Skip to content / Đến nội dung
ThichHocToan.com

International Mathematical Olympiad 2026 — Official contest Question 3

IMO · International Mathematical Olympiad 2026 — Official contest

Question 3

Let $n$ be a positive integer. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu have a stick of length 1 and want to divide it between themselves. Liu marks at most $n$ points on the stick, and then Xiang marks at most $n$ points on the stick. The marked points are distinct. Then, the stick is cut at all marked points, creating a number of pieces. Afterwards, they take turns claiming any unclaimed piece of the stick, with Liu going first. Each player's goal is to maximise the total length of their own pieces. For each $n$, determine the largest value $c$ such that Liu may guarantee a total length of at least $c$, regardless of Xiang's play.