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Let $n$ be a positive integer, and for $1\le k\le n$, let $S_k$ be the sum of the products of $1, \frac{1}{2}, \cdots, \frac{1}{n}$, taken $k$ a time ($k^{th}$ elementary symmetric polynomial). Find $S_1 + S_2 + \cdots +S_n$.

If the product of two roots of polynomial $x^4 - 18x^3 + kx^2 + 200x - 1984 = 0$ is $- 32$. Find the value of $k$.

Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with degree 2008 and leading coeffi\u000ecient 1 such that $P(0) = 2007, P(1) = 2006, P(2) = 2005, \cdots, P(2007) = 0$. Determine the value of $P(2008)$. You may use factorials in your answer.

Let $a$ and $b$ be the two roots of $x^2 - 3x -1=0$. Try to solve the following problems without computing $a$ and $b$: 1) Find a quadratic equation whose roots are $a^2$ and $b^2$ 2) Find the value of $\frac{1}{a+1}+\frac{1}{b+1}$ 3) Find the recursion relationship of $x_n=a^n + b^n$ Find as many different solutions as possible.

Three of the roots of $x^4 + ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ are $2$, $−3$, and $5$. Find the value of $a + b + c$.

In $\triangle{ABC}$, let $a$, $b$, and $c$ be the lengths of sides opposite to $\angle{A}$, $\angle{B}$ and $\angle{C}$, respectively. $D$ is a point on side $AB$ satisfying $BC=DC$. If $AD=d$, show that $$c+d=2\cdot b\cdot\cos{A}\quad\text{and}\quad c\cdot d = b^2-a^2$$

Suppose $a_1$, $b_1$, $c_1$, $a_2$, $b_2$, and $c_2$ are all positive real numbers. If both $a_1x^2 +b_1x+c_1=0$ and $a_2x^2+b_2x+c_2=$ are solvable in real numbers. Show that their roots must be all negative. Furthermore, prove equation $a_1a_2x^2+b_1b_2x+c_1c_2=0$ has two negative real roots too.

Let $x$, $y$, and $z$ be real numbers satisfying $x=6-y$ and $z^2=xy-9$. Show that $x=y$.

Let $\alpha_n$ and $\beta_n$ be two roots of equation $x^2+(2n+1)x+n^2=0$ where $n$ is a positive integer. Evaluate the following expression $$\frac{1}{(\alpha_3+1)(\beta_3+1)}+\frac{1}{(\alpha_4+1)(\beta_4+1)}+\cdots+\frac{1}{(\alpha_{20}+1)(\beta_{20}+1)}$$

Let real numbers $a$, $b$, and $c$ satisfy $$\left\{ \begin{array}{rcl} a^2 - bc-8a +7&=&0\\ b^2 + c^2 +bc-6a+6&=&0 \end{array} \right.$$ Show that $1 \le a \le 9$.

Find one real solution $(a, b, c, d)$ to the following system: $$\left\{ \begin{array}{rcl} a+b+c+d&=&-2\\ ab+ac+ad+bc+bd+cd&=&-3\\ abc+abd+acd+bcd&=&4\\ abcd&=&3 \end{array} \right.$$

If $m^2 = m+1, n^2-n=1$ and $m\ne n$, compute $m^7 +n^7$.

Find the range of real number $a$ if the two roots of $x^2+2ax+6-a=0$ satisfy one of the following condition: - two roots are both greater than 1 - one root is greater than 1 and the other is less than 1

Solve equation $(6x+7)^2(3x+4)(x+1)=6$ in real numbers.

If $x^2 + 11x+16=0, y^2 + 11y+16=0$, and $x\ne y$, what is the value of $$\sqrt{\frac{x}{y}}-\sqrt{\frac{y}{x}}$$

Let $x_1$ and $x_2$ be two real roots of $x^2-x-1=0$. Find the value of $2x_1^5 + 5x_2^3$.

Find integer $m$ such that the equation $x^2+mx-m+1=0$ has two positive integer roots.

Let $\alpha$ and $\beta$ be two real roots of $x^4 +k=3x^2$ and also satisfy $\alpha + \beta = 2$. Find the value of $k$.

Determine all roots, real or complex, of the following system \begin{align} x+y+z &= 3\\ x^2+y^2+z^2 &= 3\\ x^3+y^3+z^3 &= 3 \end{align}

Let $r_1, \cdots, r_5$ be the roots of the polynomial $x^5 + 5x^4 - 79x^3 +64x^2 + 60x+144$. What is $r_1^2 +\cdots + r_5^2$?

Find all pairs of real numbers $(a, b)$ so that there exists a polynomial $P(x)$ with real coefficients and $P(P(x))=x^4-8x^3+ax^2+bx+40$.

The curve $y=x^4+2x^3-11x^2-13x+35$ has a bitangent (a line tangent to the curve at two points). What is the equation of this bitangent line.

The sum of two positive integers is $2310$. Show that their product is not divisible by $2310$.

Let real numbers $a, b, c, d$ satisfy $$\left\{ \begin{array}{ccl} ax+by&=3\\ ax^2+by^2&=7\\ ax^3+by^3&=16\\ ax^4 + by^4 &=42 \end{array} \right.$$ Find $ax^5+by^5$.

Let real numbers $a$, $b$, and $c$ satisfy $a+b+c=2$ and $abc=4$. Find
• the minimal value of the largest among $a$, $b$, and $c$.
• the minimal value of $\mid a\mid +\mid b \mid +\mid c \mid$.