Compete · Serbia
Republicko takmicenje (Republic round) 1998
1(a) Factor the expression \(x^{4}+x^{2}y^{2}+y^{4}\) into a product of polynomials of lower degree. (b) Decide whether the number \(9^{1998}+3^{1998}+1\) is prime.2Let \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) be three distinct nonzero real numbers, and for real \(x, y \neq a\) set \[ V(x,y)=\frac{1}{(a-x)^{2}(a-y)^{2}}\Bigl((a-b)^{2}(c-x)(c-y)-(c-a)^{2}(b-x)(b-y)\Bigr). \] Prove that …3In the expression \[ *\,1 * 3 * 3^{2} * 3^{3} * \cdots * 3^{1997} * 3^{1998} \] Arkadije and Branislav take turns replacing one of the stars by \(+\) or by \(-\), one star per move, until no star is left. …4A triangle \(ABC\) is given. Find every point \(M\) of its plane for which the three triangles \(ABM\), \(BCM\) and \(CAM\) have equal areas.5An octagon has all of its interior angles equal, and the lengths of all of its sides are rational numbers. Prove that it has a centre of symmetry.
Work through the paper in order - each problem opens in the workspace with this paper as its trail.