Problems

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With a non-zero number, the following operations are allowed: \(x \rightarrow \frac{1+x}{x}\), \(x \rightarrow \frac{1-x}{x}\). Is it true that from every non-zero rational number one can obtain each rational number with the help of a finite number of such operations?

At all rational points of the real line, integers are arranged. Prove that there is a segment such that the sum of the numbers at its ends does not exceed twice the number on its middle.

A number set \(M\) contains \(2003\) distinct positive numbers, such that for any three distinct elements \(a, b, c\) in \(M\), the number \(a^2 + bc\) is rational. Prove that we can choose a natural number \(n\) such that for any \(a\) in \(M\) the number \(a\sqrt{n}\) is rational.

A numeric set \(M\) containing 2003 distinct numbers is such that for every two distinct elements \(a, b\) in \(M\), the number \(a^2+ b\sqrt 2\) is rational. Prove that for any \(a\) in \(M\) the number \(q\sqrt 2\) is rational.

Prove that the number \(\sqrt {2} + \sqrt {3} + \sqrt {5} + \sqrt {7} + \sqrt {11} + \sqrt {13} + \sqrt {17}\) is irrational.

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 \(n\)?