Problems

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For each pair of real numbers \(a\) and \(b\), consider the sequence of numbers \(p_n = \lfloor 2 \{an + b\}\rfloor\). Any \(k\) consecutive terms of this sequence will be called a word. Is it true that any ordered set of zeros and ones of length \(k\) is a word of the sequence given by some \(a\) and \(b\) for \(k = 4\); when \(k = 5\)?

Note: \(\lfloor c\rfloor\) is the integer part, \(\{c\}\) is the fractional part of the number \(c\).

Is there a sequence of natural numbers in which every natural number occurs exactly once, and for any \(k = 1, 2, 3, \dots\) the sum of the first \(k\) terms of the sequence is divisible by \(k\)?

Ten pairwise distinct non-zero numbers are such that for each two of them either the sum of these numbers or their product is a rational number.

Prove that the squares of all numbers are rational.

The circles \(\sigma_1\) and \(\sigma_2\) intersect at points \(A\) and \(B\). At the point \(A\) to \(\sigma_1\) and \(\sigma_2\), respectively, the tangents \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) are drawn. The points \(T_1\) and \(T_2\) are chosen respectively on the circles \(\sigma_1\) and \(\sigma_2\) so that the angular measures of the arcs \(T_1A\) and \(AT_2\) are equal (the arc value of the circle is considered in the clockwise direction). The tangent \(t_1\) at the point \(T_1\) to the circle \(\sigma_1\) intersects \(l_2\) at the point \(M_1\). Similarly, the tangent \(t_2\) at the point \(T_2\) to the circle \(\sigma_2\) intersects \(l_1\) at the point \(M_2\). Prove that the midpoints of the segments \(M_1M_2\) are on the same line, independent of the positions of the points \(T_1, T_2\).

A convex figure and point \(A\) inside it are given. Prove that there is a chord (that is, a segment joining two boundary points of a convex figure) passing through point \(A\) and dividing it in half at point \(A\).

Author: A.K. Tolpygo

An irrational number \(\alpha\), where \(0 <\alpha <\frac 12\), is given. It defines a new number \(\alpha_1\) as the smaller of the two numbers \(2\alpha\) and \(1 - 2\alpha\). For this number, \(\alpha_2\) is determined similarly, and so on.

a) Prove that for some \(n\) the inequality \(\alpha_n <3/16\) holds.

b) Can it be that \(\alpha_n> 7/40\) for all positive integers \(n\)?

Find the minimum for all \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) of the maximum of the function \(y (x) = | \cos x + \alpha \cos 2x + \beta \cos 3x |\).