Problems

Age
Difficulty
Found: 1943

Let the sequences of numbers \(\{a_n\}\) and \(\{b_n\}\), that are associated with the relation \(\Delta b_n = a_n\) (\(n = 1, 2, \dots\)), be given. How are the partial sums \(S_n\) of the sequence \(\{a_n\}\) \(S_n = a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_n\) linked to the sequence \(\{b_n\}\)?

Definition. Let the function \(f (x, y)\) be valid at all points of a plane with integer coordinates. We call a function \(f (x, y)\) harmonic if its value at each point is equal to the arithmetic mean of the values of the function at four neighbouring points, that is: \[f (x, y) = 1/4 (f (x + 1, y) + f (x-1, y) + f(x, y + 1) + f (x, y-1)).\] Let \(f(x, y)\) and \(g (x, y)\) be harmonic functions. Prove that for any \(a\) and \(b\) the function \(af (x, y) + bg (x, y)\) is also harmonic.

Definition. The sequence of numbers \(a_0, a_1, \dots , a_n, \dots\), which, with the given \(p\) and \(q\), satisfies the relation \(a_{n + 2} = pa_{n + 1} + qa_n\) (\(n = 0,1,2, \dots\)) is called a linear recurrent sequence of the second order.

The equation \[x^2-px-q = 0\] is called a characteristic equation of the sequence \(\{a_n\}\).

Prove that, if the numbers \(a_0\), \(a_1\) are fixed, then all of the other terms of the sequence \(\{a_n\}\) are uniquely determined.

Find the coefficient of \(x\) for the polynomial \((x - a) (x - b) (x - c) \dots (x - z)\).

The following words/sounds are given: look, yar, yell, lean, lease. Determine what will happen if the sounds that make up these words are pronounced in reverse order.

In the entry \({*} + {*} + {*} + {*} + {*} + {*} + {*} + {*} = {*}{*}\) replace the asterisks with different digits so that the equality is correct.

In the isosceles triangle \(ABC\), the angle \(B\) is equal to \(30^{\circ}\), and \(AB = BC = 6\). The height \(CD\) of the triangle \(ABC\) and the height \(DE\) of the triangle \(BDC\) are drawn. Find the length \(BE\).

The numerical function \(f\) is such that for any \(x\) and \(y\) the equality \(f (x + y) = f (x) + f (y) + 80xy\) holds. Find \(f(1)\) if \(f(0.25) = 2\).