Problems

Let’s prove that \(1=2\). Take a number \(a\) and suppose \(b=a\). After multiplying both sides we have \(a^2=ab\). Subtract \(b^2\) from both sides to get \(a^2-b^2=ab-b^2\). The left hand side is a difference of two squares so \((a-b)(a+b)=b(a-b)\). We can cancel out \(a-b\) and obtain that \(a+b=b\). But remember from the start that \(a=b\), so substituting \(a\) for \(b\) we see that \(2b=b\), dividing by \(b\) we see that \(2=1\).

Let’s prove that \(1\) is the smallest positive real number: Assume the contrary and let \(x\) be the smallest positive real number. If \(x>1\) then \(1\) is smaller, thus \(x\) is not the smallest. If \(x<1,\) then \(\frac{x}{2}<x\) so \(x\) can not be the smallest either. Then \(x\) can only be equal to \(1\).

Nick writes the numbers \(1,2,\dots,33\), each exactly once, at the vertices of a polygon with \(33\) sides, in some order.

For each side of the polygon, his little sister Hannah writes down the sum of the two numbers at its ends. In total she writes down \(33\) numbers, one for each side.

It turns out that when read in order around the polygon, these \(33\) sums are \(33\) consecutive whole numbers.

Can you find an arrangement of the numbers written by Nick that makes this happen?

Is it possible to arrange the numbers \(1,\, 2,\, ...,\, 50\) at the vertices and middles of the sides of a regular \(25\)-gon so that the sum of the three numbers at the ends and in the middle of each side is the same for all sides?

Draw a shape that can both be cut into 4 copies of the figure on the left or alternatively into 5 copies of the figure on the right. (the figures can be rotated).

A equilateral triangle made of paper bends in a straight line so that one of the vertices falls on the opposite side as shown on the picture. Show that the corresponding angles of the two white triangles are equal.

In how many ways can you read the word TRAIN from the picture below, starting from T and going either down or right at each step?

There are \(100\) people in a room. Each person knows at least \(67\) others. Show that there is a group of four people in this room that all know each other. We assume that if person \(A\) knows person \(B\) then person \(B\) also knows person \(A\).

The numbers \(a\) and \(b\) are integers and the number \(p \ge 3\) is prime. Suppose that \(a+b\) and \(a^2 +b^2\) are divisible by \(p\). Show that \(a^2 + b^2\) is divisible by \(p^2\).

There are \(33\) cities in the Republic of Farfarawayland. The delegation of senators wants to pick a new capital city. They want this city to be connected by roads to every other city in the Republic. They know for a fact that given any set of \(16\) cities, there will always be some city that is connected by roads to all those selected cities. Show that there exists a suitable candidate for the capital.