Let $a, b$ be distinct real numbers and $k,m$ be positive integers $k + m = n \ge 3, k \le 2m, m \le 2k$. Consider sequences $x_1,\dots , x_n$ with the following properties: (i) $k$ terms $x_i$, including $x_1$, are equal to $a$; (ii) $m$ terms $x_i$, including $x_n$, are equal to $b$; (iii) no three consecutive terms are equal. Find all possible values of $x_nx_1x_2 + x_1x_2x_3 + \cdots + x_{n-1}x_nx_1$.

A triangle $ABC$ has sides $BC = a, CA = b, AB = c$ with $a < b < c$ and area $S$. Determine the largest number $u$ and the least number $v$ such that, for every point $P$ inside $\triangle ABC$, the inequality $u \le PD + PE + PF \le v$ holds, where $D,E, F$ are the intersection points of $AP,BP,CP$ with the opposite sides.

Let $S = \{1, 2, \cdots , n\}, n \in N$. Find the number of functions $f : S \to S$ with the property that $x + f(f(f(f(x)))) = n + 1$ for all $x \in S$?

An integer $n > 1$ and a prime $p$ are such that $n$ divides $p-1$, and $p$ divides $n^3 - 1$. Prove that $4p - 3$ is a perfect square.

In an acute-angled triangle $ABC$ with circumcenter $O$, points $P$ and $Q$ are taken on sides $AC$ and $BC$ respectively such that $\frac{AP}{PQ} = \frac{BC}{AB}$ and $\frac{BQ}{PQ} =\frac{AC}{AB}$ . Prove that the points $O, P,Q,C$ lie on a circle.

Let $n \ge 2$ be a fixed even integer. We consider polynomials of the form \[P(x) = x^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1x + 1\] with real coefficients, having at least one real roots. Find the least possible value of $a^2_1 + a^2_2 + \cdots + a^2_{n-1}$.