Determine the minimum number of hyperplanes in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) that do not contain the origin but they together cover all points in \(\{0,1\}^n\) except the origin.
Category Archives: problem
2023-02 The fourth power of a real function
Let \(f(x)\) be a degree 100 real polynomial. What is the largest possible number of negative coefficients of \((f(x))^4\)?
2023-01 An integral sequence (again)
Suppose \( a_1, a_2, \dots, a_{2023} \) are real numbers such that
\[
a_1^3 + a_2^3 + \dots + a_n^3 = (a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_n)^2
\]
for any \( n = 1, 2, \dots, 2023 \). Prove or disprove that \( a_n \) is an integer for any \( n = 1, 2, \dots, 2023 \).
2022-24 Hey, who turned out the lights?
There are light bulbs \(\ell_1,\dots, \ell_n\) controlled by the switches \(s_1, \dots, s_n\). The \(i\)th switch flips the status of the \(i\)th light and possibly others as well. If \(s_i\) flips the status of \(\ell_j\), then \(s_j\) flips the status of \(\ell_i\). All lights are initially off. Prove that it is possible to turn all the lights on.
2022-23 The number of eigenvalues of 8 by 8 matrices
Let \(A\) be an 8 by 8 integral unimodular matrix. Moreover, assume that for each \( x \in \mathbb{Z}^8 \), we have \(x^{\top} A x \) is even. What is the possible number of positive eigenvalues for \(A\)?
2022-22 An integral sequence
Define a sequence \( a_n \) by \( a_1 = 1 \) and
\[
a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{n} \left( 1 + \sum_{k=1}^n a_k^2 \right)
\]
for any \( n \geq 1 \). Prove or disprove that \( a_n \) is an integer for all \( n \geq 1 \).
2022-21 A determinant of greatest common divisors
Let \(\varphi(x)\) be the Euler’s totient function. Let \(S = \{a_1,\dots, a_n\}\) be a set of positive integers such that for any \(a_i\), all of its positive divisors are also in \(S\). Let \(A\) be the matrix with entries \(A_{i,j} = gcd(a_i,a_j)\) being the greatest common divisors of \(a_i\) and \(a_j\). Prove that \(\det(A) = \prod_{i=1}^{n} \varphi(a_i)\).
2022-20 4 by 4 symmetric integral matrices
Let \(S\) be the set of all 4 by 4 integral positive-definite symmetric unimodular matrices. Define an equivalence relation \( \sim \) on \(S\) such that for any \( A,B \in S\), we have \(A \sim B\) if and only if \(PAP^\top = B\) for some integral unimodular matrix \(P\). Determine \(S ~/\sim \).
2022-19 Inequality for twice differentiable functions
Let \( f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \) be a twice differentiable function satisfying \( f(0) = 0 \) and \( 0 \leq f'(x) \leq 1 \). Prove that
\[ \left( \int_0^1 f(x) dx \right)^2 \geq \int_0^1 [f(x)]^3 dx. \]
2022-18 A sum of the number of factorizations
Let \(a(n)\) be the number of unordered factorizations of \(n\) into divisors larger than \(1\). Prove that \(\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{a(n)}{n^2} = 1\).
