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2017 Euclid Contest
Solutions

Wednesday, April 6, 2017
(in North America and South America)

Friday, April 7, 2017
(outside of North American and South America)

©2017 University of Waterloo


    1. Since 5(2)+3(3)=19, then the pair of positive integers that satisfies 5a+3b=19 is (a,b)=(2,3).

    2. We list the first several powers of 2 in increasing order:

      n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
      2n 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024 2048
      Each power of 2 can be found by multiplying the previous power by 2.
      From the table, the smallest power of 2 greater than 5 is 23=8 and the largest power of 2 less than 2017 is 210=1024. Since 2n increases as n increases, there can be no further powers in this range.
      Therefore, the values of n for which 5<2n<2017 are n=3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.
      There are 8 such values of n.

    3. Each of the 600 Euros that Jimmy bought cost $1.50.
      Thus, buying 600 Euros cost 600×$1.50=$900.
      When Jimmy converted 600 Euros back into dollars, the rate was $1.00=0.75 Euro.
      Therefore, Jimmy received 600 Euros×$1.000.75 Euros=$6000.75=$800.
      Thus, Jimmy had $900$800=$100 less than he had before these two transactions.

    1. Since x0 and x1, we can multiply both sides of the given equation by x(x1) to obtain 5x(x1)x(x1)=x(x1)x+x(x1)x1 or 5=(x1)+x.
      Thus, 5=2x1 and so 2x=6 or x=3. This means that x=3 is the only solution.
      (We can substitute x=3 into the original equation to verify that this is indeed a solution.)

    2. The sum of the entries in the second column is 20+4+(12)=12.
      This means that the sum of the entries in each row, in each column, and on each diagonal is 12.
      In the first row, we have 0+20+a=12 and so a=8.
      On the “top left to bottom right” diagonal, we have 0+4+b=12 and so b=8.
      In the third column, we have entries a=8 and b=8 whose sum is 0. Thus, the third entry must be 12.
      Finally, in the second row, we have c+4+12=12 and so c=4.
      In summary, a=8, b=8, and c=4.
      We can complete the magic square to obtain: 0208441216128

      1. If 1002n2=9559, then n2=10029559=100009559=441.
        Since n>0, then n=441=21.

      2. From (i), 9559=1002212.
        Factoring the right side as a difference of squares, we see that 9559=(100+21)(10021)=12179 Therefore, (a,b)=(121,79) satisfies the conditions.
        (In addition, the pairs (a,b)=(79,121),(869,11),(11,869) satisfy the conditions. The last two of these pairs cannot be obtained in the same way.)

    1. The area of quadrilateral ABCD is the sum of the areas of ABC and ACD.
      Since ABC is right-angled at B, its area equals 12(AB)(BC)=12(3)(4)=6.
      Since ABC is right-angled at B, then by the Pythagorean Theorem, AC=AB2+BC2=32+42=25=5 because AC>0. (We could have also observed that ABC must be a “3-4-5" triangle.)
      Since ACD is right-angled at A, then by the Pythagorean Theorem, AD=CD2AC2=13252=144=12 because AD>0. (We could have also observed that ACD must be a “5-12-13" triangle.)
      Thus, the area of ACD equals 12(AC)(AD)=12(5)(12)=30.
      Finally, the area of quadrilateral ABCD is thus 6+30=36.

    2. Let the width of each of the identical rectangles be a.
      In other words, QP=RS=TW=WX=UV=VY=a.
      Let the height of each of the identical rectangles be b.
      In other words, QR=PS=TU=WV=XY=b.
      The perimeter of the whole shape equals QP+PS+SX+XY+VY+UV+TU+TR+QR Substituting for known lengths, we obtain a+b+SX+b+a+a+b+TR+b or 3a+4b+(SX+TR).
      But SX+TR=(TR+RS+SX)RS=(TW+WX)RS=a+aa=a.
      Therefore, the perimeter of the whole shape equals 4a+4b.
      The perimeter of one rectangle is 2a+2b, which we are told equals 21 cm.
      Finally, the perimeter of the whole shape is thus 2(2a+2b) which equals 42 cm.

    3. Solution 1:

      Suppose that the rectangular prism has dimensions a cm by b cm by c cm.
      Suppose further that one of the faces that is a cm by b cm is the face with area 27 cm2 and that one of the faces that is a cm by c cm is the face with area 32 cm2. (Since every pair of non-congruent faces shares exactly one side length, there is no loss of generality in picking these particular variables for these faces.)
      Therefore, ab=27 and ac=32.
      Further, we are told that the volume of the prism is 144 cm3, and so abc=144.
      Thus, bc=a2b2c2a2bc=(abc)2(ab)(ac)=1442(27)(32)=24.
      (We could also note that abc=144 means a2b2c2=1442 or (ab)(ac)(bc)=1442 and so bc=1442(27)(32).)
      In other words, the third type of face of the prism has area 24 cm2.
      Thus, since the prism has two faces of each type, the surface area of the prism is equal to 2(27 cm2+32 cm2+24 cm2) or 166 cm2.

      Solution 2:

      Suppose that the rectangular prism has dimensions a cm by b cm by c cm.
      Suppose further that one of the faces that is a cm by b cm is the face with area 27 cm2 and that one of the faces that is a cm by c cm is the face with area 32 cm2. (Since every pair of non-congruent faces shares exactly one side length, there is no loss of generality in picking these particular variables for these faces.)
      Therefore, ab=27 and ac=32.
      Further, we are told that the volume of the prism is 144 cm3, and so abc=144.
      Since abc=144 and ab=27, then c=14427=163.
      Since abc=144 and ac=32, then b=14432=92.
      This means that bc=16392=24.
      In cm2, the surface area of the prism equals 2ab+2ac+2bc=2(27)+2(32)+2(24)=166.
      Thus, the surface area of the prism is 166 cm2.

    1. Solution 1:

      We expand the right sides of the two equations, collecting like terms in each case: y=a(x2)(x+4)=a(x2+2x8)=ax2+2ax8ay=2(xh)2+k=2(x22hx+h2)+k=2x24hx+(2h2+k) Since these two equations represent the same parabola, then the corresponding coefficients must be equal. That is, a=2 and 2a=4h and 8a=2h2+k.
      Since a=2 and 2a=4h, then 4=4h and so h=1.
      Since 8a=2h2+k and a=2 and h=1, then 16=2+k and so k=18.
      Thus, a=2, h=1, and k=18.

      Solution 2:

      From the equation y=a(x2)(x+4), we can find the axis of symmetry by calculating the midpoint of the x-intercepts.
      Since the x-intercepts are 2 and 4, the axis of symmetry is at x=12(2+(4))=1.
      Since the vertex of the parabola lies on the axis of symmetry, then the x-coordinate of the vertex is 1.
      To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, we substitute x=1 back into the equation y=a(x2)(x+4) to obtain y=a(12)(1+4)=9a.
      Thus, the vertex of the parabola is (1,9a).
      Since the second equation for the same parabola is in vertex form, y=2(xh)2+k, we can see that the vertex is at (h,k) and a=2.
      Since a=2, the vertex has coordinates (1,18), which means that h=1 and k=18.
      Thus, a=2, h=1 and k=18.

    2. Let the common difference in this arithmetic sequence be d.
      Since the first term in the sequence is 5, then the 5 terms are 5,5+d,5+2d,5+3d,5+4d.
      From the given information, 52+(5+d)2+(5+2d)2=(5+3d)2+(5+4d)2.
      Manipulating, we obtain the following equivalent equations: 52+(5+d)2+(5+2d)2=(5+3d)2+(5+4d)225+(25+10d+d2)+(25+20d+4d2)=(25+30d+9d2)+(25+40d+16d2)75+30d+5d2=50+70d+25d20=20d2+40d250=4d2+8d50=(2d+5)(2d1) Therefore, d=52 or d=12.
      These give possible fifth terms of 5+4d=5+4(52)=5 and 5+4d=5+4(12)=7.
      (We note that, for these two values of d, the sequences are 5,52,0,52,5 and 5,112,6,132,7.)

    1. First, we determine the perfect squares between 1300 and 1400 and between 1400 and 1500.
      Since 130036.06, then the first perfect square larger than 1300 is 372=1369.
      The next perfect squares are 382=1444 and 392=1521.
      Since Dan was born between 1300 and 1400 in a year that was a perfect square, then Dan was born in 1369.
      Since Steve was born between 1400 and 1500 in a year that was a perfect square, then Steve was born in 1444.
      Suppose that on April 7 in some year, Dan was m2 years old and Steve was n2 years old for some positive integers m and n. Thus, Dan was m2 years old in the year 1369+m2 and Steve was n2 years old in the year 1444+n2.
      Since these represent the same years, then 1369+m2=1444+n2, or m2n2=14441369=75.
      In other words, we want to find two perfect squares less than 110 (since their ages are less than 110) whose difference is 75.
      The perfect squares less than 110 are 1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81,100.
      The two that differ by 75 are 100 and 25.
      Thus, m2=100 and n2=25.
      This means that the year in which the age of each of Dan and Steve was a perfect square was the year 1369+100=1469.

    2. Solution 1:

      ABC is right-angled exactly when one of the following statements is true:

      • AB is perpendicular to BC, or

      • AB is perpendicular to AC, or

      • AC is perpendicular to BC.

      Since A(1,2) and B(11,2) share a y-coordinate, then AB is horizontal.
      For AB and BC to be perpendicular, BC must be vertical.
      Thus, B(11,2) and C(k,6) must have the same x-coordinate, and so k=11.
      For AB and AC to be perpendicular, AC must be vertical.
      Thus, A(1,2) and C(k,6) must have the same x-coordinate, and so k=1.
      For AC to be perpendicular to BC, their slopes must have a product of 1.
      The slope of AC is 62k1, which equals 4k1.
      The slope of BC is 62k11, which equals 4k11.
      Thus, AC and BC are perpendicular when 4k14k11=1.
      Assuming that k1 and k11, we manipulate to obtain 16=(k1)(k11) or 16=k2+12k11 or k212k+27=0.
      Factoring, we obtain (k3)(k9)=0 and so AC and BC are perpendicular when k=3 or k=9.

      In summary, ABC is right-angled when k equals one of 1,3,9,11.

      Solution 2:

      ABC is right-angled exactly when its three side lengths satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem in some orientation. That is, ABC is right-angled exactly when AB2+BC2=AC2 or AB2+AC2=BC2 or AC2+BC2=AB2.
      Using A(1,2) and B(11,2), we obtain AB2=(111)2+(22)2=100.
      Using A(1,2) and C(k,6), we obtain AC2=(k1)2+(62)2=(k1)2+16.
      Using B(11,2) and C(k,6), we obtain BC2=(k11)2+(62)2=(k11)2+16.
      Using the Pythagorean relationships above, ABC is right-angled when one of the following is true:

      1. 100+((k11)2+16)=(k1)2+16100+k222k+121+16=k22k+1+16220=20kk=11

      2. 100+((k1)2+16)=(k11)2+16100+k22k+1+16=k222k+121+1620k=20k=1

      3. ((k1)2+16)+((k11)2+16)=100k22k+1+16+k222k+121+16=1002k224k+54=0k212k+27=0(k3)(k9)=0 and so k=3 or k=9.

      In summary, ABC is right-angled when k equals one of 1,3,9,11.

    1. Extend CA and DB downwards until they meet the horizontal through O at P and Q, respectively.

      Since CA and DB are vertical, then CPO=DQO=90°.
      Since OA=20 m, then AP=OAsin30°=(20 m)12=10 m.
      Since OB=20 m, then BQ=OBsin45°=(20 m)12=102 m.
      Since AC=6 m, then CP=AC+AP=16 m.
      For CD to be as short as possible and given that C is fixed, then it must be the case that CD is horizontal:

      If CD were not horizontal, then suppose that X is on DQ, possibly extended, so that CX is horizontal.

      X is placed between D and Q.

      Then CXD=90° and so CXD is right-angled with hypotenuse CD.
      In this case, CD is longer than CX or XD.
      In particular, CD>CX, which means that if D were at X, then CD would be shorter.
      In other words, a horizontal CD makes CD as short as possible.

      When CD is horizontal, CDQP is a rectangle, since it has two vertical and two horizontal sides. Thus, DQ=CP=16 m.
      Finally, this means that BD=DQBQ=(16102) m.

    2. Since tanθ=sinθcosθ, then we assume that cosθ0.
      Therefore, we obtain the following equivalent equations: cosθ=tanθcosθ=sinθcosθcos2θ=sinθ1sin2θ=sinθ0=sin2θ+sinθ1 Let u=sinθ. This quadratic equation becomes u2+u1=0.
      By the quadratic formula, u=1±124(1)(1)2(1)=1±52.
      Therefore, sinθ=1+520.62 or sinθ=1521.62.
      Since 1sinθ1, then the second solution is inadmissible. Thus, sinθ=1+52.

    1. Solution 1:

      Suppose that the trains are travelling at v km/h.
      Consider two consecutive points in time at which the car is passed by a train.
      Since these points are 10 minutes apart, and 10 minutes equals 16 hour, and the car travels at 60 km/h, then the car travels (60 km/h)(16 h)=10 km.
      During these 10 minutes, each train travels 16v km, since its speed is v km/h.
      At the first instance, Train A and the car are next to each other.
      At this time, Train B is “3 minutes" behind Train A.

      A horizontal line segment. Two ticks are on the segment and labelled to be a distance of 10 km apart. Two points labelled Car and Train A are above the left tick mark. A point labelled Train B is to the left of the point labelled Train A. Two points labelled Car and Train B are below the right tick mark. A point laballed Train A is to the right of the point labelled Train B.

      Since 3 minutes is 120 hour, then Train B is 120v km behind Train A and the car.
      Therefore, the distance from the location of Train B at the first instance to the location where it passes the car is (120v+10) km.
      But this distance also equals 16v km, since Train B travels for 10 minutes.
      Thus, 16v=120v+10 or 1060v360v=10 and so 760v=10 or v=6007.
      Therefore, the trains are travelling at 6007 km/h.

      Solution 2:

      Suppose that the trains are travelling at v km/h.
      Consider the following three points in time: the instant when the car and Train A are next to each other, the instant when Train B is at the same location that the car and Train A were at in the previous instant, and the instant when the car and Train B are next to each other.

      Three horizontal line segments, each containing two tick marks and three points. On the first segment, two points labelled Train A and Car, are at the leftmost tick and a point labelled Train B is to the left of these. On the second segment, the point labelled Train B is at the first tick mark, the point labelled Train A is between the two tick marks and the point labelled Car is between these other two points. On the third segment, two points labelled Train B and Car, are at the rightmost tick mark and a point labelled Train A is to the right of these.

      From the first instant to the second, Train B “catches up” to where Train A was, so this must take a total of 3 minutes, because the trains leave the station 3 minutes apart.
      Since 3 minutes equals 360 hour and the car travels at 60 km/h, then the car travels (60 km/h)(360 h)=3 km between these two instants.
      From the first instant to the third, 10 minutes passes, since these are consecutive points at which the car is passed by trains. In 10 minutes, the car travels 10 km.
      Therefore, between the second and third instants, 103=7 minutes pass. During these 7 minutes, Train B travels 10 km.
      Since 7 minutes equals 760 hour, then v km/h=10 km7/60 h=6007 km/h, and so the trains are travelling at 6007 km/h.

    2. From the first equation, we note that a0 and b0, since the argument of a square root must be non-negative.
      From the second equation, we note that a>0 and b>0, since the argument of a logarithm must be positive.
      Combining these restrictions, we see that a>0 and b>0.

      From the equation log10a+log10b=2, we obtain log10(ab)=2 and so ab=102=100. From the first equation, obtain (a+b)2=82a+2ab+b=64a+2100+b=64a+b=642100=44 Since a+b=44, then b=44a.
      Since ab=100, then a(44a)=100 or 44aa2=100 and so 0=a244a+100.
      By the quadratic formula, a=44±4424(1)(100)21=44±15362=44±1662=22±86 Since b=44a, then b=44(22±86)=2286.
      Therefore, (a,b)=(22+86,2286) or (a,b)=(2286,22+86).
      (We note that 22+86>0 and 2286>0, so the initial restrictions on a and b are satisfied.)

    1. Let PEQ=θ.
      Join P to B.
      We use the fact that the angle between a tangent to a circle and a chord in that circle that passes through the point of tangency equals the angle inscribed by that chord. We prove this fact below.
      More concretely, DEP=PBE (using the chord EP and the tangent through E) and ABP=PEQ=θ (using the chord BP and the tangent through B).
      Now DEP is exterior to FEP and so DEP=FPE+EFP=25°+30°, and so PBE=DEP=55°.
      Furthermore, AQB is an exterior angle of PQE.
      Thus, AQB=QPE+PEQ=25°+θ.

      In ABQ, we have BAQ=35°, ABQ=θ+55°, and AQB=25°+θ.
      Thus, 35°+(θ+55°)+(25°+θ)=180° or 115°+2θ=180°, and so 2θ=65°.
      Therefore PEQ=θ=12(65°)=32.5°.

      As an addendum, we prove that the angle between a tangent to a circle and a chord in that circle that passes through the point of tangency equals the angle inscribed by that chord.

      Consider a circle with centre O and a chord XY, with tangent ZX meeting the circle at X. We prove that if ZX is tangent to the circle, then ZXY equals XWY whenever W is a point on the circle on the opposite side of XY as XZ (that is, the angle subtended by XY on the opposite side of the circle).
      We prove this in the case that ZXY is acute. The cases where ZXY is a right angle or an obtuse angle are similar.
      Draw diameter XOV and join VY.

      V is a point on the circle on the opposite side of XY as XZ (so V is close to W).

      Since ZXY is acute, points V and W are on the same arc of chord XY.
      This means that XVY=XWY, since they are angles subtended by the same chord.
      Since OX is a radius and XZ is a tangent, then OXZ=90°.
      Thus, OXY+ZXY=90°.
      Since XV is a diameter, then XYV=90°.
      From XYV, we see that XVY+VXY=90°.
      But OXY+ZXY=90° and XVY+VXY=90° and OXY=VXY tells us that ZXY=XVY.
      This gives us that ZXY=XWY, as required.

    2. Solution 1:

      Draw a line segment through M in the plane of PMN parallel to PN and extend this line until it reaches the plane through P, A and D at Q on one side and the plane through N, B and C at R on the other side.
      Join Q to P and A. Join R to N and B.

      So the volume of solid ABCDPMN equals the volume of solid ABCDPQRN minus the volumes of solids PMQA and NMRB.
      Solid ABCDPQRN is a trapezoidal prism. This is because NR and BC are parallel (since they lie in parallel planes), which makes NRBC a trapezoid. Similarly, PQAD is a trapezoid. Also, PN, QR, DC, and AB are all perpendicular to the planes of these trapezoids and equal in length, since they equal the side lengths of the squares.
      Solids PMQA and NMRB are triangular-based pyramids. We can think of their bases as being PMQ and NMR. Their heights are each equal to 2, the height of the original solid. (The volume of a triangular-based pyramid equals 13 times the area of its base times its height.)
      The volume of ABCDPQRN equals the area of trapezoid NRBC times the width of the prism, which is 2.
      That is, this volume equals 12(NR+BC)(NC)(NP)=12(NR+2)(2)(2)=2NR+4.
      So we need to find the length of NR.
      Consider quadrilateral PNRQ. This quadrilateral is a rectangle since PN and QR are perpendicular to the two side planes of the original solid.
      Thus, NR equals the height of PMN.
      Join M to the midpoint T of PN.
      Since PMN is isosceles, then MT is perpendicular to PN.

      Since NT=12PN=1 and PMN=90° and TNM=45°, then MTN is also right-angled and isosceles with MT=TN=1.
      Therefore, NR=MT=1 and so the volume of ABCDPQRN is 21+4=6.
      The volumes of solids PMQA and NMRB are equal. Each has height 2 and their bases PMQ and NMR are congruent, because each is right-angled (at Q and at R) with PQ=NR=1 and QM=MR=1.
      Thus, using the formula above, the volume of each is 13(12(1)(1))2=13.
      Finally, the volume of the original solid equals 6213=163.

      Solution 2:

      We determine the volume of ABCDPMN by splitting it into two solids: ABCDPN and ABNPM by slicing along the plane of ABNP.
      Solid ABCDPN is a triangular prism, since BCN and ADP are each right-angled (at C and D), BC=CN=AD=DP=2, and segments PN, DC and AB are perpendicular to each of the triangular faces and equal in length.
      Thus, the volume of ABCDPN equals the area of BCN times the length of DC, or 12(BC)(CN)(DC)=12(2)(2)(2)=4. (This solid can also be viewed as “half” of a cube.)

      Solid ABNPM is a pyramid with rectangular base ABNP. (Note that PN and AB are perpendicular to the planes of both of the side triangular faces of the original solid, that PN=AB=2 and BN=AP=22+22=22, by the Pythagorean Theorem.)

      Therefore, the volume of ABNPM equals 13(AB)(BN)h=423h, where h is the height of the pyramid (that is, the distance that M is above plane ABNP).
      So we need to calculate h.

      Join M to the midpoint, T, of PN and to the midpoint, S, of AB. Join S and T. By symmetry, M lies directly above ST.
      Since ABNP is a rectangle and S and T are the midpoints of opposite sides, then ST=AP=22.
      Since PMN is right-angled and isosceles, then MT is perpendicular to PN. Since NT=12PN=1 and TNM=45°, then MTN is also right-angled and isosceles with MT=TN=1.

      Also, MS is the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by dropping a perpendicular from M to U in the plane of ABCD (a distance of 2) and joining U to S. Since M is 1 unit horizontally from PN, then US=1.
      Thus, MS=22+12=5 by the Pythagorean Theorem.

      We can now consider SMT. h is the height of this triangle, from M to base ST.

      Now h=MTsin(MTS)=sin(MTS).
      By the cosine law in SMT, we have MS2=ST2+MT22(ST)(MT)cos(MTS) Therefore, 5=8+142cos(MTS) or 42cos(MTS)=4.
      Thus, cos(MTS)=12 and so MTS=45° which gives h=sin(MTS)=12.
      (Alternatively, we note that the plane of ABCD is parallel to the plane of PMN, and so since the angle between plane ABCD and plane PNBA is 45°, then the angle between plane PNBA and plane PMN is also 45°, and so MTS=45°.)
      Finally, this means that the volume of ABNPM is 42312=43, and so the volume of solid ABCDPMN is 4+43=163.

    1. There are 4!=4321=24 permutations of 1,2,3,4.
      This is because there are 4 possible choices for a1, and for each of these there are 3 possible choices for a2, and for each of these there are 2 possible choices for a3, and then 1 possible choice for a4.
      Consider the permutation a1=1,a2=2,a3=3,a4=4. (We write this as 1,2,3,4.)
      Here, |a1a2|+|a3a4|=|12|+|34|=1+1=2.
      This value is the same as the value for each of 2,1,3,4 and 1,2,4,3 and 2,1,4,3 and 3,4,1,2 and 4,3,1,2 and 3,4,2,1 and 4,3,2,1.
      Consider the permutation 1,3,2,4.
      Here, |a1a2|+|a3a4|=|13|+|24|=2+2=4.
      This value is the same as the value for each of 3,1,2,4 and 1,3,4,2 and 3,1,4,2 and 2,4,1,3 and 4,2,1,3 and 2,4,3,1 and 4,2,3,1.
      Consider the permutation 1,4,2,3.
      Here, |a1a2|+|a3a4|=|14|+|23|=3+1=4.
      This value is the same as the value for each of 4,1,2,3 and 1,4,3,2 and 4,1,3,2 and 2,3,1,4 and 3,2,1,4 and 2,3,4,1 and 3,2,4,1.
      This accounts for all 24 permutations.
      Therefore, the average value is 28+48+4824=8024=103.

    2. There are 7!=7654321 permutations of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, because there are 7 choices for a1, then 6 choices for a2, and so on.
      We determine the average value of a1a2+a3a4+a5a6+a7 over all of these permutations by determining the sum of all 7! values of this expression and dividing by 7!.
      To determine the sum of all 7! values, we determine the sum of the values of a1 in each of these expressions and call this total s1, the sum of the values of a2 in each of these expressions and call this total s2, and so on.
      The sum of the 7! values of the original expression must equal s1s2+s3s4+s5s6+s7. This uses the fact that, when adding, the order in which we add the same set of numbers does not matter.
      By symmetry, the sums of the values of a1,a2,a3,a4,a5,a6,a7 will all be equal. That is, s1=s2=s3=s4=s5=s6=s7.
      This means that the desired average value equals s1s2+s3s4+s5s6+s77!=(s1+s3+s5+s7)(s2+s4+s6)7!=4s13s17!=s17! So we need to determine the value of s1.
      Now a1 can equal each of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.
      If a1=1, there are 6! combinations of values for a2,a3,a4,a5,a6,a7, since there are still 6 choices for a2, 5 for a3, and so on.
      Similarly, there are 6! combinations with a1 equal to each of 2,3,4,5,6,7.
      Thus, s1=16!+26!+36!+46!+56!+66!+76!=6!(1+2+3+4+5+6+7)=28(6!).
      Therefore, the average value of the expression is 28(6!)7!=28(6!)7(6!)=287=4.

    3. There are 200! permutations of 1,2,3,,198,199,200.
      We determine the average value of |a1a2|+|a3a4|++|a197a198|+|a199a200|() over all of these permutations by determining the sum of all 200! values of this expression and dividing by 200!.
      As in (b), we let s1 be the sum of the values of |a1a2| in each of these expressions, s2 be the sum of the values of |a3a4|, and so on.
      The sum of the 200! values of () equals s1+s2++s99+s100.
      By symmetry, s1=s2==s99=s100.
      Therefore, the average value of () equals 100s1200!. So we need to determine the value of s1.
      Suppose that a1=i and a2=j for some integers i and j between 1 and 200, inclusive.
      There are 198! permutations with a1=i and a2=j because there are still 198 choices for a3, 197 choices for a4, and so on.
      Similarly, there are 198! permutations with a1=j and a2=i.
      Since |ij|=|ji|, then there are 2(198!) permutations with |a1a2|=|ij| that come from a1 and a2 equalling i and j in some order.
      Therefore, we may assume that i>j and note that s1 equals 2(198!) times the sum of ij over all possible pairs i>j.
      (Note that there are (2002)=200(199)2 choices for the pair of integers (i,j) with i>j. For each of these choices, there are 2(198!) choices for the remaining entries in the permutation, which gives 200(199)22(198!)=200(199)(198!)=200! permutations, as expected.)
      So to determine s1, we need to determine the sum of the values of ij.
      We calculate this sum, which we call D, by letting j=1,2,3,,198,199 and for each of these, we let i be the possible integers with j<i200: D=(21)+(31)+(41)++(1971)+(1981)+(1991)+(2001)+(32)+(42)+(52)++(1982)+(1992)+(2002)+(43)+(53)+(63)++(1993)+(2003)+(199198)+(200198)+(200199)=199(1)+198(2)+197(3)++2(198)+1(199)(grouping by columns)=199(200199)+198(200198)+197(200197)++2(2002)+1(2001)=200(199+198+197++3+2+1)(1992+1982+1972++32+22+12)=20012(199)(200)16(199)(199+1)(2(199)+1)=100(199)(200)16(199)(200)(399)=199(200)(1001332)=199(200)672 Therefore, s1=2(198!)D=2(198!)199(200)(67)2=67(198!)(199)(200)=67(200!).
      Finally, this means that the average value of () is 100s1200!=100(67)(200!)200!=6700.
      We note that we have used the facts that, if n is a positive integer, then

      • 1+2++(n1)+n=12n(n+1)

      • 12+22++(n1)2+n2=16n(n+1)(2n+1)

      Using sigma notation, we could have calculated D as follows: D=i=2200j=1i1(ij)=(i=2200j=1i1i)(i=2200j=1i1j)=(i=2200i(i1))(i=220012(i1)i)=(i=2200i(i1))12(i=2200(i1)i)=12(i=2200(i1)i)=12(i=1200(i1)i)(since (i1)i=0 when i=1)=12(i=1200(i2i))=12(i=1200i2i=1200i)=12(16(200)(200+1)(2(200)+1)12(200)(200+1))=12(200)(201)(16(401)12)=100(201)3986=100(201)1993=100(67)(199) which equals 199(200)672, as expected. (Can you determine a general formula when 200 is replaced with 2n?)

    1. We start with the subset {1,2,3}.
      The sums of pairs of elements are 1+2=3 and 1+3=4 and 2+3=5, which are all different.
      Thus, {1,2,3} is exciting.
      We proceed to include additional elements in {1,2,3}.
      We cannot include 4 to create an exciting set, since if we did, we would have 1+4=2+3, and so {1,2,3,4} is boring.
      Consider the subset {1,2,3,5}.
      The sums of pairs of elements are 1+2=31+3=41+5=62+3=52+5=73+5=8 which are all different.
      Thus, {1,2,3,5} is exciting.
      We cannot include 6 or 7 since 2+5=1+6 and 3+5=1+7.
      Consider the subset {1,2,3,5,8}.
      In addition to the six sums above, we have the additional sums 1+8=9 and 2+8=10 and 3+8=11 and 5+8=13, so the 10 sums are all different.
      Therefore, {1,2,3,5,8} is an exciting subset of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} that contains exactly 5 elements.
      (The subset {1,4,6,7,8} is the only other exciting subset of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} that contains exactly 5 elements.)

    2. Suppose that S is an exciting set that contains exactly m elements.
      There are (m2)=m(m1)2 pairs of elements of S.
      Since S is exciting, the sums of these pairs of elements are all distinct positive integers.
      This means that the largest of these sums is greater than or equal to m(m1)2.
      When two numbers add to m(m1)2 or greater, then at least one of them must be at least as large as 12m(m1)2=m2m4.
      Therefore, there is an element of S that is greater than or equal to m2m4.

    3. Let n be a positive integer with n10.
      For each integer k with 1kn, define xk=2nrem(k2,n)+k, where rem(k2,n) is the remainder when k2 is divided by n.
      Define T={x1,x2,,xn1,xn}.
      We show that T is exciting exactly when n is prime.

      Suppose that a,b,c,d are distinct integers between 1 and n with xa+xb=xc+xd.
      This equation is equivalent to (2nrem(a2,n)+a)+(2nrem(b2,n)+b)=(2nrem(c2,n)+c)+(2nrem(d2,n)+d) and 2n(rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)rem(c2,n)rem(d2,n))=c+dab Since a,b,c,d are distinct integers between 1 and n, inclusive, then we have 1+2a+b(n1)+n, or 3a+b2n1. Similarly, 3c+d2n1.
      This means that 3(2n1)c+dab(2n1)3 or 2n+4c+dab2n4.
      But the left side of the equation 2n(rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)rem(c2,n)rem(d2,n))=c+dab is an integer that is a multiple of 2n, so the right side (c+dab) must be as well.
      Since 2n+4c+dab2n4 and the only multiple of 2n between 2n+4 and 2n4 is 02n=0, then c+dab=0 or c+d=a+b.
      Thus, 2n(rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)rem(c2,n)rem(d2,n))=0.
      Since n0, then rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)rem(c2,n)rem(d2,n)=0.
      Therefore, xa+xb=xc+xd exactly when a+b=c+dandrem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)+rem(d2,n) Suppose that n is composite. We show that T is boring.
      We consider three cases: n=p2 for some prime p, n is even, and all other n.
      Suppose that n=p2 for some prime p. Since n10, then p5.
      Set a=p, b=4p, c=2p, and d=3p.
      Then a+b=5p=c+d.
      Also, since p5, then 0<p<2p<3p<4p<p2.
      Furthermore, since each of a,b,c,d is divisible by p, then each of a2,b2,c2,d2 is divisible by p2=n, so rem(a2,n)=rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)=rem(d2,n)=0.
      This means that a+b=c+d and rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)+rem(d2,n), and so xa+xb=xc+xd, which means that T is boring.

      Next, suppose that n is even, say n=2t for some positive integer t5.
      Set a=1, b=t+2, c=2, and d=t+1.
      Since t5, then 1a<b<c<d<2t, so a,b,c,d are distinct positive integers in the correct range.
      Also, a+b=t+3=c+d.
      To show that xa+xb=xc+xd, it remains to show that rem(12,2t)+rem((t+2)2,2t)=rem(22,2t)+rem((t+1)2,2t) Now rem(12,2t)=rem(1,2t)=1 and rem(22,2t)=rem(4,2t)=4 since 2t>4.
      Also, since (t+2)2=t2+4t+4 and so (t+2)2 and t2+4 differ by a multiple of n=2t, then rem((t+2)2,2t)=rem(t2+4,2t).
      Similarly, since (t+1)2=t2+2t+1, then rem((t+1)2,2t)=rem(t2+1,2t).
      Therefore, we need to show that rem(t2+4,2t)rem(t2+1,2t)=41=3.
      Since t5, then t2+t>t2+4.
      This means that t2<t2+1<t2+2<t2+3<t2+4<t2+t; in other words, each of t2+1, t2+2, t2+3, t2+4 is strictly between two consecutive multiples of t, and so none of these four integers can be a multiple of t. This means that none of these is a multiple of n=2t.
      Therefore, t2+4 and t2+1 are bounded between the same two multiples of n, and so the difference between their remainders when dividing by n equals the difference between the integers, which is 3.
      Thus, xa+xb=xc+xd, which means that T is boring.

      Finally, we consider the case where n is odd and composite and can be written as n=MN for some odd integers M>N>1.
      Set a=12(M+N), b=na, c=12(MN), and d=nc.
      Since M and N are both odd, then M+N and MN are even, and so a,b,c,d are integers.
      Since M>N>0, then a>c>0.
      Since N3, then n=MN3M>2M and so M<12n.
      Since M>N, then a=12(M+N)<12(M+M)=M<12n.
      Therefore, 0<c<a<12n.
      Since b=na and d=nc, then 12n<b<d<n and so 0<c<a<12n<b<d<n.
      This means that a,b,c,d are distinct integers in the correct range.
      Also, note that a+b=n=c+d.
      To show that xa+xb=xc+xd, it remains to show that rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)+rem(d2,n) We show that rem(a2,n)=rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)=rem(d2,n), which will provide the desired conclusion.
      Since b=na, then b2=n22na+a2. Since b2 and a2 differ by a multiple of n, their remainders after division by n will be equal. Similarly, rem(c2,n)=rem(d2,n).
      Thus, it remains to show that rem(a2,n)=rem(c2,n).
      But a2c2=(a+c)(ac)=(12(M+N)+12(MN))(12(M+N)12(MN))=MN=n Since a2 and c2 differ by a multiple of n, then rem(a2,n)=rem(c2,n).
      Thus, xa+xb=xc+xd, which means that T is boring.

      Suppose that n is prime. We show that T is exciting.
      Since n10, then n is odd.
      Suppose that xa+xb=xc+xd. We will show that this is not possible.
      Recall that xa+xb=xc+xd is equivalent to the conditions a+b=c+d and rem(a2,n)+rem(b2,n)=rem(c2,n)+rem(d2,n).
      We work with this second equation.
      When a2 is divided by n, we obtain a quotient that we call qa and the remainder rem(a2,n).
      Note that a2=qan+rem(a2,n) and 0rem(a2,n)<n.
      We define qb,qc,qd similarly and obtain (a2qan)+(b2qbn)=(c2qcn)+(d2qdn) or a2+b2c2d2=n(qa+qbqcqd) Since a+b=c+d, then a2+2ab+b2=c2+2cd+d2 or a2+b2c2d2=2cd2ab.
      Therefore, xa+xb=xc+xd exactly when a+b=c+d and 2cd2ab=n(qa+qbqcqd).
      Since d=a+bc, then this last equation becomes 2c(a+bc)2ab=n(qa+qbqcqd)2(c2acbc+ab)=n(qa+qbqcqd)2(c(ca)b(ca))=n(qa+qbqcqd)2(ca)(cb)=n(qa+qbqcqd) Since xa+xb=xc+xd, then a+b=c+d and 2(ca)(cb)=n(qa+qbqcqd).
      Therefore, 2(ca)(cb) is a multiple of n, which is an odd prime.
      This means that either ca or cb is a multiple of n.
      But a,b,c,d are between 1 and n inclusive and are distinct, so 1ncan1 and 1ncbn1.
      The only multiple of n in this range is 0, so ca=0 or cb=0, which contradicts the fact that a,b,c,d are distinct.
      Therefore, if n is prime, there do not exist four distinct elements of T that make T boring, so T is exciting.

      In summary, T is exciting exactly when n10 is prime.