Let \( S \) be an \( (n+1) \times (n+1) \) matrix defined by
\[
S_{ij} = \begin{cases}
(n+1)-i & \text{ if } j=i+1, \\
i-1 & \text{ if } j=i-1, \\
0 & \text{ otherwise. }
\end{cases}
\]
Find all eigenvalues of \( S \).
Category Archives: problem
2018-06 Product of diagonals
Let \(A_1,A_2,A_3,\ldots,A_n\) be the vertices of a regular \(n\)-gon on the unit circle. Evaluate \(\prod_{i=2}^n A_1A_i\). (Here, \(A_1A_i\) denotes the length of the line segment.)
2018-05 Roulette
A gambler is playing roulette and betting $1 on black each time. The probability of winning $1 is 18/38, and the probability of losing $1 is 20/38. Find the probability that starting with $20 the player reaches $40 before losing the money.
2018-04 An inequality
Let \(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n\) be reals such that \(x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n=n\) and \(x_1^2+x_2^2+\cdots +x_n^2=n+1\). What is the maximum of \(x_1x_2+x_2x_3+x_3x_4+\cdots + x_{n-1}x_n+x_nx_1\)?
2018-03 Integers from square roots
Find all integers \( n \) such that \( \sqrt{1} + \sqrt{2} + \dots + \sqrt{n} \) is an integer.
2018-02 Impossible to squeeze
For \(n\ge 1\), let \(f(x)=x^n+\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} a_k x^k \) be a polynomial with real coefficients. Prove that if \(f(x)>0\) for all \(x\in [-2,2]\), then \(f(x)\ge 4\) for some \(x\in [-2,2]\).
2018-01 Recurrence relation
Define a sequence \( \{ a_n \} \) by \( a_1 = a \) and
\[
a_n = \frac{2n-1}{n-1} a_{n-1} -1
\]
for \( n \geq 2 \). Find all real values of \( a \) such that \( \lim_{n \to \infty} a_n \) exists.
2017-22 Debugging
Let \(p\), \(q\), \(r\) be positive integers such that \(p,q\ge r\). Ada and Betty independently read all source codes of their programming project. Ada found \(p\) bugs and Betty found \(q\) bugs, including \(r\) bugs that Ada found. What is the expected number of remaining bugs that neither Ada nor Betty found?
2017-21 Maclaurin series
Prove or disprove the following statement: There exists a function whose Maclaurin series converges at only one point.
2017-20 Convergence of a series
Determine whether or not the following infinite series converges. \[ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{ 1 }{2^{2n}} \binom{2n}{n}.\]