2001 Nordic

1

Let ${A}$ be a finite collection of squares in the coordinate plane such that the vertices of all squares that belong to ${A}$ are ${(m, n), (m + 1, n), (m, n + 1)}$, and ${(m + 1, n + 1)}$ for some integers ${m}$ and ${n}$. Show that there exists a subcollection ${B}$ of ${A}$ such that ${B}$ contains at least ${25 \% }$ of the squares in ${A}$, but no two of the squares in ${B}$ have a common vertex.

2

Let ${f}$ be a bounded real function defined for all real numbers and satisfying for all real numbers ${x}$ the condition ${ f \Big(x+\frac{1}{3}\Big) + f \Big(x+\frac{1}{2}\Big)=f(x)+ f \Big(x+\frac{5}{6}\Big)}$ . Show that ${f}$ is periodic.

3

Determine the number of real roots of the equation ${x^8 -x^7 + 2x^6- 2x^5 + 3x^4 - 3x^3 + 4x^2 - 4x + \frac{5}{2}= 0}$

4

Let ${ABCDEF}$ be a convex hexagon, in which each of the diagonals ${AD, BE}$ , and ${CF}$ divides the hexagon into two quadrilaterals of equal area. Show that ${AD, BE}$ , and ${CF}$ are concurrent.