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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Inequality
Sadigly   3
N 32 minutes ago by pooh123
Source: Azerbaijan Junior MO 2025 P5
For positive real numbers $x;y;z$ satisfying $0<x,y,z<2$, find the biggest value the following equation could acquire:


$$(2x-yz)(2y-zx)(2z-xy)$$
3 replies
Sadigly
Friday at 7:59 AM
pooh123
32 minutes ago
Calculus
youochange   2
N 36 minutes ago by youochange
Find the area enclosed by the curves $e^x,e^{-x},x^2+y^2=1$
2 replies
youochange
Yesterday at 2:38 PM
youochange
36 minutes ago
A strong inequality problem
hn111009   0
42 minutes ago
Source: Somewhere
Let $a,b,c$ be the positive number satisfied $a^2+b^2+c^2=3.$ Find the minimum of $$P=\dfrac{a^2}{b+c}+\dfrac{b^2}{c+a}+\dfrac{c^2}{a+b}+\dfrac{3abc}{2(ab+bc+ca)}.$$
0 replies
hn111009
42 minutes ago
0 replies
help me please,thanks
tnhan.129   0
an hour ago
find f: R+ -> R such that:
f(x)/x + f(y)/y = (1/x + 1/y).f(sqrt(xy))
0 replies
tnhan.129
an hour ago
0 replies
Easy divisibility
a_507_bc   2
N an hour ago by TUAN2k8
Source: ARO Regional stage 2023 9.4~10.4
Let $a, b, c$ be positive integers such that no number divides some other number. If $ab-b+1 \mid abc+1$, prove that $c \geq b$.
2 replies
a_507_bc
Feb 16, 2023
TUAN2k8
an hour ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   0
an hour ago
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c,d$ be real numbers such that $a^2+b^2+c^2 =3$. Prove that$$\frac{9}{5}>(a-b)(b-c)(2a-1)(2c-1)\geq -16$$
0 replies
sqing
an hour ago
0 replies
integer functional equation
ABCDE   149
N an hour ago by ezpotd
Source: 2015 IMO Shortlist A2
Determine all functions $f:\mathbb{Z}\rightarrow\mathbb{Z}$ with the property that \[f(x-f(y))=f(f(x))-f(y)-1\]holds for all $x,y\in\mathbb{Z}$.
149 replies
ABCDE
Jul 7, 2016
ezpotd
an hour ago
A geometry problem involving 2 circles
Ujiandsd   0
an hour ago
Source: L
Point M is the midpoint of side BC of triangle ABC. The length of the radius of the outer circle of triangle ABM, triangle ACM
is 5 and 7 respectively find the distance between the center of their outer circles
0 replies
Ujiandsd
an hour ago
0 replies
Inequality, inequality, inequality...
Assassino9931   10
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Al-Khwarizmi Junior International Olympiad 2025 P6
Let $a,b,c$ be real numbers such that \[ab^2+bc^2+ca^2=6\sqrt{3}+ac^2+cb^2+ba^2.\]Find the smallest possible value of $a^2 + b^2 + c^2$.

Binh Luan and Nhan Xet, Vietnam
10 replies
Assassino9931
Yesterday at 9:38 AM
sqing
an hour ago
Grid with rooks
a_507_bc   3
N an hour ago by TUAN2k8
Source: ARO Regional stage 2022 9.3
Given is a positive integer $n$. There are $2n$ mutually non-attacking rooks placed on a grid $2n \times 2n$. The grid is splitted into two connected parts, symmetric with respect to the center of the grid. What is the largest number of rooks that could lie in the same part?
3 replies
a_507_bc
Feb 16, 2023
TUAN2k8
an hour ago
IMO Shortlist 2013, Number Theory #3
lyukhson   47
N an hour ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: IMO Shortlist 2013, Number Theory #3
Prove that there exist infinitely many positive integers $n$ such that the largest prime divisor of $n^4 + n^2 + 1$ is equal to the largest prime divisor of $(n+1)^4 + (n+1)^2 +1$.
47 replies
lyukhson
Jul 10, 2014
cursed_tangent1434
an hour ago
Darboux cubic
srirampanchapakesan   1
N 2 hours ago by srirampanchapakesan
Source: Own
Let P be a point on the Darboux cubic (or the McCay Cubic ) of triangle ABC.

P1P2P3 is the circumcevian or pedal triangle of P wrt ABC.

Prove that P also lie on the Darboux cubic ( or the McCay Cubic) of P1P2P3 .
1 reply
srirampanchapakesan
May 7, 2025
srirampanchapakesan
2 hours ago
IMO Shortlist 2011, Algebra 2
orl   43
N 2 hours ago by ezpotd
Source: IMO Shortlist 2011, Algebra 2
Determine all sequences $(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_{2011})$ of positive integers, such that for every positive integer $n$ there exists an integer $a$ with \[\sum^{2011}_{j=1} j  x^n_j = a^{n+1} + 1\]

Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand
43 replies
orl
Jul 11, 2012
ezpotd
2 hours ago
Sequence inequality
BR1F1SZ   1
N 2 hours ago by IndoMathXdZ
Source: 2025 Francophone MO Seniors P1
Let $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ be a sequence of positive integers satisfying the following property: for all positive integers $k < \ell$, for all distinct integers $m_1, m_2, \ldots, m_k$ and for all distinct integers $n_1, n_2, \ldots, n_\ell$,
\[
a_{m_1} + a_{m_2} + \cdots + a_{m_k} \leqslant a_{n_1} + a_{n_2} + \cdots + a_{n_\ell}.
\]Prove that there exist two integers $N$ and $b$ such that $a_n = b$ for all $n \geqslant N$.
1 reply
BR1F1SZ
3 hours ago
IndoMathXdZ
2 hours ago
Cyclic points and concurrency [1st Lemoine circle]
shobber   10
N Apr 24, 2025 by Ilikeminecraft
Source: China TST 2005
Let $\omega$ be the circumcircle of acute triangle $ABC$. Two tangents of $\omega$ from $B$ and $C$ intersect at $P$, $AP$ and $BC$ intersect at $D$. Point $E$, $F$ are on $AC$ and $AB$ such that $DE \parallel BA$ and $DF \parallel CA$.
(1) Prove that $F,B,C,E$ are concyclic.

(2) Denote $A_{1}$ the centre of the circle passing through $F,B,C,E$. $B_{1}$, $C_{1}$ are difined similarly. Prove that $AA_{1}$, $BB_{1}$, $CC_{1}$ are concurrent.
10 replies
shobber
Jun 27, 2006
Ilikeminecraft
Apr 24, 2025
Cyclic points and concurrency [1st Lemoine circle]
G H J
Source: China TST 2005
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shobber
3498 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Let $\omega$ be the circumcircle of acute triangle $ABC$. Two tangents of $\omega$ from $B$ and $C$ intersect at $P$, $AP$ and $BC$ intersect at $D$. Point $E$, $F$ are on $AC$ and $AB$ such that $DE \parallel BA$ and $DF \parallel CA$.
(1) Prove that $F,B,C,E$ are concyclic.

(2) Denote $A_{1}$ the centre of the circle passing through $F,B,C,E$. $B_{1}$, $C_{1}$ are difined similarly. Prove that $AA_{1}$, $BB_{1}$, $CC_{1}$ are concurrent.
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yetti
2643 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
AP is the A-symmedian of the triangle $\triangle ABC.$ Let O be the triangle circumcenter and K the symmedian point.

(1) AEDF is a parallelogram, hence its diagonals AD, EF cut each other in half. Since the midpoint of EF lies on the A-symmedian AD, EF is antiparallel to BC with respect to the angle $\angle A,$ wich means that the points B, C, E, F are concyclic.

(2) Let parallels to the B-, C-symmedians BK, CK through the foot $D \in BC$ of the A-symmedian $AK \equiv AD \equiv AP$ meet the rays (AB, (AC at B', C'. The triangles $\triangle AB'C' \sim \triangle ABC$ are centrally similar with the similarity center A and D is the symmedian point of the triangle $\triangle AB'C'.$ It immediately follows that the circumcircle $(A_{1})$ of the quadrilateral BCEF is the 1st Lemoine circle of the triangle $\triangle AB'C'$ centered at the midpoint X' of the segment DO', where O' is the circumcenter of this triangle. Therefore, $AA_{1}$ intersects the segment KO of the original triangle $\triangle ABC$ also at its midpoint X, the center of the 1st Lemoine circle of the original triangle. Simiarly, $BB_{1}, CC_{1}$ cut KO at its midpoint X, hence all three are concurrent at X.
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alpha-beta
20 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
can someone define 1st Lemoine circle or give some links?
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mihai miculita
666 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
$ \mbox{The three parallels to the sides of a triangle ABC through the Lemoine point of the triangle ABC, }$
$ \mbox{ determine on the sides of triangle ABC, 6 concyclic points.}$
$ \mbox{The circle of the 6 points is the 1-st Lemoine circle of triangle ABC.}$
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Sardor
804 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
What's Lamoine point?
Please help me .
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Dilshodbek
115 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
alpha-beta wrote:
can someone define 1st Lemoine circle or give some links?

can you explain me about Lemoin circle please
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ak12sr99
156 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Here is my solution with some angle and length chasing

Disclaimer: This is definitely not as elegant as yetti's beautiful solution (:thumbup:), but it is much neater than I had originally expected it to be, which is the reason I decided to mention it anyway.

$(1):$

By Thales' Theorem, $\frac{BD}{BC} = \frac{BF}{BA}$ and $\frac{CD}{CB} = \frac{CE}{CA}$. As $ADP$ is the symmedian, $\frac{BD}{DP} = \frac{AB^2}{AC^2}$ (as the symmedian is the reflection of the median over the angle bisector).

This yields the following, where $a=BC$ etc. (we will use these in part $(2)$ as well):
$BF=\frac{c^3}{b^2+c^2} ...(1)\\ \\AF=\frac{cb^2}{b^2+c^2} ...(2)\\ \\AE=\frac{bc^2}{b^2+c^2} ...(3)\\ \\CE=\frac{b^3}{b^2+c^2}...(4)$

From here we get $AF.AB = AE.AC = \frac{b^2c^2}{b^2+c^2}$ and concyclicity follows.


$(2):$

Let the radius of circle $BFEC$ be $r$.

Let $\angle BCF=\alpha \implies \angle BA_1F=2\alpha \implies \angle A_1BF=\angle A_1FB=90-\alpha \implies \angle A_1BC = B+\alpha-90 = \angle A_1CB \implies \angle A_1CE= 90-\alpha-B+C = \angle A_1EC \implies \angle CA_1E = 2(\alpha+B-C)$.

Now, in $\Delta sA_1BF$ and $A_1CE$ we get, using equations $(1)$ and $(4)$ above,
$2r sin \alpha = \frac{c^3}{b^2+c^2}$ and $2r sin (\alpha+B-C) = \frac{b^3}{b^2+c^2}$
$\implies \frac{sin \alpha}{sin (\alpha+B-C)} = \frac{c^3}{b^3}    ...(5)$

Now we observe that,
$\frac {[ABA_1]}{ACA_1]} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}AB. AA_1 sin \angle BAA_1}{\frac{1}{2}AC.AA_1 sin \angle CAA_1} = \frac{c}{b}.\frac{sin \angle BAA_1}{sin \angle CAA_1} ...(6)$
and
$\frac {[ABA_1]}{ACA_1]} = \frac{\frac{1}{2} AB. BA_1 sin \angle ABA_1}{\frac{1}{2} AC.CA_1 sin \angle ACA_1} =  \frac{c}{b}.\frac{sin(90-\alpha)}{sin(90-\alpha-B+C)}  = \frac{c}{b}.\frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)}  ...(7)$

$(6)$ and $(7)$ together imply
$\frac{sin \angle BAA_1}{sin \angle CAA_1} = \frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)}  ...(8)$

Now after some elementary manipulations on relation $(5)$ we get,
$\frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)} = \frac{\frac{b^3}{c^3} - cos (B-C)}{\frac{b^3}{c^3}cos (B-C) - 1}    ...(9)$

Finally we use $cos \theta = cos^2 \frac{\theta}{2} - sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2} = \frac{1-tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}{1+tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$ (on $\theta = B-C$ duh :P ) and $tan \frac{B-C}{2} = \frac{b-c}{b+c}.cot\frac{A}{2}$ in relations $(8)$ and $(9)$ to finish the proof by the trigonometric form of Ceva's theorem.
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by ak12sr99, Sep 16, 2017, 2:40 PM
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Sanjana42
21 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by kamatadu
(1) Define $E,F$ as follows. Let the line passing through the midpoint of $AD$ which is antiparallel to $BC$ w.r.t $AB,AC$ intersect $AB,AC$ at $F,E\implies FBCE$ cyclic. Since $AD$ is isogonal to the $A$-median in $\triangle ABC$, it must be the $A$-median in $\triangle AEF\implies$ the midpoint of $AD$ (which is on $FE$) is also the midpoint of $FE$, so $AFDE$ is a parallelogram, so $E,F$ are the same $E,F$ in the problem statement.

(2) Let $EF=a_A,AF=b_A,AE=c_A$. By similarity we get $a=BC=\frac{a_A(b_A^2+c_A^2)}{b_Ac_A}$ and $FB=\frac{c_A^2}{b_A}$.

Let $\angle FBE = \angle FCE = \theta_A$. Similarly define $\theta_B,\theta_C$. Sine rule in $\triangle FEB$ gives us $$\frac{\sin (C-\theta_A)}{\sin \theta_A}=\frac{c_A^2}{a_Ab_A}=\frac{c^2}{ab}=\frac{\sin (C-\theta_B)}{\theta_B}$$by symmetry. Therefore the corresponding $\theta$ is the same for all 3 vertices.

Let the feet from $A_1$ to $AB,AC$ be $M_a,N_a$. Note that $\angle FA_1M_a=\angle FEB=C-\theta$. $$\implies \frac{\sin \angle BAA_1}{\sin \angle CAA_1}=\frac{A_1M}{A_1N}=\frac{A_1M}{A_1F}\cdot\frac{A_1E}{A_1N}=\frac{\cos (C-\theta)}{\cos (B-\theta)}$$
Clearly the cyclic product of these is 1, so we're done by trig Ceva.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Sanjana42, Jan 5, 2025, 8:09 PM
Reason: typo
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cursed_tangent1434
626 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by stillwater_25
Solved with stilwater_25. Amazing problem! We realized what the concurrence point is but missed the slick Lemoine circle argument that can be done by shifting the reference triangle.

For part (1) note that since $AEDF$ is a parallelogram by definition, $\overline{AD}$ bisects $EF$. It is well known that the $A-$symmedian only bisects the antiparallels to $BC$, which implies that $BFEC$ is cyclic.

Now, we can move to the interesting part of the problem. We claim that these lines concur at $X_{182}$, the midpoint of $OK$ where $O$ and $K$ are the circumcenter and the symmedian point of $\triangle ABC$ respectively. We show that $\overline{AA_1}$ bisects segment $OK$ from which the result follows due to symmetry.

Let $M_a$ and $M$ denote the midpoints of segments $BC$ and $EF$ respectively. Let $X$ be the intersection of lines $\overline{EF}$ and $\overline{BC}$. Let $K_a$ denote the intersection of the $A-$symmedian with $(ABC)$. The key claim is the following.

Claim : Points $M$ , $A_1$ , $M_a$ and $K_a$ are concyclic.

Proof : It is clear that $XM_aA_1M$ is cyclic due to the right angles. Let $Y$ be the intersection of the $A-$tangent with $\overline{BC}$. Since any antiparallel to side $BC$ is parallel to the $A-$tangent, note that
\[-1=(EF;M\infty)\overset{A}{=}(BC;DY)\]Thus,
\[DY \cdot DM_a = DB \cdot DC \]Further, from the midpoint theorem it follows that $X$ is the midpoint of segment $YD$. Thus,
\[DM \cdot DK_a = \frac{DA\cdot DK_a}{2} = \frac{DB\cdot DC}{2} = \frac{DY \cdot DM_a}{2} = DX \cdot DM_a\]which implies that $MM_aK_aX$ is also cyclic. Putting these observations together proves the claim.

We now show the following.

Claim : Lines $\overline{OK}$ and $\overline{DA_1}$ are parallel.

Proof : This is a simple length chase. First remember that $(AK_a;DP)=-1$. Note that,
\[PA_1 \cdot PM_a = PK_a \cdot PM\]Also,
\[PM_a \cdot PO = PB^2\]This then implies,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PK_a \cdot PM}{PB^2} = \frac{PM}{PA}\]Now, let $K_c$ denote the intersection of the $C-$symmedian with $(ABC)$. Then,
\[-1=(AB;CK_a)\overset{C}{=}(AD;PK)\]Thus,
\[PD \cdot PA = PK \cdot PM\]Thus,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PM}{PA}=\frac{PD}{PK}\]which implies that $OK \parallel DA_1$ as claimed.

Now we are done since letting $X = \overline{AA_1} \cap \overline{OK}$ we have,
\[(OK;X\infty)\overset{A_1}{=}(PK;AD)=-1\]which implies that $X$ is indeed the midpoint of $OK$ and we are done.
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Batsuh
152 posts
#10
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(1) Let $E' = DE \cap PB$ and $F' = DF \cap PC$. By an easy angle chase we see that $BFCF'$ and $BECE'$ are cyclic. So by PoP we have
\[FD \cdot DF' = BD \cdot DC = ED \cdot DE'\]so the points $B, F, E, C, F', E'$ are cyclic.

(2) Let $Q$ be the Symmedian point of $ABC$ and let $O$ be the center of $\omega$. We'll show that $AA_1$ passes through the midpoint of $OQ$, after which we'll be done by symmetry.

[asy]
import geometry;
import olympiad;
size(9cm);
filldraw(unitcircle, purple+white+white, blue);
pair A = dir(110); pair B = dir(225); pair C = dir(315);
pair O = (0,0);
pair M = B / 2+ C / 2;
pair P = extension(B, B+rotate(90)*(B-O),O,M);
pair D = extension(A,P,B,C);
pair E = intersectionpoint(parallel(D,line(A,B)),line(A,C));
pair Ep = extension(E,D,B,P);
pair F = intersectionpoint(parallel(D,line(A,C)),line(A,B));
pair Fp = extension(F,D,C,P);
circle BFEC = circle(B,F,E);
pair A_1 = circumcenter(B,F,E);
pair N = B / 2 + Ep / 2;
pair Q = intersectionpoint(parallel(B,line(N,D)), line(A,P));



draw(A -- B -- C -- cycle);
draw(line(P, false, B));
draw(line(P, false, C));
draw(E -- Ep);
draw(F -- Fp);
draw(O -- P);
draw(Q -- O, darkblue+1);
draw(D -- A_1, darkblue+1);
draw(B -- Q, darkblue+1);
draw(N -- D, darkblue+1);
draw(A -- P);
draw(circumcircle(B,F,E), red);

dot("$A$", A, dir(A));
dot("$B$", B, dir(B));
dot("$C$", C, dir(C));
dot("$P$", P, dir(P));
dot("$D$", D, dir(D));
dot("$Q$", Q, NW);
dot("$E$", E, dir(E));
dot("$F$", F, dir(F));
dot("$E'$", Ep, dir(Ep));
dot("$F'$", Fp, dir(Fp));
dot("$O$", O, NW);
dot("$A_1$", A_1, SE);
dot("$N$", N, dir(N));


[/asy]

Let $N$ be the midpoint of $BE'$. Observe that triangles $\triangle BDE'$ and $\triangle ABC$ are inversely similar with parallel sides. This means that the $B$-symmedian in $\triangle ABC$ and the $D$-median in $\triangle BDE'$ are parallel. In other words, $BQ \parallel ND$. Therefore,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PM}{PB} = \frac{PD}{PQ}\]which implies that $QO \parallel DA_1$. Now,
\[-1 = (A,D;Q,P) \overset{A_1}{=} (AA_1 \cap QO, QO_{\infty}; Q, O)\]implies that $AA_1 \cap QO$ is the midpoint of $QO$ as needed.
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Ilikeminecraft
627 posts
#11
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For part one, we simply note that $EF$ and $AB$ are antiparallel since $AD$ is the $A$-median in $AEF.$

Let $O$ denote the center of $ABC.$ Let $L$ denote the Lemoine point(intersection of symmedians).
I claim that $AA_1$ passes through the midpoint of $LO.$

Let $E’, F’$ be the intersections of $BP, CP$ with $(BFEC).$
Observe that $\angle BE’E = \angle BCE = \angle AFE = \angle FED$ so $FB\parallel EE’,$ so $EDE’$ are collinear.
Similarly, $FDF’$ are collinear.
Let $N$ be the midpoint of $BE’.$
Next, note that $BDE’$ and $ABC$ are inversely similar, with $B$ corresponding to $D.$ Thus, the $B$ symmedian in $ABC$ must be parallel to the $D$-median in $BDE’.$ Hence, $BL\parallel ND.$
Furthermore, $BO\parallel NA_1.$
Thus, there is homothety centered at $P$ sending $BLO$ to $NDA_1.$
Thus, $LO\parallel DA_1.$
Finally, by Ceva-Menelaus, we have $-1 = (AD;LP).$ Projection through $A_1$ onto $LO$ finishes.
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