Given a stick of length 1, we choose two points at random and break it into three pieces. Compute the probability that these three pieces form an acute triangle.
Category Archives: problem
2018-09 Sum of digits
For a positive integer \( n \), let \( S(n) \) be the sum of all decimal digits in \( n \), i.e., if \( n = n_1 n_2 \dots n_m \) is the decimal expansion of \( n \), then \( S(n) = n_1 + n_2 + \dots + n_m \). Find all positive integers \( n \) and \( r \) such that \( (S(n))^r = S(n^r) \).
2018-08 Large LCM
Let \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(\ldots\), \(a_m\) be distinct positive integers. Prove that if \(m>2\sqrt{N}\), then there exist \(i\), \(j\) such that the least common multiple of \(a_i\) and \(a_j\) is greater than \(N\).
2018-07 A tridiagonal matrix
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 \( S \).
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.