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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.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
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[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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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
c^a + a = 2^b
Havu   5
N 3 minutes ago by OGMATH
Find $a, b, c\in\mathbb{Z}^+$ such that $a,b,c$ coprime, $a + b = 2c$ and $c^a + a = 2^b$.
5 replies
Havu
May 10, 2025
OGMATH
3 minutes ago
3 var inequality
SunnyEvan   4
N 10 minutes ago by JARP091
Let $ a,b,c \in R $ ,such that $ a^2+b^2+c^2=4(ab+bc+ca)$Prove that :$$ \frac{53}{2}-9\sqrt{14} \leq \frac{8(a^3b+b^3c+c^3a)}{27(a^2+b^2+c^2)^2} \leq \frac{53}{2}+9\sqrt{14} $$
4 replies
SunnyEvan
5 hours ago
JARP091
10 minutes ago
Integral ratio of divisors to divisors 1 mod 3 of 10n
cjquines0   19
N 11 minutes ago by OGMATH
Source: 2016 IMO Shortlist N2
Let $\tau(n)$ be the number of positive divisors of $n$. Let $\tau_1(n)$ be the number of positive divisors of $n$ which have remainders $1$ when divided by $3$. Find all positive integral values of the fraction $\frac{\tau(10n)}{\tau_1(10n)}$.
19 replies
cjquines0
Jul 19, 2017
OGMATH
11 minutes ago
Combi that will make you question every choice in your life so far
blug   0
16 minutes ago
$A$ and $B$ are standing in front of the room in which there is $C$. They know that there is a chessboard in the room and that on every square there is a coin. Every coin is black on one side and white on the other side and is flipped randomly. $A$ enters the room and then $C$ points at exactly one square on the chessboard. After that, $A$ must flip exactly one coin of his choice on the chessboard to the other side and leave. Finally, $B$ enters the room ($A$ and $B$ haven't met again after $A$ entered the room) and he has to guess which square did $C$ point at.
What strategy do $A$ and $B$ have that will make this happen every time?
0 replies
blug
16 minutes ago
0 replies
CSMGO P3: A problem on the infamous line XH
amar_04   12
N an hour ago by WLOGQED1729
Source: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c594864h2372843p19407517
Let $\triangle ABC$ be a scalene triangle with the orthocenter $H$. Let $B'$ be the reflection of $B$ over $AC$ and $C'$ be the reflection of $C$ over $AB$. Let the tangents to the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$ at points $B$ and $C$ meet at a point $X$. Suppose that the lines $B'C'$ and $BC$ meet at a point $T$. Prove that $AT$ is perpendicular to $XH$.
12 replies
1 viewing
amar_04
Feb 16, 2021
WLOGQED1729
an hour ago
Hard Function
johnlp1234   11
N an hour ago by GreekIdiot
f:R+--->R+:
f(x^3+f(y))=y+(f(x))^3
11 replies
johnlp1234
Jul 7, 2020
GreekIdiot
an hour ago
Three mutually tangent circles
math154   8
N an hour ago by lakshya2009
Source: ELMO Shortlist 2011, G2
Let $\omega,\omega_1,\omega_2$ be three mutually tangent circles such that $\omega_1,\omega_2$ are externally tangent at $P$, $\omega_1,\omega$ are internally tangent at $A$, and $\omega,\omega_2$ are internally tangent at $B$. Let $O,O_1,O_2$ be the centers of $\omega,\omega_1,\omega_2$, respectively. Given that $X$ is the foot of the perpendicular from $P$ to $AB$, prove that $\angle{O_1XP}=\angle{O_2XP}$.

David Yang.
8 replies
math154
Jul 3, 2012
lakshya2009
an hour ago
Line AT passes through either S_1 or S_2
v_Enhance   89
N an hour ago by zuat.e
Source: USA December TST for 57th IMO 2016, Problem 2
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle with circumcircle $\Omega$, and suppose the incircle of $ABC$ touches $BC$ at $D$. The angle bisector of $\angle A$ meets $BC$ and $\Omega$ at $E$ and $F$. The circumcircle of $\triangle DEF$ intersects the $A$-excircle at $S_1$, $S_2$, and $\Omega$ at $T \neq F$. Prove that line $AT$ passes through either $S_1$ or $S_2$.

Proposed by Evan Chen
89 replies
v_Enhance
Dec 21, 2015
zuat.e
an hour ago
Easy geo
kooooo   3
N an hour ago by Blackbeam999
Source: own
In triangle $ABC$, let $O$ and $H$ be the circumcenter and orthocenter, respectively. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $AC$ and $AB$, respectively, and let $D$ and $E$ be the feet of the perpendiculars from $B$ and $C$ to the opposite sides, respectively. Show that if $X$ is the intersection of $MN$ and $DE$, then $AX$ is perpendicular to $OH$.
3 replies
kooooo
Jul 31, 2024
Blackbeam999
an hour ago
Interesting
imnotgoodatmathsorry   0
an hour ago
Source: Own.
Problem 1. Let $x,y,z >0$. Prove that:
$\frac{108(x^6+y^6)(y^6+z^6)(z^6+x^6)}{x^9y^9z^9} - (xy+yz+zx)^6 \le 135$
Problem 2. Let $a,b,c >0$. Prove that:
$(a+b+c)^4(ab+bc+ca) - 9\sum{\frac{a}{c}} \ge 54[(a+b)(b+c)(c+a)+abc-1]$
0 replies
imnotgoodatmathsorry
an hour ago
0 replies
$n^{22}-1$ and $n^{40}-1$
v_Enhance   5
N an hour ago by Kempu33334
Source: OTIS Mock AIME 2024 #13
Let $S$ denote the sum of all integers $n$ such that $1 \leq n \leq 2024$ and exactly one of $n^{22}-1$ and $n^{40}-1$ is divisible by $2024$. Compute the remainder when $S$ is divided by $1000$.

Raymond Zhu

5 replies
v_Enhance
Jan 16, 2024
Kempu33334
an hour ago
Annoying 2^x-5 = 11^y
Valentin Vornicu   38
N an hour ago by Kempu33334
Find all positive integer solutions to $2^x - 5 = 11^y$.

Comment (some ideas)
38 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Jan 14, 2006
Kempu33334
an hour ago
Polish MO Finals 2014, Problem 5
j___d   14
N an hour ago by Kempu33334
Source: Polish MO Finals 2014
Find all pairs $(x,y)$ of positive integers that satisfy
$$2^x+17=y^4$$.
14 replies
j___d
Jul 27, 2016
Kempu33334
an hour ago
IMO LongList 1985 CYP2 - System of Simultaneous Equations
Amir Hossein   15
N an hour ago by Kempu33334
Solve the system of simultaneous equations
\[\sqrt x - \frac 1y - 2w + 3z = 1,\]\[x + \frac{1}{y^2} - 4w^2 - 9z^2 = 3,\]\[x \sqrt x - \frac{1}{y^3} - 8w^3 + 27z^3 = -5,\]\[x^2 + \frac{1}{y^4} - 16w^4 - 81z^4 = 15.\]
15 replies
Amir Hossein
Sep 10, 2010
Kempu33334
an hour ago
Stop Projecting your insecurities
naman12   52
N Apr 11, 2025 by ihategeo_1969
Source: 2022 USA TST #2
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle. Let $M$ be the midpoint of side $BC$, and let $E$ and $F$ be the feet of the altitudes from $B$ and $C$, respectively. Suppose that the common external tangents to the circumcircles of triangles $BME$ and $CMF$ intersect at a point $K$, and that $K$ lies on the circumcircle of $ABC$. Prove that line $AK$ is perpendicular to line $BC$.

Kevin Cong
52 replies
naman12
Dec 12, 2022
ihategeo_1969
Apr 11, 2025
Stop Projecting your insecurities
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: 2022 USA TST #2
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naman12
1358 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by justJen, newinolympiadmath, Rounak_iitr
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle. Let $M$ be the midpoint of side $BC$, and let $E$ and $F$ be the feet of the altitudes from $B$ and $C$, respectively. Suppose that the common external tangents to the circumcircles of triangles $BME$ and $CMF$ intersect at a point $K$, and that $K$ lies on the circumcircle of $ABC$. Prove that line $AK$ is perpendicular to line $BC$.

Kevin Cong
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by v_Enhance, Dec 19, 2022, 4:04 AM
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Taco12
1757 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by e_plus_pi, ehuseyinyigit
my friend attempted a 2.5 hour coordbash on this!
Z K Y
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naman12
1358 posts
#3 • 15 Y
Y by Lcz, physicskiddo, rayfish, megarnie, Amir Hossein, mathmax12, aidan0626, Lamboreghini, MathPerson12321, sabkx, Demetri, Sedro, ehuseyinyigit, bjump, MS_asdfgzxcvb
I am very sory for what you are about to read. This is a complete abomination to geometry, and I truly do not know where this solution came from. I fear that it is some almighty power that allowed me to unleash this horrific solution upon everyone. I apologize once again and hope that you will never suffer as much as you will from reading this.

[asy]
import geometry;
unitsize(5cm);
pair A = (-sqrt(7)/4,3/4),B=dir(210),C=dir(330),O=circumcenter(A,B,C),H=orthocenter(A,B,C),E=intersectionpoint(line(B,H),line(A,C)),EE=2*E-B,F=intersectionpoint(line(C,H),line(A,B)),M=midpoint(B--C),O1=circumcenter(B,M,E),O11=2*O1-B,O2=circumcenter(C,M,F),K=reflect(line(B,C))*H,L=intersectionpoint(line(A,incenter(A,B,C)),line(O,M)),LL=2*O-L,N=midpoint(A--H);
draw(A--B--C--cycle);
draw(circle(A,B,C));
draw(circle(B,M,E),purple);
clipdraw(circle(C,M,F),purple);
draw(line(O2,K),brown+dashed);
draw(tangents(circle(B,M,E),K),red);
draw(circle(A,E,F),deepgreen);
draw(B--O11);
draw(B--EE,blue);
draw(C--F,blue);
draw(A--N,fuchsia);
draw(A--L,darkgreen);
draw(O--LL--N--K--cycle,Cyan);
dot((-2,0),white);
dot((1.5,0),white);
dot(A);
dot(B);
dot(C);
dot(E);
dot(EE);
dot(F);
dot(H);
dot(K);
dot(L);
dot(LL);
dot(M);
dot(N);
dot(O);
dot(O1);
dot(O11);
dot(O2);
label("$A$",A,A);
label("$B$",B,B);
label("$C$",C,C);
label("$E$",E,1.5*S);
label("$E'$",EE,dir(B--EE));
label("$F$",F,2*dir(110));
label("$H$",H,dir(125));
label("$K$",K,3*dir(A--K));
label("$L$",L,L);
label("$L'$",LL,LL);
label("$M$",M,1.5*dir(280));
label("$N$",N,SE);
label("$O$",O,S);
label("$O_1$",O1,SE);
label("$P$",O11,NE);
label("$O_2$",O2,dir(135));
[/asy]

We define a bunch of points. Let $O$ and $H$ be the circumcenter and orthocenter of $\triangle ABC$, and let $P$ be the reflection of $B$ in $O_1$, and let $E'$ be the reflection of $B$ in $E$. Define $L$ as the midpoint of arc $BC$ that does not contain $A$, and $L'$ the midpoint of the arc $BAC$. Let $N$ be the midpoint of $AH$.

First, note
\[n=\frac{a+h}2=\frac{2a+b+c}2\]Now we calculate $O_1$. Note that $O_1$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of $BC$ (which is $LL'$) and the perpendicular bisector of $BE'$ (which is $AC$). Thus,
\[p=\frac{\ell(-\ell)(a+c)-ac(\ell-\ell)}{\ell(-\ell)-ac}=\frac{-bc(a+c)}{-bc-ac}=\frac{b(a+c)}{a+b}\]so
\[o_1=\frac{b+p}2=\frac{b(2a+b+c)}{2(a+b)}=\frac{bn}{a+b}\]Similarly, $o_2=\frac{cn}{a+c}$. Thus, we know that $K$ is the exsimilicenter of $(BME)$ and $(CMF)$. In addition,
\[BO_1^2=\frac 14BP^2=\frac 14\left|b-\frac{b(a+c)}{(a+b)}\right|^2=\frac 14\frac{|b-c|}{|a+b|}=\frac{a(b-c)^2}{c(a+b)^2}\]Thus, we know
\[\left(\frac{k-o_1}{k-o_2}\right)^2=\frac{KO_1^2}{KO_2^2}=\frac{BO_1^2}{CO_2^2}=\frac{b(a+c)^2}{c(a+b)^2}\]Note
\[(a+b)(k-o_1)=(a+b)k-bn\]so
\[c((a+b)k-bn)^2=b((a+c)k-cn)^2\implies (b-c)(bc(n-k)^2-a^2k^2)=0\]As $b\neq c$, this means
\[(\sqrt{bc}n-(\sqrt{bc}\pm a)k)(\sqrt{bc}n-(\sqrt{bc}\mp a)k)=0\]so
\[k=\frac{\ell n}{\ell\pm a}\]We know $|k|=1$, so $|n|=|\sqrt{bc}\pm a|=|\pm\ell-a|$. Note the reflection of $O$ over $XY$ where $|x|=|y|=1$ is $x+y-0xy=x+y$, so the distance from $O$ to $N$ is the distance from $O$ to its reflection over $AL$ or $AL'$. Note that if $O'$ is the reflection of $O$ over $AL'$, as $OO'=ON$, we must have $O'$ lies inside $(ABC)$ (as $ABC$ is acute), so $\angle AOL'>120^\circ$. This would imply that $|B-C|>150^\circ$, absurd. Thus, the distance from $O$ to $AL$ is half of $ON$.

Now, note that if $H'$ is the reflection of $H$ over $BC$, $H'\in(ABC)$. Furthermore $H'L'=AL$ in terms of arcs, as they are diagonals of cyclic trapezoid $AH'LL'$ ($AH',LL'\perp BC$). We claim it suffices to have $OL'NH'$ is a rhombus. Indeed, if this holds, then $h'-\ell=o+n=n$, but if $X=K,Y=O_1O_2\cap (ABC)$, we have
\[x+y=o_1+xy\overline o_1=o_2+xy\overline o_2\]Solving for $xy$ we get
\[xy=\frac{o_1-o_2}{\overline o_1-\overline o_2}=\frac{n}{\overline n}\cdot\frac{b/(a+b)-c/(a+c)}{a(1/(a+c)-1/(a+b))}=\frac{an}{\overline n}\]Thus $x+y=\frac{bn}{a+b}+\frac{an}{\overline n}\cdot\frac{\overline n}{a+b}=n$, so $x+y=h'-\ell$. However, we also note that
\[y=n-k=n-\frac{n\ell}{\ell+a}=\frac{an}{a+\ell}\]so $y/x=-\ell/h'$. Thus, we get that as long as $h'\neq\ell$ (as $ABC$ is not isosceles), we have $k=h'$.

To prove this, we note that if $OL'NH'$ is a rhombus, we have $ON$ is the perpendicular bisector of $L'H'$ and vice versa, so we know that $ON$ is twice the distance from $O$ to $L'H'$, or $O$ to $AL$. However, there are only two such points $N$ such that $OL'NH'$ is a rhombus for fixed $L',O,B,C$ ($N$ lies on the intersection of two circles; the one centered at $L'$ with radius $1$ and $M$ with radius $1$), so there are two points $A$ such that $OL'NH'$ is a rhombus. Furthermore, note that if $|a+m|=|n|=|\ell-a|$,
\[1+m\overline m-a\overline m-\frac ma=1+1-\frac{\ell}a-\frac a{\ell}\]so this is a quadratic, meaning there are two points $a$ for which $|n|=|\ell-a|$. As $OL'NH'$ implies $|n|=|\ell-a|$, the other must be true, finishing the proof.
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v4913
1650 posts
#4 • 5 Y
Y by CyclicISLscelesTrapezoid, selenium_e, centslordm, ehuseyinyigit, Rounak_iitr
[asy]
size(10cm);
defaultpen(fontsize(10pt));

pen pri=mediumblue;
pen sec=purple;
pen tri=fuchsia;
pen fil=invisible;
pen sfil=invisible;
pen tfil=paleblue;

pair O,A,B,C,M,D,E,F,MB,MC,S1,Q,P,M1,M2,N,T,A1;

O=(0,0);
A=dir(132);
B=dir(209);
C=dir(331);
M=(B+C)/2;
D=foot(A,B,C);
E=foot(B,A,C);
F=foot(C,A,B);
M1=(B+E)/2;
M2=(C+F)/2;
MB=intersectionpoint(B--(B+A-D),M--(M+(M1-M)*100));
MC=intersectionpoint(C--(C+(A-D)*100),M--(M+(M2-M)*100));
P=extension(E,F,B,C);
Q=intersectionpoint((A+(P-A)*0.1)--P,circumcircle(A,B,C));
N=intersectionpoint(M--(M+(A-D)*100),circumcircle(A,B,C));
S1=intersectionpoint(A--(P-A)*100,M--(M+(A-N)*100));
T=intersectionpoint(M--S1,circumcircle(A,B,C));
A1=-A;

filldraw(A--N--M--T--cycle,tfil,tri);
draw(A--B--C--cycle,pri);
draw(circumcircle(A,B,C),dashdotted+pri);
draw(B--E,pri);
draw(C--F,pri);
draw(B--MB,sec);
draw(C--MC,sec);
draw(D--MB,dashed+sec);
draw(D--MC,dashed+sec);
draw(M--MB,tri);
draw(M--MC,tri);
draw(M--S1,tri);
draw(MB--S1,tri);
draw(MB--A,tri);
draw(A--MC,tri);
draw(B--P,pri);
draw(P--E,dashed+tri);
draw(Q--A1,sec);
draw(circumcircle(M,B,E),dotted+pri);
draw(circumcircle(M,C,F),dotted+pri);

label("$A$",A,dir(120));
label("$B$",B,dir(240));
label("$C$",C,dir(330));
label("$M$",M,dir(270));
label("$D$",D,dir(270));
label("$E$",E,dir(60));
label("$F$",F,dir(120));
label("$M_B$",MB,dir(120));
label("$M_C$",MC,dir(90));
label("$S_1$",S1,dir(210));
label("$Q$",Q,dir(150));
label("$P$",P,dir(180));
label("$N$",N,dir(90));
label("$T$",T,dir(270));
label("$A_1$",A1,dir(330));
label("$M_C$",(MC+(M-MC)*0.6),dir(0));

path clip[];
clip=circle((0,0),(distance(O,S1))*1.1);
clip(currentpicture,clip);
[/asy]

Claim 1: If $M_B, M_C$ are the antipodes of $M$ in $(BME), (CME)$ and $P = EF \cap BC$, then $P, M_B, A, M_C$ are collinear.
Proof: $MM_B || AC, MM_C || AB \implies M_B$ is halfway between $B$ and $B’ = AC \cap$ the perpendicular from $B$ to $BC$. Defining $C’$ similarly, $\triangle{ABB’} \sim \triangle{AC’C} \implies M_B, A, M_C$ collinear. Also, $\triangle{MBM_B} \sim \triangle{CDA}, \triangle{MCM_C} \sim \triangle{BDA}$. Since $P, B, D, C$ forms a harmonic bundle, $\frac{PB}{PC} = \frac{DB}{DC} = \frac{BM_B}{CM_C} \implies P \in M_BM_C$.

Thus, by Orthocenter Miquel config, $M_AM_B$ is the line $AQ$ where $Q = A_1M \cap (ABC)$, where $A_1$ is the antipode of $A$.

Claim 2: Reflection of $M$ over intersection of common tangents is $M_BM_C \cap$ line through $M$ parallel to $AN$, where $N$ is the antipode of $M$ in $(ABC)$.
Proof: The centers $O_B, O_C$ of the two circles are the midpoints of $MM_B, MM_C$. If the intersection of the common external tangents is $K$, then $\frac{KO_B}{KO_C} = \frac{MO_B}{MO_C}$ and $K \in O_BO_C \implies K$ lies on the circle of Apollonius containing the set of all points with distances to $O_B, O_C$ in that ratio. $O_BO_C \cap$ bisector of $\angle{M_BMM_C}$ lies on this circle, so $K$ is the intersection of $O_BO_C$ with the external bisector of $\angle{M_BMM_C}$ which is parallel to $AN$, and a 2x homothety at $M$ finishes.

Thus, it suffices to show that if $S_1 = AQ \cap$ line through $M$ parallel to $AN$ and $MS_1 \cap (ABC)$ is the midpoint of $MS_1$, then this point forms a parallelogram with $A, N, M$. By angle chasing $QM \perp TN \implies TN || AQ \implies AN = QT = TM$, so $ANMT$ is a parallelogram and $AT \perp BC$. $\square$
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naman12
1358 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by ehuseyinyigit
sleepypuppy wrote:
Geez, how are you guys so smart.

Motivation for solution: I am really really really bad at geometry, so I had to bash. I somehow forgot how to use barycentric so I resorted to complex.
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TheUltimate123
1740 posts
#9 • 18 Y
Y by naman12, crazyeyemoody907, JAnatolGT_00, ghu2024, CoolCarsOnTheRun, Lamboreghini, CyclicISLscelesTrapezoid, bjump, JG666, rayfish, cheaterzeta, ike.chen, megarnie, aidan0626, sabkx, Sedro, khina, Funcshun840
Let $Q=(BME)\cap(CMF)$ be the Miquel point of $BCEF$ and let $T$ lie on $(ABC)$ so that $\overline{AT}\perp\overline{BC}$. Hence $K=T$.
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cosmicgenius
1489 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
sad placeholder gone. Here's a solution without diagram because no time:

Let $Q = (AEF) \cap (ABC)$ be the $A$-queue point of $\triangle ABC$. It is well known that if $H$ is the orthocenter of $\triangle ABC$ and if $A'$ is the $A$-antipode on $(ABC)$, then $Q-H-M-A'$. Furthermore, if $D$ is the foot of the altitude from $A$ to $BC$, we have
\[ \angle MBE = \angle DBE = \angle DAE = \angle HAE = \angle HQE = \angle MQE,\]so $Q \in (BME)$. Similarly, $Q \in (CMF)$, so $(BME) \cap (CMF) = \{Q, M\}$. Now invert at $K$ with radius $KQ = KM$. Clearly this fixes both $Q, M$, so it must swap $(BME)$ and $(CMF)$. Suppose it swaps $B \leftrightarrow B'$ and $C \leftrightarrow C'$. Then $B'-Q-C'$ since $Q \in (ABCK)$, so by Reim's Theorem (since we also have $B-M-C$), $BB' \parallel CC'$. But this means $KB$ and $KC$ are isogonal wrt $\angle QKM$, so $KQ$ is a symmedian of $\triangle BKC$. Thus, $QK$ is a symmedian of $\triangle BQC$, so
\[ \angle BAK = \angle BQK = \angle MQC = \angle A'AC,\]i.e. $AK$ and $AA"$ are isogonal wrt $\angle BAC$. We are done. $\blacksquare$
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ApraTrip
852 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by Jack_w
Solution Sketch:
Let $Q$ be the $A$-Queue point. One can find the angles of $\triangle QKM$ in terms of $\triangle ABC$'s angles. Then you can angle chase to find $OMKQ$ is cyclic, at which point it's easy to angle chase to finish.
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DottedCaculator
7356 posts
#13
Y by
Sketch
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by DottedCaculator, Dec 12, 2022, 7:09 PM
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MarkBcc168
1595 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by Afternonz
Here is a unique solution using the "forgotten coaxiality lemma".

Let $H$ be the orthocenter of $\triangle ABC$. Let $Q$ be the second intersection of $\odot(BME)$ and $\odot(CMF)$.
We first prove the following well-known properties of $Q$.

Claim: $Q$ is the Miquel point of $BCEF$. In particular, $Q$ lies on both $\odot(AEF)$ and $\odot(ABC)$.

Proof. Follows since $BCEF$ is cyclic with $M$ being the circumcenter. $\blacksquare$

Claim: $A(Q,H;B, C) = -1$

Proof. By radical center theorem on $\odot(AEF)$, $\odot(ABC)$, and $\odot(BCEF)$, we get that $AQ$, $EF$, and $BC$ are concurrent. Now, the result follows from a well-known harmonic property. $\blacksquare$

Now, we get to the meat of the solution. Let the circumcircle of $\odot(QMK)$ meet $BC$ again at $T\neq M$. The key claim is the following.

Claim: $QT$ is tangent to $\odot(BQC)$.

Proof. We use the ``forgotten coaxiality lemma".
\begin{align*}
	\frac{BT}{TC} &= \frac{TB\cdot TM}{TC\cdot TM} \\
		      &= \frac{\operatorname{pow}(T, \odot(BME))}
		      {\operatorname{pow}(T, \odot(CMF))} \\
		      &= \frac{\operatorname{pow}(K, \odot(BME))}
		      {\operatorname{pow}(K, \odot(CMF))} \\
      &= \left(\frac{r_{\odot(BME)}}{r_{\odot(CMF)}}\right)^2 \\
	&= \left(\frac{BQ/\sin\angle QMB}{CQ/\sin\angle QMC}\right)^2 \\
	&= \frac{BQ^2}{CQ^2},
\end{align*}implying the result. $\blacksquare$

To finish, let $O$ be the center of $\odot(ABC)$. Then, from the claim, $\angle OQT = 90^\circ = \angle OMT$, so $O$ also lies on $\odot(QMTK)$. Thus, $\angle OKT=90^\circ$, so $KT$ is also tangent to $\odot(ABC)$ as well. This implies that $QBKC$ is harmonic quadrilateral, and the result follows from the second claim.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by MarkBcc168, Dec 12, 2022, 7:42 PM
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khina
994 posts
#15 • 2 Y
Y by Aryan-23, ike.chen
strange problem.

Invert about (BC). Then the two circles go to BE and CF, so K goes to a point K' which passes through both circles tangent to BE, CF tangent to M. So in fact K' is the reflection of M across the angle bisector of BHC. Now, the condition that AKBC cyclic becomes that HK'BC is cyclic. In particular, this implies that HK' is the H-symmedian of HBC, so by HM point stuff we know that the inverse of K' wrt (BC) now goes to the reflection of H across BC; ergo, $AK \perp BC$ as desired.
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by HamstPan38825
This was also #3 on USA TST for EGMO 2023.
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squareman
966 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by CyclicISLscelesTrapezoid, IAmTheHazard
Pure angle chasing solution (first?)

Let $Q$ be the Miquel point of $BCEF.$ Standard configuration knowledge: $\angle HQA = \angle MQA = 90^\circ,$ then $\angle MQE = \angle CFE = \angle MBE$ so $(BMEQ)$ and similarly $(CMFQ)$ cyclic.

If $O_1,O_2$ are the centers of $(BMEQ),(CMFQ),$ external angle bisector theorem yields that $K$ is the intersection of $O_1O_2$ and the external angle bisector of $\angle O_1MO_2.$

Let the perpendicular bisector of $BC$ intersect minor arc $BC$ at $L$ and major arc $BC$ at $N.$ Let $J$ be the foot of $AH$ to $(ABC).$ Note that if we reflect $Q$ over $LN$ to $Q'$ then $J,M,Q'$ collinear. If we reflect $J$ over $LN$ to $J'$ then $J',M,Q$ collinear. $MO_1 \parallel AC, MO_2 \parallel AB,$ so the angle bisector of $\angle O_1MO_2$ is parallel to that of $\angle ABC.$

So $\angle NMK = 90 + \angle NLA = 90 + \angle LQM$ so the circumcenter of $LMQ$ is $K.$

Note $\angle MJQ = \angle Q'JQ = 2\angle NJQ = 2\angle NLQ = \angle MKQ$ so $(MKJQ)$ is cyclic, done. $\blacksquare$
Attachments:
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Boxcars2015
12 posts
#18 • 4 Y
Y by CyclicISLscelesTrapezoid, Sleepy_Head, crazyeyemoody907, centslordm
oops i got sniped to the angle chase sol

First, let ray $MH$ intersect $(ABC)$ at $N$.

By PoP through $H$, $(HN)(2HM) = (HB)(2HE)$, so $NMBE$ is cyclic. Similarly, $NMCF$ is cyclic. Therefore, $N$ is the second intersection of $(CMF)$ and $(BME)$, and $KM=KN$.

Now, let $O_B$ and $O_C$ be the circumcenters of $(BME)$ and $(CMF)$. By external angle bisector theorem, $KM$ is the external angle bisector of $O_BMO_C$.

Since $M$ is the circumcenter of $(BCEF)$, $MB=ME$ so $MO_B$ is perpendicular to $BE$ and thus parallel to $AC$. Therefore, $O_BMB = C$.
Similarly, $O_CMC = B$. This means that $KMO_B = \frac{B+C}{2}$, so $KMB = \frac{B-C}{2}$.

Now, let $K'$ be the second intersection of $AH$ with $(ABC)$ (e.g. where $K$ is supposed to be).

$K'NM$ subtends arc $BC$ minus twice arc $BK$ and thus has angle measure $A-2(90-B) = 2B+A-180 = B-C$.

$KM=KN$ gives
$$KNM = NMK$$$$KNK' + K'NM = NMB + BMK$$$$KNK' + (B-C) = BMK' + BMK = BMK + BMK + KMK' = (B-C) + KMK'$$$$KNK' = KMK'$$
Therefore, $KK'MN$ is cyclic. This clearly finishes.
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PROA200
1748 posts
#19
Y by
Huh. I'll take this as a consolation prize, I guess.

Let $H$ be the orthocenter. By properties of Miquel points, we have that $(BME)$ intersects $(CMF)$ again at the $A$-Queue point, call it $Q$. Consider the inversion $\psi$ at $M$ with power $MB\cdot MC = ME^2 = MF^2$. Since $B$, $H$, $E$ are collinear, the inverse of $H$ must be the intersection of line $HM$ with the circumcircle of $(BME)$, which is exactly $Q$.

Now, we use the following fact: the intersection of the common tangents of two circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ intersecting once at $M$ can be redefined as follows:

Let $\ell_1$, $\ell_2$ be the inverses of $\omega_1$, $\omega_2$ under $\psi$. Suppose that $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ intersect at a point $X$. The common external tangents are then mapped to the two unique circles passing through $M$ and tangent to both $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$. These two circles intersect at a point $M'$, which is the reflection of $M$ over the angle bisector of the angle formed by $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ that "contains" $M$. In particular, the intersection of the common external tangents of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ is the inverse of this point under $\psi$.

Now, we apply the fact to the problem using the two circles $(BME)$ and $(CMF)$. The point $X$ in the above logic corresponds to $H$. Thus, the inverse of the intersection of the common external tangents is the reflection of $M$ over the angle bisector of $\angle BHC$, call it $M'$. We are told that the inverse of this point lies on $(ABC)$, so $M'$ lies on circle $(BHC)$. However, this also means that $HM'$ is the $H$-symmedian chord in $\triangle BHC$, so $(H,M'; B,C)= -1$. Since $\psi$ preserves cross-ratio, we have that $(Q, K; B, C) = -1$. Let $A'$ be the $A$-antipode in $(ABC)$. Since $QM$ is the median in $\triangle QBC$ and $Q$, $M$, $A'$ are collinear, the point $K$ on $(QBC)$ such that $K$ is a symmedian in $\triangle QBC$ is the reflection of $A'$ over the perpendicular bisector of $BC$, which is well-known to be the point on $(ABC)$ such that $AK \perp BC$. This concludes the proof.
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