Problems

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A circle is covered with several arcs. These arcs can overlap one another, but none of them cover the entire circumference. Prove that it is always possible to select several of these arcs so that together they cover the entire circumference and add up to no more than \(720^{\circ}\).

\(x_1\) is the real root of the equation \(x^2 + ax + b = 0\), \(x_2\) is the real root of the equation \(x^2 - ax - b = 0\).

Prove that the equation \(x^2 + 2ax + 2b = 0\) has a real root, enclosed between \(x_1\) and \(x_2\). (\(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers).

At the end of the term, Billy wrote out his current singing marks in a row and put a multiplication sign between some of them. The product of the resulting numbers turned out to be equal to 2007. What is Billy’s term mark for singing? (The marks that he can get are between 2 and 5, where 5 is the highest mark).

We are given a \(100\times 100\) square grid and \(N\) counters. All of the possible arrangements of the counters on the grid which follow the following rule are considered: no two counters lie in adjacent squares.

What is the largest value of \(N\) for which, in every single possible arrangement of counters following this rule, it is possible to find at least one counter such that moving it to an adjacent square does not break the rule. Squares are considered adjacent if they share a side.

Replace \(a, b\) and \(c\) with integers not equal to \(1\) in the equality \((ay^b)^c = - 64y^6\), so it would become an identity.

Sarah believes that two watermelons are heavier than three melons, Anna believes that three watermelons are heavier than four melons. It is known that one of the girls is right, and the other is mistaken. Is it true that 12 watermelons are heavier than 18 melons? (It is believed that all watermelons weigh the same and all melons weigh the same.)

A row of 4 coins lies on the table. Some of the coins are real and some of them are fake (the ones which weigh less than the real ones). It is known that any real coin lies to the left of any false coin. How can you determine whether each of the coins on the table is real or fake, by weighing once using a balance scale?

What is the largest number of counters that can be put on the cells of a chessboard so that on each horizontal, vertical and diagonal (not only on the main ones) there is an even number of counters?