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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.

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0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 2, 2025
0 replies
Hard NT problem
tiendat004   2
N a minute ago by avinashp
Given two odd positive integers $a,b$ are coprime. Consider the sequence $(x_n)$ given by $x_0=2,x_1=a,x_{n+2}=ax_{n+1}+bx_n,$ $\forall n\geq 0$. Suppose that there exist positive integers $m,n,p$ such that $mnp$ is even and $\dfrac{x_m}{x_nx_p}$ is an integer. Prove that the numerator in its simplest form of $\dfrac{m}{np}$ is an odd integer greater than $1$.
2 replies
tiendat004
Aug 15, 2024
avinashp
a minute ago
disjoint subsets
nayel   2
N 14 minutes ago by alexanderhamilton124
Source: Taiwan 2001
Let $n\ge 3$ be an integer and let $A_{1}, A_{2},\dots, A_{n}$ be $n$ distinct subsets of $S=\{1, 2,\dots, n\}$. Show that there exists $x\in S$ such that the n subsets $A_{i}-\{x\}, i=1,2,\dots n$ are also disjoint.

what i have is this
2 replies
nayel
Apr 18, 2007
alexanderhamilton124
14 minutes ago
Modular Arithmetic and Integers
steven_zhang123   2
N 19 minutes ago by GreekIdiot
Integers \( n, a, b \in \mathbb{Z}^+ \) satisfies \( n + a + b = 30 \). If \( \alpha < b, \alpha \in \mathbb{Z^+} \), find the maximum possible value of $\sum_{k=1}^{\alpha} \left \lfloor \frac{kn^2 \bmod a }{b-k}  \right \rfloor $.
2 replies
steven_zhang123
Mar 28, 2025
GreekIdiot
19 minutes ago
f(x+y)f(z)=f(xz)+f(yz)
dangerousliri   30
N 22 minutes ago by GreekIdiot
Source: Own
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ such that for all irrational numbers $x, y$ and $z$,
$$f(x+y)f(z)=f(xz)+f(yz)$$
Some stories about this problem. This problem it is proposed by me (Dorlir Ahmeti) and Valmir Krasniqi. We did proposed this problem for IMO twice, on 2018 and on 2019 from Kosovo. None of these years it wasn't accepted and I was very surprised that it wasn't selected at least for shortlist since I think it has a very good potential. Anyway I hope you will like the problem and you are welcomed to give your thoughts about the problem if it did worth to put on shortlist or not.
30 replies
dangerousliri
Jun 25, 2020
GreekIdiot
22 minutes ago
No more topics!
Concurrent lines
syk0526   27
N Dec 19, 2024 by ezpotd
Source: North Korea Team Selection Test 2013 #1
The incircle of a non-isosceles triangle $ABC$ with the center $I$ touches the sides $ BC, CA, AB$ at $ A_1 , B_1 , C_1 $ respectively. The line $AI$ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_2 $. The line $B_1 C_1 $ meets the line $BC$ at $A_3 $ and the line $A_2 A_3 $ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_4 (\ne A_2 ) $. Define $B_4 , C_4 $ similarly. Prove that the lines $ AA_4 , BB_4 , CC_4 $ are concurrent.
27 replies
syk0526
May 17, 2014
ezpotd
Dec 19, 2024
Concurrent lines
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: North Korea Team Selection Test 2013 #1
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syk0526
202 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by canhhoang30011999, harshmishra, Adventure10, Mango247, GeoKing
The incircle of a non-isosceles triangle $ABC$ with the center $I$ touches the sides $ BC, CA, AB$ at $ A_1 , B_1 , C_1 $ respectively. The line $AI$ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_2 $. The line $B_1 C_1 $ meets the line $BC$ at $A_3 $ and the line $A_2 A_3 $ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_4 (\ne A_2 ) $. Define $B_4 , C_4 $ similarly. Prove that the lines $ AA_4 , BB_4 , CC_4 $ are concurrent.
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nima1376
111 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
$(A_{4},A,B,C)=-1$ $\Rightarrow$ $ AA_4 , BB_4 , CC_4 $ are concurrent in lemone poin of $ABC$
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Luis González
4145 posts
#3 • 5 Y
Y by amar_04, Jc426, Adventure10, sabkx, GeoKing
nima1376, you are wrong, the quadrilateral $ABA_4C$ is not harmonic in general. The concurrency point is not the Lemoine point of $\triangle ABC$ but its center $X_{57},$ i.e. the perspector of $\triangle ABC$ and the orthic triangle of $\triangle A_1B_1C_1.$

Let $A_0,B_0,C_0$ be the projections of $A_1,B_1,C_1$ on $B_1C_1,$ $C_1A_1,$ $A_1B_1.$ $D$ and $M$ denote the midpoints of $\overline{BC}$ and the arc $BAC$ of the circumcircle $(O).$

From $(B,C,A_1,A_3)=-1,$ we get $A_3D \cdot A_3A_1=A_3B \cdot A_3C=A_3A_4 \cdot A_3A_2$ $\Longrightarrow$ $DA_1A_4A_2$ is cyclic $\Longrightarrow$ $\angle A_2A_4A_1=\angle A_2DA_1=90^{\circ}$ $\Longrightarrow$ $M \in A_1A_4.$ Furthermore, $A_1A_0 \perp A_3A_0$ implies that $B_1C_1$ bisects $\angle BA_0C$ externally or $\angle BA_0C_1=\angle CA_0B_1.$ Since $\angle BC_1A_0=\angle CB_1A_0,$ then $\triangle BA_0C_1 \sim \triangle CA_0B_1$ $\Longrightarrow$ $C_1A_0:B_1A_0=BC_1:CB_1=BA_1:CA_1,$ therefore isosceles $\triangle AB_1C_1 \sim \triangle MCB$ are similar with corresponding cevians $AA_0$ and $MA_1$ $\Longrightarrow$ $\angle MA_1C=\angle AA_0B_1.$ Hence since $A_0A_1A_4A_3$ is cyclic on account of the right angles at $A_0,A_4,$ we deduce that $A,A_0,A_4$ are collinear and analogously $B_0 \in BB_4$ and $C_0 \in CC_4.$ By Cevian Nest Theorem the conclusion follows.
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nima1376
111 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Luis González wrote:
nima1376, you are wrong, the quadrilateral $ABA_4C$ is not harmonic in general. The concurrency point is not the Lemoine point of $\triangle ABC$ but its center $X_{57},$ i.e. the perspector of $\triangle ABC$ and the orthic triangle of $\triangle A_1B_1C_1.$
sorry for my bad mistake
another solution
let $O$ is circumcircle of triangle $ABC$
$A_{2}A_{1}\cap O=K$ .
$(B,C,A_{1},A_{4})=-1\Rightarrow (K,A_{4},B,C)=-1\Rightarrow \frac{BA_{4}}{A_{4}C}=\frac{KB}{KC}$
but $K$ is center of spiral similar goes $BC_{1}$ to $CB_{1}$ $\Rightarrow \frac{BK}{CK}=\frac{BC_{1}}{CB_{1}}$
so we are done with ceva...
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laFiesta
13 posts
#5 • 8 Y
Y by lebathanh, lminsl, S.C.B., JasperL, amar_04, Adventure10, Mango247, poirasss
North Korea is NOT Korea! "Korea" means South Korea. Why is this in Korea category?
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Mikasa
56 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
First we claim that $\dfrac{A_{4}B}{A_{4}C}=\dfrac{A_{3}B}{A_{3}C}$. For the sake of argument, let us assume that $A_3$ is on the ray $BC$.

Now $\angle BA_{4}A_{3}=180^{\circ}-\dfrac{\angle A}{2}$.
So, $\angle A_{4}A_{3}C=\angle A_{4}A_{3}B=180^{\circ}-\angle BA_{4}A_{3}-\angle A_{4}BA_{3}$
$=\dfrac{\angle A}{2}-\angle A_{4}BA_{3}=\dfrac{\angle A}{2}-\angle A_{4}BC=\angle A_{2}AC-\angle A_{4}AC$
$=\angle A_{2}AA_{4}=\angle A_{2}BA_{4}=\angle A_{2}BA_{4}$.

This means $A_{2}B$ is tangent to the circle $BA_{3}A_{4}$ and $A_{2}C$ is tangent to the circle $CA_{3}A_{4}$. From these information, we have that $A_{4}B=\dfrac{A_{2}B\times A_{3}B}{A_{2}A_{3}}$ and $A_{4}C=\dfrac{A_{2}C\times A_{3}C}{A_{2}A_{3}}$. Since $A_{2}B=A_{2}C$ we have $\dfrac{A_{4}B}{A_{4}C}=\dfrac{A_{3}B}{A_{3}C}$ as we claimed.

By similar arguments, we can show that, $\dfrac{B_{4}C}{B_{4}A}=\dfrac{B_{3}C}{B_{3}A}$ and $\dfrac{C_{4}A}{C_{4}B}=\dfrac{C_{3}A}{C_{3}B}$.

Now apply Menelaus's theorem for the lines $A_{3}B_{1}, B_{3}C_{1}, C_{3}A_{1}$. Then we have three equations:
1) $\dfrac{BA_{3}}{A_{3}C}\cdot \dfrac{CB_{1}}{B_{1}A}\cdot \dfrac{AC_{1}}{C_{1}B}=1$

2) $\dfrac{CB_{3}}{B_{3}A}\cdot \dfrac{AC_{1}}{C_{1}B}\cdot \dfrac{BA_{1}}{A_{1}C}=1$

3) $\dfrac{AC_{3}}{C_{3}B}\cdot \dfrac{BA_{1}}{A_{1}C}\cdot \dfrac{CB_{1}}{B_{1}A}=1$

Multiply (1),(2),(3) and use the fact $AC_1=AB_1, BC_1=BA_1, CA_1=CB_1$ to get that,

$\dfrac{A_{3}B}{A_{3}C}\cdot \dfrac{B_{3}C}{B_{3}A}\cdot \dfrac{C_{3}A}{C_{3}B}=1$

Thus by our previous argument,

4) $\dfrac{A_{4}B}{A_{4}C}\cdot \dfrac{B_{4}C}{B_{4}A}\cdot \dfrac{C_{4}A}{C_{4}B}=1$

Now,by sine law, we have that $\dfrac{A_{4}B}{A_{4}C}=\dfrac{\sin \angle BAA_4}{\sin \angle CAA_4}$. Deriving similar expressions for $\dfrac{B_{4}C}{B_{4}A},\dfrac{C_{4}A}{C_{4}B},$ and using them in (4), we get that ,

$\dfrac{\sin \angle BAA_4}{\sin \angle CAA_4}\cdot \dfrac{\sin \angle CBB_4}{\sin \angle ABB_4}\cdot \dfrac{\sin \angle ACC_4}{\sin \angle BCC_4}=1$.

This the trigonometric form of Ceva's theorem. So $AA_4, BB_4, CC_4$ are concurrent.
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jayme
9774 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Dear Mathlinkers,
the problem have something to do with the A-mixtilinear incircle of ABC...
see
http://perso.orange.fr/jl.ayme , A new mixtilinear incircle adventure I, G.G.G. vol. 4, p. 20-21.
Sincerely
Jean-Louis
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Konigsberg
2205 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
is this too hard for a problem 1 on an olympiad?
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IDMasterz
1412 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
To Konigsberg; depends ;) To jayme, yes indeed, my solution shows this directly. Let the perpendicular to $I$ through $AI$ meet $BC$ at $A_5$, then note $A(A_5, A_4; B, C) = -1$. We know that $A_5B_5C_5$ are collinear and perpendicular to $HI$, so $AA_4, BB_4, CC_4$ are concurrent.
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TelvCohl
2312 posts
#10 • 5 Y
Y by amar_04, parola, Adventure10, Clyn, and 1 other user
My solution (for the original problem) :

Since $ AA_1, BB_1, CC_1 $ are concurrent at $ X_{7} $ of $ \triangle ABC $ ,
so from Desargue theorem we get $ A_3 , B_3 , C_3  $ are collinear . ... $ (\star ) $
Since $ A_4A_2, B_4B_2, C_4C_2 $ is the external bisector of $ \angle CA_4B, \angle AB_4C, \angle BC_4A $, respectively ,

so combine with $ ( \star ) $ we get $ \frac{CA_4}{A_4B} \cdot \frac{AB_4}{B_4C} \cdot \frac{BC_4}{C_4A}=\frac{CA_3}{A_3B} \cdot \frac{AB_3}{B_3C} \cdot \frac{BC_3}{C_3A}=1 $ .

ie. $ AA_4, BB_4, CC_4 $ are concurrent

Q.E.D

__________________________________________________
My solution ( for $ AA_4 \cap BB_4 \cap CC_4  \equiv X_{57} $ ) :

Let $ D $ be the projection of $ A_1 $ on $ B_1C_1 $ and $ X $ be the midpoint of arc $ BAC $ .

Since $ (B, C; A_1, A_3)=-1 $ ,

so $ \frac{CA_4}{A_4B}=\frac{CA_3}{A_3B}=\frac{CA_1}{A_1B} $ ,

hence we get $ A_4A_1 $ is the bisector of $ \angle CA_4B $ and $ X \in A_4A_1 $ .

Since $ D(B, C; A_1, A_3)=-1 $ ,
so $ DA_1 $ is the bisector of $ \angle BDC $ ,
hence we get $ \triangle DC_1B \sim \triangle CB_1D $ .

Since $ \frac{B_1D}{DC_1}=\frac{CD}{DB}=\frac{CA_1}{A_1B} $ ,

so we get $ \triangle AC_1B_1 \cap D \sim \triangle XBC \cap A_1 $ ,
hence from $ \angle BAD=\angle BXA_1=\angle BAA_4 $ we get $ D \in AA_4 $ .
ie. $ X_{57} $ of $ \triangle ABC $ lie on $ AA_4 $

Similarly, we can prove $ X_{57} \in BB_4 $ and $ X_{57} \in CC_4 $ ,
so we get $ AA_4, BB_4, CC_4 $ are concurrent at the $ X_{57} $ of $ \triangle ABC $ .

Q.E.D
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IDMasterz
1412 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
To prove $AA_4, BB_4, CC_4$ are concurrent at $X_{57}$ from my post, we can do this:

Let $\ell$ be the radical axis of $\odot ABC, \odot A_1B_1C_1$. Let the medial triangle of $A_1B_1C_1$ be $A_6B_6C_6$ and note that $\ell$ is the radical axis of $\odot A_6B_6C_6$ by harmonic conjugates (fact 1). So, note $AA_5 \cap B_1C_1 \in \ell$ for obvious reasons, and because of the fact 1 we conclude $AA_5$ meets $B_1C_1$ at the same point where the orthic axis of $A_1B_1C_1$ meets $B_1C_1$, so $AA_4$ contains the foot of the $A$ altitude of $A_1B_1C_1$.
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Aiscrim
409 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
This problem is really weak in the sense that we don't need $A_1,B_1,C_1$ to be the tangency points of the incircle with the sides of $\triangle{ABC}$; it is enough to have $AA_1,BB_1,CC_1$ concurrent.

Let $\{X_A\}=A_1A_2\cap (ABC)$. As $(A_3,A_1,B,C)=-1$, by perspectivity from $A_2$ we get that $X_ABA_4C$ is harmonic. This yields $\dfrac{A_4B}{A_4C}=\dfrac{X_AB}{X_AC}$, but $X_AA_2$ is the bisector of $\widehat{BX_AC}$, whence $\dfrac{A_4B}{A_4C}=\dfrac{A_1B}{A_1C}$.

Writing the analogous relations and multiplying them we get that $$\dfrac{A_4B}{A_4C}\cdot \dfrac{B_4C}{B_4A}\cdot \dfrac{C_4A}{C_4B}= \dfrac{A_1B}{A_1C}\cdot \dfrac{B_1C}{B_1A}\cdot \dfrac{C_1A}{C_1B}=1$$which is equivalent to the fact that $AA_4,BB_4,CC_4$ are concurrent.
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Ankoganit
3070 posts
#14 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Let $(J_a)$ be a circle tangent to $BC$ at $A_1$ and tangent to $(ABC)$ at some point, say $T_a$. Define $J_b,J_c;T_b,T_c$ similarly. We claim that $A_4\equiv T_a$ etc.

Let $X_a$ denote the midpoint of arc $BAC$ of $(ABC)$. If $\mathcal{H}$ denotes the homothety centered at $T_a$ that takes $(J_a)$ to $(ABC)$, then it takes $BC$ to the line $\ell$ parallel to $BC$ and tangent to $(ABC)$, clearly at $X_a$. Then $\mathcal{H}$ takes $A_1$ to $X_a$; so $T_a,A_1,X_a$ are collinear. Since $X_aA_2$ is a diameter of $(ABC)$, we have $X_aT_a\perp T_aA_2\implies A_1T_a\perp T_aA_2 \;(\star )$.

Next, observe that $(B,C,A_1,A_3)=-1\implies T_a(B,C,A_1,A_3)$ is a harmonic pencil. But $T_aX_a$ and hence $T_aA_1$ is the bisector of $\angle BT_aC$, so we have $A_1T_a\perp T_aA_3$. Combining this with $(\star )$ gives $A_3,T_a,A_2$ are collinear, so $T_a\equiv A_4$.

But from Concurrency on OI we have $AT_a$ etc. are concurrent at the Isogonal Mittenpunkt, as desired. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Ankoganit, May 23, 2016, 5:14 AM
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lebathanh
464 posts
#15 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, sami1618
laFiesta wrote:
North Korea is NOT Korea! "Korea" means South Korea. Why is this in Korea category?

I guess they is not good geography :D
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solver6
259 posts
#16 • 3 Y
Y by alex14rta, Adventure10, Mango247
$\textbf{Proof :}$

Points $A_3, B_3, C_3$ lie on same line $l$. Consider projective transformation which sends circle $(ABC)$ into circle and line $l$ to infinity line. Name $A', B',\ldots, A_2', \ldots , A_4'$ images of points $A, B,\ldots, A_2, \ldots , A_4$ wrt this projective transformation. So we have that $A_2'A_4'|| B'C'$, $B_2'B_4'||A'C'$, $C_2'C_4'||A'B'$. Let lines $A'A_2'$, $B'B_2'$, $C'C_2'$ concurrent at point $X$. Then lines $A'A_4'$, $B'B_4'$, $C'C_4'$ concurrent at point which is isogonal to $X$ wrt $A'B'C'$. $\Box$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by solver6, Mar 1, 2017, 11:54 AM
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nikolapavlovic
1246 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Let $A_2A_1\cap \odot ABC=\{A_5\}$ $(A_5,A_4;B,C)=-1$ $\frac{A_5B}{A_5C}=\frac{CA_1}{BA_1}=\frac{BA_4}{CA_4}$ and hence $BA_4\cdot CB_4\cdot AC_4=A_4C\cdot AB_4 \cdot BC_4$ so we're done.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by nikolapavlovic, Mar 4, 2017, 4:06 PM
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Blast_S1
356 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
A pretty bad solution obtained from randomly projecting
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amar_04
1915 posts
#19 • 4 Y
Y by GeoMetrix, Hexagrammum16, Bumblebee60, mijail
Nice Problem!!!
North Korean TST 2013 P1 wrote:
The incircle of a non-isosceles triangle $ABC$ with the center $I$ touches the sides $ BC, CA, AB$ at $ A_1 , B_1 , C_1 $ respectively. The line $AI$ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_2 $. The line $B_1 C_1 $ meets the line $BC$ at $A_3 $ and the line $A_2 A_3 $ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $A_4 (\ne A_2 ) $. Define $B_4 , C_4 $ similarly. Prove that the lines $ AA_4 , BB_4 , CC_4 $ are concurrent.

Clearly $\{A_2,B_2,C_2\}$ are the midpoints of $\widehat{BC},\widehat{AC},\widehat{AB}$ respectively and let $\{X,Y,Z\}$ be the midpoints of $\widehat{BAC},\widehat{CBA},\widehat{ACB}$ respectively. Then $(A_3,A_1;B,C)\overset{A_4}{=}(A_2,A_1A_4\cap\odot(ABC);B.C)$. So, $A_4A_1\cap\odot(ABC)= X$. Now if $P$ is the foot of perpendicular from $A_1$ to $B_1C_1$ then $AP,XA_1$ concur at $A_4$ from this problem $\longrightarrow$Two Lines meet on a circle. Analogously we get that if $\triangle PQR$ is the orthic triangle of $\triangle A_1B_1C_1$, then $\{\overline{A-P-A_4}\},\{\overline{B-Q-B_4}\},\{\overline{C-R-C_4}\}$. Now as $\{AA_1,BB_1,CC_1\}$ and $\{A_1P.B_1Q,C_1R\}$. Hence by Cevian Nest Theorem we conclude that $AA_4,BB_4,CC_4$ are concurrent. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 7 times. Last edited by amar_04, Feb 27, 2020, 5:31 PM
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william122
1576 posts
#20 • 3 Y
Y by amar_04, crazyeyemoody907, Mango247
Suppose that $A_2A_1$ intersects the circle again at $A'$, and $A_1A_4$ intersects at $A_5$. We have $$(A_3A_1;BC)\stackrel{A_2}{=}(A_4A';BC)\stackrel{A_1}{=}(A_5A_2;BC)=-1$$Thus, $A_4A_5$ is an angle bisector, and $\frac{\sin\angle BAA_4}{\sin\angle CAA_4}=\frac{BA_4}{CA_4}=\frac{BA_1}{A_1C}$. Multiplying similar expressions for $B_4,C_4$, we are done by Trig Ceva and Ceva on the Gergonne point.
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crazyeyemoody907
450 posts
#22
Y by
[asy]
import graph; size(15cm);
real a=105;
real b=205;
real c=335;
real r=10;
path omega=circle(origin, r);
pair A=r*dir(a);
pair B=r*dir(b);
pair C=r*dir(c);
pair I=incenter(A,B,C);
pair A1=foot(I,B,C);
pair B1=foot(I,C,A);
pair C1=foot(I,B,A);
dot(A1);
dot(B1);
dot(C1);
draw(A--B--C--cycle);
draw(omega,blue);
pair X=10*C1-9*B1;
pair P=10*B-9*C;
pair A3=intersectionpoints(B1--X,B--P)[0];
pair A2=r*dir((b+c)/2);
pair B2=r*dir((a+c)/2+180);
pair C2=r*dir((a+b)/2);
dot(A2);
dot(B2);
dot(C2);
pair A4=intersectionpoints(A2--A3,omega)[1];
draw(A2--A3);
dot(A4);
draw(B1--A3);
draw(A3--A2, magenta);
pair D=(B+C)/2;
dot(D);
draw(B--A3);
draw(A1--A4--A2--D--cycle,red+ linewidth(1));
draw(A--A4,green);
label("$A$",A,dir(90));
label("$B$",B,dir(-135));
label("$C$",C,dir(-45));
label("$D$",D,dir(-45));
label("$A_1$",A1,dir(90));
label("$A_2$",A2,dir(-90));
label("$A_3$",A3,dir(-90));
label("$A_4$",A4,dir(-90));
label("$B_1$",B1,dir(45));
label("$C_1$",C1,dir(-45));
draw(B--A4--C,dotted);
label("$B_2$",B2,dir(45));
label("$C_2$",C2,dir(135));
[/asy]
As mentioned earlier, $A_1,B_1,C_1$ may be any points on their respective sides, not necessarily the touch points, as long as $AA_1,BB_1,CC_1$ are concurrent.
First, note that it is well-known that $(A_3A_1;BC)=-1$, and let $D$ be the midpoint of $\overline{BC}$.
By EGMO lemma $9.17$(midpoints of harmonic bundles) combined with PoP, $A_3A_4\cdot A_3A_2=A_3B\cdot A_3C=A_3A_1\cdot A_3D$, thus $A_1A_4A_2D$ is cyclic. Because $\angle A_1DA_2=\pi/2$, this implies $\angle A_1A_4A_2=\pi/2$.
By another well-known property of harmonic bundles, $\overline{A_4A_2}$ bisects $\angle BA_4C$. By angle bisector theorem and law of sines, we have
$\prod_{\text{cyc}}^{}\frac{\sin\angle BAA_4}{\sin\angle A_4AC}=\prod_{\text{cyc}}^{}\frac{2R\sin\angle BAA_4}{2R\sin\angle A_4AC}=\prod_{\text{cyc}}^{}\frac{BA_4}{A_4C}=\prod_{\text{cyc}}^{}\frac{BA_1}{A_1C}$(angles and lengths directed, $R$ is the radius of $(ABC)$)

Because $AA_1,BB_1,CC_1$ concur(at the Gergonne point for the specific case of the problem), the last cyclic product is $1$ by Ceva's theorem.
Because the first cyclic product is 1, by trig Ceva, the lines $AA_4,BB_4,CC_4$ are concurrent, as desired.
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by Luis González, Aug 16, 2022, 10:27 PM
Reason: Unhiding solution
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stonegiraffe247
25 posts
#23
Y by
laFiesta wrote:
North Korea is NOT Korea! "Korea" means South Korea. Why is this in Korea category?

Why? North Korea is still Korea. It encompasses the entire peninsula, should it not?
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hakN
429 posts
#24 • 3 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
Let $D_A = AA_4 \cap BC$ , $S = (AC_1IB_1) \cap (ABC)$ and $E = AS\cap BC$.
It is well-known that $S,A_1,A_2$ are collinear.

Now we have $-1 =(A_3,A_1;B,C) \stackrel{A_2} = (A_4,S;B,C) \stackrel{A} = (D_A,E;B,C)$.

By radical axis theorem on $(ABC) , (BIC) , (ASC_1IB_1)$ we get that $SI$ is tangent to both $(BIC)$ and $(ASC_1IB_1)$.
Hence, we have $\triangle EIB \sim \triangle ECI$.

So, $\frac{EB}{EI} = \frac{EI}{EC} = \frac{IB}{IC} \implies \frac{EB}{EC} = \frac{IB^2}{IC^2}$.
So, $-1 = (D_A,E;B,C) \implies \frac{D_AB}{D_AC} = \frac{EB}{EC} = \frac{IB^2}{IC^2}$.
Writing up similar expressions for the others, we get that $AA_4 , BB_4 , CC_4$ are concurrent by the converse of Ceva's Theorem. $\square$
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ike.chen
1162 posts
#25
Y by
By Ceva-Menelaus, we have $-1 = (A_3, A_1; B, C)$. Now, let $A_5$ denote the midpoint of arc $BAC$. Because $$\angle A_3A_4A_5 = 180^{\circ} - \angle A_2A_4A_5 = 90^{\circ}$$and $A_4A_5$ bisects $\angle BA_4C$, the Right Angle and Bisectors Lemma implies $$- 1 = (A_3, A_4A_5 \cap BC ; B, C)$$so $A_1, A_4, A_5$ are collinear.

Let $P, Q, R$ be the feet of the $A_1$-altitude, $B_1$-altitude, $C_1$-altitude respectively of $A_1B_1C_1$. A well-known lemma implies $P \in AA_4, Q \in BB_4, R \in CC_4$. Now, let $H$ denote the orthocenter of $A_1B_1C_1$. Applying the Cevian Nest Lemma on the Gergonne Point of $ABC$ and $H$ implies $AP, BQ, CR$ are concurrent, which finishes. $\blacksquare$


Remark: The well-known lemma I cited is proven in many solutions to TSTST 2020/2.
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Tafi_ak
309 posts
#27
Y by
Let $X=(AI)\cap (ABC)$. So by spiral similarity we have $\triangle XBC_1\sim\triangle XCB_1$. So we get $XB/XC=BA_1/CA_1$. Hence $A_1$ lies on the bisector of $\angle BXC$, and that gives $X$, $A_1$, $A_2$ are collinear. So \[ -1=(BC;A_3A_1)\stackrel{A_2}{=}(BC;A_4X)\implies \frac{BX}{CX}=\frac{BA_4}{CA_4} \]Now we have \[ \frac{\sin \angle BAA_4}{\sin \angle CAA_4}=\frac{\sin \angle BCA_4}{\sin \angle CBA_4}=\frac{BA_4}{CA_4}=\frac{BX}{CX}=\frac{BA_1}{CA_1} \]Now by sine ceva we are done.
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WLOGQED1729
39 posts
#28
Y by
Excellent Problem! Kim Jong Un’s math problems never disappoints me. :first:
Step 1 Redefine $A_4,B_4,C_4$
Note that $AA_1,BB_1,CC_1$ are concurrent $\implies$ $(A_3,A_1,B,C)=-1$
Let $M$ be a midpoint of segment $BC$; $A_3A_1\cdot A_3M=A_3B\cdot A_3C=A_3A_4\cdot A_3A_2$.
We conclude that $A_1,M,A_2,A_4$ are concyclic which means $\angle A_1A_4A_2= 90^\circ$.
So, $A_4,A_1,A’$ are collinear where $A’$ is a midpoint of arc $BC$ containing $A$.
Similarly, $B_4,B_1,B’$ and $C_1,C_4,C’$ are collinear where $B’$ is a midpoint of arc $CA$ containing $B$ and $C’$ is a midpoint of arc $AB$ containing $C$.
Step 2 Finish by simple trig-ceva calculation
Observe that $A_1A_4$ bisects $\angle BA_4C$ $\implies \frac{BA_4}{A_4C}=\frac{BA_1}{A_1C}$
Apply law of sines yields $\frac{sin BAA_4}{sin A_4AC}=\frac{BA_4}{A_4C}=\frac{BA_1}{A_1C}$
Apply trigonometric ceva’s theorem to $\triangle ABC$ yields $AA_4, BB_4$ and $CC_4$ are concurrent, as desired.
Attachments:
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pikapika007
297 posts
#29 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
bored

In accordance with the absolutely outrageous point naming, let $A_5$ be the $A$-sharkydevil point, and define $B_5$, $C_5$ similarly. Now $A_2$, $A_1$, $A_5$ collinear, so
\[ (A_3, A_1; B, C) \overset{A_2}{=} (A_4, A_5; B, C). \]Thus, if $A_6$ is the foot of the altitude from $A_1$ to $\overline{B_1C_1}$, then $\overline{AA_6A_4}$ collinear (this is well-known), and Cevian Nest finishes.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by pikapika007, Jun 18, 2024, 7:57 PM
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hanulyeongsam
168 posts
#30
Y by
laFiesta wrote:
North Korea is NOT Korea! "Korea" means South Korea. Why is this in Korea category?

DPRK is the only Korea. What do you mean South Korea ????
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ezpotd
1251 posts
#31
Y by
Let $A_5$ be the $A$-Sharkydevil point, or $(AB_1C_1) \cap (ABC)$. Inverting around the incircle yields that $A$ goes to the midpoint of $B_1C_1$ and cyclic variants, implying that $(ABC)$ goes to the nine point circle of $A_1B_1C_1$, since the image of $A_5$ lies on $B_1C_1$ and is not $A$, we know that it is the foot of the altitude from $A_1$ to $B_1C_1$ (calling it $A_6$), giving the result that $A_5, A_6,I$ are collinear. By spiral similarity, we know that $A_5I$ maps to $A_5A_2$, and $B_1C_1$ goes to $BC$, and the $A_6$ goes to $A_1$, since $A_6A_1 \parallel IA_2$ and $A_1$ lies on $B_1C_1$, so $A_5, A_1, A_2$ are collinear. Since $AA_1, BB_1, CC_1$ are concurrenct by Ceva, harmonic lemmas give $(A_3, A_1; B,C)$ harmonic, projecting over $A_2$ gives $(A_4, A_5; B,C)$ harmonic, projecting through $A$ gives $(A_5A \cap B_1C_1, A_4A \cap B_1C_1;B_1,C_1)$ harmonic, projecting through $A_5$ gives $(A, (A_4A \cap B_1C_1)A_5 \cap (AI); B_1, C_1)$ harmonic, so $(A_4A \cap B_1C_1), A_5$ are collinear with $I$, so $A_4A \cap B_1C_1 = A_6$. By Cevian Nest, it is obvious that $AA_6, BB_6, CC_6$, concur, so we are done.
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