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1.
Find the smallest natural number with 6 as the last digit, such that if the
final 6 is moved to the front of the number it is multiplied by 4.
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Solution We have 4(10n+6) = 6.10m
+ n, where n has m digits. So 13n + 8 = 2.10m. Hence n = 2n‘ and
13n’ = 10m - 4. Dividing, we quickly find that the smallest n‘,
m satisfying this are: n’=7692, m=5. Hence the answer is 153846.
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2.
Find all real x satisfying: Ö(3 - x) - Ö(x + 1) > 1/2.
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Solution It is easy to show that the inequality implies |x-1|
> Ö31/8, so x > 1 + Ö31/8, or x < 1 - Ö31/8. But
the converse is not true.
Indeed, we easily see that x > 1 implies the lhs < 0. Also care is
needed to ensure that the expressions under the root signs are not
negative, which implies -1 <= x <= 3. Putting this together, suggests
the solution is -1 <= x < 1 - Ö31/8, which we can easily
check.
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3.
The cube ABCDA‘B’C‘D’ has upper face ABCD and lower face A‘B’C‘D’ with A
directly above A‘ and so on. The point x moves at constant speed along the
perimeter of ABCD, and the point Y moves at the same speed along the
perimeter of B’C‘CB. X leaves A towards B at the same moment as Y leaves B’
towards C‘. What is the locus of the midpoint of XY?
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Solution The rhombus WXCZ, where
W is the midpoint of AB’, X is the midpoint of BC‘, and Z is the midpoint
of BD’.
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4.
Find all real solutions to cos2x + cos22x + cos23x
= 1.
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Solution Put c = cos x, and use
cos3x = 4c3 - 3c, cos 2x = 2 c2 - 1. We find the
equation given is equivalent to c = 0, c2 = 1/2 or c2
= 3/4. Hence x = pi/2, 3pi/2, pi/4, 3pi/4, pi/6, 5pi/6 or any multiple of
pi plus one of these.
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5.
Given three distinct points A, B, C on a circle K, construct a point D on K,
such that a circle can be inscribed in ABCD.
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Solution The key is to notice
that if O is the center of the inscribed circle, then angle AOC = 270 -
angle ABC (chase a few angles around and use the fact that opposite angles
in a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180). So O must be the intersection of the
arc AC and the angle bisector of angle ABC. To prove the construction
possible we use the fact that a quadrilateral ABCD has an inscribed circle
iff AB + CD = BC + AD. For D near C on the circumcircle of ABC we have AB +
CD < BC + AD, whilst for D near A we have AB + CD > BC + AD, so as D
moves continuously along the circumcircle there must be a point with equality.
[Proof that the condition is sufficient: it is clearly necessary (use fact
that tangents from a point are of equal length). So take a circle touching
AB, BC and AD and let the other tangent from C (not BC) meet AD in D‘. Then
CD’ - CD = AD‘ - AD, hence D’=D.]
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6.
The radius of the circumcircle of an isosceles triangle is R and the radius
of its inscribed circle is r. Prove that the distance between the two centers
is Ö(R(R - 2r)).
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Solution Let the triangle be ABC with
AB = AC, let the incenter be I and the circumcenter O. Let the distance IO
be d, taking d positive if O is closer to A than I, negative if I is
closer. Let the angle OAB be q.
Then r = (R + d) sin q, and r + d = R cos 2q. It helps to draw a figure to check that
this remains true for the various possible configurations. Using cos 2q = 1 - 2 sin2q, we find
that (d + R + r)(d2 - R(R - 2r)) = 0. But OI < OA, so d is
not - R - r. Hence result.
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7.
Prove that a regular tetrahedron has five distinct spheres each tangent to
its six extended edges. Conversely, prove that if a tetrahedron has five such
spheres then it is regular.
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Solution First part is obvious. The wrong way to do the second
part is to start looking for the locus of the center of a sphere which
touches three edges. The key is to notice that the tangents to a sphere
from a given point have the same length.
Let the tetrahedron be A1A2A3A4.
Let S be the sphere inside the tetrahedron, S1 the tetrahedron
opposite A1, and so on. Let the tangents to S from Ai
have length ai. Then the side AiAj has
length ai+aj. Now consider the tangents to S1
from A1. Their lengths are a1 + 2a2, a1
+ 2a3, and a1 + 2a4. Hence a2 =
a3 = a4. Similarly, considering S2, we
have that a1 = a3 = a4.
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