Try this problem from Test of Mathematics, TOMATO Objective problem number 44, useful for ISI B.Stat and B.Math.
Problem: TOMATO Objective 44
Suppose that $\mathbf{ x_1 , \cdots , x_n}$ (n> 2) are real numbers such that x $\mathbf{x_i = -x_{n-i+1}}$ for $\mathbf{1\le i \le n}$ . Consider the sum $\mathbf{ S = \sum \sum \sum x_i x_j x_k }$ where the summations are taken over all i, j, k: $\mathbf{ 1\le i, j, k \le n }$ and i, j, k are all distinct. Then S equals:
(A) $\mathbf{n!x_1 x_2 \cdots x_m }$ ; (B) (n-3)(n-4); (C) (n-3)(n-4)(n-5); (D) none of the foregoing expressions;
Discussion:
$\mathbf {( x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n )^3} $
$\mathbf{= \sum \sum \sum {x_i x_j x_k }+ \sum x_i ^2 ( \sum x_j ) + \sum x_i^3} $
Since $\mathbf {x_1 = - x_n} $
Hence $\mathbf {x_1 ^3 = -x_n ^3} $
Since $\mathbf{\sum {x_i} = 0 } $ and $\mathbf{\sum {x_i}^3 = 0} $
Therefore $\mathbf{\sum \sum \sum {x_i x_j x_k } = 0} $.
Hence option D
How to use invariance in Combinatorics – ISI Entrance Problem – Video

In 2026, the following Cheenta students have been successful for Indian Statistical Institute's M.Stat Entrance. They ranked within the first 50 in the entire country in these entrances. I.S.I. M.Stat Entrance

In 2026, the following Cheenta students have been successful for Indian Statistical Institute's B.Stat Entrance and Chennai Mathematical Institute's B.Sc. Math Entrance. They ranked within the first 200 in the entire country in these entrances. Most of these students attended the problem solving workshops regularly, which happen 5 days every week. CMI B.Sc. Math Entrance […]

In 2025, 8 students from Cheenta Academy cracked the prestigious Regional Math Olympiad. In this post, we will share some of their success stories and learning strategies. The Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) and the Indian National Mathematics Olympiad (INMO) are two most important mathematics contests in India.These two contests are for the students who are […]

Cheenta Academy proudly celebrates the success of 27 current and former students who qualified for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2025, advancing to the next stage — RMO. This accomplishment highlights their perseverance and Cheenta’s ongoing mission to nurture mathematical excellence and research-oriented learning.