Problems

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Peter thought of a number between 1 to 200. What is the fewest number of questions for which you can guess the number if Peter answers

a) “yes ” or “no”;

b) “yes”, “no” or “I do not know”

for every question?

There are 4 coins. Of the four coins, one is fake (it differs in weight from the real ones, but it is not known if it is heavier or lighter). Find the fake coin using two weighings on scales without weights.

Prove that the following polynomial does not have any identical roots: \(P(x) = 1 + x + x^2/2! + \dots + x^n/n!\)

Prove that the polynomial \(x^{2n} - nx^{n + 1} + nx^{n - 1} - 1\) for \(n > 1\) has a triple root of \(x = 1\).

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