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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, what are your plans? At AoPS Online our schedule has new classes starting now through July, so be sure to keep your skills sharp and be prepared for the Fall school year! Check out the schedule of upcoming classes below.

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[*]April 22nd (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Competitive Programming at AoPS (USACO).[/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 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
Find all real functions withf(x^2 + yf(z)) = xf(x) + zf(y)
Rushil   31
N 8 minutes ago by Jakjjdm
Source: INMO 2005 Problem 6
Find all functions $f : \mathbb{R} \longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that \[ f(x^2 + yf(z)) = xf(x) + zf(y) , \] for all $x, y, z \in \mathbb{R}$.
31 replies
Rushil
Aug 23, 2005
Jakjjdm
8 minutes ago
Ant wanna come to A
Rohit-2006   1
N 20 minutes ago by Rohit-2006
An insect starts from $A$ and in $10$ steps and has to reach $A$ again. But in between one of the s steps and can't go $A$. Find probability. For example $ABCDCDEDEA$ is valid but $ABCDEDEDEA$ is not valid.
1 reply
Rohit-2006
24 minutes ago
Rohit-2006
20 minutes ago
one cyclic formed by two cyclic
CrazyInMath   31
N 26 minutes ago by juckter
Source: EGMO 2025/3
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle. Points $B, D, E$, and $C$ lie on a line in this order and satisfy $BD = DE = EC$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $AD$ and $AE$, respectively. Suppose triangle $ADE$ is acute, and let $H$ be its orthocentre. Points $P$ and $Q$ lie on lines $BM$ and $CN$, respectively, such that $D, H, M,$ and $P$ are concyclic and pairwise different, and $E, H, N,$ and $Q$ are concyclic and pairwise different. Prove that $P, Q, N,$ and $M$ are concyclic.
31 replies
1 viewing
CrazyInMath
Apr 13, 2025
juckter
26 minutes ago
Divisibility NT FE
CHESSR1DER   10
N 26 minutes ago by CHESSR1DER
Source: Own
Find all functions $f$ $N \rightarrow N$ such for any $a,b$:
$(a+b)|a^{f(b)} + b^{f(a)}$.
10 replies
CHESSR1DER
Yesterday at 7:07 PM
CHESSR1DER
26 minutes ago
Prove that x1=x2=....=x2025
Rohit-2006   8
N an hour ago by Project_Donkey_into_M4
Source: A mock
The real numbers $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_{2025}$ satisfy,
$$x_1+x_2=2\bar{x_1}, x_2+x_3=2\bar{x_2},\cdots, x_{2025}+x_1=2\bar{x_{2025}}$$Where {$\bar{x_1},\cdots,\bar{x_{2025}}$} is a permutation of $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_{2025}$. Prove that $x_1=x_2=\cdots=x_{2025}$
8 replies
Rohit-2006
Apr 9, 2025
Project_Donkey_into_M4
an hour ago
IMO 2011 Problem 4
Amir Hossein   92
N an hour ago by LobsterJuice
Let $n > 0$ be an integer. We are given a balance and $n$ weights of weight $2^0, 2^1, \cdots, 2^{n-1}$. We are to place each of the $n$ weights on the balance, one after another, in such a way that the right pan is never heavier than the left pan. At each step we choose one of the weights that has not yet been placed on the balance, and place it on either the left pan or the right pan, until all of the weights have been placed.
Determine the number of ways in which this can be done.

Proposed by Morteza Saghafian, Iran
92 replies
Amir Hossein
Jul 19, 2011
LobsterJuice
an hour ago
Squares in an Octagon
kred9   1
N an hour ago by crazydog
Source: 2025 Utah Math Olympiad #1
A regular octagon and all of its diagonals are drawn. Find, with proof, the number of squares that appear in the resulting diagram. (The side of each square must lie along one of the edges or diagonals of the octagon.)
1 reply
kred9
Apr 5, 2025
crazydog
an hour ago
quadratic with at least 1 roots
giangtruong13   1
N an hour ago by CM1910
Find $m$ to satisfy that the equation $x^2+mx-1=0$ has at least 1 roots $\leq -2$
1 reply
giangtruong13
3 hours ago
CM1910
an hour ago
sequence infinitely similar to central sequence
InterLoop   18
N an hour ago by X.Allaberdiyev
Source: EGMO 2025/2
An infinite increasing sequence $a_1 < a_2 < a_3 < \dots$ of positive integers is called central if for every positive integer $n$, the arithmetic mean of the first $a_n$ terms of the sequence is equal to $a_n$.

Show that there exists an infinite sequence $b_1$, $b_2$, $b_3$, $\dots$ of positive integers such that for every central sequence $a_1$, $a_2$, $a_3$, $\dots$, there are infinitely many positive integers $n$ with $a_n = b_n$.
18 replies
InterLoop
Apr 13, 2025
X.Allaberdiyev
an hour ago
all solutions of (p,n)
Sayan   11
N 2 hours ago by L13832
Source: ItaMO 2011, P5
Determine all solutions $(p,n)$ of the equation
\[n^3=p^2-p-1\]
where $p$ is a prime number and $n$ is an integer
11 replies
Sayan
Feb 14, 2012
L13832
2 hours ago
Number Theory Chain!
JetFire008   55
N 2 hours ago by Lil_flip38
I will post a question and someone has to answer it. Then they have to post a question and someone else will answer it and so on. We can only post questions related to Number Theory and each problem should be more difficult than the previous. Let's start!

Question 1
55 replies
JetFire008
Apr 7, 2025
Lil_flip38
2 hours ago
Turbo's en route to visit each cell of the board
Lukaluce   15
N 2 hours ago by X.Allaberdiyev
Source: EGMO 2025 P5
Let $n > 1$ be an integer. In a configuration of an $n \times n$ board, each of the $n^2$ cells contains an arrow, either pointing up, down, left, or right. Given a starting configuration, Turbo the snail starts in one of the cells of the board and travels from cell to cell. In each move, Turbo moves one square unit in the direction indicated by the arrow in her cell (possibly leaving the board). After each move, the arrows in all of the cells rotate $90^{\circ}$ counterclockwise. We call a cell good if, starting from that cell, Turbo visits each cell of the board exactly once, without leaving the board, and returns to her initial cell at the end. Determine, in terms of $n$, the maximum number of good cells over all possible starting configurations.

Proposed by Melek Güngör, Turkey
15 replies
Lukaluce
Yesterday at 11:01 AM
X.Allaberdiyev
2 hours ago
IMO Shortlist 2014 N5
hajimbrak   57
N 2 hours ago by SimplisticFormulas
Find all triples $(p, x, y)$ consisting of a prime number $p$ and two positive integers $x$ and $y$ such that $x^{p -1} + y$ and $x + y^ {p -1}$ are both powers of $p$.

Proposed by Belgium
57 replies
hajimbrak
Jul 11, 2015
SimplisticFormulas
2 hours ago
function Z to Z..
Jackson0423   2
N 2 hours ago by Rasul_Gasimli
Let \( f : \mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z} \) be a function satisfying
\[
f(f(x)) = x^2 - 6x + 6
\quad \text{for all} \quad x \in \mathbb{Z}.
\]Given that
\[
f(i) < f(i+1) \quad \text{for} \quad i = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
\]find the value of
\[
f(0) + f(1) + f(2) + \cdots + f(6).
\]
2 replies
Jackson0423
Yesterday at 2:49 PM
Rasul_Gasimli
2 hours ago
APMO 2016: Great triangle
shinichiman   26
N Apr 6, 2025 by ray66
Source: APMO 2016, problem 1
We say that a triangle $ABC$ is great if the following holds: for any point $D$ on the side $BC$, if $P$ and $Q$ are the feet of the perpendiculars from $D$ to the lines $AB$ and $AC$, respectively, then the reflection of $D$ in the line $PQ$ lies on the circumcircle of the triangle $ABC$. Prove that triangle $ABC$ is great if and only if $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$.

Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee
26 replies
shinichiman
May 16, 2016
ray66
Apr 6, 2025
APMO 2016: Great triangle
G H J
Source: APMO 2016, problem 1
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shinichiman
3212 posts
#1 • 9 Y
Y by buratinogigle, rightways, YadisBeles, Kezer, Davi-8191, R8450932, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
We say that a triangle $ABC$ is great if the following holds: for any point $D$ on the side $BC$, if $P$ and $Q$ are the feet of the perpendiculars from $D$ to the lines $AB$ and $AC$, respectively, then the reflection of $D$ in the line $PQ$ lies on the circumcircle of the triangle $ABC$. Prove that triangle $ABC$ is great if and only if $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$.

Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by MellowMelon, May 18, 2017, 3:29 AM
Reason: add proposer
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djmathman
7938 posts
#2 • 10 Y
Y by A_Math_Lover, Ankoganit, ks_789, Tafi_ak, bobjoe123, ike.chen, jrsbr, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
Oh man, a geometric functional equation - interesting.

Solution
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by djmathman, May 16, 2016, 9:39 PM
Reason: reworded something small
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62861
3564 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
djmathman wrote:
Oh man, a geometric functional equation - interesting.

Solution

You need to show that a 45-45-90 triangle is great as well (which is not completely trivial).
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djmathman
7938 posts
#4 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
Oops that is true. It seems that I have forgotten the first fundamental rule of functional equations - one must always plug the solution back in to make sure it checks!

Fortunately this isn't too bad
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by djmathman, May 16, 2016, 9:46 PM
Reason: mislabeled points in original writeup oops
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trumpeter
3332 posts
#6 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
djmathman wrote:
With this in mind, set $D$ to be the foot of the altitude from $A$ to $\overline{BC}$...

Just to put it out there, it is fairly easy to length-chase to get $AB=AC$ from here by using polynomials.
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navi_09220114
475 posts
#7 • 4 Y
Y by Tafi_ak, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
You can actually take D to be midpoint of BC, then to prove AB=AC will be easier, because then the feet of D to AB and AC is the midline,and D'A will then be parallel to BC... (of course, this is after you proved BAC=90 using angle bisector.)
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by navi_09220114, May 17, 2016, 1:01 PM
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math90
1476 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
First of all choose $D$ to be the foot of angle bisector from $A$. From here we obtain $\angle BAC=90$ by angle chasing. Now use the first observation and choose $D$ to be the foot of perpendicular from $A$. Now by length chasing and triangle similarity, we obtain $AB=AC$.
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WizardMath
2487 posts
#9 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
$\phantom{}$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by WizardMath, Dec 24, 2019, 2:24 PM
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Complex2Liu
83 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
First we select $D$ as the intersection of $AO$ and $\overline{BC}.$ Let $E$ denotes the foot from $A$ to $\overline{BC},$ and $D^*,E^*$ denote the reflection of $D,E$ in line $PQ$ respectively. Since $PQ$ is parallel to $BC,$ it's easy to see that $E^*$ is the orthocenter of $\triangle APQ,$ which implies that $E^*$ and $D^*$ are symmetry over the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{BC},$ in other words, \[D^*\text{ lies on the circumcircle of }\triangle ABC\iff\angle BD^*C=\angle BE^*C=\angle A\iff E^*\equiv A.\]Therefore $PQ$ is median line $\implies \angle A=90^\circ.$ This is because $D$ is the intersection of the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{AC}.$
[asy]
size(7cm); pointpen=black; pathpen=black; pointfontpen=fontsize(9pt);
void b(){
pair A=D("A",dir(110),dir(110));
pair B=D("B",dir(-150),dir(-150));
pair C=D("C",dir(-30),dir(-30));
pair D=D("D",extension(A,origin,B,C),S);
pair P=D("P",foot(D,A,B),W);
pair Q=D("Q",foot(D,A,C),E);
pair E=D("E",foot(A,B,C),S);
pair D1=D("D^*",2*foot(D,P,Q)-D,dir(120));
pair E1=D("E^*",2*foot(E,P,Q)-E,N);
D(A--B--C--cycle);
D(P--D--Q,magenta);
D(B--E1--C);
D(B--D1--C);
D(P--Q,dashed);
draw(anglemark(B,E1,C,3),deepgreen);
draw(anglemark(B,D1,C,3),deepgreen);
D(E1--E,dotted);
D(D1--D,dotted);
D(circumcircle(A,P,Q),red+linetype("4 4"));
}
b(); pathflag=false; b();
[/asy]
Then we select $D$ as the foot from $A$ to $\overline{BC}.$ By the above result we get $APDQ$ is a rectangle, thus $D^*\in \odot(APDQ),$ and
\[\begin{aligned}D^* \text{ lies on the circumcircle of }\triangle ABC &\iff D^* \text{ sends $\triangle D^*PB$ to $\triangle D^*QC$}\\
&\iff \frac{DP}{PB}=\frac{D^*P}{PB}=\frac{D^*Q}{QC}=\frac{DQ}{QC}\\
&\iff \tan{\angle B}=\tan{\angle C}\\
&\iff \angle B=\angle C. \end{aligned}\]as desired. $\square$
[asy]
size(7cm); pointpen=black; pathpen=black; pointfontpen=fontsize(9pt);
void b(){
pair A=D("A",dir(70),dir(70));
pair B=D("B",dir(180),W);
pair C=D("C",dir(0),E);
pair D=D("D",foot(A,B,C),S);
pair P=D("P",foot(D,A,B),W);
pair Q=D("Q",foot(D,A,C),S);
pair D1=D("D^*",2*foot(D,P,Q)-D,dir(70));
D(P--D--Q,magenta);
D(D--D1,dotted);
D(B--P--D1--cycle,blue+dashed);
D(D1--Q--C--cycle,blue+dashed);
D(A--P--Q--cycle);
D(B--C);
}
b(); pathflag=false; b();
[/asy]
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babu2001
402 posts
#11 • 6 Y
Y by YadisBeles, Ramanujan_1729, Promi, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
As we have already seen we get $\angle BAC=90^{\circ}$ by setting $D$ to be the foot of angle bisector of $\angle BAC$. Now let $D$ be the midpoint of $BC$, then $P,Q$ are the midpoints of $AB,AC$ respectively as $\angle BAC=90^{\circ}$. Now let $D'$ be the reflection of $D$ in $PQ$. Then $\angle PD'Q=\angle PDQ=\angle PAQ\implies AD'PQ$ is cyclic, thus $D'\equiv\odot(ABC)\cap\odot(APQ)$. But $\odot(APQ)$ is tangent to $\odot(ABC)$ at $A$, hence $D'\equiv A$, hence $AD\perp PQ\implies AB=AC$, as required.
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mjuk
196 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
Let $E$ be reflection of $D$ in $PQ$.
1. Suppose $\triangle ABC$ is great:
Let $D$ be intersection of bisector of $\angle A$ and $BC$. $P,Q$ are symmetric wrt. $AD$, so reflection of $D$ in $PQ$ lies on $AD$. Both $A$ and $E$ lie on $\odot ABC$ and they are on same side of $PQ$, hence $A\equiv E \Longrightarrow \angle PAQ=\angle PDQ$, but since $APDQ$ is cyclic, $\angle PAQ=180^{\circ}-\angle PDQ$, so $\angle BAC=\angle PAQ=90^{\circ}$.
Now let $D$ be midpoint of $BC$. Let line paralel to $BC$ through $A$ intersect $\odot ABC$ at $A'$. Since $APDQ$ is a rectangle, we have $d(A,PQ)=d(D,PQ)=d(E,PQ)$, so $AE\parallel BC\Longrightarrow E\equiv A'$.Let $K,L$ be projections of $A,A'$ on $BC$, $AA'BC$ is isosceles trapezoid, so $K,L$ are symmetric wrt. $D$. Then since $K\equiv D\Longrightarrow L\equiv D\Longrightarrow A=A'$ so $\triangle ABC$ is $A$-isosceles and $\angle A=90^{\circ}$.
2. Suppose $\angle A=90$ and $AB=AC$.
$\angle PEQ=\angle PDQ=90^{\circ} \Longrightarrow PEDQ$ is cyclic. $QE=QD=AP=QC$, and $PE=PD=AQ=PB$. $\angle EQC=\angle EQD+90^{\circ}=180^{\circ}-\angle EPD+90^{\circ}=\angle BPE$ $\Longrightarrow \triangle QEC\sim \triangle PEB $
$\Longrightarrow \angle BEC=\angle PEQ=90^{\circ}\Longrightarrow E\in \odot ABC$
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oceanmath99
48 posts
#13 • 4 Y
Y by MRF2017, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
Sorry!
I read all post on the top carefully
But I have a question with case "ABC is great $\rightarrow$ $\angle A=90^{\circ}$ and $AB=AC$"
If D be a random point on the side BC (is not midpoint BC, foot of the angle bisector of $\angle A$,..) then prove that $\angle A=90^{\circ}$ and $AB=AC$?????

Please answer this my question!
Thanks all!
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by oceanmath99, May 28, 2016, 8:13 AM
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djmathman
7938 posts
#15 • 5 Y
Y by oceanmath99, sabkx, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
^^ That doesn't matter. We've shown that by setting $D$ to be the foot of the angle bisector or the midpoint of $BC$ or the foot of the altitude or whatever that the only triangle $\triangle ABC$ can possibly be is an isosceles right triangle. Thus, we don't have to test all the other points to conclude this.

Let's go off on what seemingly might be a tangent. Consider the following functional equation: find all functions $f$ such that \[f(x)+f(y)=x^2+y^2\]for all real $x$ and $y$. This FE has a very simple solution: substitute $y=x$ to obtain \[2f(x) = 2x^2\quad\implies\quad f(x) = x^2.\]Now we just need to check that $f(x)$ always works, which it does.

This may seem like a strange example, but the point is made clear: in order to show that $f(x)=x^2$ is the only possible function which satisfies the given conditions, all we need to do is to look at the case where $x=y$. Once we have that, we just need to check that $f(x)=x^2$ works.

The same thing goes with this problem. In all the posts above, we use the special cases of $D$ being the angle bisector/midpoint/etc. to deduce that $\triangle ABC$ must be an isosceles right triangle. Once we have that, we just need to check that indeed $\triangle ABC$ is great - which I do in post 4.
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oceanmath99
48 posts
#16 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
Dear djmathman,
Thanks you very much! I understand this problem is a geometric functional equation!

But,
Sorry, I still a small question.
I think we must see only case such as midpoint or angle bisrctor or...
No need see all case.
:)
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rkm0959
1721 posts
#17 • 3 Y
Y by PWuSinaisGod, UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
First, we prove the if direction. Denote the reflection of $D$ wrt $PQ$ be $D'$.

Clearly $D'AQP$ is cyclic, so $\angle D'PB = \angle D'QC$.
Using $D'P =PD = BP$ and $D'Q=QD=QC$ gives $\triangle D'PB \sim \triangle D'QC$, so $\angle BD'C = \angle PD'Q=90$.
This implies that $AD'BC$ is cyclic. We are done.

Now we prove the only if direction.
First, take $D$ where $AD$ bisects $\angle A$. Then $\triangle PAD \equiv \triangle QAD$, so $D'$ lies on $AD$.
So if $AD'CB$ cyclic gives $A=D'$, so $AQDP$ is a square, so $\angle A = 90$.
Take $D$ be the perpendicular from $A$ to $BC$. $D'$ being on $(ABC)$ is equivalent to $\triangle D'PB \sim \triangle D'QC$.
This is equivalent to $\frac{DP}{PB} = \frac{DQ}{DC}$, or $\angle B = \angle C$. We are done.
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Tommy2000
715 posts
#18 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
Let $D'$ denote the reflection of $D$ in $PQ$. First, take the foot of the angle bisector from $A$. Then we see that $\angle A = 90^\circ$ as $A$ and $D'$ lie on the same side of $BC$.

Now, we know $\angle PDQ = 90^\circ$, so it suffices to show $\angle BD'P = \angle CD'Q$. However we already know that $\angle D'PB = \angle D'QC$ as $AD'PQD$ is cyclic, so this is equivalent to the condition
\[ \frac{D'P}{PB} = \frac{DP}{PB} = \frac{DQ}{QC} = \frac{D'Q}{QC}\]However, we have
\[ \frac{DP}{PB} = \frac{QC}{DQ}\]since $PD \parallel AC$, so this is equivalent with $BPD$ and $CQD$ being isosceles right. But they are similar to the original, so the original condition is equivalent with $ABC$ being isosceles right with $\angle A = 90^\circ$.
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ta2341
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#19 • 3 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10, Mango247
Can we use continuity to argue that A must be the image of some point on BC? As B is its own image, and so is C, and we can argue that the image of a point on BC that is very close to B must lie on arc BAC, very close to B, so as point D travels from B to C on BC, its image travels from B to C on arc BAC, and therefore its image must overlap with A at some point. Is this valid?
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by ta2341, Mar 3, 2018, 11:03 AM
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Math-wiz
6107 posts
#20 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Adventure10
shinichiman wrote:
We say that a triangle $ABC$ is great if the following holds: for any point $D$ on the side $BC$, if $P$ and $Q$ are the feet of the perpendiculars from $D$ to the lines $AB$ and $AC$, respectively, then the reflection of $D$ in the line $PQ$ lies on the circumcircle of the triangle $ABC$. Prove that triangle $ABC$ is great if and only if $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$.

Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee

Anyone tried coordinate bash? Taking $A(0,0),B(0,y_1)$ and $C(x_2,y_2)$ simplifies the problem quite well, and it is easier to interpret reflection in tje Cartesian plane. I will post the solution as soon as I find one.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Math-wiz, Dec 22, 2019, 7:44 PM
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508669
1040 posts
#21 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Mango247
shinichiman wrote:
We say that a triangle $ABC$ is great if the following holds: for any point $D$ on the side $BC$, if $P$ and $Q$ are the feet of the perpendiculars from $D$ to the lines $AB$ and $AC$, respectively, then the reflection of $D$ in the line $PQ$ lies on the circumcircle of the triangle $ABC$. Prove that triangle $ABC$ is great if and only if $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$.

Senior Problems Committee of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee

Easy problem for APMO.

Let $D = BC \cap$ Angle Bisector of $\angle BAC$. It can be also seen that $D_1$ lies on $AD$. Since $A, D$ lie on opposite sides if $PQ$, $A, D_1$ lie on same side of $PQ$. But these assertion imply that $A = D_1$ which means that
$APDQ$ is a square which means that $\angle BAC = 90^\circ$.

Consider $D$ on $BC$ such that $\angle ADB = 90^\circ$. Then using the previous condition and this condition we get that $AB=AC$ in two steps because we get that $D = \odot (ABC) \cap \odot (APQ)$.

Now to prove this claim works, observe that it is angle chasing after noticing that $P, Q$ are circumcenter of $\triangle BDD_1$ and $\triangle CDD_1$ respectively.
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CANBANKAN
1301 posts
#22 • 4 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
Why is this so hard? I sincerely found it much harder than APMO 16 P2,4,5

Let $D'$ be the reflection of $D$ over $PQ$.

If: note $\angle PDB=\angle QDC=45^{\circ}$, so $\angle PDQ=\angle PD'Q=90^{\circ}$ note $BP=PD=PD'$, and $CQ=DQ=D'Q$. We can see that $\angle BD'C=\angle PD'Q-\angle PD'B+\angle QD'C$. Since $BP=PD', D'Q=QC$, $\angle PD'B=\frac 12 \angle APD'$ and $\angle QD'C=\frac 12 \angle AQD'$. Since $\angle BAC=\angle PAQ=\angle PD'Q=90^{\circ}$, $APD'Q$ is cyclic, so $\angle APD'=\angle AQD'$, as desired.

Only if: let $D$ be the foot of the $\angle A$'s bisector. Then $\angle PAD=\angle QAD, AD=AD, \angle APD=\angle AQD$, so $APD$ is congruent to $AQD$, so $PD=QD$. This implies $AD$ perpendicularly bisect $PQ$, so $PR=RQ$. Therefore, $D'$ lies on $AD$, so $D'=A$, and $AR=RD$, so $\angle BAC=90^{\circ}$. Furthermore, $APDQ$ is actually a square.

To show $AB=AC$, I take $D=O$, the midpoint of $BC$. Then notice $OP,OQ$ are the midlines of $\triangle ABC$, and so is $PQ$. The key observation is $AD'||BC$. Indeed, let $R=AQ\cap D'P$, we can see $AR+RQ=D'R+RP$ and $AR\cdot RQ=D'R\cdot RP$, so it follows that $AR=D'R, QR=PR, AD||PQ||BC$. Furthermore, $D'O\perp BC$, so if $D'$ is on the circumcircle and $BC$ is horizontal, $D'$ is the highest point (or the lowest point) on the circle. Since $AD'||BC$, it follows that $A=D'$.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by CANBANKAN, Mar 17, 2021, 1:00 AM
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Mahdi_Mashayekhi
690 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm
First we'll prove other triangles are not Great then we'll prove 90-45-45 is Great.

we just need to find special points as D. Let AD be angle bisector of ∠A. It's well known AD is perpendicular bisector of PQ so D' must be A. ∠PAQ = ∠PDQ = ∠ACB + ∠ABC so ∠PAQ = 90 so ∠A = 90. Now let AD be altitude. APDQ is rectangle so AD'PQ is isosceles trapezoid. ∠D'AP = ∠APQ = ∠ACB so if AD'BC is cyclic we have ∠AD'B = 180 - ∠ACB = 180 - ∠D'AP so D' lies on AB and is A so AD is perpendicular to APDQ so APDQ is square so AB = AC.

Let ABC be a 90-45-45 triangle and D a random point on BC. PB = PD = PD' and QC = QD = QD' so P and Q are center of BD'D and CD'D. ∠BD'C = ∠BD'D + ∠CD'D = 45 + 45 = 90 so BAD'C is cyclic.
we're Done.
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Mogmog8
1080 posts
#24 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, megarnie, UpvoteFarm
Claim: $\angle A=90$ and $AB=AC$ is necessary.
Proof. For each $D_i$ let $P_i$ and $Q_i$ be the feet from $D_i$ to $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{AC}.$ Let $D_1$ be the foot of the angle bisector from $A$ and note that $D_1'$ lies on $\overline{AD_1}.$ Hence, $D_1'=A$ and since $AP_1D_1Q_1$ is cyclic, $$2\angle BAC=\angle P_1AQ_1+\angle P_1D_1Q_1=180$$and $\angle A=90.$ Let $D_2$ be the foot from $A$ to $\overline{BC}.$ Then, $D_2'$ lies on $(P_2D_2Q_2)$ and $(ABC)$ so $D_2'=A.$ Hence, $AP_2D_2Q_2$ is a square and $AB=AC.$ $\blacksquare$

Claim: $\angle A=90$ and $AB=AC$ is sufficient.
Proof. Notice $D'P=DP=BP$ so $\angle DD'B=\tfrac{1}{2}\angle DPB=45.$ Similarly, $\angle DD'C=45$ so $\angle CD'B=90=\angle A.$ $\blacksquare$ $\square$
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ike.chen
1162 posts
#25 • 1 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm
First, we assume $ABC$ is great. Let $D_1$ denote the reflection of $D$ in $PQ$.

Suppose $D$ is the foot of the internal bisector of $\angle BAC$. Then, we clearly have $DP = DQ$, so $APDQ$ is a kite. It follows that $AD \perp PQ$, so $A$ and $D_1$ must coincide. Thus, $$PA = PD = QD = QA$$which means $APDQ$ is a square, as $AD \perp PQ$. As a result, we know $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ must hold.

Now, suppose $D$ is the midpoint of $BC$. Because $APDQ$ is a rectangle, $$\angle PD_1Q = \angle PDQ = 90^{\circ} = \angle PAQ$$so $APDQD_1$ is cyclic with diameter $PQ$. Moreover, $$\angle APQ = \angle PQD = \angle PQD_1 = \angle PAD_1$$implies $AD_1QP$ is a cyclic isosceles trapezoid. Hence, $AD_1$ and $PQ$ have the same perpendicular bisector, so $DP = DQ$ follows from $DA = R = DD_1$. Thus, $$AB = 2 \cdot DQ = 2 \cdot DP = AC$$which means the only possible solution is $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$.

Now, we show that $ABC$ is indeed great when $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC$. Let $M$ be the circumcenter of $ABC$. It's clear that $AD_1QP$ is still an isosceles trapezoid. Now, since $BDP$ and $CDQ$ are also isosceles right triangles, we have $$BP \cdot PA = PD \cdot DQ = AQ \cdot QC$$so $$MP^2 = Pow_{(ABC)}(P) + R^2 = Pow_{(ABC)}(Q) + R^2 = MQ^2.$$Thus, $MA = MD_1$ follows from $MP = MQ$, which finishes. $\blacksquare$


Remarks: The flavor of this question is similar to that of ISL 2020/G1. In fact, attempting to solve that problem definitely helped me solve this question.
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IAmTheHazard
5001 posts
#26 • 2 Y
Y by UpvoteFarm, centslordm
Send $D$ to $B$ and $C$ respectively, and the reflection $D'$ gets sent to $B$ and $C$ respectively as well. Therefore, by continuity, there exists some choice of $D$ such that $D'$ has the same "x-value" as $A$ if the x-axis is set to $\overline{BC}$ (i.e. $\overline{AD'} \perp \overline{BC}$ or $A=D'$). This clearly means that $D'=A$, since $D'$ is clearly not the second intersection of the $A$-altitude with $(ABC)$. But on the other hand, $\angle PD'Q=\angle PDQ=180^\circ-\angle PAQ$, so we must have $\angle A=90^\circ$.

Now, if $\triangle ABC$ is right, let $D$ be the midpoint of $\overline{BC}$, so $P$ and $Q$ are the midpoints of their respective sides as well. Then $d(D',\overline{BC})=2d(D,\overline{PQ})=d(A,\overline{BC})$. Since $D'B=D'C$, this is bad unless $A$ is the arc midpoint of $\overline{BC}$, i.e. $AB=AC$. $\blacksquare$
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Inconsistent
1455 posts
#27
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When $D = B$, we have $D' = B$ and when $D = C$, we have $D' = C$. Thus move $D$ continuously from $B$ to $C$, then since $D'$ lies on the same side of $BC$ as $A$, there exists $E$ on $BC$ so that when $D = E$, we have that $D' = A$. However this implies $A, E$ are equidistant from $P, Q$ when $D = E$, so $PQ$ passes through their midpoint, however $AE$ is a diameter of $(APEQ)$ so it follows that $\angle BAC = \angle PAQ = 90^{\circ}$.

Now, set $D$ to be the midpoint of $BC$, then the reflection of $D$ over $PQ$ is the projection of $A$ onto the perpendicular bisector of $BC$, since this must lie on $(ABC)$, it follows that $A$ lies on the horizontal bisector of $BC$, as desired.

Now to complete the case, when $ABC$ is as desired, we have that $AD$ passes through the center of $(APQ)$, so it is isogonal in $\angle A$ to the perpendicular to $PQ$. Thus if $A'$ is the reflection of $A$ over $BC$, it follows that $DA', AD$ are isogonal in $\angle A$ so $DA' \perp PQ$. Let $S = DA' \cap (ABC)$, then it follows that $SA \parallel PQ$. Since $PQ$ is a diameter of $(APQD)$, it also follows that $A, D'$ lie on the same side of $PQ$ and $d(A, PQ) = d(D', PQ)$, so we have $AD' \parallel PQ$ as well. Thus $S = D'$, finishing.
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DottedCaculator
7334 posts
#28 • 1 Y
Y by ihatemath123
If $D$ is arbitrarily close to $B$, then the reflection of $D$ over $PQ$ lies on a line arbitrarily close to the reflection of $BC$ over the $B$-altitude and is arbitrarily close to $B$, which means that the $B$-altitude is the angle bisector of the tangent to $B$ is the angle bisector of $BC$, so $\angle B=\frac12\angle A$. Similarly, $\angle C=\frac12\angle A$, so $ABC$ is an isosceles right triangle. If $ABC$ is an isosceles right triangle, then $APDQ$ is a rectangle so if $O$ is the midpoint of $BC$ and $D'$ is the reflection of $D$ over $PQ$, then $APDQOD'$ is cyclic, so $\angle BAO=\angle OAC$ implies $\angle PD'O=\angle QAO$, and $D'Q=DQ=AP$ implies $\angle AD'P=\angle D'AQ$, so $\angle AD'O=\angle D'AO$ implies $D'$ lies on the circumcircle of $ABC$.
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ray66
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#29
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Sketch

First denote the reflection of $D$ over $PQ$ as $D'$. Consider $D$ when $D'$ coincides with $A$. This occurs when $\angle A=90$ and $D$ lies on the intersection of $BC$ with the angle bisector of $A$. Next, consider the case that $PQ$ is parallel to $BC$. This occurs when $D$ is the midpoint of $BC$, so $A$ must be the midpoint of arc $BC$. Now consider $D'$, which is also the reflection of $A$ over the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$. $D'$ only lies on the circle if the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$ passes through $O$ (because the reflection of $A$ over a diameter is also on the circle). By POP, the power of $Q$ is the same as the power of $P$ in every isosceles right triangle, so $OM'$ bisects $PQ$ and we're done.
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