olymmath

ISL 2021 N4

    Alice is given a rational number r>1r>1 and a line with two points B≠RB \neq R, where point RR contains a red bead and point BB contains a blue bead. Alice plays a solitaire game by performing a sequence of moves. In every move, she chooses a (not necessarily positive) integer kk, and a bead to move. If that bead is placed at point XX, and the other bead is placed at YY, then Alice moves the chosen bead to point X′X^{\prime} with YX′→=rkYX→\overrightarrow{Y X^{\prime}}=r^{k} \overrightarrow{Y X}. Alice's goal is to move the red bead to the point BB. Find all rational numbers r>1r>1 such that Alice can reach her goal in at most 2021 moves.

    Official text Transcription from NuminaMath olympiads, checked word for word against the official paper. Quoted with source.

    Official text: IMO 2021 Shortlist booklet, page 10.

    Solutions

    Official solution Solution 1 by the IMO Problem Selection Committee

    The terms of the source let olymmath link to this solution but not copy it. Read the solution (IMO official site).

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