Logical Thinking

1. Given A and B are two nonzero digits and the 3-digit numbers formed by A and B have
the following properties:
(a) AAA is divisible by 12; and
(b) ABA is a square number.
Find the smallest 3-digit number BAA.
Answer: 844
Solution: Observe that 121 = 112 , 484 = 222 and 676 = 262 are the only 3-digit numbers
of the form ABA. Corresponding to these, we have 111, 444 and 666 are 3-digit numbers
of the form AAA. However, only 444 = 12 · 37 is divisible by 12. Therefore, the smallest
3-digit number BAA is 844.
2. If abcd + bcda + cdab + dabc = 29997, find a + b + c + d.
Answer: 27
Solution: Note that
abcd = 1000a + 100b + 10c + d
bcda = 1000b + 100c + 10d + a
cdab = 1000c + 100d + 10a + b
dabc = 1000d + 100a + 10b + c
abcd + bcda + cdab + dabc = 1111a + 1111b + 1111c + 1111d
29997 = 1111a + 1111b + 1111c + 1111d
27 = a + b + c + d.

3. There are n people in a room. They shake hand with each other once. If they shake
hands 1035 times, find n.
Answer: 46
Solution: Note that the formula for counting the number of hand shakes done by n people
n(n − 1)
is given by . Using this formula, we have
2
n(n − 1)
= 1035
2

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 n(n − 1) = 2070
2
n − n − 2070 = 0
(n − 46)(n + 45) = 0

Since n must be positive, we can only take n = 46.

4. The 3-digit number abc consists of three nonzero digits. The sum of the other five 3-digit
numbers formed by rearranging a, b, and c is 2022. Find abc.
Answer: 642
Solution: Since the sum of the other five 3-digit numbers formed by rearranging a, b, and
c is 2022, we have

abc + 2022 = abc + acb + bac + bca + cab + cba.

This implies that abc + 2022 = 222(a + b + c). Since abc is between 111 and 999, then
222(a + b + c) is between 2133 and 3021, so that a + b + c must be either 10, 11, 12, or
13. Now,

a + b + c = 10 : abc = 222 · 10 − 2022 = 198 where 1 + 9 + 8 = 18 ̸= 10

a + b + c = 11 : abc = 222 · 11 − 2022 = 420 where 4 + 2 + 0 = 6 ̸= 11
a + b + c = 12 : abc = 222 · 12 − 2022 = 642 where 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 = 12
a + b + c = 13 : abc = 222 · 13 − 2022 = 864 where 8 + 6 + 4 = 18 ̸= 13

Therefore, the 3-digit number abc must be 642.

√
5. Beatrix goes northwest for 13√ 2 km, then goes 6 km west, goes 2 km south, goes 20 km
east and goes southeast for 5 2 km. How far is he now from his original position?
√
Answer: 6 2 km
Solution: Following his route, it can be observed that his current distance from his original
position is
p √ √
d = (13 − 2 − 5)2 + (−13 − 6 + 20 + 5)2 = 62 + 62 = 6 2 km.

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 Algebra

1
6. Calculate 2 + . (Show your answer in simplest surd.)
1
3−
1
4+
1
2+
1
3−
4 + ···
√
23 + 3 93
Answer:
22
Solution: Let x be the expression. Observe that
1
x=2+
1
3−
1
4+
x
4x + 1
x=2+
11x + 3
26x + 7
x=
11x + 3
2
11x + 3x = 26x + 7
2
11x − 23x − 7 = 0
Using the quadratic formula to solve for the value of x, we have
p √ √
23 ± 232 − 4(11)(−7) 23 ± 837 23 ± 3 93
x= = = .
2(11) 22 22
√
23 + 3 93
Since x must be positive, we have x = .
22
p √
7. Calculate 30 + 12 6.
√ √
Answer: 2 3 + 3 2
Solution: Observe that
√ √
q q
30 + 12 6 = 30 + 2 · 6 6
√
q
= 30 + 2 216
q√ √ √ √
= ( 12)2 + 2 · 12 · 18 + ( 18)2
q√ √
= ( 12 + 18)2
√ √
= 12 + 18
√ √
=2 3+3 2

A
8. Find the value of if
B
1 1 1
A= + + ··· + and
1×2 3×4 2021 × 2022

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 1 1 1
B= + + ··· + .
1012 × 2022 1013 × 2021 2022 × 1012

Answer: 1517
1 1 1
Solution: Using = − , we have
k(k + 1) k k+1
1 1 1
A= + + ··· +
1 × 2 3 ×4
  2021 ×  2022 
1 1 1 1 1
A= 1− + − + ··· + −
2 3 4 2021 2022
   
1 1 1 1 1
A = 1 + + ··· + − + + ··· +
3 2021 2 4 2022
   
1 1 1 1 1
A = 1 + + ··· + −2 + + ··· +
2 2022 2 4 2022
   
1 1 1 1
A = 1 + + ··· + − 1 + + ··· +
2 2022 2 1011
1 1 1
A= + + ··· +
1012 1013   2022
   
1 1 1 1 1 1
2A = + + + + ··· + +
1012 2022 1013 2021 2022 1012
3034 3034 3034
2A = + + ··· +
1012 × 2022 1013 × 2021 2022 × 1012 
1 1 1
2A = 3034 + + ··· +
1012 × 2022 1013 × 2021 2022 × 1012
2A = 3034B

A 3034
Therefore, = 2
= 1517.
B
9. Factor 4(x + 5)(x + 6)(x + 10)(x + 12) − 3x2 completely.
Answer: (2x2 + 35x + 60)(2x + 15)(x + 8)
Solution: We rewrite the expression as 4(x + 5)(x + 12)(x + 6)(x + 10) − 3x2 . Note that

(x + 5)(x + 12) = x2 + 17x + 60 and (x + 6)(x + 10) = x2 + 16x + 60.

We let y = x2 + 17x + 60 and so, y − x = x2 + 16x + 60. Now,

4(x + 5)(x + 6)(x + 10)(x + 12) − 3x2 = 4y(y − x) − 3x2

= 4y 2 − 4xy − 3x2
= (2y + x)(2y − 3x)
= [2(x2 + 17x + 60) + x][2(x2 + 17x + 60) − 3x]
= (2x2 + 35x + 120)(2x2 + 31x + 120)
= (2x2 + 35x + 120)(2x + 15)(x + 8)

Therefore, 4(x + 5)(x + 6)(x + 10)(x + 12) − 3x2 = (2x2 + 35x + 120)(2x + 15)(x + 8).

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
  7  8
1 1 1
10. Find the coefficient of in the expansion x+ x− .
x x x
Answer: 35
Solution: Observe that
 7  8  7  7     7
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1
x+ x− = x+ x− x− = x− x − 2 .
x x x x x x x
 7  8
1 1 1
Note the the coefficient of in the expansion x + x− is the coefficient of
x x x
 7
2 2 1
x in the expansion x − 2 which is given by C37 = 35.
x

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 Number Theory

11. If x3 − 14x2 + 46x − 121 ≡ 0 mod 22, find the maximum integral value of x.
Answer: 11
Solution: Since x3 − 14x2 + 46x − 121 ≡ 0 mod 22, we have

x3 − 14x2 + 46x − 121 = x3 − 14x2 + 46x − 121 − 22 + 22

= x3 − 14x2 + 46x − 143 + 22
= (x − 11)(x2 − 3x + 13) + 22

Therefore, the maximum integral value of x is at 11.

√ √
12. Let x be a nonzero real number such that 5 x3 + 20x = 3 x5 − 20x. Find the product of
all possible values of x.
Answer: −5
√ √
Solution: Suppose z = 5 x3 + 20x = 3 x5 − 20x. Then we have z 5 = x3 + 20x and
z 3 = x5 − 20x. Adding both equations, we have z 5 + z 3 = x5 + x3 which further implies
that z 5 − x5 + z 3 − x3 = 0. Factoring this, we obtain

z 5 − x5 + z 3 − x3 = (z − x)(z 4 + z 3 x + z 2 x2 + zx3 + x4 + z 2 + zx + x2 ) = 0. (1)

Note that as x is nonzero, z is also nonzero. From the first five terms of the second factor
of (1), we can infer that
 x 2  z 2 1 2 2
z 4 + z 3 x + z 2 x2 + zx3 + x4 = z 2 z + + x2 x + + x z > 0.
2 2 2
Similarly, from the last three terms of the second factor of (1),

2 2 x 2 3 2

z + zx + x = z − + x > 0.
2 4
This means that the second factor of (1) is positive, i.e.,

z 4 + z 3 x + z 2 x2 + zx3 + x4 + z 2 + zx + x2 > 0.

This forces us to have z = x and hence

√5
z = x3 + 20x
√5
x = x3 + 20x
x5 = x3 + 20x
0 = x5 − x3 − 20x
0 = x(x2 + 4)(x2 − 5)
√
Thus,
√ √ the possible nonzero real values of x are ± 5, and therefore, the product is
(− 5)( 5) = −5.

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 
5x ≡ 1 mod 3

13. Find the largest negative integral solution of the congruence system 7x ≡ 1 mod 5.

3x ≡ 1 mod 7

Answer: −37
Solution: Note that
 
5x ≡ 1 mod 3
 x ≡ 2 mod 3

7x ≡ 1 mod 5 =⇒ x ≡ 3 mod 5

3x ≡ 1 mod 7 
x ≡ 5 mod 7

Let m = m1 · m2 · m3 = 3 · 5 · 7 = 105. Also, note that

M1 = m ÷ m1 = m2 · m3 = 5 · 7 = 35
M2 = m ÷ m2 = m1 · m3 = 3 · 7 = 21
M3 = m ÷ m3 = m1 · m2 = 3 · 5 = 15

Moreover,

35M1−1 ≡ 1 mod 3 =⇒ M1−1 ≡ 2 mod 3

21M2−1 ≡ 1 mod 5 =⇒ M2−1 ≡ 1 mod 5
15M3−1 ≡ 1 mod 7 =⇒ M3−1 ≡ 1 mod 7

Furthermore,

x ≡ [(35 · 2 · 2) + (21 · 1 · 3) + (15 · 1 · 5)] mod (3 · 5 · 7)

≡ (140 + 63 + 75) mod 105
≡ 278 mod 105
≡ 68 mod 105

Therefore, the largest negative integral solution is x = 68 − 105 = −37.

√
14. How many integers x are there so that 458 + 34x + x2 is an integer?
Answer: 1
√
Solution: Let n = 458 + 34x + x2 . Then,
√
n = 458 + 34x + x2
n2 = 458 + 34x + x2
n2 = (x + 17)2 + 132
132 = n2 − (x + 17)2
132 = (n − x − 17)(n + x + 17)

Note that 132 = 169 = 13 × 13 = 1 × 169. Upon checking, only n − x − 17 = 1 and

n + x + 17 = 169 will give a positive
√ integral value of x, i.e., x = 67. Therefore, there is
only one integer x that will make 458 + 34x + x2 an integer.

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
15. Let k be an integer. If the equation kx2 + (4k − 2)x + (4k − 7) = 0 has an integral root,
find the sum of all possible values of k.
Answer: 6
Solution: Let m be an integral root of the equation. Then we have

km2 + (4k − 2)m + (4k − 7) = 0

(m2 + 4m + 4)k = 2m + 7
(m + 2)2 k = 2m + 7

Hence, m + 2 divides 2m + 7 and so, m + 2 divides 2m + 7 − 2(m + 2) = 3 as well. Thus,

m can only be −5, −3, −1, or 1. Checking all these values we have

If m = −5 : 9k = −3 not an integral solution

If m = −3 : k=1 an integral solution
If m = −1 : k=5 an integral solution
If m = −1 : k=1 an integral solution

Therefore, the sum of the possible values is 1 + 5 = 6.

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 Geometry

22


16. A triangle has side lengths 20, 22, and 24. Find the area of the inscribed circle. Use π = 7
.
858
Answer: sq. units
7
Solution: Solving for the semiperimeter of the triangle, we have
20 + 22 + 24
s= = 33.
2
Hence, utilizing the area of the triangle using the semiperimeter and the area of the
triangle using the Heron’s formula. we have
√ √ √
33r = 33 · 13 · 11 · 9 =⇒ 33r = 33 39 =⇒ r = 39.
Therefore, the area of the inscribed circle is
22 √ 2 858
 
2
A = πr = ( 39) = sq. units.
7 7

17. ∆ABC is equilateral with side length 4. D is a point on BC such that BD = 1. If r and
s are the radii of the inscribed circles of ∆ADB and ∆ADC, respectively, find rs.
√
Answer: 4 − 13
Solution:

Consider the figure above. Using cosine law,

p p √
AD = AB 2 + BD2 − 2(AB)(BD) cos B = 42 + 12 − 2(4)(1) cos 60◦ = 13.
Also, observe that the areas of ∆ABD and ∆ADC are respectively given by
√ !
1 1 3 √
A∆ABD = (AB)(BD) sin 60◦ = (4)(1) = 3
2 2 2
√ !
1 1 3 √
A∆ADC = (AC)(DC) sin 60◦ = (4)(3) = 3 3.
2 2 2
Recall that the radius of the inscribed circle of a triangle is equal to twice the area divided
by the perimeter. This can be seen by connecting the incenter to the three vertices and
considering the area. So, it follows that
√ √
2· 3 2·3 3 36 3 √
rs = √ · √ = √ = √ = 4 − 13.
4 + 1 + 3 4 + 3 + 13 48 + 12 13 4 + 13

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
18. Find the area enclosed by the y-axis and the straight lines x + 8y = 40 and 8y = 7x − 24.
Answer: 32 sq. units
Solution: Note that the region obtained is a triangle. Solving for the intersection of the
two lines, we obtain x = 8 and y = 4. Observe that the height of the triangle corresponds
to the x coordinate of the point of intersection of the two lines, i.e., h = 8. Also, the
y-intercepts of the two lines are y = −3 and y = 5, respectively. Therefore, the area is
given by
1
A = [5 − (−3)](8) = 32 sq. units.
2
19. There is an inscribed square inside a circle. For the inscribed square, there is another
inscribed circle inside it. Find the ratio of the smaller circle to the larger bigger circle.
Answer: 1 : 2
Solution: Let r be the radius of the bigger circle. Observe that the radius of the smaller
circle is equal to half the side length of the inscribed square inside the bigger circle.
Therefore,
√ !2
r 2 πr2 1
A smaller circle : A bigger circle =⇒ π : πr2 =⇒ : πr2 =⇒ : 1 =⇒ 1 : 2.
2 2 2

sin x cos x 1 sin 2x cos 2x

20. If = 3 and = , find + .
sin y cos y 2 sin 2y cos 2y
49
Answer:
58
Solution: Observe that
sin x
=3 =⇒ sin2 x = 9 sin2 y =⇒ 4 sin2 x = 36 sin2 y
sin y
cos x 1
= =⇒ 2 cos x = cos y =⇒ 4 cos2 x = cos2 y
cos y 2
Using some trigonometric identities and the above implications, we have

4 = 4 sin2 x + 4 cos2 x
4 = 36 sin2 y + cos2 y
4 = 36 sin2 y + (1 − sin2 y)
3 = 35 sin2 y

3 32 27
Hence, sin2 y = . Similarly, using the same manner, we get cos2 y = , sin2 x = ,
35 35 35
8
and cos2 x = . Using these values, we have
35
sin 2x cos 2x 2 sin x cos x cos2 x − sin2 x
+ = +
sin 2y cos 2y 2 sin y cos y cos2 y − sin2 y
sin x cos x cos2 x − sin2 x
= · +
sin y cos y cos2 y − sin2 y

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 8 27
1 −
= 3 · + 35 35
2 32 3
−
35 35
3 19
= −
2 29
49
=
58

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 Combinatorics

21. Alex, Alexa, and Alexandra get 25 books altogether. If Alex gets at least 3 books,
Alexa gets more than 5 books, and Alexandra gets at least 2 books, how many different
combinations of getting books are there?
Answer: 91
Solution: Let A1 , A2 , and A3 be the number of books Alex, Alexa, and Alexandra get,
respectively. Observer that A1 ≥ 3, A2 > 5, and A3 ≥ 2. Using the stars and bars
formula, the number of combinations of getting the books is given by
25−3−6−2
C3−1 = C214 = 91.

22. A real number a is randomly chosen in the interval −20 ≤ a ≤ 22. What is the probability
that all roots of the equation x3 + (2a + 1)x2 + (4a − 1)x + 2 = 0 are real?
20
Answer:
21
Solution: Note that x3 + (2a + 1)x2 + (4a − 1)x + 2 = (x + 2)(x2 + (2a − 1)x + 1). Hence,
all the roots of the equation are real if and only if the discriminant of the quadratic
polynomial x2 + (2a − 1)x + 1 is nonnegative. That is,
1 3
(2a − 1)2 − 4 ≥ 0 =⇒ a≤− and a ≥ .
2 2
Therefore, the probability that all the roots are real is
 
3 1
− −
2 2 2 20
1− =1− = .
22 − (−20) 42 21

23. There are 12 pairs of couples. If we pick 5 people from them, how many ways are there
such that there are no couples in that 5 people?
Answer: 25,344
Solution: The total number of ways we can arrange the 5 people picked is 5!. The number
of ways we can pick a person from the 24 people is C124 . Since we need to ensure that
no couples in the 5 people we pick, the number of ways we can pick the second person is
given by C122 , the third is C120 , the forth is C118 and the fifth is C116 . Therefore, we have
C124 × C122 × C120 × C118 × C116 24 × 22 × 20 × 18 × 16
= = 25, 344.
5! 5!

24. In a test, a question required students to draw a triangle in which the largest and the
smallest interior angles differ by 54◦ , and then compute the sum of any two of the in-
terior angles of the triangle drawn. The sum obtained by two students were x◦ and y ◦ ,
respectively. Find the greatest possible value of x − y.
Answer: 72◦ or 72
Solution: Let the interior angles be a◦ , b◦ , and c◦ in increasing order. The we have
c = a + 54 and b = 180 − a − (a + 54) = 126 − 2a. As b lies between a and c, we have

a ≤ 126 − 2a ≤ a + 54 =⇒ 24 ≤ a ≤ 42.

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)
 To maximize x − y, we should maximize x and minimize y. To maximize x, we add up b
and c with a as small as possible, giving

x = b + c = 180 − a ≤ 180 − 24 = 156 =⇒ x ≤ 156.

On the other hand, to minimize y, we add up a and b and since a + b = 126 − a, we seek
to make a as large as possible giving

y = a + b = 126 − a ≥ 126 − 42 = 84 =⇒ y ≥ 84.

It follows that the greatest possible value of x − y is 156 − 84 = 72.

25. A fair 6-face dice is thrown 3 times. Find the probability that the sum of the numbers
obtained is a multiple of 5 or is not a multiple of 3.
77
Answer:
108
Solution: The total number of possible outcomes in throwing a fair 6-faced dice 3 times
is 63 = 216. Observe that for the sum to be a multiple of 5, the sum must be 5, 10, or
15. Hence,
6 27 10 43
P (multiple of 5) = P (sum of 5)+P (sum of 10)+P (sum of 15) = + + = .
216 216 216 216
On the other hand, for the sum to be a multiple of 3, the sum must be 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or
18. Now,
1
P (sum of 3) = = P (sum of 18)
216
10
P (sum of 6) = = P (sum of 15)
216
25
P (sum of 9) = = P (sum of 12)
216
Hence, the probability that the sum is not a multiple of 3 is
 
1 10 25 72 144
P (not multiple of 3) = 1 − 2 × + + =1− = .
216 216 216 216 216

Therefore,

P (multiple of 5 or not multiple of 3) =P (multiple of 5) + P (not multiple of 3)

− P (multiple of 5 and not multiple of 3)
43 144
= + − [P (sum of 5) + P (sum of 10)]
216 216
43 144 6 27
= + − −
216 216 216 216
154
=
216
77
P (multiple of 5 or not multiple of 3) = .
108

Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2022 (Senior Secondary Set 2)