Summer is a great time to explore cool problems to keep your skills sharp!  Schedule a class today!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
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:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]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]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes run 7:30pm-8:45pm ET/4:30pm - 5:45pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Tuesday, May 13 - Aug 26
Thursday, May 29 - Sep 11
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Monday, Jun 30 - Oct 20
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Wednesday, May 7 - Aug 20
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 29 - Oct 26
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Sunday, May 11 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, May 14 - Aug 27
Friday, May 30 - Sep 26
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Thursday, Jun 26 - Oct 9
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Thursday, May 15 - Jul 31
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Wednesday, Jul 9 - Sep 24
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19

Introduction to Number Theory
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Monday, Jun 9 - Aug 25
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Sunday, May 11 - Nov 9
Tuesday, May 20 - Oct 28
Monday, Jun 16 - Dec 8
Friday, Jun 20 - Jan 9
Sunday, Jun 29 - Jan 11
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Nov 18
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 10
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Tuesday, May 27 - Nov 11
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 17

Group Theory
Thursday, Jun 12 - Sep 11

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Friday, May 23 - Aug 15
Monday, Jun 2 - Aug 18
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Sunday, May 11 - Aug 10
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Sunday, May 11 - Jun 8
Tuesday, May 27 - Jun 17
Monday, Jun 30 - Jul 21

AMC 12 Problem Series
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22

AMC 12 Final Fives
Sunday, May 18 - Jun 15

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

F=ma Problem Series
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27

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, May 22 - Aug 7
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

Intermediate Programming with Python
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Tuesday, May 13 - Jul 29
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 1

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
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
Find the 2023rd Term in the sequence
Darealzolt   2
N 8 minutes ago by shrek.2001m19
A number sequence is defined as \(a_1=1, a_2=\frac{3}{7}\) and
\[
a_n=\frac{a_{n-2}\times a_{n-1}}{2a_{n-2}-a_{n-1}}
\]For each integer \(n\), where \(n \geq 3\), hence find the value of \(a_{2023}\)
2 replies
+1 w
Darealzolt
an hour ago
shrek.2001m19
8 minutes ago
geometry problem with many circumcircles
Melid   0
36 minutes ago
Source: own
In scalene triangle $ABC$, which doesn't have right angle, let $O$ be its circumcenter. Circle $BOC$ intersects $AB$ and $AC$ at $A_{1}$ and $A_{2}$ for the second time, respectively. Similarly, circle $COA$ intersects $BC$ and $BA$ at $B_{1}$ and $B_{2}$, and circle $AOB$ intersects $CA$ and $CB$ at $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ for the second time, respectively. Let $O_{1}$ and $O_{2}$ be circumcenters of triangle $A_{1}B_{1}C_{1}$ and $A_{2}B_{2}C_{2}$, respectively. Prove that $O, O_{1}, O_{2}$ are collinear.
0 replies
Melid
36 minutes ago
0 replies
Odd Sequence
Shinfu   3
N an hour ago by NeoAzure
A sequence of odd numbers decreases by $2$ each time. The $2025$th term of the sequence is $113$. What is the first term of the sequence?
3 replies
Shinfu
May 26, 2025
NeoAzure
an hour ago
Rootiful sets
InternetPerson10   38
N an hour ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: IMO 2019 SL N3
We say that a set $S$ of integers is rootiful if, for any positive integer $n$ and any $a_0, a_1, \cdots, a_n \in S$, all integer roots of the polynomial $a_0+a_1x+\cdots+a_nx^n$ are also in $S$. Find all rootiful sets of integers that contain all numbers of the form $2^a - 2^b$ for positive integers $a$ and $b$.
38 replies
InternetPerson10
Sep 22, 2020
cursed_tangent1434
an hour ago
weird conditions in geo
Davdav1232   2
N an hour ago by teoira
Source: Israel TST 7 2025 p1
Let \( \triangle ABC \) be an isosceles triangle with \( AB = AC \). Let \( D \) be a point on \( AC \). Let \( L \) be a point inside the triangle such that \( \angle CLD = 90^\circ \) and
\[
CL \cdot BD = BL \cdot CD.
\]Prove that the circumcenter of triangle \( \triangle BDL \) lies on line \( AB \).
2 replies
1 viewing
Davdav1232
May 8, 2025
teoira
an hour ago
Functional Equations with DP
Magdalo   2
N 2 hours ago by tapilyoca
Suppose a function $f:\mathbb Z_{\geq0}\to \mathbb Z_{\geq0}$ satisfies the following conditions:
\begin{align}
    &f(3x+1)=f(3x)=f(x)\\
    &f(3x+2)=f(x)+2\\
    &f(0)=f(1)=0\\
    &f(2)=2
    \end{align}Find the value of $f(1000)$.
2 replies
Magdalo
May 25, 2025
tapilyoca
2 hours ago
Long FE with f(0)=0
Fysty   4
N 2 hours ago by MathLuis
Source: Own
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ satisfying $f(0)=0$ and
$$f(f(x)+xf(y)+y)+xf(x+y)+f(y^2)=x+f(f(y))+(f(x)+y)(f(y)+x)$$for all $x,y\in\mathbb{R}$.
4 replies
Fysty
May 23, 2021
MathLuis
2 hours ago
[15th PMO] National Orals, Part 1, #9
LilKirb   4
N 2 hours ago by Konigsberg
If $x^2+2x+5$ is a factor of $x^4 +ax^2 + b$, find the sum of $a+b.$
4 replies
LilKirb
Yesterday at 4:04 PM
Konigsberg
2 hours ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   1
N 2 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b> 0. $ Prove that
$$  \frac{a^3}{b^3+ab^2}+ \frac{4b^3}{a^3+b^3+2ab^2}\geq \frac{3}{2}$$$$\frac{a^3}{b^3+(a+b)^3}+ \frac{b^3}{a^3+(a+b)^3}+ \frac{(a+b)^2}{a^2+b^2+ab} \geq \frac{14}{9}$$
1 reply
sqing
3 hours ago
sqing
2 hours ago
Quadruple isogonal conjugate inside cyclic quad
Noob_at_math_69_level   8
N 3 hours ago by awesomeming327.
Source: DGO 2023 Team & Individual P3
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral with $M_1,M_2,M_3,M_4$ being the midpoints of segments $AB,BC,CD,DA$ respectively. Suppose $E$ is the intersection of diagonals $AC,BD$ of quadrilateral $ABCD.$ Define $E_1$ to be the isogonal conjugate point of point $E$ in $\triangle{M_1CD}.$ Define $E_2,E_3,E_4$ similarly. Suppose $E_1E_3$ intersects $E_2E_4$ at a point $W.$ Prove that: The Newton-Gauss line of quadrilateral $ABCD$ bisects segment $EW.$

Proposed by 土偶 & Paramizo Dicrominique
8 replies
Noob_at_math_69_level
Dec 18, 2023
awesomeming327.
3 hours ago
Interesting inequality
sqing   3
N 4 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c\geq  0 , a^2+b^2+c^2 =3.$ Prove that
$$ a^4+ b^4+c^4+6abc\leq9$$$$ a^3+ b^3+  c^3+3( \sqrt{3}-1)abc\leq 3\sqrt 3$$
3 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 2:54 AM
sqing
4 hours ago
2-var inequality
sqing   12
N 4 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0 , a^2+b^2-ab\leq 1 . $ Prove that
$$a^3+b^3 -\frac{a^4}{b+1}  -\frac{b^4}{a+1} \leq 1 $$
12 replies
sqing
May 27, 2025
sqing
4 hours ago
Sum of whose elements is divisible by p
nntrkien   46
N 4 hours ago by Jackson0423
Source: IMO 1995, Problem 6, Day 2, IMO Shortlist 1995, N6
Let $ p$ be an odd prime number. How many $ p$-element subsets $ A$ of $ \{1,2,\dots,2p\}$ are there, the sum of whose elements is divisible by $ p$?
46 replies
nntrkien
Aug 8, 2004
Jackson0423
4 hours ago
Graph Theory
achen29   4
N 5 hours ago by ABCD1728
Are there any good handouts or even books in Graph Theory for a beginner in it? Preferable handouts which are extensive!
4 replies
achen29
Apr 24, 2018
ABCD1728
5 hours ago
A problem involving modulus from JEE coaching
AshAuktober   8
N May 11, 2025 by Binod98
Solve over $\mathbb{R}$:
$$|x-1|+|x+2| = 3x.$$
(There are two ways to do this, one being bashing out cases. Try to find the other.)
8 replies
AshAuktober
Apr 21, 2025
Binod98
May 11, 2025
A problem involving modulus from JEE coaching
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.
AshAuktober
1013 posts
#1
Y by
Solve over $\mathbb{R}$:
$$|x-1|+|x+2| = 3x.$$
(There are two ways to do this, one being bashing out cases. Try to find the other.)
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by AshAuktober, Apr 21, 2025, 2:47 PM
Reason: TYPO CORRECTED< I AM SO SORRY
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
fruitmonster97
2506 posts
#2
Y by
ok this is not the way you wanted

Square both sides. We get $2|(x-1)(x-2)|=7x^2+6x-5.$ Square again and subtract to get $(7x^2+6x-5-2(x^2-3x+2))(7x^2+6x-5+2(x^2-3x+2))=0.$ Thus, $(5x^2+12x-9)(9x^2-1).$ Roots are $-3,-\tfrac13,\tfrac13,\tfrac35.$ Negatives are bad because lhs and rhs would have differing signs, and $\tfrac13$ fails. Thus, all are bogus except $\boxed{\tfrac35}.$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
clarkculus
249 posts
#3 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Since the LHS > 0, we must have $x>0$. Now observe that for $x\ge1$, $|x-1|+|x-2|\le (x-1)+(x)<3x$, so we must have $x<1$. So, $1-x+2-x=3x$, giving $x=3/5$.

($|x-2|\le x$ for $x\ge1$ can be proven by casework.)
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Shan3t
431 posts
#4
Y by
Simple Casework
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Shan3t, Apr 21, 2025, 2:53 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
AshAuktober
1013 posts
#5
Y by
Whoops, I had made a typo. Should be better now.
(Yeah the typo prob prolly cant be done without casework)
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Shan3t
431 posts
#6
Y by
AshAuktober wrote:
Whoops, I had made a typo. Should be better now.
(Yeah the typo prob prolly cant be done without casework)

alr imma fix my sol now :D
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
no_room_for_error
337 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Sedro
AshAuktober wrote:
Solve over $\mathbb{R}$:
$$|x-1|+|x+2| = 3x.$$
(There are two ways to do this, one being bashing out cases. Try to find the other.)

Triangle inequality:

$$3x=|1-x|+|x+2|\geq |1-x+x+2|=3\implies x\geq 1$$
so the equation becomes $2x+1=3x$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Jhonyboy
1 post
#8
Y by
Can be solved with casework for the x.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Binod98
4 posts
#9
Y by
Any jee aspirant ?
I'm looking for a jee community!!
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a