An , n ≥ 3.
(b) Let A1 and A3 be fixed points. By considering all possible locations of A2 on the plane,
find the locus of P .

Question 5
Suppose that n people A1 , A2 , . . ., An , (n ≥ 3) are seated in a circle and that Ai has ai
objects such that
a1 + a2 + · · · + an = nN,
where N is a positive integer. In order that each person has the same number of objects, each
person Ai is to give or to receive a certain number of objects to or from its two neighbours
Ai−1 and Ai+1 . (Here An+1 means A1 and An means A0 .) How should this redistribution be
performed so that the total number of objects transferred is minimum?
 10th Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March 1998

Time allowed: 4 hours.

No calculators to be used.
Each question is worth 7 points.

1. Let F be the set of all n-tuples ( A1 , A2 , …, An ) where each Ai , i = 1, 2, …, n is a subset of

{1, 2, …, 1998}. Let | A | denote the number of elements of the set A.
Find the number ∑| A ∪ A 1
( A1 , A2 , , An )
2 ∪  ∪ An | .

2. Show that for any positive integers a and b, (36a + b)(a + 36b) cannot be a power of 2.

 a  b  c   a + b + c 
3. Let a, b, c be positive real numbers. Prove that 1 + 1 + 1 +  ≥ 21 + 3  .
 b  c  a   abc 

4. Let ABC be a triangle and D the foot of the altitude from A. Let E and F be on a line through D
such that AE is perpendicular to BE, AF is perpendicular to CF, and E and F are different from
D. Let M and N be the midpoints of the line segments BC and EF, respectively. Prove that AN
is perpendicular to NM.

5. Determine the largest of all integers n with the property that n is divisible by all positive
integers that are less than 3 n .

END OF PAPER
 11th Asian Pacific Mathematical Olympiad

March, 1999

1. Find the smallest positive integer n with the following property: there does not exist
an arithmetic progression of 1999 real numbers containing exactly n integers.

2. Let a1 , a2 , . . . be a sequence of real numbers satisfying ai+j ≤ ai +aj for all i, j = 1, 2, . . ..

Prove that
a2 a3 an
a1 + + + ··· + ≥ an
2 3 n
for each positive integer n.

3. Let Γ1 and Γ2 be two circles intersecting at P and Q. The common tangent, closer to
P , of Γ1 and Γ2 touches Γ1 at A and Γ2 at B. The tangent of Γ1 at P meets Γ2 at C,
which is different from P , and the extension of AP meets BC at R. Prove that the
circumcircle of triangle P QR is tangent to BP and BR.

4. Determine all pairs (a, b) of integers with the property that the numbers a2 + 4b and
b2 + 4a are both perfect squares.

5. Let S be a set of 2n + 1 points in the plane such that no three are collinear and no
four concyclic. A circle will be called good if it has 3 points of S on its circumference,
n − 1 points in its interior and n − 1 points in its exterior. Prove that the number of
good circles has the same parity as n.
 12th Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March 2000

Time allowed: 4 hours.

No calculators to be used.
Each question is worth 7 points.

101 3
xi i
1. Compute the sum S = ∑ for xi = .
i = 0 1 − 3 xi + 3 xi
2
101

2. Given the following triangular arrangement of circles:

Each of the numbers 1, 2, …, 9 is to be written into one of these circles, so that each circle
contains exactly one of these numbers and
(i) the sums of the four numbers on each side of the triangle are equal;
(ii) the sums of the squares of the four numbers on each side of the triangle are equal.
Find all ways in which this can be done.

3. Let ABC be a triangle. Let M and N be the points in which the median and the angle bisector,
respectively, at A meet the side BC. Let Q and P be the points in which the perpendicular at N
to NA meets MA and BA, respectively, and O the point in which the perpendicular at P to BA
meets AN produced. Prove that QO is perpendicular to BC.

4. Let n, k be given positive integers with n > k. Prove that

1 nn n! nn
⋅ k < < .
n + 1 k (n − k )n −k k !(n − k )! k k (n − k ) n −k

5. Given a permutation (a0 , a1 ,  , an ) of the sequence 0, 1, …, n. A transposition of ai with

a j is called legal if ai = 0 for i > 0 , and ai −1 + 1 = a j . The permutation (a0 , a1 ,  , an ) is
called regular if after a number of legal transpositions it becomes (1, 2,  , n, 0) . For which
numbers n is the permutation (1, n, n − 1,  , 3, 2, 0) regular?

END OF PAPER
 XIII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad
March, 2001

Time allowed: 4 hours

No calculators to be used
Each question is worth 7 points

Problem 1.
For a positive integer n let S(n) be the sum of digits in the decimal representation of n. Any positive
integer obtained by removing several (at least one) digits from the right-hand end of the decimal
representation of n is called a stump of n. Let T (n) be the sum of all stumps of n. Prove that
n = S(n) + 9T (n).

Problem 2.
Find the largest positive integer N so that the number of integers in the set {1, 2, . . . , N } which are
divisible by 3 is equal to the number of integers which are divisible by 5 or 7 (or both).

Problem 3.
Let two equal regular n-gons S and T be located in the plane such that their intersection is a 2n-gon
(n ≥ 3). The sides of the polygon S are coloured in red and the sides of T in blue.

Prove that the sum of the lengths of the blue sides of the polygon S ∩ T is equal to the sum of the
lengths of its red sides.

Problem 4.
A point in the plane with a cartesian coordinate system is called a mixed point if one of its coordinates
is rational and the other one is irrational. Find all polynomials with real coefficients such that their
graphs do not contain any mixed point.

Problem 5.
Find the greatest integer n, such that there are n + 4 points A, B, C, D, X1 , . . . , Xn in the plane with
AB 6= CD that satisfy the following condition: for each i = 1, 2, . . . , n triangles ABXi and CDXi are
equal.
 XIV Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad
March 2002
Time allowed: 4 hours
No calculators are to be used
Each question is worth 7 points

Problem 1.
Let a1 , a2 , a3 , . . . , an be a sequence of non-negative integers, where n is a positive integer. Let
a1 + a2 + · · · + an
An = .
n
Prove that
n
a1 !a2 ! . . . an ! ≥ (bAn c!) ,
where bAn c is the greatest integer less than or equal to An , and a! = 1 × 2 × · · · × a for a ≥ 1 (and 0! = 1).
When does equality hold?

Problem 2.
Find all positive integers a and b such that

a2 + b b2 + a
and
b2 − a a2 − b
are both integers.

Problem 3.
Let ABC be an equilateral triangle. Let P be a point on the side AC and Q be a point on the side AB so that
both triangles ABP and ACQ are acute. Let R be the orthocentre of triangle ABP and S be the orthocentre
of triangle ACQ. Let T be the point common to the segments BP and CQ. Find all possible values of 6 CBP
and 6 BCQ such that triangle T RS is equilateral.

Problem 4.
Let x, y, z be positive numbers such that
1 1 1
+ + = 1.
x y z
Show that √ √ √ √ √
√ √
x + yz + y + zx + z + xy ≥ xyz + x+ y+ z.

Problem 5.
Let R denote the set of all real numbers. Find all functions f from R to R satisfying:
(i) there are only finitely many s in R such that f (s) = 0, and
(ii) f (x4 + y) = x3 f (x) + f (f (y)) for all x, y in R.
 XV Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad
March 2003

Time allowed: 4 hours

No calculators are to be used
Each question is worth 7 points

Problem 1.
Let a, b, c, d, e, f be real numbers such that the polynomial

p(x) = x8 − 4x7 + 7x6 + ax5 + bx4 + cx3 + dx2 + ex + f

factorises into eight linear factors x − xi , with xi > 0 for i = 1, 2, . . . , 8. Determine all possible values of f .

Problem 2.
Suppose ABCD is a square piece of cardboard with side length a. On a plane are two parallel lines `1 and `2 ,
which are also a units apart. The square ABCD is placed on the plane so that sides AB and AD intersect `1
at E and F respectively. Also, sides CB and CD intersect `2 at G and H respectively. Let the perimeters of
4AEF and 4CGH be m1 and m2 respectively. Prove that no matter how the square was placed, m1 + m2
remains constant.

Problem 3.
Let k ≥ 14 be an integer, and let pk be the largest prime number which is strictly less than k. You may assume
that pk ≥ 3k/4. Let n be a composite integer. Prove:
(a) if n = 2pk , then n does not divide (n − k)! ;
(b) if n > 2pk , then n divides (n − k)! .

Problem 4.
Let a, b, c be the sides of a triangle, with a + b + c = 1, and let n ≥ 2 be an integer. Show that
√
√
n
√
n
√ n
2
an + bn + bn + cn + n cn + an < 1 + .
2

Problem 5.
Given two positive integers m and n, find the smallest positive integer k such that among any k people, either
there are 2m of them who form m pairs of mutually acquainted people or there are 2n of them forming n pairs
of mutually unacquainted people.
 XVI Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad
March 2004

Time allowed: 4 hours

No calculators are to be used
Each question is worth 7 points

Problem 1.
Determine all finite nonempty sets S of positive integers satisfying
i+j
is an element of S for all i, j in S,
(i, j)

where (i, j) is the greatest common divisor of i and j.

Problem 2.
Let O be the circumcentre and H the orthocentre of an acute triangle ABC. Prove that the area of one of the
triangles AOH, BOH and COH is equal to the sum of the areas of the other two.

Problem 3.
Let a set S of 2004 points in the plane be given, no three of which are collinear. Let L denote the set of all lines
(extended indefinitely in both directions) determined by pairs of points from the set. Show that it is possible
to colour the points of S with at most two colours, such that for any points p, q of S, the number of lines in L
which separate p from q is odd if and only if p and q have the same colour.
Note: A line ` separates two points p and q if p and q lie on opposite sides of ` with neither point on `.

Problem 4.
For a real number x, let bxc stand for the largest integer that is less than or equal to x. Prove that
¹ º
(n − 1)!
n(n + 1)

is even for every positive integer n.

Problem 5.
Prove that
(a2 + 2)(b2 + 2)(c2 + 2) ≥ 9(ab + bc + ca)
for all real numbers a, b, c > 0.
 XVII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad
Time allowed : 4 hours
Each problem is worth 7 points
∗ The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website. Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date.
No calculators are to be used during the contest.

Problem 1. Prove that for every irrational real number a, there are irrational real numbers
b and b0 so that a + b and ab0 are both rational while ab and a + b0 are both irrational.

Problem 2. Let a, b and c be positive real numbers such that abc = 8. Prove that

a2 b2 c2 4
p +p +p ≥ .
(1 + a3 )(1 + b3 ) (1 + b3 )(1 + c3 ) (1 + c3 )(1 + a3 ) 3

Problem 3. Prove that there exists a triangle which can be cut into 2005 congruent
triangles.

Problem 4. In a small town, there are n × n houses indexed by (i, j) for 1 ≤ i, j ≤ n with
(1, 1) being the house at the top left corner, where i and j are the row and column indices,
respectively. At time 0, a fire breaks out at the house indexed by (1, c), where c ≤ n2 .
During each subsequent time interval [t, t + 1], the fire fighters defend a house which is not
yet on fire while the fire spreads to all undefended neighbors of each house which was on
fire at time t. Once a house is defended, it remains so all the time. The process ends when
the fire can no longer spread. At most how many houses can be saved by the fire fighters?
A house indexed by (i, j) is a neighbor of a house indexed by (k, `) if |i − k| + |j − `| = 1.

Problem 5. In a triangle ABC, points M and N are on sides AB and AC, respectively,
such that M B = BC = CN . Let R and r denote the circumradius and the inradius of the
triangle ABC, respectively. Express the ratio M N/BC in terms of R and r.
 XVIII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

Time allowed : 4 hours

Each problem is worth 7 points
∗ The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website. Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date.
No calculators are to be used during the contest.

Problem 1. Let n be a positive integer. Find the largest nonnegative real number f (n)
(depending on n) with the following property: whenever a1 , a2 , . . . , an are real numbers
such that a1 + a2 + · · · + an is an integer, there exists some i such that | ai − 21 | ≥ f (n).

Problem 2. Prove that every positive integer √ can be written as a finite sum of distinct
integral powers of the golden mean τ = 1+2 5 . Here, an integral power of τ is of the form
τ i , where i is an integer (not necessarily positive).

Problem 3. Let p ≥ 5 be a prime and let r be the number of ways of placing p checkers
on a p × p checkerboard so that not all checkers are in the same row (but they may all be
in the same column). Show that r is divisible by p 5 . Here, we assume that all the checkers
are identical.

Problem 4. Let A, B be two distinct points on a given circle O and let P be the midpoint
of the line segment AB. Let O1 be the circle tangent to the line AB at P and tangent to
the circle O. Let ` be the tangent line, different from the line AB, to O1 passing through
A. Let C be the intersection point, different from A, of ` and O. Let Q be the midpoint
of the line segment BC and O2 be the circle tangent to the line BC at Q and tangent to
the line segment AC. Prove that the circle O2 is tangent to the circle O.

Problem 5. In a circus, there are n clowns who dress and paint themselves up using a
selection of 12 distinct colours. Each clown is required to use at least five different colours.
One day, the ringmaster of the circus orders that no two clowns have exactly the same set
of colours and no more than 20 clowns may use any one particular colour. Find the largest
number n of clowns so as to make the ringmaster’s order possible.
 XIX Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

Time allowed : 4 hours

Each problem is worth 7 points
∗ The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website. Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date.
No calculators are to be used during the contest.

Problem 1. Let S be a set of 9 distinct integers all of whose prime factors are at most 3.
Prove that S contains 3 distinct integers such that their product is a perfect cube.

Problem 2. Let ABC be an acute angled triangle with ∠BAC = 60◦ and AB > AC. Let
I be the incenter, and H the orthocenter of the triangle ABC. Prove that

2∠AHI = 3∠ABC.

Problem 3. Consider n disks C1 , C2 , . . . , Cn in a plane such that for each 1 ≤ i < n, the
center of Ci is on the circumference of Ci+1 , and the center of Cn is on the circumference
of C1 . Define the score of such an arrangement of n disks to be the number of pairs (i, j)
for which Ci properly contains Cj . Determine the maximum possible score.
√ √ √
Problem 4. Let x, y and z be positive real numbers such that x + y + z = 1. Prove
that
x2 + yz y 2 + zx z 2 + xy
p +p +p ≥ 1.
2x2 (y + z) 2y 2 (z + x) 2z 2 (x + y)

Problem 5. A regular (5 × 5)-array of lights is defective, so that toggling the switch for
one light causes each adjacent light in the same row and in the same column as well as
the light itself to change state, from on to off, or from off to on. Initially all the lights are
switched off. After a certain number of toggles, exactly one light is switched on. Find all
the possible positions of this light.

1
 XX Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2008
Time allowed : 4 hours
Each problem is worth 7 points
∗ The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website. Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date. No
calculators are to be used during the contest.

Problem 1. Let ABC be a triangle with ∠A < 60◦ . Let X and Y be the points on the sides
AB and AC, respectively, such that CA + AX = CB + BX and BA + AY = BC + CY . Let
P be the point in the plane such that the lines P X and P Y are perpendicular to AB and
AC, respectively. Prove that ∠BP C < 120◦ .

Problem 2. Students in a class form groups each of which contains exactly three members
such that any two distinct groups have at most one member in common. Prove that, when
the class size is 46, there is a set of 10 students in which no group is properly contained.

Problem 3. Let Γ be the circumcircle of a triangle ABC. A circle passing through points
A and C meets the sides BC and BA at D and E, respectively. The lines AD and CE meet
Γ again at G and H, respectively. The tangent lines of Γ at A and C meet the line DE at L
and M , respectively. Prove that the lines LH and M G meet at Γ.

Problem 4. Consider the function f : N0 → N0 , where N0 is the set of all non-negative

integers, defined by the following conditions :

(i) f (0) = 0, (ii) f (2n) = 2f (n) and (iii) f (2n + 1) = n + 2f (n) for all n ≥ 0.

(a) Determine the three sets L := { n | f (n) < f (n + 1) }, E := { n | f (n) = f (n + 1) }, and

G := { n | f (n) > f (n + 1) }.
(b) For each k ≥ 0, find a formula for ak := max{f (n) : 0 ≤ n ≤ 2k } in terms of k.

Problem 5. Let a, b, c be integers satisfying 0 < a < c − 1 and 1 < b < c. For each k,
0 ≤ k ≤ a, let rk , 0 ≤ rk < c, be the remainder of kb when divided by c. Prove that the two
sets {r0 , r1 , r2 , . . . , ra } and {0, 1, 2, . . . , a} are different.
 XXI Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2009
Time allowed : 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points
∗ The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website (http://www.kms.or.kr/Competitions/APMO). Please do not disclose nor discuss the
problems over the internet until that date. Calculators are not allowed to use.

Problem 1. Consider the following operation on positive real numbers written on a black-
board: Choose a number r written on the blackboard, erase that number, and then write a
pair of positive real numbers a and b satisfying the condition 2r2 = ab on the board.
Assume that you start out with just one positive real number r on the blackboard, and
apply this operation k 2 − 1 times to end up with k 2 positive real numbers, not necessarily
distinct. Show that there exists a number on the board which does not exceed kr.

Problem 2. Let a1 , a2 , a3 , a4 , a5 be real numbers satisfying the following equations:

a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 1
+ 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 2 for k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
k2 +1 k +2 k +3 k +4 k +5 k
a1 a2 a3 a4 a5
Find the value of + + + + . (Express the value in a single fraction.)
37 38 39 40 41
Problem 3. Let three circles Γ1 , Γ2 , Γ3 , which are non-overlapping and mutually external,
be given in the plane. For each point P in the plane, outside the three circles, construct
six points A1 , B1 , A2 , B2 , A3 , B3 as follows: For each i = 1, 2, 3, Ai , Bi are distinct points on
the circle Γi such that the lines P Ai and P Bi are both tangents to Γi . Call the point P
exceptional if, from the construction, three lines A1 B1 , A2 B2 , A3 B3 are concurrent. Show
that every exceptional point of the plane, if exists, lies on the same circle.

Problem 4. Prove that for any positive integer k, there exists an arithmetic sequence
a1 a2 ak
, , ... ,
b1 b2 bk
of rational numbers, where ai , bi are relatively prime positive integers for each i = 1, 2, . . . , k,
such that the positive integers a1 , b1 , a2 , b2 , . . . , ak , bk are all distinct.

Problem 5. Larry and Rob are two robots travelling in one car from Argovia to Zillis. Both
robots have control over the steering and steer according to the following algorithm: Larry
makes a 90◦ left turn after every ` kilometer driving from start; Rob makes a 90◦ right turn
after every r kilometer driving from start, where ` and r are relatively prime positive integers.
In the event of both turns occurring simultaneously, the car will keep going without changing
direction. Assume that the ground is flat and the car can move in any direction.
Let the car start from Argovia facing towards Zillis. For which choices of the pair (`, r) is
the car guaranteed to reach Zillis, regardless of how far it is from Argovia?
 XXII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2010

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

*The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official APMO
website (http://www.mmjp.or.jp/competitions/APMO). Please do not disclose nor discuss the
problems over the internet until that date. Calculators are not allowed to use.

Problem 1. Let ABC be a triangle with 6 BAC 6= 90◦ . Let O be the circumcenter of the
triangle ABC and let Γ be the circumcircle of the triangle BOC. Suppose that Γ intersects
the line segment AB at P different from B, and the line segment AC at Q different from C.
Let ON be a diameter of the circle Γ. Prove that the quadrilateral AP N Q is a parallelogram.

Problem 2. For a positive integer k, call an integer a pure k-th power if it can be represented
as mk for some integer m. Show that for every positive integer n there exist n distinct positive
integers such that their sum is a pure 2009-th power, and their product is a pure 2010-th power.

Problem 3. Let n be a positive integer. n people take part in a certain party. For any pair
of the participants, either the two are acquainted with each other or they are not. What is
the maximum possible number of the pairs for which the two are not acquainted but have a
common acquaintance among the participants?

Problem 4. Let ABC be an acute triangle satisfying the condition AB > BC and
AC > BC. Denote by O and H the circumcenter and the orthocenter, respectively, of the
triangle ABC. Suppose that the circumcircle of the triangle AHC intersects the line AB at
M different from A, and that the circumcircle of the triangle AHB intersects the line AC at
N different from A. Prove that the circumcenter of the triangle M N H lies on the line OH.

Problem 5. Find all functions f from the set R of real numbers into R which satisfy for
all x, y, z ∈ R the identity

f (f (x) + f (y) + f (z)) = f (f (x) − f (y)) + f (2xy + f (z)) + 2f (xz − yz).

 2011 APMO PROBLEMS

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

*The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the offi-
cial APMO website (http://www.mmjp.or.jp/competitions/APMO). Please do not
disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date. Calculators are
not allowed to use.

Problem 1. Let a, b, c be positive integers. Prove that it is impossible to have

all of the three numbers a2 + b + c, b2 + c + a, c2 + a + b to be perfect squares.

Problem 2. Five points A1 , A2 , A3 , A4 , A5 lie on a plane in such a way that no

three among them lie on a same straight line. Determine the maximum possible
value that the minimum value for the angles ∠Ai Aj Ak can take where i, j, k are
distinct integers between 1 and 5.

Problem 3. Let ABC be an acute triangle with ∠BAC = 30◦ . The internal and
external angle bisectors of ∠ABC meet the line AC at B1 and B2 , respectively, and
the internal and external angle bisectors of ∠ACB meet the line AB at C1 and C2 ,
respectively. Suppose that the circles with diameters B1 B2 and C1 C2 meet inside
the triangle ABC at point P . Prove that ∠BP C = 90◦ .

Problem 4. Let n be a fixed positive odd integer. Take m + 2 distinct points

P0 , P1 , · · · , Pm+1 (where m is a non-negative integer) on the coordinate plane in
such a way that the following 3 conditions are satisfied:
(1) P0 = (0, 1), Pm+1 = (n + 1, n), and for each integer i, 1 ≤ i ≤ m, both x- and
y- coordinates of Pi are integers lying in between 1 and n (1 and n inclusive).
(2) For each integer i, 0 ≤ i ≤ m, Pi Pi+1 is parallel to the x-axis if i is even, and
is parallel to the y-axis if i is odd.
(3) For each pair i, j with 0 ≤ i < j ≤ m, line segments Pi Pi+1 and Pj Pj+1 share
at most 1 point.
Determine the maximum possible value that m can take.

Problem 5. Determine all functions f : R → R, where R is the set of all real

numbers, satisfying the following 2 conditions:
(1) There exists a real number M such that for every real number x, f (x) < M is
satisfied.
(2) For every pair of real numbers x and y,
f (xf (y)) + yf (x) = xf (y) + f (xy)
is satisfied.

1
 2012 APMO PROBLEMS

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

*The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the offi-
cial APMO website (http://www.mmjp.or.jp/competitions/APMO). Please do not
disclose nor discuss the problems over the internet until that date. Calculators are
not allowed to use.

Problem 1. Let P be a point in the interior of a triangle ABC, and let D, E, F

be the point of intersection of the line AP and the side BC of the triangle, of the
line BP and the side CA, and of the line CP and the side AB, respectively. Prove
that the area of the triangle ABC must be 6 if the area of each of the triangles
P F A, P DB and P EC is 1.
Problem 2. Into each box of a 2012 × 2012 square grid, a real number greater
than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1 is inserted. Consider splitting the grid
into 2 non-empty rectangles consisting of boxes of the grid by drawing a line parallel
either to the horizontal or the vertical side of the grid. Suppose that for at least one
of the resulting rectangles the sum of the numbers in the boxes within the rectangle
is less than or equal to 1, no matter how the grid is split into 2 such rectangles.
Determine the maximum possible value for the sum of all the 2012 × 2012 numbers
inserted into the boxes.
Problem 3. Determine all the pairs (p, n) of a prime number p and a positive
p
integer n for which npn +1
+1
is an integer.
Problem 4. Let ABC be an acute triangle. Denote by D the foot of the
perpendicular line drawn from the point A to the side BC, by M the midpoint of
BC, and by H the orthocenter of ABC. Let E be the point of intersection of the
circumcircle Γ of the triangle ABC and the half line M H, and F be the point of
intersection (other than E) of the line ED and the circle Γ. Prove that BF AB
CF = AC
must hold.
Here we denote by XY the length of the line segment XY .
Problem 5. Let n be an integer greater than or equal to 2. Prove that if the
real numbers a1 , a2 , · · · , an satisfy a21 + a22 + · · · + a2n = n, then
X 1 n
≤
n − ai aj 2
1≤i<j≤n

must hold.

1
 XXV Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem if worth 7 points

Problem 1. Let ABC be an acute triangle with altitudes AD, BE and CF , and let O
be the center of its circumcircle. Show that the segments OA, OF, OB, OD, OC, OE
dissect the triangle ABC into three pairs of triangles that have equal areas.

n2 + 1
Problem 2. Determine all positive integers n for which √ 2 is an integer. Here
[ n] + 2
[r] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to r.

Problem 3. For 2k real numbers a1 , a2 , . . . , ak , b1 , b2 , . . . , bk define the sequence of

numbers Xn by
k
X
Xn = [ai n + bi ] (n = 1, 2, . . .).
i=1

If the sequence Xn forms an arithmetic progression, show that ki=1 ai must be an

P
integer. Here [r] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to r.

Problem 4. Let a and b be positive integers, and let A and B be finite sets of
integers satisfying:
(i) A and B are disjoint;
(ii) if an integer i belongs either to A or to B, then i + a belongs to A or i − b
belongs to B.
Prove that a|A| = b|B|. (Here |X| denotes the number of elements in the set X.)

Problem 5. Let ABCD be a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle ω, and let P be a

point on the extension of AC such that P B and P D are tangent to ω. The tangent at
C intersects P D at Q and the line AD at R. Let E be the second point of intersection
between AQ and ω. Prove that B, E, R are collinear.
 XXVI Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem if worth 7 points

Problem 1. For a positive integer m denote by S(m) and P (m) the sum and
product, respectively, of the digits of m. Show that for each positive integer n, there
exist positive integers a1 , a2 , . . . , an satisfying the following conditions:
S(a1 ) < S(a2 ) < · · · < S(an ) and S(ai ) = P (ai+1 ) (i = 1, 2, . . . , n).
(We let an+1 = a1 .)
(Proposed by the Problem Committee of
the Japan Mathematical Olympiad Foundation)

Problem 2. Let S = {1, 2, . . . , 2014}. For each non-empty subset T ⊆ S, one

of its members is chosen as its representative. Find the number of ways to assign
representatives to all non-empty subsets of S so that if a subset D ⊆ S is a disjoint
union of non-empty subsets A, B, C ⊆ S, then the representative of D is also the
representative of at least one of A, B, C.
(Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand)

Problem 3. Find all positive integers n such that for any integer k there exists an
integer a for which a3 + a − k is divisible by n.
(Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand)

Problem 4. Let n and b be positive integers. We say n is b-discerning if there exists

a set consisting of n different positive integers less than b that has no two different
subsets U and V such that the sum of all elements in U equals the sum of all elements
in V .
(a) Prove that 8 is a 100-discerning.
(b) Prove that 9 is not 100–discerning.
(Proposed by the Senior Problems Committee of
the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee)

Problem 5. Circles ω and Ω meet at points A and B. Let M be the midpoint of

the arc AB of circle ω (M lies inside Ω). A chord M P of circle ω intersects Ω at Q
(Q lies inside ω). Let `P be the tangent line to ω at P , and let `Q be the tangent
line to Ω at Q. Prove that the circumcircle of the triangle formed by the lines `P , `Q ,
and AB is tangent to Ω.
(Proposed by Ilya Bogdanov, Russia and
Medeubek Kungozhin, Kazakhstan)
 XXVII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem if worth 7 points

Problem 1. Let ABC be a triangle, and let D be a point on side BC. A line
through D intersects side AB at X and ray AC at Y . The circumcircle of triangle
BXD intersects the circumcircle ω of triangle ABC again at point Z 6= B. The lines
ZD and ZY intersect ω again at V and W , respectively. Prove that AB = V W .

Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand

Problem 2. Let S = {2, 3, 4, . . .} denote the set of integers that are greater than or
equal to 2. Does there exist a function f : S → S such that

f (a)f (b) = f (a2 b2 ) for all a, b ∈ S with a 6= b?

Proposed by Angelo Di Pasquale, Australia

Problem 3. A sequence of real numbers a0 , a1 , . . . is said to be good if the following

three conditions hold.

(i) The value of a0 is a positive integer.

ai
(ii) For each non-negative integer i we have ai+1 = 2ai + 1 or ai+1 = .
ai + 2
(iii) There exists a positive integer k such that ak = 2014.

Find the smallest positive integer n such that there exists a good sequence a0 , a1 , . . .
of real numbers with the property that an = 2014.

Proposed by Wang Wei Hua, Hong Kong

Problem 4. Let n be a positive integer. Consider 2n distinct lines on the plane, no

two of which are parallel. Of the 2n lines, n are colored blue, the other n are colored
red. Let B be the set of all points on the plane that lie on at least one blue line,
and R the set of all points on the plane that lie on at least one red line. Prove that
there exists a circle that intersects B in exactly 2n − 1 points, and also intersects R
in exactly 2n − 1 points.

Proposed by Pakawut Jiradilok and Warut Suksompong, Thailand

Problem 5. Determine all sequences a0 , a1 , a2 , . . . of positive integers with a0 ≥ 2015

such that for all integers n ≥ 1:
(i) an+2 is divisible by an ;
(ii) |sn+1 − (n + 1)an | = 1, where sn+1 = an+1 − an + an−1 − · · · + (−1)n+1 a0 .

Proposed by Pakawut Jiradilok and Warut Suksompong, Thailand

 XXVIII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2016

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official
APMO website http://apmo.ommenlinea.org.
Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over online until that date. The use
of calculators is not allowed.

Problem 1. We say that a triangle ABC is great if the following holds: for any
point D on the side BC, if P and Q are the feet of the perpendiculars from D to the
lines AB and AC, respectively, then the reflection of D in the line P Q lies on the
circumcircle of the triangle ABC.
Prove that triangle ABC is great if and only if ∠A = 90◦ and AB = AC.

Problem 2. A positive integer is called fancy if it can be expressed in the form

2a1 + 2a2 + · · · + 2a100 ,

where a1 , a2 , . . . , a100 are non-negative integers that are not necessarily distinct.
Find the smallest positive integer n such that no multiple of n is a fancy number.

Problem 3. Let AB and AC be two distinct rays not lying on the same line, and let
ω be a circle with center O that is tangent to ray AC at E and ray AB at F . Let R
be a point on segment EF . The line through O parallel to EF intersects line AB at
P . Let N be the intersection of lines P R and AC, and let M be the intersection of
line AB and the line through R parallel to AC. Prove that line M N is tangent to ω.

Problem 4. The country Dreamland consists of 2016 cities. The airline Starways
wants to establish some one-way flights between pairs of cities in such a way that each
city has exactly one flight out of it. Find the smallest positive integer k such that no
matter how Starways establishes its flights, the cities can always be partitioned into
k groups so that from any city it is not possible to reach another city in the same
group by using at most 28 flights.

Problem 5. Find all functions f : R+ → R+ such that

(z + 1)f (x + y) = f (xf (z) + y) + f (yf (z) + x),

for all positive real numbers x, y, z.
 XXIX Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2017

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official
APMO website http://apmo.ommenlinea.org.
Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over online until that date. The use
of calculators is not allowed.

Problem 1. We call a 5-tuple of integers arrangeable if its elements can be labeled

a, b, c, d, e in some order so that a − b + c − d + e = 29. Determine all 2017-tuples
of integers n1 , n2 , . . . , n2017 such that if we place them in a circle in clockwise order,
then any 5-tuple of numbers in consecutive positions on the circle is arrangeable.

Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand

Problem 2. Let ABC be a triangle with AB < AC. Let D be the intersection point
of the internal bisector of angle BAC and the circumcircle of ABC. Let Z be the
intersection point of the perpendicular bisector of AC with the external bisector of
angle ∠BAC. Prove that the midpoint of the segment AB lies on the circumcircle of
triangle ADZ.

Proposed by Equipo Nicaragua, Nicaragua

Problem 3. Let A(n) denote the number of sequences a1 ≥ a2 ≥ . . . ≥ ak of positive

integers for which a1 + · · · + ak = n and each ai + 1 is a power of two (i = 1, 2, . . . , k).
Let B(n) denote the number of sequences b1 ≥ b2 ≥ . . . ≥ bm of positive integers for
which b1 + · · · + bm = n and each inequality bj ≥ 2bj+1 holds (j = 1, 2, . . . , m − 1).
Prove that A(n) = B(n) for every positive integer n.

Proposed by Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad

Committee
 k
Problem 4. Call a rational number r powerful if r can be expressed in the form pq
for some relatively prime positive integers p, q and some integer k > 1. Let a, b, c be
positive rational numbers such that abc = 1. Suppose there exist positive integers
x, y, z such that ax + by + cz is an integer. Prove that a, b, c are all powerful.

Proposed by Jeck Lim, Singapur

Problem 5. Let n be a positive integer. A pair of n-tuples (a1 , . . . , an ) and

(b1 , . . . , bn ) with integer entries is called an exquisite pair if

|a1 b1 + · · · + an bn | ≤ 1.
Determine the maximum number of distinct n-tuples with integer entries such
that any two of them form an exquisite pair.

Proposed by Pakawut Jiradilok and Warut Suksompong, Thailand

 XXX Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2018

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official
APMO website http://apmo.ommenlinea.org.
Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over online until that date. The use
of calculators is not allowed.

Problem 1. Let H be the orthocenter of the triangle ABC. Let M and N be

the midpoints of the sides AB and AC, respectively. Assume that H lies inside the
quadrilateral BM N C and that the circumcircles of triangles BM H and CN H are
tangent to each other. The line through H parallel to BC intersects the circumcircles
of the triangles BM H and CN H in the points K and L, respectively. Let F be the
intersection point of M K and N L and let J be the incenter of triangle M HN . Prove
that F J = F A.

Proposed by Mahdi Etesamifard, Iran

Problem 2. Let f (x) and g(x) be given by

1 1 1 1
f (x) = + + + ··· +
x x−2 x−4 x − 2018
and
1 1 1 1
g(x) = + + + ··· + .
x−1 x−3 x−5 x − 2017
Prove that
|f (x) − g(x)| > 2
for any non-integer real number x satisfying 0 < x < 2018.

Proposed by Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad

Committee

Problem 3. A collection of n squares on the plane is called tri-connected if the

following criteria are satisfied:

(i) All the squares are congruent.

 (ii) If two squares have a point P in common, then P is a vertex of each of the
squares.

(iii) Each square touches exactly three other squares.

How many positive integers n are there with 2018 ≤ n ≤ 3018, such that there exists
a collection of n squares that is tri-connected?

Proposed by Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad

Committee

Problem 4. Let ABC be an equilateral triangle. From the vertex A we draw a

ray towards the interior of the triangle such that the ray reaches one of the sides of
the triangle. When the ray reaches a side, it then bounces off following the law of
reflection, that is, if it arrives with a directed angle α, it leaves with a directed angle
180◦ − α. After n bounces, the ray returns to A without ever landing on any of the
other two vertices. Find all possible values of n.

Proposed by Daniel Perales and Jorge Garza, Mexico

Problem 5. Find all polynomials P (x) with integer coefficients such that for all real
numbers s and t, if P (s) and P (t) are both integers, then P (st) is also an integer.

Proposed by William Ting-Wei Chao, Taiwan

 XXXI Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2019

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official
APMO website http://apmo.ommenlinea.org.
Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems over online until that date. The use
of calculators is not allowed.

Problem 1. Let Z+ be the set of positive integers. Determine all functions f : Z+ →

Z+ such that a2 + f (a)f (b) is divisible by f (a) + b for all positive integers a and b.

Problem 2. Let m be a fixed positive integer. The infinite sequence {an }n≥1 is
defined in the following way: a1 is a positive integer, and for every integer n ≥ 1 we
have (
a2n + 2m if an < 2m
an+1 =
an /2 if an ≥ 2m .
For each m, determine all possible values of a1 such that every term in the sequence
is an integer.

Problem 3. Let ABC be a scalene triangle with circumcircle Γ. Let M be the

midpoint of BC. A variable point P is selected in the line segment AM . The
circumcircles of triangles BP M and CP M intersect Γ again at points D and E,
respectively. The lines DP and EP intersect (a second time) the circumcircles to
triangles CP M and BP M at X and Y , respectively. Prove that as P varies, the
circumcircle of 4AXY passes through a fixed point T distinct from A.

Problem 4. Consider a 2018 × 2019 board with integers in each unit square. Two
unit squares are said to be neighbours if they share a common edge. In each turn,
you choose some unit squares. Then for each chosen unit square the average of all
its neighbours is calculated. Finally, after these calculations are done, the number in
each chosen unit square is replaced by the corresponding average. Is it always possible
to make the numbers in all squares become the same after finitely many turns?

Problem 5. Determine all the functions f : R → R such that

f (x2 + f (y)) = f (f (x)) + f (y 2 ) + 2f (xy)

for all real numbers x and y.

 XXXII Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad

March, 2020

Time allowed: 4 hours Each problem is worth 7 points

The contest problems are to be kept confidential until they are posted on the official
APMO website http://apmo-official.org.
Please do not disclose nor discuss the problems online until that date. The use of
calculators is not allowed.

Problem 1. Let Γ be the circumcircle of ∆ABC. Let D be a point on the side BC.
The tangent to Γ at A intersects the parallel line to BA through D at point E. The
segment CE intersects Γ again at F . Suppose B, D, F, E are concyclic. Prove that
AC, BF, DE are concurrent.

Problem 2. Show that r = 2 is the largest real number r which satisfies the following
condition:
If a sequence a1 , a2 , . . . of positive integers fulfills the inequalities
p
an ≤ an+2 ≤ a2n + ran+1

for every positive integer n, then there exists a positive integer M such that an+2 = an
for every n ≥ M .

Problem 3. Determine all positive integers k for which there exist a positive integer
m and a set S of positive integers such that any integer n > m can be written as a
sum of distinct elements of S in exactly k ways.

Problem 4. Let Z denote the set of all integers. Find all polynomials P (x) with
integer coefficients that satisfy the following property:
For any infinite sequence a1 , a2 , . . . of integers in which each integer in Z appears
exactly once, there exist indices i < j and an integer k such that ai + ai+1 + · · · + aj =
P (k).

Problem 5. Let n ≥ 3 be a fixed integer. The number 1 is written n times on a

blackboard. Below the blackboard, there are two buckets that are initially empty.
A move consists of erasing two of the numbers a and b, replacing them with the
numbers 1 and a + b, then adding one stone to the first bucket and gcd(a, b) stones to
the second bucket. After some finite number of moves, there are s stones in the first
bucket and t stones in the second bucket, where s and t are positive integers. Find
t
all possible values of the ratio .
s