Challenge Definition and 911 Threads

  1. Iconoclast

    Will a Photon Clock Tick Faster or Slower When Moving Towards You?

    A Youtube channel has just uploaded a video proposing a challenge. The question is pretty simple. It can be summed up to: A clock is moving towards you at 50% the speed of light, and eventually it passes you and continues its travel. When the clock is moving towards you, will it appear to tick...
  2. anemone

    MHB Proving System of Equations for Algebra Challenge

    Given the system of equation below: $a = zb + yc$ $b = xc + za$ $c = you + xb$ Prove that $\dfrac{a^2}{1-x^2}=\dfrac{b^2}{1-y^2}=\dfrac{c^2}{1-z^2}$.
  3. anemone

    MHB Inequality challenge for positive real numbers

    If $a$ and $b$ are two positive real, and that $a^3+b^3=a-b$, prove that $2\left(\sqrt{2}-1\right)a^2-b^2\lt 1$.
  4. anemone

    MHB Can You Prove $\sin 1+\sin 2+\sin 3+\cdots+\sin n<2$?

    Prove that $\sin 1+\sin 2+\sin 3+\cdots+\sin n<2$.
  5. anemone

    MHB Can $\sqrt{8}^{\sqrt{7}}$ Ever Be Greater Than $\sqrt{7}^{\sqrt{8}}$?

    Prove that $\sqrt{8}^{\sqrt{7}}<\sqrt{7}^{\sqrt{8}}$.
  6. anemone

    MHB I<0? Evaluate New Year Challenge Integral

    Let $$I=\int_{2013}^{2014} \frac{\sin x}{x}\,dx$$. Determine with reason if $I<0,\,I=0$ or $I>0$?
  7. anemone

    MHB Geom. Challenge: Prove $(1-\cos A)(1-\cos B)(1-\cos C)\ge \cos A\cos B \cos C$

    Let $A,\,B$ and $C$ be three angles of a triangle $ABC$. Prove that $(1-\cos A)(1-\cos B)(1-\cos C)\ge \cos A\cos B \cos C$
  8. anemone

    MHB Cube Root Challenge: Prove Inequality

    Prove $\sqrt[3]{43}<\sqrt[3]{9}+\sqrt[3]{3}<\sqrt[3]{44}$
  9. anemone

    MHB Can you prove the Floor Function Challenge?

    Prove $$\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left\lfloor{\left(\frac{k}{2}\right)^2}\right\rfloor=\left\lfloor{\dfrac{n(n+2)(2n-1)}{24}}\right\rfloor$$.
  10. Gamma

    Physics Challenge Exams: Placement & Evaluation Research

    Hello fellow physicists, I teach first and second year physics at a community college. In particular, I teach two algebra based- and three calculus-based physics courses. I wanted to know if any of you have used any type of challenge exams to place out of the first year physics course. I am also...
  11. anemone

    MHB Challenge of Square Root Problem

    Show that $\sqrt{99}-\sqrt{98}+\sqrt{97}-\sqrt{96}+\cdots-\sqrt{4}+\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{1}> 5$.
  12. anemone

    MHB  Prove $\frac{1}{2}<S<1$ in Sequence Challenge

    Given that $S=1-\dfrac{1}{2}+\dfrac{1}{3}-\dfrac{1}{4} + ...+\dfrac{1}{99}-\dfrac{1}{100}$. Prove that $\dfrac{1}{2}<S<1$.
  13. A

    MHB Win the Coin Toss Game at the Fair - Challenge Problem

    Marci is working a coin toss game at the fair. You get 4 coins to toss to try to get numbers that add up to 10. You can get a 0,1,2,3,4 or 5. How many different combinations of 10 are there? (Hint: 5+5+0+0 is different from 5+0+5+0)
  14. Albert1

    MHB Prove Inequality: $m,n,k\in N$, $m>1,n>1$

    $m,n,k\in N$, and $m>1,n>1$ prove : $(3^{m+1}-1)\times (5^{n+1}-1)\times(7^{k+1}-1)>98\times 3^m\times 5^n\times7^k$
  15. anemone

    MHB Inequality Challenge: Prove Real $a,b,c,x,y,z$

    Prove for all positive real $a,\,b,\,c,\,x,\,y,\,z$ that $\dfrac{a^3}{x}+\dfrac{b^3}{y}+\dfrac{c^3}{z}\ge \dfrac{(a+b+c)^3}{3(x+y+z)}$.
  16. anemone

    MHB Proving $\sqrt[3]{a-b}+\sqrt[3]{b-c}+\sqrt[3]{c-a}\ne 0$ with 3 Real Numbers

    Let $a,\,b$ and $c$ be three distinct real numbers. Prove that $\sqrt[3]{a-b}+\sqrt[3]{b-c}+\sqrt[3]{c-a}\ne 0$.
  17. anemone

    MHB Prove 1000th Progression of an Algebraic Series is Less than 1/79

    Prove $\dfrac{1}{3}\cdot\dfrac{4}{6}\cdot\dfrac{7}{9}\cdots\dfrac{1000}{1002}\lt \dfrac{1}{79}$
  18. anemone

    MHB Prove Inequality Challenge for $a\in \Bbb{Z^+}$

    Let $a\in \Bbb{Z^+}$, prove that $\dfrac{2}{2-\sqrt{2}}>\dfrac{1}{1\sqrt{1}}+\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}+\dfrac{1}{3\sqrt{3}}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{a\sqrt{a}}$.
  19. anemone

    MHB Is This Trigonometric Identity Valid for All Values?

    Let $\dfrac{\cos^4 a}{x}+\dfrac{\sin^4 a}{y}=\dfrac{1}{x+y}$ for all real $a,\,b,\,x,\,y$. Prove that $\dfrac{\cos^8 a}{x^3}+\dfrac{\sin^8 a}{y^3}=\dfrac{1}{(x+y)^3}$
  20. anemone

    MHB Prove Algebra Challenge: $(x,y,z,a,b,c)$ Equation

    For reals $x,\,y,\,z$ and $a,\,b$ and $c$ that satisfy $a + b + c = ax + by + cz = x^2a + y^2b + z^2c = 1$, prove that $x^3a + y^3b + cz^3c = 1 − (1 − x)(1 − y)(1 − z)$
  21. C

    MHB Find the Sides of Triangle DEF: A Challenge!

    I found this question in my study guide triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF. Triangle ABC has sides 4,6,8. Wich could be the corresponding sides of a triangle DEF? Indicate all that apply A) 1, 1.5, 2 B)1.5, 2.25, 3 C)6, 9, 12 D) 8, 12, 16 E)10, 15, 20 What I did was add the...
  22. Matejxx1

    Please ask me questions to challenge my knowledge

    So I was checking the How to self-study math thread and saw that someone suggested that It would be helpfull to create this kind of thread. And because we are writting a test on thursday on Probability I though it would be nice to find out which parts I still need to double-check. So these...
  23. DiracPool

    Name the Character: Movie Guessing Challenge!

    Ok, I got an experimental idea for a game. I'm going to post a picture from a movie and the first person that guesses it can then post a new picture. Pretty inventive, huh? Oh, and the rules are you can't upload the picture to that google image recognition thing (of course). Be honest. Name...
  24. anemone

    MHB Find $\angle BPC$ in Triangle ABC with $\angle ACB=\angle ABC=80^\circ$

    In triangle ABC, $\angle ACB=\angle ABC=80^\circ$ and $P$ is on the line segment $AB$ such that $BC=AP$. Find $\angle BPC$.
  25. M

    How can we parameterize the cycloid traced by a rolling circle?

    Hey! :o A cycloid is a flat curve that is traced by point of the rim of a circle while the circle rolls without slippage on the line. Show that if the line is the axis $x$ and the circle has radius $a>0$, then the cycloid can be parametrized by $$\gamma (t)=a(t-\sin t, 1-\cos t)$$ Could you...
  26. anemone

    MHB Prove $(s^3+t^3+u^3+v^3)^2=9(st-uv)(tu-sv)(us-tv)$ with $s+t+u+v=0$

    Let $s,\,t,\,u,\,v$ be real numbers such that $s+t+u+v=0$. Prove that $(s^3+t^3+u^3+v^3)^2=9(st-uv)(tu-sv)(us-tv)$.
  27. I

    Physics Challenge Question: Stability on a Cylinder

    Homework Statement A solid cube of side ##l = r*pi/2## and of uniform density is placed on the highest point of a cylinder of radius ##r## as shown in the attached figure. If the cylinder is sufficiently rough that no sliding occurs, calculate the full range of the angle through which the block...
  28. N

    Advice on doing the Egg Drop challenge with High Schoolers

    Hello I'm relatively new to teaching physics and was wondering if you anyone had advices as to the parameters to put on this challenge. How high should I drop their containers from? 2nd or 3rd story? When I was in school, I think we could only use glue and toothpicks, but I don't remember...
  29. anemone

    MHB How Do You Solve This Floor Function Equation?

    Solve the equation $\left\lfloor{\dfrac{2a + 1}{a^2+ 1}}\right\rfloor\left\{\dfrac{a^2+ 2a +2}{a^2+ 1}\right\}=\dfrac{2a -a^2}{a^2 + 1}$, where $\{a\}$ denotes the fractional part of $a$.
  30. anemone

    MHB Can You Prove This Trigonometric Inequality?

    Prove $\tan 6^{\circ}+\tan 24^{\circ}+\tan 42^{\circ}+\tan 86^{\circ}\gt 4$.
  31. anemone

    Proving $\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{3} \gt \pi$: A Mathematical Challenge

    Prove $\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{3}\gt \pi$.
  32. anemone

    MHB Prove Inequality: $(x+y)^2/2+ (x+y)/4 \ge x\sqrt{y}+y\sqrt{x}$

    Prove $\dfrac{(x+y)^2}{2}+\dfrac{x+y}{4}\ge x\sqrt{y}+y\sqrt{x}$.
  33. anemone

    MHB Solve Inequality Challenge: Prove $35\sqrt{55}+55\sqrt{77}+77\sqrt{35}\gt 2310$.

    Prove $35\sqrt{55}+55\sqrt{77}+77\sqrt{35}+35\sqrt{77}+55\sqrt{35}+77\sqrt{55}\gt 2310$.
  34. Albert1

    MHB Inequality Challenge: Prove $\sum \frac{x^3}{x^2+xy+y^2}\geq\frac{a+b+c}{3}$

    $a,b,c \in N$,prove : $\dfrac{a^3}{a^2+ab+b^2}+\dfrac{b^3}{b^2+bc+c^2}+\dfrac{c^3}{c^2+ca+a^2}\geq\dfrac{a+b+c}{3}$
  35. anemone

    MHB Inequality Proof: $\dfrac{2015}{(k+1)(k+4030)}<\dfrac{1}{k+1}$

    Suppose $k>0$. Show that $\dfrac{2015}{(k+1)(k+4030)}<\dfrac{1}{k+1}-\dfrac{1}{k+2}+\dfrac{1}{k+3}-\dfrac{1}{k+4}+\cdots+\dfrac{1}{k+4029}-\dfrac{1}{k+4030}$.
  36. ognik

    MHB Solving for Coth Manually: A Challenge for Experts

    I must be in the 'optional for experts' section. I can get a series for coth using mathmatica, but would like to do it 'manually'. The power series for cosh & sinh leaves a division I don't want to attempt. I tried $ \frac{cosh}{sinh} = \frac{{e}^{2x+1}+1}{{e}^{2x-1}+1} $ and using...
  37. Greg

    MHB Trigonometry challenge - cosine product

    Prove $$\cos20^\circ\cdot\cos40^\circ\cdot\cos80^\circ=\frac18$$
  38. anemone

    MHB What is the Minimum Value of a Mathematical Function with Specific Constraints?

    Find the minimum of $\dfrac{1}{a-b}+\dfrac{1}{b-c}+\dfrac{1}{a-c}$ for real $a>b>c$ given $(a-b)(b-c)(a-c)=17$.
  39. anemone

    MHB Inequality Challenge: Prove $1/(u-1)+1/(v-1)+1/(x-1)+1/(y-1)>0$

    Real numbers $u,\,v,\,x,\,y$ satisfy the following conditions: $|u|>1$, $|v|>1$, $|x|>1$, $|y|>1$, and $u+v+x+y+uv(x+y)+xy(u+v)=0$ Prove that $\dfrac{1}{u-1}+\dfrac{1}{v-1}+\dfrac{1}{x-1}+\dfrac{1}{y-1}>0$.
  40. Helios

    Can You Crack the Microshogi Tsume Puzzle?

    It occurred to me that some of the PF community might enjoy learning the game of Microshogi ( otherwise known as Five-minute Poppy Shogi, invented by Yasuharu Ōyama in 1981 ), so I composed this Microshogi tsume problem as a challenge. Does anyone play Microshogi? Then solve the tsume. Have fun...
  41. anemone

    MHB Trigonometry Challenge (Find x)

    Solve $\large 3^{3\cos x(1+\sin^2 x)}-3^{\cos x(4-\sin^2 x)}=6\cos 3x$.
  42. K

    Solving Work Problems: Algebra Techniques for Jennifer and John

    Do you have very hard problems about work? I referred to my algebra book and googled in vain. Not talking about the product of the force magnitude and the displacement magnitude. This is what I’m talking about – Jennifer takes 4 hours to do a job. John takes 6 hours to do the same job. Working...
  43. S

    MHB Pebble Challenge: Who Wins & Why?

    There are 100 pebbles on the table. There are two players, A and B, who move alternatively. Player A moves first. The rules of the game are the same for both players: at each...
  44. anemone

    MHB Solve Algebra Challenge: Find $\dfrac{x}{x+y}+\dfrac{y}{y+z}+\dfrac{z}{z+x}$

    If $\dfrac{(x-y)(y-z)(z-x)}{(x+y)(y+z)(z+x)}=\dfrac{2014}{2015}$, evaluate $\dfrac{x}{x+y}+\dfrac{y}{y+z}+\dfrac{z}{z+x}$.
  45. kostoglotov

    Multiple Integral Challenge Question, I just need a hint

    Homework Statement I will just post an image of the problem and here's the link if the above is too small: http://i.imgur.com/JB6FEog.png?1Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I've been playing with it, but I can't figure out a good way to "grip" this problem. I can see some things...
  46. kostoglotov

    Multiple Integral Challenge Question, no solution in guide

    I have what I think is a valid solution, but I'm not sure, and when I try to check the answer approximately in Matlab, I don't get a verified value, and I'm not sure if my analytic solution or my approximation method in Matlab is at fault. 1. Homework Statement Evaluate the integral...
  47. anemone

    MHB Prove Existence of $n$ for Integer $\sqrt{n^3+xn^2+yn+z}$

    Prove that for any integers $x,\,y,\,z$, there exists a positive integers $n$ such that $\sqrt{n^3+xn^2+yn+z}$ is not an integer.
  48. I

    MHB Prove $x=-y$: A Math Challenge

    Let $x, y$ be real numbers such that $$(\sqrt{y^{2} - x\,\,}\, - x)(\sqrt{x^{2} + y\,\,}\, - y)=y.$$ Prove $x=-y$. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
  49. anemone

    MHB Algebra Challenge: Express $(x^3-y^3)(y^3-z^3)(z^3-x^3)$ in Terms of a & b

    Let $a,\,b,\,x,\,y,\,z$ be real numbers such that $x^2y+y^2z+z^2x=a$ and $xy^2+yz^2+zx^2=b$. Express $(x^3-y^3)(y^3-z^3)(z^3-x^3)$ in terms of $a$ and $b$.
  50. anemone

    MHB Can you prove the trigonometry challenge with angles of a triangle?

    Prove that if $A,\,B$ and $C$ are angles of a triangle, then $\dfrac{1}{\sin A}+\dfrac{1}{\sin B}\ge \dfrac{8}{3+2\cos C}$.
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