Proof and Example

This category emphasizes the core mathematical activities of constructing rigorous arguments (proofs) to establish general truths, and using specific instances (examples) to illustrate concepts, test conjectures, or find counterexamples. Questions may ask for either or both.

• Question

  The numbers `1`, `2`, `3`, ..., `9` are divided into `3` sets. Prove that there is a set where the product of the numbers is greater than or equal to `72`.

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  Topics:

  Number Theory Combinatorics -> Pigeonhole Principle Algebra -> Inequalities Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction

• Question

  Shlomi has a chessboard and a cube whose face size is the same as the size of a square on the board. Shlomi wants to paint the faces of the cube black and white, and then roll the cube across the board so that each time the face touching the board is the same color as the square it touches. The cube is supposed to pass through each square on the board exactly once. Can Shlomi do this? Justify or provide an example.

  Topics:

  Combinatorics -> Combinatorial Geometry Combinatorics -> Graph Theory Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Combinatorics -> Colorings -> Chessboard Coloring

• Question

  Given natural numbers m, n such that `m/n <= sqrt 23`, prove that `m/n+3/{mn} <= sqrt 23`

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  Topics:

  Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic Algebra -> Inequalities Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Algebra -> Algebraic Techniques -> Roots / Radicals
  Sources:
  • Mink Exercises and Additional Competition Materials, 2018-2019, Exercise 3 Question 4

• Question

  Is there a solution in natural numbers to the equation `x^2 + 12 = y^3` such that

  a. x is even (easier)

  b. x is odd

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  Topics:

  Number Theory -> Prime Numbers Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd) Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Arithmetic -> Division with Remainder Algebra -> Equations -> Diophantine Equations
  Sources:
  • Mink Exercises and Additional Competition Materials, 2018-2019, Exercise 3 Question 6

• Toys

  Jonathan has a collection of wooden toys. Some are cubes and some are spheres, some are red and some are blue.

  It is known that there are more spheres than cubes, and it is known that there are more blue toys than red toys.

  Prove that Jonathan has a blue sphere.

  Topics:

  Combinatorics -> Pigeonhole Principle Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction
  Sources:
  • Young Mathematician Olympiad, 2017-2018, Final, Grades 3-4 Question 1

• Quiz

  In a class of 25 students, a quiz was given consisting of 7 questions. Prove that at least one of the following two statements is true:

  1. There is a student who solved an odd number of questions.
  2. There is a question that was solved by an even number of students.
  Topics:

  Combinatorics -> Pigeonhole Principle Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd) Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction
  Sources:
  • Young Mathematician Olympiad, 2017-2018, Final, Grades 5-6 Question 5

• Circle of Liars - The Truth Claim

  In a circle, `n` people are seated, each of whom is either a liar or a truth-teller.

  The people are looking towards the center of the circle. A liar always lies, and a truth-teller always tells the truth.

  Each of the people knows exactly who is a liar and who is a truth-teller.

  Each of the people says that the person sitting two places to their left (that is, next to the person sitting next to them), is a truth-teller.

  It is known that in the circle there is at least one liar, and at least one truth-teller.

  a. Is it possible that `n = 2017`?

  b. Is it possible that `n = 5778`?

  (Solution format: "word, word" for example "cat, puppy")

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  Topics:

  Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd) Combinatorics -> Case Analysis / Checking Cases -> Processes / Procedures Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Logic -> Truth-tellers and Liars Problems
  Sources:
  • Gillis Mathematical Olympiad, 2017-2018 Question 1

• Cyclic Quadrilaterals

  Given two triangles ACE, BDF
  intersecting at 6 points: G,H,I,J,K,L
  as shown in the figure. It is given that in each of the quadrilaterals
  EFGI, DELH, CDKG, BCJL, ABIK a circle can be inscribed.
  Is it possible that a circle can also be inscribed in quadrilateral FAHJ?
  

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  Topics:

  Geometry -> Solid Geometry / Geometry in Space Geometry -> Plane Geometry -> Circles Algebra -> Equations Algebra -> Inequalities Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Geometry -> Plane Geometry -> Angle Calculation
  Sources:
  • Gillis Mathematical Olympiad, 2019-2020 Question 5

• Factoring and Using the Formula

  An interesting formula is `x^n-1=(x-1)(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)`.

  A: Use it to factor the expression `a^n-b^n`.

  B: Factor the expression `a^n+b^n` for any odd integer n.

  C: Prove that if `2^n-1` is prime, then n is also prime.

  D: Prove that if `2^n+1` is prime, then n is necessarily a power of 2, which is equivalent to `n=2^m`

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  Topics:

  Algebra -> Algebraic Techniques Number Theory -> Prime Numbers -> Prime Factorization Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction
  Sources:
  • Junior Science Team Exercises, 2024-2025, Assignment 1 Question 4

• Finite Division

  Find all integers x, y, z, w that satisfy `x^2+y^2=3z^2+3w^2 `.

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  Topics:

  Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic Proof and Example -> Proof by Contradiction Algebra -> Equations -> Diophantine Equations
  Sources:
  • Junior Science Team Exercises, 2024-2025, Assignment 1 Question 5