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k a My Retirement & New Leadership at AoPS
rrusczyk   1571
N Mar 26, 2025 by SmartGroot
I write today to announce my retirement as CEO from Art of Problem Solving. When I founded AoPS 22 years ago, I never imagined that we would reach so many students and families, or that we would find so many channels through which we discover, inspire, and train the great problem solvers of the next generation. I am very proud of all we have accomplished and I’m thankful for the many supporters who provided inspiration and encouragement along the way. I'm particularly grateful to all of the wonderful members of the AoPS Community!

I’m delighted to introduce our new leaders - Ben Kornell and Andrew Sutherland. Ben has extensive experience in education and edtech prior to joining AoPS as my successor as CEO, including starting like I did as a classroom teacher. He has a deep understanding of the value of our work because he’s an AoPS parent! Meanwhile, Andrew and I have common roots as founders of education companies; he launched Quizlet at age 15! His journey from founder to MIT to technology and product leader as our Chief Product Officer traces a pathway many of our students will follow in the years to come.

Thank you again for your support for Art of Problem Solving and we look forward to working with millions more wonderful problem solvers in the years to come.

And special thanks to all of the amazing AoPS team members who have helped build AoPS. We’ve come a long way from here:IMAGE
1571 replies
rrusczyk
Mar 24, 2025
SmartGroot
Mar 26, 2025
k a March Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Mar 2, 2025
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Do you have plans this summer? There are so many options to fit your schedule and goals whether attending a summer camp or taking online classes, it can be a great break from the routine of the school year. Check out our summer courses at AoPS Online, or if you want a math or language arts class that doesn’t have homework, but is an enriching summer experience, our AoPS Virtual Campus summer camps may be just the ticket! We are expanding our locations for our AoPS Academies across the country with 15 locations so far and new campuses opening in Saratoga CA, Johns Creek GA, and the Upper West Side NY. Check out this page for summer camp information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events:
[list][*]March 5th (Wednesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, HCSSiM Math Jam 2025. Amber Verser, Assistant Director of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, will host an information session about HCSSiM, a summer program for high school students.
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0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 2, 2025
0 replies
Interesting inequalities
sqing   0
a minute ago
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c> 0 $ and $ a+b+c=3 $. Prove that
$$    \frac{a^2+1}{a^2+b+c-\frac{1}{2}}+\frac{b^2+1}{b^2+c+a-\frac{1}{2}}+\frac{c^2+1}{c^2+a+b-\frac{1}{2}} \leq \frac{12}{5}$$Equality holds when $ (a,b,c)=(0,\frac{3}{2},\frac{3}{2}) $ or $ (a,b,c)=(1,1,1) .$
0 replies
1 viewing
sqing
a minute ago
0 replies
euler line and midpoint tangents
Thelink_20   3
N 3 minutes ago by hectorleo123
Source: My problem
Let the medians of a triangle $\Delta ABC$ intersect its circumcircle $\Gamma$ at $N_A, N_B, N_C$. The tangets to $\Gamma$ from $N_A,N_B,N_C$ determine a triangle $\Delta X_AX_BX_C$, where $X_A$ is relative to $A$ and so on. Prove that lines $AX_A,BX_B,CX_C$ are concurrent at a point $P$ and that $P$ belongs to the euler line of $\Delta ABC$.
Remark:Click to reveal hidden text

3 replies
Thelink_20
Jan 24, 2025
hectorleo123
3 minutes ago
inequalities
Cobedangiu   4
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: own
$a,b>0$ and $a+b=1$. Find min P:
$P=\sqrt{\frac{1-a}{1+7a}}+\sqrt{\frac{1-b}{1+7b}}$
4 replies
Cobedangiu
Yesterday at 6:10 PM
sqing
an hour ago
Interesting inequalities
sqing   1
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c> 0 $ and $ a+b+c=3 $. Prove that
$$    \frac{a^2}{a^2+b+c+ \frac{3}{2}}+\frac{b^2}{b^2+c+a+\frac{3}{2}}+\frac{c^2}{c^2+a+b+\frac{3}{2}} \leq \frac{6}{7}$$Equality holds when $ (a,b,c)=(0,\frac{3}{2},\frac{3}{2}) $ or $ (a,b,c)=(0,0,3) .$
1 reply
1 viewing
sqing
an hour ago
sqing
an hour ago
No more topics!
EMC 2017 Harder Geo
deimis1231   15
N Jul 11, 2024 by GrantStar
Source: EMC 2017
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle and let its incircle touch sides $BC$, $CA$ and $AB$ at points $D$, $E$ and
$F$ respectively. Let line $AD$ intersect this incircle at point $X$. Point $M$ is chosen on the line $FX$ so that the
quadrilateral $AFEM$ is cyclic. Let lines $AM$ and $DE$ intersect at point $L$ and let $Q$ be the midpoint of segment
$AE$. Point $T$ is given on the line $LQ$ such that the quadrilateral $ALDT$ is cyclic. Let $S$ be a point such that
the quadrilateral $TFSA$ is a parallelogram, and let $N$ be the second point of intersection of the circumcircle of
triangle $ASX$ and the line $TS$. Prove that the circumcircles of triangles $TAN$ and $LSA$ are tangent to each
other.
15 replies
deimis1231
Dec 26, 2017
GrantStar
Jul 11, 2024
EMC 2017 Harder Geo
G H J
Source: EMC 2017
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deimis1231
157 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by tiendung2006, Adventure10, ehuseyinyigit
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle and let its incircle touch sides $BC$, $CA$ and $AB$ at points $D$, $E$ and
$F$ respectively. Let line $AD$ intersect this incircle at point $X$. Point $M$ is chosen on the line $FX$ so that the
quadrilateral $AFEM$ is cyclic. Let lines $AM$ and $DE$ intersect at point $L$ and let $Q$ be the midpoint of segment
$AE$. Point $T$ is given on the line $LQ$ such that the quadrilateral $ALDT$ is cyclic. Let $S$ be a point such that
the quadrilateral $TFSA$ is a parallelogram, and let $N$ be the second point of intersection of the circumcircle of
triangle $ASX$ and the line $TS$. Prove that the circumcircles of triangles $TAN$ and $LSA$ are tangent to each
other.
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deimis1231
157 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Any ideas?
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hectorraul
361 posts
#3 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
First consider $K=FE\cap AL$, after inversion centered at $A$ with radius $AF$ it is easy to check that $K$ is the image of $M$ and that $AKDF$ is clyclic. Angle chasing to show that $\angle LAE=\angle ADL$ and $\angle LKE=\angle KDL$, these imply that $L$ is the midpoint of $AK$ and then $L,Q,T$ are collinear and $LT\parallel FE$.

Now, $ALDT$ is cyclic then $\angle TDA=\angle TLA$, but $\angle TLA=\angle FKA=\angle FDA$, and then $T,F,D$ are collinear.

$TL$ meets $AF$ at the midpoint, then $S\in TL$, moreover $\angle ATL=\angle ADL=\angle XFE$ then $F,X,S$ are collinear.

$AS\parallel TD$ implies $\angle XAS=\angle FDA=\angle FKA=\angle SLA$ then $XA$ is tangent to the circumcircle of $\triangle ASL$ at $A$.

$ASXN$ cyclic and $XS\parallel TA$ imply $\angle ATS=\angle XST=\angle XAN$ then $XA$ is tangent to the circumcircle of $\triangle ATN$ at $A$ and we are done.
This post has been edited 6 times. Last edited by hectorraul, Dec 27, 2017, 11:18 AM
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rmtf1111
698 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by microsoft_office_word, Adventure10
It is easy to get that $AM \mid\mid EX$ , now let $T'$ be a point of $DF$ such that $AT' \mid\mid FX$, note that quadrilaterals $AT'DL$ and $XFDE$ are similar, thus $AT'DL$ is harmonic.Now let $P$ be the point at infinity of line $BC$ and because the tangent at $L$ to circle $ALDT'$ is parallel to $BC$, we have that $MT'$ bisects $AE$, because $\ -1=L(A,E;T',L)=(A,E;MT'\cap AE,P)$. Now the tangency of the two circles can be easily established, by proving that $AD$ is tangent to both of them.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by rmtf1111, Dec 27, 2017, 11:49 AM
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john111111
105 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
My solution:
At first using cyclic quadrilaterals note that $\angle{XEA}=\angle{XFM}=\angle{EAM}$ so $AM \parallel XE$.
CLAIM 1: $T,F,D$ are collinear.
Proof:Note that since $\angle{DFE}=\angle{DXE}=\angle{DAL}=\angle{LAD}=\angle{LTD}$, it suffices to show that $TL \parallel FE$.
Now,since $\angle{XDE}=\angle{XFE}=\angle{EAM}$ deduce that $LA$ is tangent to the circumcircle of triangle $DEA$ so $LA^2=LE\cdot LD$(1).But since $Q$ is the midpoint of $AE$, $QA^2=QE^2$(2),and (1) and (2) imply that $L,Q$ have equal powers with respect to the degenerate circle with center $A$ and the incircle,so $TL$ is the radical axis of these circles and thus is perpendicular to $AI$ where $I$ is the incenter of $ABC$.But also $AI\perp EF$ so $TL\parallel FE$,whih proves claim1.
CLAIM 2:$S\equiv TL\cap FX$
Proof:Let $S'\equiv TL\cap FX$ and it must be shown that $S\equiv S'$.Let $Y\equiv TL\cap AF$ and $R\equiv XD\cap FE$.Obviously,$Y$ is the midpoint of $AF$ and the pencil $(FA,FX,FR,FD)$ is harmonic.So since $S'\equiv TL\cap FX$ ,$T\equiv TL\cap FD$ and $TL \parallel FE$,by a well known lemma in harmonics,$Y\equiv TL\cap FA$ must be the midpoint of $S'T$.But it is also the midpoint of $AF$ so $ATFS'$ is a parallelogram so $S\equiv S'$ which proves claim 2.
CLAIM 3:$X,E,N$ are collinear.
Proof:Note at first that since $\angle {MAQ}=\angle {SFE}=\angle {QSF}$ and $\angle {QEM}=\angle {AFM}=\angle {ADF}=\angle {ALQ}$,quadrilaterals $AMQS,MQEL$ are cyclic.So by angle chasing,$\angle {AXN}=\angle {ASQ}=\angle {AMQ}=\angle {QEL}=\angle {DEC}=\angle {DXE}$ which proves claim 3
CLAIM 4:the circumcircles of triangles $TAN$ and $LSA$ are tangent to each
other.
Proof:It is easy to see that triangles $ATL,XFE$ are similar since they have parallel sides.Let $Ax$ be the tangent line to $A$ of the circumcircle of triangle $ATN$ (in fact this line is just $AX$,but this is not necessary to continue).Note that $\angle {SAx}=\angle {NAS}-\angle{NAX}=180-\angle{NXS}-\angle{ATN}=180-\angle {FXE}-\angle {XFE}=\angle {XEF}=\angle {ALS}$ which proves that line $Ax$ is also tangent to the circumcircle of triangle $LSA$,which meas that thes circles are mutually tangent,as desired $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by john111111, Dec 27, 2017, 5:22 PM
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Daniil02
53 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Nice problem...
Let $V$ be the point of intersection of $FE$ and $XD$
First we prove that $AL \parallel XE$
$
\angle MAE = \angle MFE = \angle XDE
$
$
\angle LAD = \angle LEA = \angle DEC = \angle EXD
$
Now let prove that $LQ \parallel EF$. Let $K$ be the midpoint of $XD$. First note that triangle $ALE$ similar to triangle $DEX$ so $\angle QLE = \angle XEK = \angle FED$ since $FXED$ is harmonic.
Now consider homothety with center $D$ and which sends $XE$ to $AL$ and $LT$ to $EF$. It is clear that it sends $(XFDE)$ to $(ATDL)$, $XF$ to $AT$ to so $XF \parallel AT$ and $D - F - T$ are collinear.
Let prove that $S\equiv TL\cap FX$.
Let $S'\equiv TL\cap FX$. We prove that $S'F = AT$ and since $AT \parallel XF$, $ATFS'$ is parallelogram.
First note that
$
\angle TS'F = \angle ATS' = \angle XFE = \angle XDE
$
and
$
\angle LTF = \angle EFD = \angle EXD
$
So triangle $TS'F$ similar to triangle $XDE$ and we have
$\frac{FS'}{DE} = \frac{TF}{XE}$

$FS' = \frac{DE*TF}{XE} = \frac{XV}{VD} *TF = \frac{AX}{AD} *TF$

Last equality holds because $(AV, XD) = -1$.
Since $1-\frac{AX}{AD} = \frac {XD}{DA} = \frac {XF}{AT}$ It is easy to calculate $AT$ and conclude that $AT = S'F$
Now since
$\angle SAD = \angle ADT = \angle XEF = \angle ALT$
And
$\angle NAD= \angle NSF = \angle ATN$
We conclude that $AD$ is tangent to both of out circles so thet tangent to each other.
Done))
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by Daniil02, Jun 17, 2019, 2:18 PM
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Devastator
348 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
This is a nice problem
*$(ABC)$ refers to the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$

Claim 1: (ADL) is tangent to BC

Claim 2: Line LQ contains the A-midline of \triangle AEF

Claim 3: AL is parallel to XE

Claim 4: Points D,F,T are collinear

Claim 5: S is the intersection of TL and FM

Claim 6: Points N,X,E are collinear

Now, it suffices to show that $$\angle ATN+\angle ALS=\angle NAS$$since it implies that we can draw a line $l$ through $A$ such that the angle formed by $l$ with $AN$ equals $\angle ATN$ and the angle formed by $l$ with $AS$ equals $\angle ALS$. This implies that $l$ is a common tangent to $(ATN)$ and $(ALS)$, which implies that the two circles are tangent.
Now, we have
$$\angle ATN+\angle ALS=180- \angle TAL =180 -\angle SML =180-\angle SXN =\angle NAS$$Which proves the problem $\blacksquare$

Bonus property
This post has been edited 10 times. Last edited by Devastator, Jun 23, 2020, 7:41 AM
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math_pi_rate
1218 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by amar_04
Let $K$ be the point where $EF$ and $AL$ meet. Note that $$\angle AMX=\angle AMF=\angle AEF=\angle EDF=\angle MXE \Rightarrow AL \parallel EX$$By the converse of Reim's Theorem, we get that $BC$ is tangent to $\odot (ALD)$ at point $D$. We have the following crucial claim:-

CLAIM $L$ is the midpoint of $AK$.

Proof of Claim Notice that $\angle DAK=\angle DXE=\angle DFE$ which gives that $AFDK$ is cyclic. Then we have $$\angle KDA=\angle KFA=\angle EFA=\angle EDF \Rightarrow \{DE,DA\} \text{ and } \{DK,DF\} \text{ are isogonal}$$This gives us $\angle KDE=\angle ADF=\angle AKF$, and so $AK$ is tangent to $\odot (DEK)$. Also, $\angle KAE=\angle AEX=\angle EDA$ gives that $AK$ is also tangent to $\odot (ADE)$. Thus, $L$ lies on the radical axis as well as the common tangent of $\odot (ADE)$ and $\odot (DEK)$, which directly gives $LA=LK$. $\Box$

Return to the problem at hand. By our Claim, we get that $LQ$ is parallel to $EF$; or equivalently that it bisects $AF$. But, as $ATFS$ is a parallelogram, so the midpoint of $AF$ must lie on line $ST$. Thus, we have $S \in LQ$. And, $$\angle DTL=\angle DAL=\angle DXE=\angle DFE \Rightarrow \text{Using the fact that } LT \parallel EF \text{, we get } T \in DF$$Then Reim's Theorem gives $XF \parallel AT$, which means that $S$ also lies on line $FM$. This gives us $$\angle XAN=\angle XSN=\angle ATN \Rightarrow AX \text{ is tangent to } \odot (TAN)$$Finally, since $FT \parallel AS$, so we get $$\angle XAS=\angle TDA=\angle ALS \Rightarrow AX \text{ is tangent to } \odot (LSA)$$Thus, $\odot (TAN)$ and $\odot (LSA)$ are tangent to each other at $A$. Hence, done. $\blacksquare$
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IndoMathXdZ
691 posts
#9
Y by
This is such a great and rich configurational geometry problem. :P
One of the best example to illustrate dissecting figure into pieces before assembling it into one.
Let us first delete the point $T,S,N$ for convenience.
Some Motivation before starting the problem
Claim 01. $XE \parallel AM$.
Proof. We have $\measuredangle FXE = \measuredangle FDE = \measuredangle FEA = \measuredangle FMA$.
Claim 02. $LQ \parallel EF$.
Proof. Notice that $(X,D;E,F) = -1$. Therefore,
\[ -1 = (X,D;E,F) \overset{E}{=} (XE \cap AM,L;A, EF \cap DL)\]Let $EF \cap DL = G$. We then conclude that $L$ is the midpoint of $AG$.
Claim 03. $AGDF$ is cyclic.
Proof. We have $\measuredangle DFG \equiv \measuredangle DFE = \measuredangle DXE = \measuredangle DAM = \measuredangle DAG$.
Now, we are ready to deal with other points $T,S$ and $N$.
Claim 04. $D,F,T$ are collinear
Proof. $\measuredangle ADT = \measuredangle ALT = \measuredangle AL'F = \measuredangle ADF$
Claim 05. $AD$ tangent $(ASL)$.
Proof. We have
\[ \measuredangle ALS = \measuredangle AGF = \measuredangle ADF \equiv \measuredangle ADT \overset{AS \parallel TF}{=} \measuredangle DAS \]
Claim 06. $N,X,E$ are collinear.
Proof. We have
\[ \measuredangle NXA = \measuredangle TSA = \measuredangle STD = \measuredangle EFD = \measuredangle EXD \]
Claim 07. $AN \parallel DE$.
Proof. From the previous claim, we have $N,X,E$ are collinear. Therefore $AL \parallel NE$. Moreover, $Q$ is the midpoint of $AE$ and $L,Q,N$ are collinear by definition of $N$. Then, $ANEL$ is parallelogram, forcing $AN \parallel LE \equiv DE$.
Claim 08. $AD$ tangent $(ANT)$.
Proof. To prove this,
\[ \measuredangle ATN \equiv \measuredangle ATL= \measuredangle ADL \overset{AN \parallel DE}{=} \measuredangle NAX \]
To finish this, we notice that $AD$ is tangent to both $(ANT)$ and $(ASL)$, which conclude that $(ANT)$ and $(ASL)$ are tangent to each other at $A$.


Remark:Other Facts
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hydo2332
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#10
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What is EMC?
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#11
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European Mathematical Cup
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Aryan-23
558 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by 606234, Mango247
Nice probelm :)
Let $\ell$ denote the $A$-midline of $\triangle AEF$. Note that $\ell$ is the radical axis of $\odot (DEF)$ and $\odot (A,0)$.


Note that we have :

$$\angle FXE = \pi- \angle FDE = \pi- \angle AEF = \pi - \angle AMF = \angle LMX$$
Hence $XE \parallel ML$. We now contend that $L,T \in \ell$.

Again we angle chase :

$ \angle LAE = \angle AEX =\angle XDE$, which implies that $LA$ is tangent to $\odot (ADE)$. Hence $LA^2=LD\cdot LE$. So $L$ lies on the radical axis of $\odot (DEF)$ and $\odot (A,0)$. Hence we have $LT \parallel EF$. Now consider the homothety at $D$ that sends $X\mapsto A$. Note that $E\mapsto X$ and since $EF \parallel LT$, hence $F \mapsto T$. So $D,F,T$ are collinear. We can prove as above that $XF \parallel AT$.

Now note that if $P$ is the midpoint of $AF$, then $T,P,S$ are collinear, so $S \in \ell$. Also note that $SF\parallel AT$, so $S\in XF$. Redefine $N$ to be the intersection of $XE$ with $\ell$. We have $ALEN$ is a parallelogram. We show that $A,N,X,S$ lie on a circle. We have :

$$ \angle NAX = \angle XDE = \angle XFE = \angle NSX$$So the claim follows.

Finally we prove that $AX$ is tangent to both $\odot (TAN)$ and $\odot (LAS)$.

Note that $\angle NAX = \angle ADL = \angle ATL = \angle ATN$. So $AX$ is tangent to $\odot (TAN)$. Similarly its tangent to $\odot (LAS)$. We're done. $\square$

Motivation

PS
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Mahdi_Mashayekhi
689 posts
#13
Y by
Interesting diagram...
Claim $: AL || XE$.
Proof $:$ $\angle MAE = \angle MFE = \angle XFE = \angle AEX$.
Let $FE$ meet $AL$ at $P$.
Claim $: AFDP$ is cyclic.
Proof $:$ $\angle APF = \angle XEF = \angle XDF = \angle ADF$.
Claim $: AL = LP$.
Proof $:$ Note that $\angle LAE = \angle AEX = \angle EDX = \angle LDA \implies LA^2 = LE.LD$ and $\angle PDA = \angle PFA \implies \angle PDL = \angle XFA = \angle XDF = \angle APF = \angle LPE \implies LP^2 = LE.LD$.
so $LQ || EF$.
Claim $: LMQE$ is cyclic.
Proof $:$ $\angle MEQ = \angle EPL = \angle MLQ$.
Claim $: T,F,D$ are collinear.
Proof $:$ $\angle ADT = \angle ALT = \angle APF = \angle ADF$.
Let $TL$ meet $MF$ at $S'$.
Claim $: AMQS'$ is cyclic.
Proof $:$ $\angle MAQ = \angle MAE = \angle MFE = \angle MS'Q$.
Claim $: S'$ is $S$.
Proof $:$ $\angle AS'M = \angle AQM = \angle ALE = \angle ALD = \angle ADT \implies AS' || FT$ and $\angle TAX = \angle TAD = \angle TLD = \angle LEP = \angle FED = \angle FXD \implies AT || XF$.
Claim $: ASL$ is tangent to $AD$ at $A$.
Proof $:$ Note that $\angle DAM = \angle DAP = \angle DFP = \angle DFE = \angle 180 - \angle AED = \angle 180 - \angle QML = \angle 180 - \angle QSA = \angle LSA$.
Claim $: ANT$ is tangent to $AD$ at $A$.
Proof $:$ Note that $\angle NTA = \angle NSX = \angle NAX$.
so $ANT$ and $ASL$ are tangent to each other at $A$.
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Jalil_Huseynov
439 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by farhad.fritl
Wow, what a reach configuration it's!
$\angle MAE=\angle MFE=\angle XEA \implies AM||XE$.
Let $AL\cap EF=J$. $\angle EAJ=\angle XFE$ , $\angle AJE=\angle XEF$, and $\angle LEJ=\angle FED=\angle FXD$. Also $XD$ is $X-$symmedian in triangle $XEF$, so $EL$ is median in triangle $AEJ$. So $AL=LJ$, which implies $LQ||EF$. So $LQ$ bisects $AF$.
Let $DF\cap LQ=T'$. $\angle ALT'=\angle AJE=\angle XEF=\angle ADT' \implies ALDT'$ is cyclic $\implies T'=T \implies T\in FD$.
Since triangles $DEF$ and $DLT$ are homothetic, we get $(DLT)$ touches to $BC$ at $D$.
Let $AB\cap LT=G$ and $FX\cap TL=S'$. $\angle ATL=\angle ADL=\angle XFE=\angle TS'F\implies AT||FS'$. Since $AG=GF$, we get $TFS'A$ is parallelogram. So $S'=S$.
Let $EX\cap TL=N'$, Since $AS||DF$, we get $\angle SAD=\angle XDF=\angle XEF=\angle SN'X \implies ASXN'$ is cyclic $\implies N'=N$.
$\angle NAX=\angle NSX=\angle XFE=\angle XDE=\angle ATN\implies (TAN)$ touches to $AD$ at $A$.
$\angle XAS=\angle SNX=\angle XEF=\angle AJE=\angle ALS\implies (LSA)$ touches to $AD$ at $A$.
So $(TAN)$ and $(LSA)$ touch each other at $A$. Done!
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VicKmath7
1386 posts
#15
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Nice geo, indeed.

We start with a bit of angle chasing: $\angle MAE = \angle MFE =\angle XEA$, so we get that $XE \parallel AL$.

In addition, $\angle LAE= \angle MFE = \angle ADL$, hence PoP gives that $LA^2=LE.LD$. Using the well-known trick with point circles and midlines, it is easy to see that $L$ lies on the radical axis of $A$ and $(DEF)$, so $LQ \parallel FE$ as a midline in $\triangle AFE$.

Now, the homothety at $D$ taking $X$ to $A$, $E$ to $L$ and $(XED)$ to $(ALD)$ should take $F$ to $T$ since $EF \parallel LT$, so $XF \parallel AT$ and $D, T, F$ are collinear.

Redefine $S=XF \cap LQ$. We proved that $AT \parallel SF$ and that $ST$ contains the midpoint of $AF$, which is enough to imply that $FTAS$ is a parallelogram.

Now we are ready to finish: we will prove that both circles are tangent to $AD$ by angle chasing. Indeed, $\angle DAS = \angle ADT = \angle ALT$, so $AD$ is tangent to $(ASL)$. For the second tangency, note that $\angle NAX= \angle NSX = \angle ATN$, so we are done.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by VicKmath7, Nov 24, 2022, 3:23 PM
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GrantStar
815 posts
#16
Y by
buh nice problem ig but boring

Claim: $ALTD$ is harmonic.
Proof. It suffices to show that the $L$ tangent to $(ALD)$ is parallel to $AC$. This is true as \[\measuredangle LDA = \measuredangle EDX = \measuredangle EFX = \measuredangle EFM = \measuredangle EAM = \measuredangle EAL\]
Claim: $EX \parallel AL$
Proof. We show that $\triangle EFD \sim \triangle XAM$. To see why, $\angle AMX =\angle AEF = \angle EDF$ and $\angle MXA = \angle FXD = \angle FED$ as desired.

Thus there is a homothety at $D$ sending $F,X,E$ to $T,A,L$. I claim that $S$ is the intersection of $XF$ and $TL$. Note that $S$ lies on $FX$ since $FX \parallel TA$, and similar work to the first claim gives $TL$ bisects $AF$. Thus we showed $S$ is $MF\cap TL$.

To finish, I claim that $AD$ is tangent to the circles we want to show are tangent. This is just angle chasing:
\[\measuredangle DAN = \measuredangle XAN = \measuredangle XSN = \measuredangle XFE = \measuredangle XDE = \measuredangle ADL = \measuredangle ATN\]and similarly
\[\measuredangle DAS = \measuredangle XAS = \measuredangle XNS = \measuredangle XEF = \measuredangle XDF = \measuredangle ADT = \measuredangle ALS\]
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