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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
area of quadrilateral
AlanLG   1
N 29 minutes ago by Altronrren
Source: 3rd National Women´s Contest of Mexican Mathematics Olympiad 2024 , level 1+2 p5
Consider the acute-angled triangle \(ABC\). The segment \(BC\) measures 40 units. Let \(H\) be the orthocenter of triangle \(ABC\) and \(O\) its circumcenter. Let \(D\) be the foot of the altitude from \(A\) and \(E\) the foot of the altitude from \(B\). Additionally, point \(D\) divides the segment \(BC\) such that \(\frac{BD}{DC} = \frac{3}{5}\). If the perpendicular bisector of segment \(AC\) passes through point \(D\), calculate the area of quadrilateral \(DHEO\).
1 reply
AlanLG
Jun 14, 2024
Altronrren
29 minutes ago
[Mathira 2018 T7-C2] Inverse of exponential spam
aops-g5-gethsemanea2   1
N 30 minutes ago by aops-g5-gethsemanea2
Find the inverse of the function $f(x)=\dfrac12\left(\dfrac{2^{-x}+2^x}{2^{-x}-2^x}+\dfrac{2^{-x}-2^x}{2^{-x}+2^x}\right)$.
1 reply
aops-g5-gethsemanea2
31 minutes ago
aops-g5-gethsemanea2
30 minutes ago
Inequalities
toanrathay   1
N 39 minutes ago by sqing
Let $a,b,c$ be positive reals such that $1/a+1/b+1/c-9/4abc=3/4$, find $\min$ of $P=a^2+b^2+c^2$.
1 reply
toanrathay
44 minutes ago
sqing
39 minutes ago
Inspired by 2025 SXTB
sqing   1
N 44 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b  $ be real number such that $ a^2+b^2=\frac12. $ Prove that
$$-\frac{\sqrt{9+6\sqrt 3}}{2}\leq(a+1)^2- (b-1)^2\leq\frac{\sqrt{9+6\sqrt 3}}{2}$$Let $ x $ be real number . Prove that
$$-\frac{2\sqrt 2}{3}\leq \frac{x}{x^2+1}+ \frac{ 2x}{x^2+4} \leq\frac{2\sqrt 2}{3}$$
1 reply
sqing
an hour ago
sqing
44 minutes ago
[Sipnayan SHS] Written Round, Average, #4.6
LilKirb   5
N an hour ago by LilKirb
Define the function
\[f(n) = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} a_k, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots\]where
\[a_k = 
    \begin{cases}
        3^k, & \text{if } k \text{ is even}, \\
        0, & \text{if } k \text{ is odd}.
        \end{cases}
\]Find the remainder when \( f(10^9 + 2) \) is divided by \( 2^{20} + 1 \)
5 replies
LilKirb
Yesterday at 2:25 PM
LilKirb
an hour ago
Minimize
lgx57   5
N an hour ago by Kscv
Minimize $\sqrt{\cos^2 x+(2-\sin x)^2}+\dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt{(\sqrt 3-\cos x)^2+(\sin x+1)^2}$
5 replies
lgx57
Friday at 1:29 PM
Kscv
an hour ago
IMO Shortlist 2014 G2
hajimbrak   14
N an hour ago by ezpotd
Let $ABC$ be a triangle. The points $K, L,$ and $M$ lie on the segments $BC, CA,$ and $AB,$ respectively, such that the lines $AK, BL,$ and $CM$ intersect in a common point. Prove that it is possible to choose two of the triangles $ALM, BMK,$ and $CKL$ whose inradii sum up to at least the inradius of the triangle $ABC$.

Proposed by Estonia
14 replies
hajimbrak
Jul 11, 2015
ezpotd
an hour ago
Divisiblity...
TUAN2k8   0
an hour ago
Source: Own
Let $m$ and $n$ be two positive integer numbers such that $m \le n$.Prove that $\binom{n}{m}$ divides $lcm(1,2,...,n)$
0 replies
TUAN2k8
an hour ago
0 replies
interesting diophantiic fe in natural numbers
skellyrah   4
N an hour ago by aidan0626
Find all functions \( f : \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{N} \) such that for all \( m, n \in \mathbb{N} \),
\[
mn + f(n!) = f(f(n))! + n \cdot \gcd(f(m), m!).
\]
4 replies
skellyrah
Yesterday at 8:01 AM
aidan0626
an hour ago
IMO 2010 Problem 4
mavropnevma   128
N 2 hours ago by ezpotd
Let $P$ be a point interior to triangle $ABC$ (with $CA \neq CB$). The lines $AP$, $BP$ and $CP$ meet again its circumcircle $\Gamma$ at $K$, $L$, respectively $M$. The tangent line at $C$ to $\Gamma$ meets the line $AB$ at $S$. Show that from $SC = SP$ follows $MK = ML$.

Proposed by Marcin E. Kuczma, Poland
128 replies
mavropnevma
Jul 8, 2010
ezpotd
2 hours ago
Simple Geometry
AbdulWaheed   5
N 2 hours ago by Adywastaken
Source: EGMO
Try to avoid Directed angles
Let ABC be an acute triangle inscribed in circle $\Omega$. Let $X$ be the midpoint of the arc $\overarc{BC}$ not containing $A$ and define $Y, Z$ similarly. Show that the orthocenter of $XYZ$ is the incenter $I$ of $ABC$.
5 replies
AbdulWaheed
May 23, 2025
Adywastaken
2 hours ago
pairs (m, n) such that a fractional expression is an integer
cielblue   1
N 2 hours ago by Pal702004
Find all pairs $(m,\ n)$ of positive integers such that $\frac{m^3-mn+1}{m^2+mn+2}$ is an integer.
1 reply
cielblue
Yesterday at 8:38 PM
Pal702004
2 hours ago
Serbian selection contest for the IMO 2025 - P6
OgnjenTesic   3
N 2 hours ago by JARP091
Source: Serbian selection contest for the IMO 2025
For an $n \times n$ table filled with natural numbers, we say it is a divisor table if:
- the numbers in the $i$-th row are exactly all the divisors of some natural number $r_i$,
- the numbers in the $j$-th column are exactly all the divisors of some natural number $c_j$,
- $r_i \ne r_j$ for every $i \ne j$.

A prime number $p$ is given. Determine the smallest natural number $n$, divisible by $p$, such that there exists an $n \times n$ divisor table, or prove that such $n$ does not exist.

Proposed by Pavle Martinović
3 replies
OgnjenTesic
May 22, 2025
JARP091
2 hours ago
IMO Genre Predictions
ohiorizzler1434   74
N 2 hours ago by Giant_PT
Everybody, with IMO upcoming, what are you predictions for the problem genres?


Personally I predict: predict
74 replies
ohiorizzler1434
May 3, 2025
Giant_PT
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
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ilikejam
34 posts
#1
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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
1057 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
1940 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
1057 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
11381 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
2502 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
3561 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
54 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
1430 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
494 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
54 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
11381 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
1215 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
54 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
34 posts
#20
Y by
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
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I was responding to #16 not the original post.
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