IMO 2008 Solution Notes

Evan Chen《陳誼廷》
15 December 2024

This is a compilation of solutions for the 2008 IMO. The ideas of the
solution are a mix of my own work, the solutions provided by the competition
organizers, and solutions found by the community. However, all the writing
is maintained by me.
These notes will tend to be a bit more advanced and terse than the “official”
solutions from the organizers. In particular, if a theorem or technique is not
known to beginners but is still considered “standard”, then I often prefer to
use this theory anyways, rather than try to work around or conceal it. For
example, in geometry problems I typically use directed angles without further
comment, rather than awkwardly work around configuration issues. Similarly,
sentences like “let R denote the set of real numbers” are typically omitted
entirely.
Corrections and comments are welcome!

Contents
0 Problems 2

1 Solutions to Day 1 3
1.1 IMO 2008/1, proposed by Andrey Gavrilyuk (RUS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 IMO 2008/2, proposed by Walther Janous (AUT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3 IMO 2008/3, proposed by Kęstutis Česnavičius (LTU) . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Solutions to Day 2 7
2.1 IMO 2008/4, proposed by Hojoo Lee (KOR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 IMO 2008/5, proposed by Bruno Le Floch and Ilia Smilga (FRA) . . . . . 8
2.3 IMO 2008/6, proposed by Vladimir Shmarov (RUS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§0 Problems
1. Let H be the orthocenter of an acute-angled triangle ABC. The circle ΓA centered
at the midpoint of BC and passing through H intersects the sideline BC at points
A1 and A2 . Similarly, define the points B1 , B2 , C1 , and C2 . Prove that six points
A1 , A2 , B1 , B2 , C1 , C2 are concyclic.

2. Let x, y, z be real numbers with xyz = 1, all different from 1. Prove that

x2 y2 z2
+ + ≥1
(x − 1)2 (y − 1)2 (z − 1)2

and show that equality holds for infinitely many choices of rational numbers x, y, z.

3. Prove that there are infinitely √

many positive integers n such that n2 + 1 has a
prime factor greater than 2n + 2n.

4. Find all functions f from the positive reals to the positive reals such that

f (w)2 + f (x)2 w2 + x2
=
f (y 2 ) + f (z 2 ) y2 + z2

for all positive real numbers w, x, y, z satisfying wx = yz.

5. Let n and k be positive integers with k ≥ n and k − n an even number. There are
2n lamps labelled 1, 2, . . . , 2n each of which can be either on or off. Initially all
the lamps are off. We consider sequences of steps: at each step one of the lamps is
switched (from on to off or from off to on). Let N be the number of such sequences
consisting of k steps and resulting in the state where lamps 1 through n are all
on, and lamps n + 1 through 2n are all off. Let M be number of such sequences
consisting of k steps, resulting in the state where lamps 1 through n are all on, and
lamps n + 1 through 2n are all off, but where none of the lamps n + 1 through 2n
is ever switched on. Determine M N
.

6. Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral with BA 6= BC. Denote the incircles of

triangles ABC and ADC by ω1 and ω2 respectively. Suppose that there exists a
circle ω tangent to ray BA beyond A and to the ray BC beyond C, which is also
tangent to the lines AD and CD. Prove that the common external tangents to ω1
and ω2 intersect on ω.

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§1 Solutions to Day 1
§1.1 IMO 2008/1, proposed by Andrey Gavrilyuk (RUS)
Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1190553.

Problem statement

Let H be the orthocenter of an acute-angled triangle ABC. The circle ΓA centered

at the midpoint of BC and passing through H intersects the sideline BC at points
A1 and A2 . Similarly, define the points B1 , B2 , C1 , and C2 . Prove that six points
A1 , A2 , B1 , B2 , C1 , C2 are concyclic.

We show two solutions.

¶ First solution using power of a point. Let D, E, F be the centers of ΓA , ΓB , ΓC (in

other words, the midpoints of the sides).
We first show that B1 , B2 , C1 , C2 are concyclic. It suffices to prove that A lies on the
radical axis of the circles ΓB and ΓC .

B1
C1
X

F E

H
C2
B2

B D C

Let X be the second intersection of ΓB and ΓC . Clearly XH is perpendicular to the

line joining the centers of the circles, namely EF . But EF k BC, so XH ⊥ BC. Since
AH ⊥ BC as well, we find that A, X, H are collinear, as needed.
Thus, B1 , B2 , C1 , C2 are concyclic. Similarly, C1 , C2 , A1 , A2 are concyclic, as are A1 ,
A2 , B1 , B2 . Now if any two of these three circles coincide, we are done; else the pairwise
radical axii are not concurrent, contradiction. (Alternatively, one can argue directly that
O is the center of all three circles, by taking the perpendicular bisectors.)

¶ Second solution using length chase (Ritwin Narra). We claim the circumcenter O
of 4ABC is in fact the center of (A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 ).
Define D, E, F as before. Then since OD ⊥ A1 A2 and DA1 = DA2 , which means
OA1 = OA2 . Similarly, we have OB1 = OB2 and OC1 = OC2 .
Now since DA1 = DA2 = DH, we have OA21 = OD2 + HD2 . We seek to show

OD2 + HD2 = OE 2 + HE 2 = OF 2 + HF 2 .

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

This is clear by Appollonius’s Theorem since D, E, and F lie on the nine-point circle,
which is centered at the midpoint of OH.

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§1.2 IMO 2008/2, proposed by Walther Janous (AUT)

Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1190551.

Problem statement

Let x, y, z be real numbers with xyz = 1, all different from 1. Prove that

x2 y2 z2
+ + ≥1
(x − 1)2 (y − 1)2 (z − 1)2

and show that equality holds for infinitely many choices of rational numbers x, y, z.

Let x = a/b, y = b/c, z = c/a, so we want to show

 2  2  2
a b c
+ + ≥ 1.
a−b b−c c−a

A very boring computation shows this is equivalent to

(a2 b + b2 c + c2 a − 3abc)2
≥0
(a − b)2 (b − c)2 (c − a)2

which proves the inequality (and it is unsurprising we are in such a situation, given that
there is an infinite curve of rationals).
For equality, it suffices to show there are infinitely many integer solutions to
a b c
a2 b + b2 c + c2 a = 3abc ⇐⇒ + + =3
c a a
or equivalently that there are infinitely many rational solutions to
1
u+v+ = 3.
uv
For any 0 6= u ∈ Q the real solution for u is
p
−u + (u − 1) 1 − 4/u + 3
v=
2
and there are certainly infinitely many rational numbers u for which 1 − 4/u is a rational
square (say, u = q2−4
−1
for q 6= ±1 a rational number).

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§1.3 IMO 2008/3, proposed by Kęstutis Česnavičius (LTU)

Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1190546.

Problem statement

Prove that there are infinitely

√ many positive integers n such that n + 1 has a prime
2

factor greater than 2n + 2n.

The idea is to pick the prime p first! √ 

Select any large prime p ≥ 2013, and let h = p . We will try to find an n such that

1
n ≤ (p − h) and p | n2 + 1.
2
√ √
This implies p ≥ 2n + p which is enough to ensure p ≥ 2n + 2n.
Assume p ≡ 1 (mod 8) henceforth. Then there exists some 12 p < x < p such that
x ≡ −1 (mod p), and we set
2
p+1
x= + t.
2

Claim — We have t ≥ h−1

2 and hence may take n = p − x.

Proof. Assume for contradiction this is false; then

0 ≡ 4(x2 + 1) (mod p)
= (p + 1 + 2t)2 + 4
≡ (2t + 1)2 + 4 (mod p)
2
<h +4
√ 2
So we have that (2t + 1)2 + 4 is positive and divisible by p, yet at most p + 4 < 2p.
So it must be the case that (2t + 1) + 4 = p, but this has no solutions modulo 8.
2

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§2 Solutions to Day 2
§2.1 IMO 2008/4, proposed by Hojoo Lee (KOR)
Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1191683.

Problem statement

Find all functions f from the positive reals to the positive reals such that

f (w)2 + f (x)2 w 2 + x2
=
f (y 2 ) + f (z 2 ) y2 + z2

for all positive real numbers w, x, y, z satisfying wx = yz.

The answers are f (x) ≡ x and f (x) ≡ 1/x. These work, so we show they are the only
ones.
First,
√ √ setting (t, t, t, t) gives f (t2 ) = f (t)2 . In particular, f (1) = 1. Next, setting
(t, 1, t, t) gives
f (t)2 + 1 t2 + 1
=
2f (t) 2t
which as a quadratic implies f (t) ∈ {t, 1/t}.
√ √ √
Now assume f (a) = a and f (b) = 1/b. Setting ( a, b, 1, ab) gives

a + 1/b a+b
= .
f (ab) + 1 ab + 1

One can check the two cases on f (ab) each imply a = 1 and b = 1 respectively. Hence
the only answers are those claimed.

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§2.2 IMO 2008/5, proposed by Bruno Le Floch and Ilia Smilga (FRA)
Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1191679.

Problem statement

Let n and k be positive integers with k ≥ n and k − n an even number. There are
2n lamps labelled 1, 2, . . . , 2n each of which can be either on or off. Initially all
the lamps are off. We consider sequences of steps: at each step one of the lamps is
switched (from on to off or from off to on). Let N be the number of such sequences
consisting of k steps and resulting in the state where lamps 1 through n are all
on, and lamps n + 1 through 2n are all off. Let M be number of such sequences
consisting of k steps, resulting in the state where lamps 1 through n are all on, and
lamps n + 1 through 2n are all off, but where none of the lamps n + 1 through 2n is
ever switched on. Determine M N
.

The answer is 2k−n .

Consider the following map Ψ from N -sequences to M -sequences:

• change every instance of n + 1 to 1;

• change every instance of n + 2 to 2;

..
.

• change every instance of 2n to n.

(For example, suppose k = 9, n = 3; then 144225253 7→ 111222223.)

Clearly this is map is well-defined and surjective. So all that remains is:

Claim — Every M -sequence has exactly 2k−n pre-images under Ψ.

Proof. Indeed, suppose that there are c1 instances of lamp 1. Then we want to pick an
odd subset of the 1’s to change to n + 1’s, so 2c1 −1 ways to do this. And so on. Hence
the number of pre-images is Y
2ci −1 = 2k−n .
i

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IMO 2008 Solution Notes web.evanchen.cc, updated 15 December 2024

§2.3 IMO 2008/6, proposed by Vladimir Shmarov (RUS)

Available online at https://aops.com/community/p1191671.

Problem statement

Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral with BA 6= BC. Denote the incircles of

triangles ABC and ADC by ω1 and ω2 respectively. Suppose that there exists a
circle ω tangent to ray BA beyond A and to the ray BC beyond C, which is also
tangent to the lines AD and CD. Prove that the common external tangents to ω1
and ω2 intersect on ω.

By the external version of Pitot theorem, the existence of ω implies that

BA + AD = CB + CD.

Let P Q and ST be diameters of ω1 and ω2 with P, T ∈ AC. Then the length relation on
ABCD implies that P and T are reflections about the midpoint of AC.
Now orient AC horizontally and let K be the “uppermost” point of ω, as shown.

A T C
P

S D

K X

W
Y

Consequently, a homothety at B maps Q, T , K to each other (since T is the uppermost

of the excircle, Q of the incircle). Similarly, a homothety at D maps P , S, K to each
other. As P Q and ST are parallel diameters it then follows K is the exsimilicenter of ω1
and ω2 .