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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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[*]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
simple trapezoid
gggzul   1
N 16 minutes ago by Adventure1000
Let $ABCD$ be a trapezoid. By $x$ we denote the angle bisector of angle $X$ . Let $P=a\cap c$ and $Q=b\cap d$. Prove that $ABPQ$ is cyclic.
1 reply
gggzul
Monday at 4:44 PM
Adventure1000
16 minutes ago
Interesting question from Al-Khwarezmi olympiad 2024 P3, day1
Adventure1000   0
23 minutes ago
Find all $x, y, z \in \left (0, \frac{1}{2}\right )$ such that
$$
\begin{cases}
(3 x^{2}+y^{2}) \sqrt{1-4 z^{2}} \geq z; \\
(3 y^{2}+z^{2}) \sqrt{1-4 x^{2}} \geq x; \\
(3 z^{2}+x^{2}) \sqrt{1-4 y^{2}} \geq y.
\end{cases}
$$Proposed by Ngo Van Trang, Vietnam
0 replies
Adventure1000
23 minutes ago
0 replies
Inequalities
sqing   1
N 36 minutes ago by Royal_mhyasd
Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{a}{a^2+3}+ \frac{b}{b^2+ 3} \geq \frac{1}{2} . $ Prove that
$$a^2+ab+b^2\geq 3$$$$a^2-ab+b^2 \geq 1 $$Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{a}{a^3+3}+ \frac{b}{b^3+ 3}\geq \frac{1}{2} . $ Prove that
$$a^3+ab+b^3 \geq 3$$$$ a^3-ab+b^3\geq 1 $$
1 reply
sqing
4 hours ago
Royal_mhyasd
36 minutes ago
Finding positive integers with good divisors
nAalniaOMliO   3
N an hour ago by nAalniaOMliO
Source: Belarusian National Olympiad 2025
For every positive integer $n$ write all its divisors in increasing order: $1=d_1<d_2<\ldots<d_k=n$.
Find all $n$ such that $2025 \cdot n=d_{20} \cdot d_{25}$.
3 replies
nAalniaOMliO
Mar 28, 2025
nAalniaOMliO
an hour ago
Hard Inequality
William_Mai   10
N an hour ago by sqing
Given $a, b, c \in \mathbb{R}$ such that $a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 1$.
Find the minimum value of $P = ab + 2bc + 3ca$.

Source: Pham Le Van
10 replies
William_Mai
May 3, 2025
sqing
an hour ago
Concurrent lines
MathChallenger101   4
N an hour ago by oVlad
Let $A B C D$ be an inscribed quadrilateral. Circles of diameters $A B$ and $C D$ intersect at points $X_1$ and $Y_1$, and circles of diameters $B C$ and $A D$ intersect at points $X_2$ and $Y_2$. The circles of diameters $A C$ and $B D$ intersect in two points $X_3$ and $Y_3$. Prove that the lines $X_1 Y_1, X_2 Y_2$ and $X_3 Y_3$ are concurrent.
4 replies
MathChallenger101
Feb 8, 2025
oVlad
an hour ago
Find the value
sqing   7
N an hour ago by giangtruong13
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c$ be distinct real numbers such that $ \frac{a^2}{(a-b)^2}+ \frac{b^2}{(b-c)^2}+ \frac{c^2}{(c-a)^2} =1. $ Find the value of $\frac{a}{a-b}+ \frac{b}{b-c}+ \frac{c}{c-a}.$
Let $a,b,c$ be distinct real numbers such that $\frac{a^2}{(b-c)^2}+ \frac{b^2}{(c-a)^2}+ \frac{c^2}{(a-b)^2}=2. $ Find the value of $\frac{a}{b-c}+ \frac{b}{c-a}+ \frac{c}{a-b}.$
Let $a,b,c$ be distinct real numbers such that $\frac{(a+b)^2}{(a-b)^2}+ \frac{(b+c)^2}{(b-c)^2}+ \frac{(c+a)^2}{(c-a)^2}=2. $ Find the value of $\frac{a+b}{a-b}+\frac{b+c}{b-c}+ \frac{c+a}{c-a}.$
7 replies
sqing
Mar 17, 2025
giangtruong13
an hour ago
2025 HMIC-5
EthanWYX2009   0
an hour ago
Source: 2025 HMIC-5
Compute the smallest positive integer $k > 45$ for which there exists a sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots ,a_{k-1}$ of positive integers satisfying the following conditions:[list]
[*]$a_i = i$ for all integers $1 \le i \le 45;$
[*] $a_{k-i} = i$ for all integers $1 \le i \le 45;$
[*] for any odd integer $1 \le n \le k -45,$ the sequence $a_n, a_{n+1}, \ldots  , a_{n+44}$ is a permutation of
$\{1, 2, \ldots  , 45\}.$[/list]
Proposed by: Derek Liu
0 replies
EthanWYX2009
an hour ago
0 replies
I need the technique
DievilOnlyM   14
N an hour ago by Entei
Let a,b,c be real numbers such that: $ab+7bc+ca=188$.
FInd the minimum value of: $5a^2+11b^2+5c^2$
14 replies
DievilOnlyM
May 23, 2019
Entei
an hour ago
Cyclic Quads and Parallel Lines
gracemoon124   15
N an hour ago by Adywastaken
Source: 2015 British Mathematical Olympiad?
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral. Let $F$ be the midpoint of the arc $AB$ of its circumcircle which does not contain $C$ or $D$. Let the lines $DF$ and $AC$ meet at $P$ and the lines $CF$ and $BD$ meet at $Q$. Prove that the lines $PQ$ and $AB$ are parallel.
15 replies
gracemoon124
Aug 16, 2023
Adywastaken
an hour ago
Something nice
KhuongTrang   33
N 2 hours ago by NguyenVanHoa29
Source: own
Problem. Given $a,b,c$ be non-negative real numbers such that $ab+bc+ca=1.$ Prove that

$$\sqrt{a+1}+\sqrt{b+1}+\sqrt{c+1}\le 1+2\sqrt{a+b+c+abc}.$$
33 replies
KhuongTrang
Nov 1, 2023
NguyenVanHoa29
2 hours ago
Geometry hard
Lukariman   2
N 2 hours ago by Primeniyazidayi
Given triangle ABC inscribed in circle (O). The bisector of angle A intersects (O) at D. Let M, N be the midpoints of AB, AC respectively. OD intersects BC at P and AD intersects MN at S. The circle circumscribed around triangle MPS intersects BC at Q different from P. Prove that QA is tangent to (O).
2 replies
Lukariman
2 hours ago
Primeniyazidayi
2 hours ago
help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cobedangiu   3
N 2 hours ago by sqing
help
3 replies
Cobedangiu
Mar 23, 2025
sqing
2 hours ago
Inequality
nguyentlauv   1
N 2 hours ago by NguyenVanHoa29
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c$ be positive real numbers such that $ab+bc+ca=3$ and $k\ge 0$, prove that
$$\frac{\sqrt{a+1}}{b+c+k}+\frac{\sqrt{b+1}}{c+a+k}+\frac{\sqrt{c+1}}{a+b+k} \geq \frac{3\sqrt{2}}{k+2}.$$
1 reply
nguyentlauv
Yesterday at 12:19 PM
NguyenVanHoa29
2 hours ago
Rubik's cube problem
ilikejam   20
N Mar 30, 2025 by jasperE3
If I have a solved Rubik's cube, and I make a finite sequence of (legal) moves repeatedly, prove that I will eventually resolve the puzzle.

(this wording is kinda goofy but i hope its sorta intuitive)
20 replies
ilikejam
Mar 28, 2025
jasperE3
Mar 30, 2025
Rubik's cube problem
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
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ilikejam
34 posts
#1
Y by
If I have a solved Rubik's cube, and I make a finite sequence of (legal) moves repeatedly, prove that I will eventually resolve the puzzle.

(this wording is kinda goofy but i hope its sorta intuitive)
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jkim0656
990 posts
#2
Y by
if u say "eventually," doesn't that mean an infinite number of moves?
I mean all rubik's cubes can be solved from any position in 20 moves, so with luck and infinite time you will get those 20 or less moves all correct.
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aidan0626
1898 posts
#3
Y by
oh i've thought about this before
imagine all possible rubik's cube positions as vertices, and put them on a directed graph, with an edge from one position to another if the sequence turns the first position into the second
note that every vertex has an indegree of 1 and outdegree of 1
now assume you can't resolve the puzzle, that means you get stuck in a cycle not containing the original position
but to get into such a cycle without the original position, there must be a vertex with an indegree greater than 1 (not sure how to rigorously show this, but inuitively makes sense), which is a contradiction
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kred9
1022 posts
#4
Y by
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.
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jkim0656
990 posts
#5
Y by
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

dang well said
that's smart
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jasperE3
11303 posts
#6
Y by
Theorem 4.2.2 provides an upper limit with only face turns (standard HTM) of $1260$ moves.
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fruitmonster97
2491 posts
#7
Y by
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

I must be missing something, but what if(theoretically) every position except the solved state is in a loop? Yes, the first unsolved position will repeat, but that yields no insight on why the solved face should repeat?
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Coolmanppap3
1 post
#8
Y by
fruitmonster97 wrote:
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

I must be missing something, but what if(theoretically) every position except the solved state is in a loop? Yes, the first unsolved position will repeat, but that yields no insight on why the solved face should repeat?

In theory, that solution would take a long time, but it will happen, right? Imagine it like a circle. Every time you bend the circle to make another, the start still remains, even though there is a detour. In a sense, it would loop back, after many loops. (I have no idea btw)
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greenturtle3141
3559 posts
#9
Y by
The generalization of this is phrased in terms of group theory: "in a finite group, every element has a finite order". Here the group is the permutations you can make on a rubiks cube through legal moves. the order of a certain combination of moves is how many times it needs to be repeated to go back to the "nothing happened" outcome (called the "group identity").
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mpcnotnpc
53 posts
#10
Y by
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

Wait is this true? This only implies that some state might repeat, doesn't mean that the initial state will.
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vincentwant
1380 posts
#11
Y by
mpcnotnpc wrote:
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

Wait is this true? This only implies that some state might repeat, doesn't mean that the initial state will.

correct me if im wrong but if its not the initial state then its not a group (im rusty at group theory tho so)
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joeym2011
493 posts
#12
Y by
Redacted, misinterpreted problem
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by joeym2011, Mar 28, 2025, 11:18 PM
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kred9
1022 posts
#13
Y by
fruitmonster97 wrote:
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

I must be missing something, but what if(theoretically) every position except the solved state is in a loop? Yes, the first unsolved position will repeat, but that yields no insight on why the solved face should repeat?
mpcnotnpc wrote:
kred9 wrote:
By the Pigeonhole Principle, there must be some state of the cube that is achieved twice after applying this algorithm arbitrarily many times. Therefore, repeating the algorithm some number of times brings a state back to itself, and hence it will bring the solved state back to itself.

Wait is this true? This only implies that some state might repeat, doesn't mean that the initial state will.

I'll address these two concerns with my solution. Write the algorithm as $g$. Then suppose $g^a$ and $g^b$ correspond to the same state (some distinct values of $a$ and $b$ must satisfy this by PHP). Therefore, applying the algorithm $b-a$ times to a state returns that state back to itself. This is true no matter what state we are currently at, since every piece is unique on the cube. This means that after $b-a$ algorithms at the beginning, we will return to the solved state.
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ilikejam
34 posts
#14
Y by
my solution was that every square (the small ones, there are 9 on each side) moves to a certain position, and the square that was in that position moves to a new one, etc. this will eventually become a cycle, and even though there may be more than one such cycle, given enough repetitions, all the cycles will eventually loop back to the starting, and thus solved, state.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by ilikejam, Mar 28, 2025, 11:46 PM
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ilikejam
34 posts
#15
Y by
jkim0656 wrote:
if u say "eventually," doesn't that mean an infinite number of moves?
I mean all rubik's cubes can be solved from any position in 20 moves, so with luck and infinite time you will get those 20 or less moves all correct.

no i mean i have a certain sequence of moves, maybe like ULU that i repeat until it solves itself
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mpcnotnpc
53 posts
#16
Y by
oop im not familiar with rubik's cube rules, but "legal" moves don't incorporate like turning a side back and forth right; cuz that's like a finite sequence?
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jasperE3
11303 posts
#17
Y by
If you turn a side back and forth by $90^\circ$ and then $-90^\circ$ then trivially the puzzle gets resolved after applying this finite sequence of legal moves.
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wuwang2002
1213 posts
#18
Y by
jasperE3 wrote:
Theorem 4.2.2 provides an upper limit with only face turns (standard HTM) of $1260$ moves.

when i was small i counted all 1260 moves and surprisingly didn’t mess up (so much dedication)
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mpcnotnpc
53 posts
#19 • 1 Y
Y by fAaAtDoOoG
jasperE3 wrote:
If you turn a side back and forth by $90^\circ$ and then $-90^\circ$ then trivially the puzzle gets resolved after applying this finite sequence of legal moves.

:skull: mb
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ilikejam
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#20
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some clarifications:
mpcnotnpc wrote:
oop im not familiar with rubik's cube rules, but "legal" moves don't incorporate like turning a side back and forth right; cuz that's like a finite sequence?

no i mean like no breaking the cube, only twisting the sides, back and forth is ok.
jasperE3 wrote:
If you turn a side back and forth by $90^\circ$ and then $-90^\circ$ then trivially the puzzle gets resolved after applying this finite sequence of legal moves.

yes, however the problem is to prove that every sequence eventually solves the cube, not to find just one.
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jasperE3
11303 posts
#21
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I was responding to #16 not the original post.
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