grandes-ecoles

Papers (191)
2025
centrale-maths1__official 40 centrale-maths2__official 42 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 20 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 21 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 21 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 28 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 24 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 26 polytechnique-maths-a__mp 27 polytechnique-maths__fui 16 polytechnique-maths__pc 27 x-ens-maths-a__mp 18 x-ens-maths-c__mp 9 x-ens-maths-d__mp 38 x-ens-maths__pc 27 x-ens-maths__psi 38
2024
centrale-maths1__official 28 centrale-maths2__official 29 geipi-polytech__maths 9 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 25 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 20 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 19 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 23 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 21 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 21 polytechnique-maths-a__mp 44 polytechnique-maths-b__mp 37 x-ens-maths-a__mp 43 x-ens-maths-b__mp 35 x-ens-maths-c__mp 22 x-ens-maths-d__mp 45 x-ens-maths__pc 24 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2023
centrale-maths1__official 44 centrale-maths2__official 33 e3a-polytech-maths__mp 4 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 15 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 23 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 23 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 22 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 18 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 22 polytechnique-maths__fui 23 x-ens-maths-a__mp 25 x-ens-maths-b__mp 24 x-ens-maths-c__mp 20 x-ens-maths-d__mp 20 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 15
2022
centrale-maths1__mp 48 centrale-maths1__official 48 centrale-maths1__pc 37 centrale-maths1__psi 43 centrale-maths2__mp 32 centrale-maths2__official 32 centrale-maths2__pc 39 centrale-maths2__psi 45 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 25 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 24 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 24 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 24 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 19 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 20 x-ens-maths-a__mp 13 x-ens-maths-b__mp 40 x-ens-maths-c__mp 27 x-ens-maths-d__mp 46 x-ens-maths1__mp 13 x-ens-maths2__mp 40 x-ens-maths__pc 15 x-ens-maths__pc_cpge 15 x-ens-maths__psi 22 x-ens-maths__psi_cpge 23
2021
centrale-maths1__mp 40 centrale-maths1__official 40 centrale-maths1__pc 36 centrale-maths1__psi 29 centrale-maths2__mp 30 centrale-maths2__official 29 centrale-maths2__pc 38 centrale-maths2__psi 37 x-ens-maths2__mp 39 x-ens-maths__pc 44
2020
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__official 42 centrale-maths1__pc 36 centrale-maths1__psi 40 centrale-maths2__mp 38 centrale-maths2__official 38 centrale-maths2__pc 40 centrale-maths2__psi 39 mines-ponts-maths1__mp_cpge 24 mines-ponts-maths2__mp_cpge 21 x-ens-maths-a__mp_cpge 18 x-ens-maths-b__mp_cpge 20 x-ens-maths-d__mp 14 x-ens-maths1__mp 18 x-ens-maths2__mp 20 x-ens-maths__pc 18
2019
centrale-maths1__mp 37 centrale-maths1__official 37 centrale-maths1__pc 40 centrale-maths1__psi 39 centrale-maths2__mp 37 centrale-maths2__official 37 centrale-maths2__pc 39 centrale-maths2__psi 49 x-ens-maths1__mp 24 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2018
centrale-maths1__mp 47 centrale-maths1__official 47 centrale-maths1__pc 41 centrale-maths1__psi 44 centrale-maths2__mp 44 centrale-maths2__official 44 centrale-maths2__pc 35 centrale-maths2__psi 38 x-ens-maths1__mp 19 x-ens-maths2__mp 17 x-ens-maths__pc 22 x-ens-maths__psi 24
2017
centrale-maths1__mp 45 centrale-maths1__official 45 centrale-maths1__pc 22 centrale-maths1__psi 17 centrale-maths2__mp 30 centrale-maths2__official 30 centrale-maths2__pc 28 centrale-maths2__psi 44 x-ens-maths1__mp 26 x-ens-maths2__mp 16 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2016
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__pc 31 centrale-maths1__psi 33 centrale-maths2__mp 25 centrale-maths2__pc 47 centrale-maths2__psi 27 x-ens-maths1__mp 18 x-ens-maths2__mp 46 x-ens-maths__pc 15 x-ens-maths__psi 20
2015
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__pc 18 centrale-maths1__psi 42 centrale-maths2__mp 44 centrale-maths2__pc 18 centrale-maths2__psi 33 x-ens-maths1__mp 16 x-ens-maths2__mp 31 x-ens-maths__pc 30 x-ens-maths__psi 22
2014
centrale-maths1__mp 28 centrale-maths1__pc 26 centrale-maths1__psi 27 centrale-maths2__mp 24 centrale-maths2__pc 26 centrale-maths2__psi 27 x-ens-maths1__mp 9 x-ens-maths2__mp 16 x-ens-maths__pc 4 x-ens-maths__psi 24
2013
centrale-maths1__mp 22 centrale-maths1__pc 45 centrale-maths1__psi 29 centrale-maths2__mp 31 centrale-maths2__pc 52 centrale-maths2__psi 32 x-ens-maths1__mp 24 x-ens-maths2__mp 35 x-ens-maths__pc 22 x-ens-maths__psi 9
2012
centrale-maths1__mp 36 centrale-maths1__pc 28 centrale-maths1__psi 33 centrale-maths2__mp 27 centrale-maths2__psi 18
2011
centrale-maths1__mp 27 centrale-maths1__pc 17 centrale-maths1__psi 24 centrale-maths2__mp 29 centrale-maths2__pc 17 centrale-maths2__psi 10
2010
centrale-maths1__mp 19 centrale-maths1__pc 30 centrale-maths1__psi 13 centrale-maths2__mp 32 centrale-maths2__pc 37 centrale-maths2__psi 27
2019 x-ens-maths__pc

18 maths questions

Q1 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
When $x \in \mathbb{C}^n$, verify that $\|x\|_2^2 = \bar{x}^T x$.
Q2 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
Let $U \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{C})$ be a unitary matrix. Show that $\|Ux\|_2 = \|x\|_2$ for all $x \in \mathbb{C}^n$.
Q3 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
If $D \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{C})$ is a diagonal matrix whose diagonal coefficients are $d_0, \ldots, d_{n-1}$, show that $\|D\| = \max_{0 \leq i \leq n-1} |d_i|$.
Q4 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
Let $A, B \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{C})$. Suppose that there exists a unitary matrix $U \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{C})$ such that $B = UAU^{-1}$. Show that $\|A\| = \|B\|$.
Q5 Matrices Matrix Group and Subgroup Structure View
We fix a polynomial $f \in \mathbb{C}[X]$ of degree $n \geq 1$. We consider a complex number $z \in \overline{\mathbb{D}}$ and we define the matrices $M \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1}(\mathbb{C})$ and $P \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1,1}(\mathbb{C})$ by $$M = \left(\begin{array}{cccccc} z & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & \sqrt{1-|z|^2} \\ \sqrt{1-|z|^2} & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & -\bar{z} \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ \vdots & & I_{n-1} & & & \vdots \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \end{array}\right)$$ and $$P = \left(\begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ \vdots \\ 0 \end{array}\right)$$ Show that $M$ is a unitary matrix.
Q6 Matrices Matrix Power Computation and Application View
We fix a polynomial $f \in \mathbb{C}[X]$ of degree $n \geq 1$. We consider a complex number $z \in \overline{\mathbb{D}}$ and we define the matrices $M \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1}(\mathbb{C})$ and $P \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1,1}(\mathbb{C})$ by $$M = \left(\begin{array}{cccccc} z & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & \sqrt{1-|z|^2} \\ \sqrt{1-|z|^2} & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & -\bar{z} \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ \vdots & & I_{n-1} & & & \vdots \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \end{array}\right)$$ and $$P = \left(\begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ \vdots \\ 0 \end{array}\right)$$ Show that $z^k = P^T M^k P$ for all integer $0 \leq k \leq n$.
Q7 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
We fix a polynomial $f \in \mathbb{C}[X]$ of degree $n \geq 1$. We consider a complex number $z \in \overline{\mathbb{D}}$ and we define the matrices $M \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1}(\mathbb{C})$ and $P \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1,1}(\mathbb{C})$ by $$M = \left(\begin{array}{cccccc} z & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & \sqrt{1-|z|^2} \\ \sqrt{1-|z|^2} & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & -\bar{z} \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ \vdots & & I_{n-1} & & & \vdots \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \end{array}\right)$$ and $$P = \left(\begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ \vdots \\ 0 \end{array}\right)$$ Show that $|f(z)| \leq \|f(M)\|$.
Q8 Matrices Matrix Norm, Convergence, and Inequality View
We fix a polynomial $f \in \mathbb{C}[X]$ of degree $n \geq 1$. We consider a complex number $z \in \overline{\mathbb{D}}$ and we define the matrices $M \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1}(\mathbb{C})$ and $P \in \mathcal{M}_{n+1,1}(\mathbb{C})$ by $$M = \left(\begin{array}{cccccc} z & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & \sqrt{1-|z|^2} \\ \sqrt{1-|z|^2} & 0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & -\bar{z} \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \\ \vdots & & I_{n-1} & & & \vdots \\ 0 & & & & & 0 \end{array}\right)$$ and $$P = \left(\begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ \vdots \\ 0 \end{array}\right)$$ Prove Theorem 1: Let $f \in \mathbb{C}[X]$ be a polynomial. Then $$\sup_{z \in \overline{\mathbb{D}}} |f(z)| = \sup_{z \in \mathbb{S}} |f(z)|$$
Q9 Complex Numbers Arithmetic Modulus Inequalities and Bounds (Proof-Based) View
We fix an integer $n \geq 1$ and $A(z) = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} a_k z^k$ a polynomial such that $a_k \in \{-1, 0, 1\}$ for all $0 \leq k \leq n-1$. If $z \in \mathbb{C}$ satisfies $|z| = 1$, show that $|A(z)| \leq n$.
Q10 Complex Numbers Arithmetic Modulus Inequalities and Bounds (Proof-Based) View
We fix an integer $n \geq 1$ and $A(z) = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} a_k z^k$ a polynomial such that $a_k \in \{-1, 0, 1\}$ for all $0 \leq k \leq n-1$. We also fix an integer $L \geq 1$. We assume in this question that $a_0 = 1$, and we set, for all $z \in \mathbb{C}$, $$F(z) = \prod_{j=0}^{L-1} A\left(z e^{\frac{2i\pi j}{L}}\right)$$
a. Show that there exists $z_0 \in \mathbb{C}$ such that $|z_0| = 1$ and $|F(z_0)| \geq 1$.
b. Show that $|F(z_0)| \leq n^{L-1} \cdot \sup_{\theta \in \left[-\frac{\pi}{L}, \frac{\pi}{L}\right]} \left|A\left(e^{i\theta}\right)\right|$.
Q11 Complex Numbers Arithmetic Modulus Inequalities and Bounds (Proof-Based) View
Prove Theorem 2: Let $n \geq 1$ be an integer and $A(z) = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} a_k z^k$ a nonzero polynomial such that $a_k \in \{-1, 0, 1\}$ for all $0 \leq k \leq n-1$. Then for all integer $L \geq 1$ we have $$\sup_{\theta \in \left[-\frac{\pi}{L}, \frac{\pi}{L}\right]} \left|A\left(e^{i\theta}\right)\right| \geq \frac{1}{n^{L-1}}$$
Q12 Differentiating Transcendental Functions Prove inequality or sign of transcendental expression View
Let $g : \mathbb{R}_+ \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be the function defined by $g(x) = \ln\left(1 - p + pe^x\right)$ for all $x \geq 0$.
a. Show that $g$ is well defined and of class $C^2$ on $\mathbb{R}_+$. For $x \geq 0$, express $g''(x)$ in the form $\frac{\alpha\beta}{(\alpha+\beta)^2}$ where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are positive reals that may depend on $x$.
b. Show that $g''(x) \leq \frac{1}{4}$ for all $x \geq 0$.
c. Show that $$\ln\left(1 - p + pe^x\right) \leq px + \frac{x^2}{8} \text{ for all } x \geq 0$$
Q13 Moment generating functions Concentration inequality via MGF and Markov's inequality (Chernoff method) View
We fix $p, q \in [0,1]$ and $(X_i)_{1 \leq i \leq n}$ a family of $n$ random variables taking values in $\{0,1\}$ mutually independent Bernoulli random variables with parameter $p$. We set $S_n = \sum_{i=1}^n X_i$. We assume in this question that $p < q$.
a. Justify that $$\mathbb{P}\left(\left|\frac{S_n}{n} - q\right| \leq \left|\frac{S_n}{n} - p\right|\right) = \mathbb{P}\left(S_n \geq \frac{p+q}{2}n\right)$$
b. Let $X$ be a Bernoulli random variable with parameter $p$. For $u > 0$, calculate $\mathbb{E}\left(e^{uX}\right)$.
c. Show that for all $u > 0$, $$\mathbb{P}\left(S_n \geq \frac{p+q}{2}n\right) \leq e^{-n\left(\frac{p+q}{2}u - \ln\left(1-p+pe^u\right)\right)}$$ Hint. One may assume that if $(Z_i)_{1 \leq i \leq n}$ are $n$ mutually independent random variables taking a finite number of values, then $\mathbb{E}\left(\prod_{i=1}^n Z_i\right) = \prod_{i=1}^n \mathbb{E}\left(Z_i\right)$.
d. Show that $\mathbb{P}\left(S_n \geq \frac{p+q}{2}n\right) \leq e^{-n\frac{(p-q)^2}{2}}$.
Q14 Moment generating functions Concentration inequality via MGF and Markov's inequality (Chernoff method) View
Prove Theorem 3: We fix $p, q \in [0,1]$. Let $n \geq 1$ be an integer and let $S_n$ be a sum of $n$ random variables taking values in $\{0,1\}$ mutually independent Bernoulli random variables with parameter $p$. Then $$\mathbb{P}\left(\left|\frac{S_n}{n} - q\right| \leq \left|\frac{S_n}{n} - p\right|\right) \leq e^{-n\frac{(p-q)^2}{2}}.$$
Q15 Trig Proofs Trigonometric Inequality Proof View
Let $\theta \in [-\pi, \pi]$.
a. Show that $\cos(\theta) \geq 1 - \frac{\theta^2}{2}$.
b. Show that $\left|\frac{e^{i\theta} - (1-p)}{p}\right| \leq \exp\left(\frac{1-p}{2p^2} \cdot \theta^2\right)$.
Hint. One may calculate $\left|\frac{e^{i\theta} - (1-p)}{p}\right|^2$.
Q16 Discrete Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Identification and Application View
Let $x = (x_0, \ldots, x_{n-1}) \in \{0,1\}^n$ and consider a noisy observation $$O(x) = \left(O_0(x), O_1(x), \ldots, O_{n-1}(x)\right)$$ of source $x$.
a. If $0 \leq j \leq k \leq n-1$, show that $\mathbb{P}\left(N \geq j \text{ and } I_j = k\right) = p\binom{k}{j}p^j(1-p)^{k-j}$.
b. Show that, for all $0 \leq j \leq n-1$, $$\mathbb{E}\left[O_j(x)\right] = p\sum_{k=j}^{n-1} x_k \binom{k}{j} p^j (1-p)^{k-j}.$$
c. Show that for all $\omega \in \mathbb{C}$, $$\mathbb{E}\left[\sum_{j=0}^{n-1} O_j(x) \omega^j\right] = p \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} x_k (p\omega + 1 - p)^k.$$
Q17 Sequences and Series Proof of Inequalities Involving Series or Sequence Terms View
We set $L_n = \lfloor n^{1/3} \rfloor$, where $\lfloor t \rfloor$ denotes the integer part of a real number $t$. Let $x, y \in \{0,1\}^n$ such that $x \neq y$. Set for $z \in \mathbb{C}$, $A_{x,y}(z) = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(x_k - y_k)z^k$.
a. Justify the existence of $\theta_0 \in \left[-\frac{\pi}{L_n}, \frac{\pi}{L_n}\right]$ such that $\left|A_{x,y}\left(e^{i\theta_0}\right)\right| \geq \frac{1}{n^{L_n - 1}}$.
b. Prove that $$\sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \left|\mathbb{E}\left[O_j(x)\right] - \mathbb{E}\left[O_j(y)\right]\right| \cdot \left|\frac{e^{i\theta_0} - (1-p)}{p}\right|^j \geq \frac{p}{n^{L_n - 1}}$$
c. Justify the existence of an integer $j_n(x,y)$ such that $0 \leq j_n(x,y) \leq n-1$ and $$\left|\mathbb{E}\left[O_{j_n(x,y)}(x)\right] - \mathbb{E}\left[O_{j_n(x,y)}(y)\right]\right| \geq \frac{p}{n^{L_n}} \exp\left(-\frac{1-p}{2p^2} \cdot \frac{\pi^2}{L_n^2} n\right).$$
Q18 Continuous Probability Distributions and Random Variables Probability Inequality and Tail Bound Proof View
We fix once and for all an integer $n$ which should be considered as being very large. For each pair $(x,y) \in \{0,1\}^n$ such that $x \neq y$, we fix an integer $j_n(x,y)$ whose existence is proved in question 17c. We say that $x$ is better than $y$ given $E^1, E^2, \ldots, E^T$ if $$\left|\frac{1}{T}\sum_{i=1}^T E^i_{j_n(x,y)} - \mathbb{E}\left[O_{j_n(x,y)}(x)\right]\right| < \left|\frac{1}{T}\sum_{i=1}^T E^i_{j_n(x,y)} - \mathbb{E}\left[O_{j_n(x,y)}(y)\right]\right|$$ We set $R_{n,T}(E^1, E^2, \ldots, E^T) = x$ if for all $y \neq x$, $x$ is better than $y$. If we cannot find such an $x$ we set $R_{n,T}(E^1, E^2, \ldots, E^T) = (0,0,\ldots,0)$.
Prove that if $T_n \geq e^{3\ln(n)n^{1/3}}$ then for all $x \in \{0,1\}^n$ and any sequence $$O^1(x), O^2(x), \ldots, O^{T_n}(x)$$ of $T_n$ random variables taking values in $\{0,1\}^n$ mutually independent with the same distribution as $O(x)$, we have $$\max_{x \in \{0,1\}^n} \mathbb{P}\left(R_{n,T_n}\left(O^1(x), O^2(x), \ldots, O^{T_n}(x)\right) \neq x\right) \leq u_n$$ where $(u_n)_{n \geq 1}$ is a sequence tending to 0 as $n$ tends to infinity.
Hint. One may start by writing, justifying it, that $$\mathbb{P}\left(R_{n,T}\left(O^1(x), O^2(x), \ldots, O^T(x)\right) \neq x\right) \leq \sum_{y \in \{0,1\}^n, y \neq x} \mathbb{P}\left(x \text{ is not better than } y \text{ given } O^1(x), O^2(x), \ldots, O^T(x)\right)$$