School starts soon! Add problem solving to your schedule with our math, science, and/or contest classes!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a July Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jwelsh   0
Jul 1, 2025
We are halfway through summer, so be sure to carve out some time to keep your skills sharp and explore challenging topics at AoPS Online and our AoPS Academies (including the Virtual Campus)!

[list][*]Over 60 summer classes are starting at the Virtual Campus on July 7th - check out the math and language arts options for middle through high school levels.
[*]At AoPS Online, we have accelerated sections where you can complete a course in half the time by meeting twice/week instead of once/week, starting on July 8th:
[list][*]MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
[*]MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
[*]AMC Problem Series[/list]
[*]Plus, AoPS Online has a special seminar July 14 - 17 that is outside the standard fare: Paradoxes and Infinity
[*]We are expanding our in-person AoPS Academy locations - are you looking for a strong community of problem solvers, exemplary instruction, and math and language arts options? Look to see if we have a location near you and enroll in summer camps or academic year classes today! New locations include campuses in California, Georgia, New York, Illinois, and Oregon and more coming soon![/list]

MOP (Math Olympiad Summer Program) just ended and the IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad) is right around the corner! This year’s IMO will be held in Australia, July 10th - 20th. Congratulations to all the MOP students for reaching this incredible level and best of luck to all selected to represent their countries at this year’s IMO! Did you know that, in the last 10 years, 59 USA International Math Olympiad team members have medaled and have taken over 360 AoPS Online courses. Take advantage of our Worldwide Online Olympiad Training (WOOT) courses
and train with the best! Please note that early bird pricing ends August 19th!
Are you tired of the heat and thinking about Fall? You can plan your Fall schedule now with classes at either AoPS Online, AoPS Academy Virtual Campus, or one of our AoPS Academies around the US.

Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes start 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29
Sunday, Aug 17 - Dec 14
Tuesday, Aug 26 - Dec 16
Friday, Sep 5 - Jan 16
Monday, Sep 8 - Jan 12
Tuesday, Sep 16 - Jan 20 (4:30 - 5:45 pm ET/1:30 - 2:45 pm PT)
Sunday, Sep 21 - Jan 25
Thursday, Sep 25 - Jan 29
Wednesday, Oct 22 - Feb 25
Tuesday, Nov 4 - Mar 10
Friday, Dec 12 - Apr 10

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21
Sunday, Aug 17 - Dec 14
Tuesday, Sep 9 - Jan 13
Thursday, Sep 25 - Jan 29
Sunday, Oct 19 - Feb 22
Monday, Oct 27 - Mar 2
Wednesday, Nov 12 - Mar 18

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28
Sunday, Aug 17 - Dec 14
Wednesday, Aug 27 - Dec 17
Friday, Sep 5 - Jan 16
Thursday, Sep 11 - Jan 15
Sunday, Sep 28 - Feb 1
Monday, Oct 6 - Feb 9
Tuesday, Oct 21 - Feb 24
Sunday, Nov 9 - Mar 15
Friday, Dec 5 - Apr 3

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Wednesday, Jul 2 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19
Monday, Aug 11 - Nov 3
Wednesday, Sep 3 - Nov 19
Sunday, Sep 21 - Dec 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Friday, Oct 3 - Jan 16
Sunday, Oct 19 - Jan 25
Tuesday, Nov 4 - Feb 10
Sunday, Dec 7 - Mar 8

Introduction to Number Theory
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30
Wednesday, Aug 13 - Oct 29
Friday, Sep 12 - Dec 12
Sunday, Oct 26 - Feb 1
Monday, Dec 1 - Mar 2

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14
Thursday, Aug 7 - Nov 20
Monday, Aug 18 - Dec 15
Sunday, Sep 7 - Jan 11
Thursday, Sep 11 - Jan 15
Wednesday, Sep 24 - Jan 28
Sunday, Oct 26 - Mar 1
Tuesday, Nov 4 - Mar 10
Monday, Dec 1 - Mar 30

Introduction to Geometry
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19
Wednesday, Aug 13 - Feb 11
Tuesday, Aug 26 - Feb 24
Sunday, Sep 7 - Mar 8
Thursday, Sep 11 - Mar 12
Wednesday, Sep 24 - Mar 25
Sunday, Oct 26 - Apr 26
Monday, Nov 3 - May 4
Friday, Dec 5 - May 29

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)
Sat & Sun, Sep 13 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 4:00 PM PT/4:00 - 7:00 PM ET)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22
Friday, Aug 8 - Feb 20
Tuesday, Aug 26 - Feb 24
Sunday, Sep 28 - Mar 29
Wednesday, Oct 8 - Mar 8
Sunday, Nov 16 - May 17
Thursday, Dec 11 - Jun 4

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Sunday, Sep 28 - Feb 15
Tuesday, Nov 4 - Mar 24

Intermediate Number Theory
Wednesday, Sep 24 - Dec 17

Precalculus
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Jan 21
Tuesday, Sep 9 - Feb 24
Sunday, Sep 21 - Mar 8
Monday, Oct 20 - Apr 6
Sunday, Dec 14 - May 31

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Calculus
Sunday, Sep 7 - Mar 15
Wednesday, Sep 24 - Apr 1
Friday, Nov 14 - May 22

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)
Sunday, Aug 17 - Nov 9
Wednesday, Sep 3 - Nov 19
Tuesday, Sep 16 - Dec 9
Sunday, Sep 21 - Dec 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Oct 6 - Jan 12
Thursday, Oct 16 - Jan 22
Tues, Thurs & Sun, Dec 9 - Jan 18 (meets three times a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)
Sunday, Aug 17 - Nov 9
Tuesday, Aug 26 - Nov 11
Thursday, Sep 4 - Nov 20
Friday, Sep 12 - Dec 12
Monday, Sep 15 - Dec 8
Sunday, Oct 5 - Jan 11
Tues, Thurs & Sun, Dec 2 - Jan 11 (meets three times a week!)
Mon, Wed & Fri, Dec 8 - Jan 16 (meets three times a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)
Sunday, Aug 10 - Nov 2
Thursday, Aug 14 - Oct 30
Tuesday, Aug 19 - Nov 4
Mon & Wed, Sep 15 - Oct 22 (meets twice a week!)
Mon, Wed & Fri, Oct 6 - Nov 3 (meets three times a week!)
Tue, Thurs & Sun, Oct 7 - Nov 2 (meets three times a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Friday, Aug 15 - Sep 12
Sunday, Sep 7 - Sep 28
Tuesday, Sep 9 - Sep 30
Monday, Sep 22 - Oct 13
Sunday, Sep 28 - Oct 19 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, Oct 8 - Oct 29
Thursday, Oct 9 - Oct 30

AMC 12 Problem Series
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22
Sunday, Aug 10 - Nov 2
Monday, Aug 18 - Nov 10
Mon & Wed, Sep 15 - Oct 22 (meets twice a week!)
Tues, Thurs & Sun, Oct 7 - Nov 2 (meets three times a week!)

AMC 12 Final Fives
Thursday, Sep 4 - Sep 25
Sunday, Sep 28 - Oct 19
Tuesday, Oct 7 - Oct 28

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, Oct 23 - Jan 29

AIME Problem Series B
Tuesday, Sep 2 - Nov 18

F=ma Problem Series
Tuesday, Sep 16 - Dec 9
Friday, Oct 17 - Jan 30

WOOT Programs
Visit the pages linked for full schedule details for each of these programs!


MathWOOT Level 1
MathWOOT Level 2
ChemWOOT
CodeWOOT
PhysicsWOOT


Programming

Introduction to Programming with Python
Thursday, Aug 14 - Oct 30
Sunday, Sep 7 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Dec 2 - Mar 3

Intermediate Programming with Python
Friday, Oct 3 - Jan 16

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Wednesday, Sep 3 - Dec 3
Thursday, Oct 30 - Feb 5
Tuesday, Dec 2 - Mar 3

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Tuesday, Sep 2 - Nov 18
Sunday, Oct 5 - Jan 11
Wednesday, Dec 10 - Mar 11

Physics 1: Mechanics
Sunday, Sep 21 - Mar 22
Sunday, Oct 26 - Apr 26
0 replies
jwelsh
Jul 1, 2025
0 replies
Limit of a sequence defined by recurrence and exponential factor
JackMinhHieu   1
N 30 minutes ago by P0tat0b0y
Hi everyone,

I came across this interesting sequence defined recursively and wanted to explore its behavior.

Let the sequence (x_n) be defined by:
    x_1 = sqrt(2)
    x_{n+1} = sqrt(2*x_n / (1 + x_n)) for all n >= 1

Define another sequence:
    y_n = 4^n * (1 - 1 / x_n^2)

Question:
Does the sequence (y_n) converge? If so, what is its limit?

Any ideas, observations, or rigorous arguments would be very welcome. Thanks in advance!
1 reply
JackMinhHieu
an hour ago
P0tat0b0y
30 minutes ago
Divisibility prob
radioactiverascal90210   1
N 32 minutes ago by HAL9000sk
Let $m > 1$ be a positive odd integer. Find the smallest positive
integer $n$ such that $2^{1989}$ | $m^n$$1$
1 reply
radioactiverascal90210
2 hours ago
HAL9000sk
32 minutes ago
Crazy Dice
radioactiverascal90210   1
N 42 minutes ago by douqile
A pair of crazy dice are two cubes labeled with integers such that they are not labeled with the same numbers as an ordinary pair of dice , but the probability of rolling any number with the pair of crazy dice is the same as
rolling it with ordinary dice. Find a pair of crazy dice.
1 reply
radioactiverascal90210
2 hours ago
douqile
42 minutes ago
2024 NYMA = New Years Mock AIME #12 NT \Omega (np) = 1+\Omega (n)
parmenides51   2
N an hour ago by douqile
Let $\Omega (n)$ be the function defined by $\Omega (1) = 0$ and $\Omega (np) = 1+\Omega (n)$ whenever $p$ is a prime number and $n$ is a positive integer. Find the number of pairs of positive integers $(x, y)$ that satisfy $x + y \le 555$ and $$\Omega \left(16xyx^2-1 + 4x + 4yx^2-1x^5 + x^5\right) < 5.$$
2 replies
parmenides51
Feb 13, 2024
douqile
an hour ago
2024 NYMA = New Years Mock AIME #10 complex ineq
parmenides51   3
N an hour ago by douqile
Two complex numbers $z_1$ and $z_2$ are chosen uniformly and at random from the disk $0\le |z| \le 1$. Suppose $z_1 = a + bi$ and $z_2 = c + di$, where $a, b, c, d$ are all real numbers. The probability that
$$\frac{a^2 + b^2} {2abcd + a^2c^2 + b^2d^2} \le  \frac{a^2 + b^2}{ - 2abcd + a^2d^2 + b^2c^2} \le  4$$can be written as $\frac{p+q\pi -r\sqrt{s}}{ i \pi}$ , where $p, q, r, s, t$ are positive integers, gcd $(p, q, r, t) =1$, and $s$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Compute $pqrst$.
3 replies
parmenides51
Feb 13, 2024
douqile
an hour ago
AIMO 2025 olympiad
Unknown0108   1
N an hour ago by Unknown0108
If you are participating in Asia International olympiad 2025 can we share our knowledge cuz I am participating too
1 reply
Unknown0108
Jul 29, 2025
Unknown0108
an hour ago
Perfect square
Ecrin_eren   3
N 2 hours ago by Solar Plexsus


Find all integer values of n such that for every pair of integers (a, b) satisfying:

n·a² + a = (n + 1)·b² + b

the number |a − b| is always a perfect square.




3 replies
Ecrin_eren
Jul 28, 2025
Solar Plexsus
2 hours ago
1998 St. Petersburg
radioactiverascal90210   0
2 hours ago
In the plane are given several squares with parallel sides, such that among any $n$ of them, there exist four having a common point. Prove that the squares can be divided into at most $n$$3$ groups, such that
all of the squares in a group have a common point.
0 replies
radioactiverascal90210
2 hours ago
0 replies
Inequality proof
radioactiverascal90210   0
2 hours ago
There are $n$ points $P_1$, $P_2$ . . . , $P_n$ in the interval $[-1,1]$ where the
points are consecutively arranged from left to right. Let $a_i$ be the product of all
distances from $P_i$ to the other $n$$1$ points. Prove that
$\sum_{i=1}^n$ $\frac{1}{a_i}$ $\ge$ $2^{n-1}$
0 replies
radioactiverascal90210
2 hours ago
0 replies
If OAB and OAC share equal angles and sides, why aren't they congruent?
Merkane   0
Today at 4:33 AM

Problem 1.39 (CGMO 2012/5). Let ABC be a triangle. The incircle of ABC is tangent
to AB and AC at D and E respectively. Let O denote the circumcenter of BCI .
Prove that ∠ODB = ∠OEC. Hints: 643 89 Sol: p.241

While I have solved the problem, I encountered a step that seems logically sound but leads to a contradiction, and I would like help identifying the flaw.

Here is the reasoning I followed:

The quadrilateral ABOC is cyclic.

OB = OC.

∠OAB = ∠OCB.
Similarly, ∠OAC = ∠OBC.

From symmetry and the above, it seems that ∠OAB = ∠OAC.

Since OA is a shared side, I concluded that triangle OAB ≅ triangle OAC.


But clearly, OAB and OAC are not congruent.
Where exactly is the logical error in this argument?
0 replies
Merkane
Today at 4:33 AM
0 replies
Geometry Problem
Rice_Farmer   0
Today at 3:09 AM
Let $w_1$ ad $w_2$ be two circles intersecting at $P$ and $Q.$ The tangent like closer to $Q$ touches $w_1$ and $w_2$ at $M$ and $N$ respectively. If $PQ=3,NQ=2,$ and $MN=PN,$ find $QM.$
0 replies
1 viewing
Rice_Farmer
Today at 3:09 AM
0 replies
A writing game
Ecrin_eren   2
N Today at 1:51 AM by Ecrin_eren


There is an integer greater than 1 written on the board in A’s house. Every morning when A wakes up, he erases the number n on the board and does the following:

If there is a positive integer m such that m^3= n, then he writes m on the board.

Otherwise, he writes 2n+1 on the board.


Since A repeats this process infinitely many times, prove that among all the numbers A has written and will write on the board, there are infinitely many greater than 10^100.





2 replies
Ecrin_eren
Jul 28, 2025
Ecrin_eren
Today at 1:51 AM
Inequalities
sqing   11
N Today at 1:47 AM by sqing
Let $ a,b,c\geq 0, \frac{1}{1+a}+\frac{1}{1+b}+\frac{1}{1+c}=\frac{3}{2}.$ Prove that
$$ \left(a+b+c-\frac{17}{6}\right)^2+9abc   \geq\frac{325}{36}$$$$   \left(a+b+c-\frac{5}{2}\right)^2+12abc \geq\frac{49}{4}$$$$\left(a+b+c-\frac{14}{5}\right)^2+\frac{49}{5}abc \geq\frac{49}{5}$$
11 replies
sqing
Jun 30, 2025
sqing
Today at 1:47 AM
Inequalities
sqing   8
N Today at 1:22 AM by sqing
Let $ a,b> 0, a^2+b^2+ab=3 .$ Prove that
$$ (a+b+1)^2(\frac {a} {b^2+1}+\frac {b} {a^2+1})\geq 9$$Let $ a,b> 0, a+b+ab=3 .$ Prove that
$$(a+b+1)^2(\frac {a+1} {b^2+1}+\frac {b+1} {a^2+1})\geq 18$$Let $ a,b> 0, a+b+2ab=4.$ Prove that
$$(a+b+1)^2(\frac {a} {b^2+1}+\frac {b} {a^2+1})\geq 9$$$$ (a+b+1)^2(\frac {a+1} {b^2+1}+\frac {b+1} {a^2+1}) \geq 18$$
8 replies
sqing
Jul 25, 2025
sqing
Today at 1:22 AM
Word problem of Absolute-Value Function
Sukardy   1
N May 29, 2025 by Mathzeus1024
Please help me solve the following word problems. It is about absolute-value function. Any sketch of function's graph will be greatly appreciated.

Problem:
A combat plane is flying $50$ m above the sea. The plane will aim an enemy submarine in the distance of $100$ m. To be aimed on the target, a missile shot by the plane plunges into the sea with a depth of $30$ m. Suppose the surface of the sea to be $X$-axis and the plane's motion is represented by a function $f(x) = p|x|+q$ for $p, q \in \mathbb{R}$. Find the value of $p + q$.
1 reply
Sukardy
Nov 6, 2019
Mathzeus1024
May 29, 2025
Word problem of Absolute-Value Function
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sukardy
268 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Please help me solve the following word problems. It is about absolute-value function. Any sketch of function's graph will be greatly appreciated.

Problem:
A combat plane is flying $50$ m above the sea. The plane will aim an enemy submarine in the distance of $100$ m. To be aimed on the target, a missile shot by the plane plunges into the sea with a depth of $30$ m. Suppose the surface of the sea to be $X$-axis and the plane's motion is represented by a function $f(x) = p|x|+q$ for $p, q \in \mathbb{R}$. Find the value of $p + q$.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Sukardy, Nov 6, 2019, 7:42 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mathzeus1024
1080 posts
#2
Y by
Let the plane be at $P(0,50)$ and the sub at $S(100,-30)$ in the $xy-$plane. The function in question computes to $\textcolor{red}{f(x)=-\frac{4}{5}|x| + 50}$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Mathzeus1024, May 29, 2025, 11:11 AM
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a