Školjka

%V0 A rectangular array of numbers is given. In each row and each column, the sum of all numbers is an integer. Prove that each nonintegral number $x$ in the array can be changed into either $\lceil x\rceil$ or $\lfloor x\rfloor$ so that the row-sums and column-sums remain unchanged. (Note that $\lceil x\rceil$ is the least integer greater than or equal to $x$, while $\lfloor x\rfloor$ is the greatest integer less than or equal to $x$.)

%V0 Cards numbered 1 to 9 are arranged at random in a row. In a move, one may choose any block of consecutive cards whose numbers are in ascending or descending order, and switch the block around. For example, 9 1 $\underline{6\ 5\ 3}$ $2\ 7\ 4\ 8$ may be changed to $9 1$ $\underline{3\ 5\ 6}$ $2\ 7\ 4\ 8$. Prove that in at most 12 moves, one can arrange the 9 cards so that their numbers are in ascending or descending order.

%V0 Let $U=\{1,2,\ldots ,n\}$, where $n\geq 3$. A subset $S$ of $U$ is said to be split by an arrangement of the elements of $U$ if an element not in $S$ occurs in the arrangement somewhere between two elements of $S$. For example, 13542 splits $\{1,2,3\}$ but not $\{3,4,5\}$. Prove that for any $n-2$ subsets of $U$, each containing at least 2 and at most $n-1$ elements, there is an arrangement of the elements of $U$ which splits all of them.

%V0 This ISL 2005 problem has not been used in any TST I know. A pity, since it is a nice problem, but in its shortlist formulation, it is absolutely incomprehensible. Here is a mathematical restatement of the problem: Let $k$ be a nonnegative integer. A forest consists of rooted (i. e. oriented) trees. Each vertex of the forest is either a leaf or has two successors. A vertex $v$ is called an extended successor of a vertex $u$ if there is a chain of vertices $u_{0}=u$, $u_{1}$, $u_{2}$, ..., $u_{t-1}$, $u_{t}=v$ with $t>0$ such that the vertex $u_{i+1}$ is a successor of the vertex $u_{i}$ for every integer $i$ with $0\leq i\leq t-1$. A vertex is called dynastic if it has two successors and each of these successors has at least $k$ extended successors. Prove that if the forest has $n$ vertices, then there are at most $\frac{n}{k+2}$ dynastic vertices.

%V0 Let $n \in \mathbb N$ and $A_n$ set of all permutations $(a_1, \ldots, a_n)$ of the set $\{1, 2, \ldots , n\}$ for which $$k|2(a_1 + \cdots+ a_k), \text{ for all } 1 \leq k \leq n.$$ Find the number of elements of the set $A_n.$

%V0 Consider $2009$ cards, each having one gold side and one black side, lying on parallel on a long table. Initially all cards show their gold sides. Two player, standing by the same long side of the table, play a game with alternating moves. Each move consists of choosing a block of $50$ consecutive cards, the leftmost of which is showing gold, and turning them all over, so those which showed gold now show black and vice versa. The last player who can make a legal move wins. (a) Does the game necessarily end? (b) Does there exist a winning strategy for the starting player? Proposed by Michael Albert, Richard Guy, New Zealand