Math

Kang Yan Lau and Liu Xiaodong

12 Aug 2022

1 Ant Tea
1. Prove that all integers n ≥ 6 can be a sum of 2 coprime integers ≥ 2.
2. Find all primes p for which p2 − p + 1 is a perfect cube.

2 Johm
1. Quadrilateral ABCD is convex. The internal angle bisectors of ∠BAC and
∠BDC meet at P . If ∠AP B = ∠CP D, show that AB + BD = AC + CD.
2. ABCD is a parallelogram. The bisector of obtuse ∠BAD meets CD at E.
F is on ray CD such that ∠F BA = ∠EBC. Lines AD, BE meet at G. P is on
the opposite side of CD from B such that ∠DBA = ∠P BC, and F P = F C.
Show that P F DG is a parallelogram.

3 Comb bee
1. How many different 4 by 4 arrays whose entries are all 1 and -1 have the
property such that the sum of the entries in each row is 0 and the sum of the
entries in each column is 0
2. Prove that in any set of 51 points inside a unit square, there are always three
points that can be covered by a circle of radius 17 .

4 El Zebra
1. If a, b are positive real numbers, prove that
r
a2 + ab + b2 √
+ ab ≤ a + b
3
2. If a2022 = ac − 1 and b2022 = bc − 1 where a ̸= b ̸= c ∈ R+ , prove that
1
(ab)2022 <
20212

1
5 Solutions
N1. Prove that all integers n ≥ 6 can be a sum of 2 coprime integers ≥ 2.

Solution:
n is odd: Sum of 2 consecutive numbers
n = n−1
2 + 2
n+1

n ≡ 0 mod 4: Sum of 2 consecutive odd numbers

n = ( n2 − 1) + ( n2 + 1)

n ≡ 2 mod 4: Sum of 2 odd numbers differing by 4

n = ( n2 − 2) + ( n2 + 2)

C1. How many different 4 by 4 arrays whose entries are all 1 and -1 have the
property such that the sum of the entries in each row is 0 and the sum of the
entries in each column is 0.

Solution:
The answer is 90. Each row and each column must have exactly 2 entries of 1
and 2 entries of -1.
Hence, each row must be one of the following:
(+ + - -), (+ - + -), (+ - - +), (- + + -), (- + - +), (- - + +)
Label these possibilities A, B, C, D, E, F in that order.
The 4x4 matrices must be made up of a permutation of 4 rows, each one being
one of these 6 types A thru F.
If all 4 rows are distinct, we must remove 2 rows from the 6 to use the
remaining 4, such that the sum of the 2 removed rows is (0 0 0 0) since the sum
of all 6 is (0 0 0 0).
Thus we must remove (A,F) or (B,E) or (C,D) only. Then we permute the 4
distinct rows remaining. So there are 3 × 4! = 72 matrices.
If 2 of the rows are identical, the other two must also be identical, to fulfill the
criteria.
So the 2 kinds of rows we use must add up to [+ + + +], thus there are only 3
possibilities: (AAFF), (BBEE), or (CCDD). Then we permute them, so there
4!
are 3 × 2!2! = 18 matrices.
Adding them up, we get
4!
3 × 4! + 3 × = 90
(2!)(2!)

2
C2. Prove that in any set of 51 points inside a unit square, there are always
three points that can be covered by a circle of radius 17 .

Solution:
Divide the unit square into 25 smaller squares each with side length 15 .
By Pigeonhole Principle, there must exist one small square where there are ≥ 3
points.
This square of side length 15 can be completely covered in a circle of radius 71
q
2
since the diagonal of this square has length 25 < 72

N2. Find all primes p for which p2 − p + 1 is a perfect cube.

Solution:
p = 19 only.
Set p2 − p + 1 = a3 where a is a positive integer. Clearly, a > 1 as otherwise
p =1 or 0 which is absurd.

p2 − p = a3 − 1

p(p − 1) = (a − 1)(a2 + a + 1)
So the largest power of p dividing (a − 1)(a2 + a + 1) is p.
Thus p|a − 1 or p|a2 + a + 1.
If p|a − 1, then a − 1 ≥ p, implying a2 + a + 1 ≤ p − 1 since
(a − 1)(a2 + a + 1) = p(p − 1). But then a ≥ p + 1 so
a2 + a + 1 ≥ p2 + 3p + 3 > p − 1 →←

Else, p|a2 + a + 1 so a2 + a + 1 = kp and a − 1 = p−1k where k is a positive

integer.
From a − 1 = p−1k , we know p = ak − k + 1 so
a2 + a + 1 = kp implies a2 + a + 1 = ak 2 − k 2 + k so

a2 − a(k 2 − 1) + (k 2 − k + 1) = 0
2
√
The quadratic formula states a = k −1± 2
D
where
2 2 2
D = (k − 1) − 4(k − k + 1)(1)
Since a is a positive integer, D must be a perfect square.
D = k 4 − 6k 2 + 4k − 3, notice

(k 2 − 3)2 < k 4 − 6k 2 + 4k − 3 < (k 2 − 2)2

for k ≥ 4, so D cannot be a perfect square. Thus k = 1, 2, or 3.
Solving each case, we get (a, k) = (1,1) or (7,3) only. Since a ̸= 1 we must have
(a, p) = (7, 19).

3
G1. Quadrilateral ABCD is convex. The internal angle bisectors of ∠BAC
and ∠BDC meet at P . If ∠AP B = ∠CP D, show that AB + BD = AC + CD.

Solution:
Let B ′ and C ′ be reflections of B and C about AP and DP respectively.
∠BP C ′ = ∠BP B ′ − ∠C ′ P B ′ = 2∠AP B − ∠C ′ P B ′ = 2∠CP D − ∠C ′ P B ′ =
∠CP C ′ − ∠C ′ P B ′ = ∠CP B ′ (A)
BP = B ′ P (S)
C ′ P = CP (S)
Hence by SAS, △BP C ′ ≡ △B ′ P C. Thus BC ′ = B ′ C

BC ′ = BD − C ′ D = BD − CD and CB ′ = AC − AB ′ = AC − AB, so
BC ′ = CB ′ ⇒ BD − CD = AC − AB ⇒ AB + BD = AC + CD

A1. If a, b are positive real numbers, prove that

r
a2 + ab + b2 √
+ ab ≤ a + b
3

Solution:
Let x = a + b and y 2 = ab. By AM-GM, x ≥ y, so x − y ≥ 0. If x − y = 0, then
a = b and the result is obvious.
Else, x − y > 0, then:
r r r
a2 + ab + b2 √ (a + b)2 − ab √ x2 − y 2
+ ab = + ab = +y
3 3 3
So we want to show
r
x2 − y 2
≤a+b−y =x−y
3

x2 − y 2 ≤ 3(x − y)2

(x − y)(x + y) ≤ 3(x − y)2

x + y ≤ 3(x − y)

√ √
a+b+ ab ≤ 3(a + b − ab)
√
4 ab ≤ 2(a + b)
which is true by AM-GM.

4
A2. If a2022 = ac − 1 and b2022 = bc − 1 where a ̸= b ̸= c ∈ R+ , prove that
1
(ab)2022 <
20212

Solution:
Since c does not appear in the inequality that we must prove, it is probably a
useless variable. We get rid of c.
WLOG a > b
a2022 = ac − 1 and b2022 = bc − 1 implies

a2022 + 1 a
2022
=
b +1 b

a2022 b − ab2022 = a − b
ab(a2021 − b2021 ) = (a − b)
ab(a − b)(a2020 + a2019 b + a2018 b2 + ... + ab2019 + b2020 ) = a − b
ab(a2020 + a2019 b + a2018 b2 + ... + ab2019 + b2020 ) = 1
(ab)2 (a2020 + a2019 b + a2018 b2 + ... + ab2019 + b2020 )2 = 1

...(1)

By AM-GM,

(a2020 + a2019 b + a2018 b2 + ... + ab2019 + b2020 )

= (a2020 + b2020 ) + (a2019 b + ab2019 ) + (a2018 b2 + a2 b2018 ) + ... + (a1010 b1010 )

> (2a1010 b1010 ) + (2a1010 b1010 ) + (2a1010 b1010 ) + ... + (a1010 b1010 ) = 2021(ab)1010
...(2)
The inequality is strict because equality case is a = b which is false.
Combining (1) and (2),

1 > (ab)2 [2021(ab)1010 ]2 = 20212 (ab)2022

1
Thus, (ab)2022 < 20212

5
G2. ABCD is a parallelogram. The bisector of obtuse ∠BAD meets CD at E.
F is on ray CD such that ∠F BA = ∠EBC. Lines AD, BE meet at G. P is on
the opposite side of CD from B such that ∠DBA = ∠P BC, and F P = F C.
Show that P F DG is a parallelogram.

Solution:
Claim 1: F C=DG.
Proof: ∠DAE = ∠BAE = ∠DEA, so DA = DE.
∠GDE = ∠BCF
∠EGD = ∠EBC = ∠F BA = ∠BF C
DE = DA = CB
So by AAS, △DEG ≡ △CBF , thus DG = CF

Let X be a point such that F X//DG and XG = F D. Hence XF DG is a

parallelogram, thus F X = DG = F C. We will prove that ∠DBA = ∠XBC.
This will mean X fulfills all the requirements of P , meaning X = P and thus
P F DG is a parallelogram.

Claim 2: ∠DBF = ∠XBE

Proof: Denote Y as the intersection of BF and AG.
Since △DEG ≡ △CBF , we know ∠EF B = ∠Y GB.
So, △F Y D ∼ △GED, thus YF D GD
D = ED , so △F DG ∼ △Y DE, thus
FD
YD = FG
YE.

...(1)

Now, ∠EF B = ∠Y GB implies △BEF ∼ △BY G, so ∠BEF = ∠BY G and

BE BY
BF = BG . The length condition means △BGF ∼ △BY E since
BG
∠EBY = ∠F BG. Thus, BY = YF G
E . Then
(A) ∠BGX = ∠BEF = ∠BY G = ∠BY D
BG
(S) BY = YF G FD GX
E = Y D = Y D by (1)
These 2 conditions imply △BY D ∼ △BGX, so ∠XBG = ∠DY B, so
∠XBE = ∠DBF .

By this result, ∠DBA = ∠DBF + ∠F BA = ∠XBE + ∠EBC = ∠XBC.

Since X fulfills
(1) ∠DBA = ∠XBC, and
(2) F X = F C
X = P . But XF DG is defined to be a parallelogram already, so P F DG is
indeed a parallelogram.

*Note: Claim 2 can be shown in much fewer steps by considering the fact that
F Y EG is cyclic. Cyclic geometry will be covered only in Senior Team.

6
G1 Diagram

G2 Diagram
Level 1
Prove that all integers n ≥ 6 can be a sum of 2 coprime integers ≥ 2.

7
Level 2
How many different 4 by 4 arrays whose entries are all 1 and -1 have the
property such that the sum of the entries in each row is 0 and the sum of the
entries in each column is 0.

8
Level 3
Prove that in any set of 51 points inside a unit square, there are always three
points that can be covered by a circle of radius 17 .

9
Level 4
Find all primes p for which p2 − p + 1 is a perfect cube.

10
Level 5
Quadrilateral ABCD is convex. The internal angle bisectors of ∠BAC and
∠BDC meet at P . If ∠AP B = ∠CP D, show that AB + BD = AC + CD.

11
Level 6
If a, b are positive real numbers, prove that
r
a2 + ab + b2 √
+ ab ≤ a + b
3

12
Level 7
If a2022 = ac − 1 and b2022 = bc − 1 where a ̸= b ̸= c ∈ R+ , prove that
1
(ab)2022 <
20212

13
Level 8
ABCD is a parallelogram. The bisector of obtuse ∠BAD meets CD at E. F is
on ray CD such that ∠F BA = ∠EBC. Lines AD, BE meet at G. P is on the
opposite side of CD from B such that ∠DBA = ∠P BC, and F P = F C. Show
that P F DG is a parallelogram.

14