Some checkers placed on an $n \times n$ checkerboard satisfy the following conditions: (a) every square that does not contain a checker shares a side with one that does; (b) given any pair of squares that contain checkers, there is a sequence of squares containing checkers, starting and ending with the given squares, such that every two consecutive squares of the sequence share a side. Prove that at least $(n^{2}-2)/3$ checkers have been placed on the board.

Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral. Prove that \[ |AB - CD| + |AD - BC| \geq 2|AC - BD|. \]

Let $p > 2$ be a prime and let $a,b,c,d$ be integers not divisible by $p$, such that \[ \left\{ \dfrac{ra}{p} \right\} + \left\{ \dfrac{rb}{p} \right\} + \left\{ \dfrac{rc}{p} \right\} + \left\{ \dfrac{rd}{p} \right\} = 2 \] for any integer $r$ not divisible by $p$. Prove that at least two of the numbers $a+b$, $a+c$, $a+d$, $b+c$, $b+d$, $c+d$ are divisible by $p$. (Note: $\{x\} = x - \lfloor x \rfloor$ denotes the fractional part of $x$.)

Let $a_{1}, a_{2}, \dots, a_{n}$ ($n > 3$) be real numbers such that \[ a_{1} + a_{2} + \cdots + a_{n} \geq n \qquad \mbox{and} \qquad a_{1}^{2} + a_{2}^{2} + \cdots + a_{n}^{2} \geq n^{2}. \] Prove that $\max(a_{1}, a_{2}, \dots, a_{n}) \geq 2$.

The Y2K Game is played on a $1 \times 2000$ grid as follows. Two players in turn write either an S or an O in an empty square. The first player who produces three consecutive boxes that spell SOS wins. If all boxes are filled without producing SOS then the game is a draw. Prove that the second player has a winning strategy.

Let $ABCD$ be an isosceles trapezoid with $AB \parallel CD$. The inscribed circle $\omega$ of triangle $BCD$ meets $CD$ at $E$. Let $F$ be a point on the (internal) angle bisector of $\angle DAC$ such that $EF \perp CD$. Let the circumscribed circle of triangle $ACF$ meet line $CD$ at $C$ and $G$. Prove that the triangle $AFG$ is isosceles.

These problems are copyright $\copyright$ Mathematical Association of America.