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Definition. Let the function \(f (x, y)\) be valid at all points of a plane with integer coordinates. We call a function \(f (x, y)\) harmonic if its value at each point is equal to the arithmetic mean of the values of the function at four neighbouring points, that is: \[f (x, y) = 1/4 (f (x + 1, y) + f (x-1, y) + f(x, y + 1) + f (x, y-1)).\] Let \(f(x, y)\) and \(g (x, y)\) be harmonic functions. Prove that for any \(a\) and \(b\) the function \(af (x, y) + bg (x, y)\) is also harmonic.

Let \(f (x, y)\) be a harmonic function. Prove that the functions \(\Delta_{x} f (x, y) = f (x + 1, y) - f (x, y)\) and \(\Delta_{y}f(x , y) = f(x, y + 1) - f(x, y)\) will also be harmonic.

Liouville’s discrete theorem. Let \(f (x, y)\) be a bounded harmonic function (see the definition in problem number 11.28), that is, there exists a positive constant \(M\) such that \(\forall (x, y) \in \mathbb {Z}^2\) \(| f (x, y) | \leq M\). Prove that the function \(f (x, y)\) is equal to a constant.

Prove that the polynomial \(P (x)\) is divisible by its derivative if and only if \(P (x)\) has the form \(P(x) = a_n(x - x_0)^n\).

Prove that for \(n > 0\) the polynomial \[P (x) = n^2x^{n + 2} - (2n^2 + 2n - 1) x^{n + 1} + (n + 1)^2x^n - x - 1\] is divisible by \((x - 1)^3\).

Prove that for \(n> 0\) the polynomial \(x^{2n + 1} - (2n + 1)x^{n + 1} + (2n + 1)x^n - 1\) is divisible by \((x - 1)^3\).

Prove that the polynomial \(P (x) = a_0 + a_1x + \dots + a_nx^n\) has a number \(-1\) which is a root of multiplicity \(m + 1\) if and only if the following conditions are satisfied: \[\begin{aligned} a_0 - a_1 + a_2 - a_3 + \dots + (-1)^{n}a_n &= 0,\\ - a_1 + 2a_2 - 3a_3 + \dots + (-1)^{n}na_n &= 0,\\ \dots \\ - a_1 + 2^{m}a_2 - 3^{m}a_3 + \dots + (-1)^{n}n^{m}a_n &= 0. \end{aligned}\]

Find the largest value of the expression \(a + b + c + d - ab - bc - cd - da\), if each of the numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) belongs to the interval \([0, 1]\).