Problems

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Let \(a, b\) be positive integers and \((a, b) = 1\). Prove that the quantity cannot be a real number except in the following cases \((a, b) = (1, 1)\), \((1,3)\), \((3,1)\).

Let \(f (x)\) be a polynomial of degree \(n\) with roots \(\alpha_1, \dots , \alpha_n\). We define the polygon \(M\) as the convex hull of the points \(\alpha_1, \dots , \alpha_n\) on the complex plane. Prove that the roots of the derivative of this polynomial lie inside the polygon \(M\).

a) Using geometric considerations, prove that the base and the side of an isosceles triangle with an angle of \(36^{\circ}\) at the vertex are incommensurable.

b) Invent a geometric proof of the irrationality of \(\sqrt{2}\).

Old calculator I.

a) Suppose that we want to find \(\sqrt[3]{x}\) (\(x> 0\)) on a calculator that can find \(\sqrt{x}\) in addition to four ordinary arithmetic operations. Consider the following algorithm. A sequence of numbers \(\{y_n\}\) is constructed, in which \(y_0\) is an arbitrary positive number, for example, \(y_0 = \sqrt{\sqrt{x}}\), and the remaining elements are defined by \(y_{n + 1} = \sqrt{\sqrt{x y_n}}\) (\(n \geq 0\)).

Prove that \(\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} y_n = \sqrt[3]{x}\).

b) Construct a similar algorithm to calculate the fifth root.

The sequence of numbers \(a_1, a_2, a_3, \dots\) is given by the following conditions \(a_1 = 1\), \(a_{n + 1} = a_n + \frac {1} {a_n^2}\) (\(n \geq 0\)).

Prove that

a) this sequence is unbounded;

b) \(a_{9000} > 30\);

c) find the limit \(\lim \limits_ {n \to \infty} \frac {a_n} {\sqrt [3] n}\).

We are given rational positive numbers \(p, q\) where \(1/p + 1/q = 1\). Prove that for positive \(a\) and \(b\), the following inequality holds: \(ab \leq \frac{a^p}{p} + \frac{b^q}{q}\).

Let \(p\) and \(q\) be positive numbers where \(1 / p + 1 / q = 1\). Prove that \[a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + \dots + a_nb_n \leq (a_1^p + \dots a_n^p)^{1/p}(b_1^q +\dots + b_n^q)^{1/q}\] The values of the variables are considered positive.

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.