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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)!

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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
sum of gcd over sets is more then sum of gcd over union
Miquel-point   3
N 13 minutes ago by Jupiterballs
Source: KoMaL A. 882
Let $H_1, H_2,\ldots, H_m$ be non-empty subsets of the positive integers, and let $S$ denote their union. Prove that
\[\sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{(a,b)\in H_i^2}\gcd(a,b)\ge\frac1m \sum_{(a,b)\in S^2}\gcd(a,b).\]Proposed by Dávid Matolcsi, Berkeley
3 replies
Miquel-point
Jun 11, 2024
Jupiterballs
13 minutes ago
Erasing the difference of two numbers
BR1F1SZ   5
N 13 minutes ago by Jupiterballs
Source: Austria National MO Part 1 Problem 3
Consider the following game for a positive integer $n$. Initially, the numbers $1, 2, \ldots, n$ are written on a board. In each move, two numbers are selected such that their difference is also present on the board. This difference is then erased from the board. (For example, if the numbers $3,6,11$ and $17$ are on the board, then $3$ can be erased as $6 - 3=3$, or $6$ as $17 - 11=6$, or $11$ as $17 - 6=11$.)

For which values of $n$ is it possible to end with only one number remaining on the board?

(Michael Reitmeir)
5 replies
BR1F1SZ
May 5, 2025
Jupiterballs
13 minutes ago
Find the value
sqing   10
N 32 minutes ago by Sadigly
Source: 2024 China Fujian High School Mathematics Competition
Let $f(x)=a_6x^6+a_5x^5+a_4x^4+a_3x^3+a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0,$ $a_i\in\{-1,1\} ,i=0,1,2,\cdots,6 $ and $f(2)=-53 .$ Find the value of $f(1).$
10 replies
sqing
Jun 22, 2024
Sadigly
32 minutes ago
inequality
mathematical-forest   5
N an hour ago by mathematical-forest
For positive real intengers $x_{1} ,x_{2} ,\cdots,x_{n} $, such that $\prod_{i=1}^{n} x_{i} =1$
proof:
$$\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{1}{1+\sum _{j\ne i}x_{j}  } \le 1$$
5 replies
mathematical-forest
May 15, 2025
mathematical-forest
an hour ago
Graph Theory
ABCD1728   0
an hour ago
Can anyone provide the PDF version of "Graphs: an introduction" by Radio Bumbacea (XYZ press), thanks!
0 replies
ABCD1728
an hour ago
0 replies
Inspired by old results
sqing   1
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c\geq  0 , a+b+c =2.$ Prove that
$$ a b+b c +c a+ a^2b^2+b^2c^2+c^2a^2+\frac{1}{4} a b c \leq2$$$$a b+b c +c a+ a^3b^3+b^3c^3+c^3a^3+\frac{49}{36} a b c   \leq2$$$$ a b+b c +c a+ a^4b^4+b^4c^4+c^4a^4+\frac{601}{324}  \leq2$$
1 reply
sqing
2 hours ago
sqing
an hour ago
IMO ShortList 2002, algebra problem 2
orl   28
N an hour ago by ezpotd
Source: IMO ShortList 2002, algebra problem 2
Let $a_1,a_2,\ldots$ be an infinite sequence of real numbers, for which there exists a real number $c$ with $0\leq a_i\leq c$ for all $i$, such that \[\left\lvert a_i-a_j \right\rvert\geq \frac{1}{i+j} \quad \text{for all }i,\ j \text{ with } i \neq j. \] Prove that $c\geq1$.
28 replies
orl
Sep 28, 2004
ezpotd
an hour ago
Interesting inequalities
sqing   2
N 3 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c,d\geq  0 , a+b+c+d \leq 4.$ Prove that
$$a(bc+bd+cd)  \leq \frac{256}{81}$$$$ ab(a+2c+2d ) \leq \frac{256}{27}$$$$  ab(a+3c+3d )  \leq \frac{32}{3}$$$$ ab(c+d ) \leq \frac{64}{27}$$
2 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 1:25 PM
sqing
3 hours ago
A sharp one with 3 var
mihaig   5
N 3 hours ago by mihaig
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c\geq0$ satisfying
$$\left(a+b+c-2\right)^2+8\leq3\left(ab+bc+ca\right).$$Prove
$$ab+bc+ca+abc\geq4.$$
5 replies
mihaig
May 13, 2025
mihaig
3 hours ago
3 var inequality
JARP091   7
N 3 hours ago by MathsII-enjoy
Source: Own
Let \( x, y, z \in \mathbb{R}^+ \). Prove that
\[
\sum_{\text{cyc}} \frac{x^3}{y^2 + z^2} \geq \frac{x + y + z}{2}
\]without using the Rearrangement Inequality or Chebyshev's Inequality.
7 replies
JARP091
Yesterday at 8:54 AM
MathsII-enjoy
3 hours ago
System of Equations
Math-wiz   18
N 3 hours ago by justaguy_69
Source: RMO 2019 Paper 2 P3
Find all triples of non-negative real numbers $(a,b,c)$ which satisfy the following set of equations
$$a^2+ab=c$$$$b^2+bc=a$$$$c^2+ca=b$$
18 replies
Math-wiz
Nov 10, 2019
justaguy_69
3 hours ago
Geometry
MathsII-enjoy   5
N 3 hours ago by MathsII-enjoy
Given triangle $ABC$ inscribed in $(O)$ with $M$ being the midpoint of $BC$. The tangents at $B, C$ of $(O)$ intersect at $D$. Let $N$ be the projection of $O$ onto $AD$. On the perpendicular bisector of $BC$, take a point $K$ that is not on $(O)$ and different from M. Circle $(KBC)$ intersects $AK$ at $F$. Lines $NF$ and $AM$ intersect at $E$. Prove that $AEF$ is an isosceles triangle.
5 replies
MathsII-enjoy
May 15, 2025
MathsII-enjoy
3 hours ago
Self-evident inequality trick
Lukaluce   18
N 3 hours ago by sqing
Source: 2025 Junior Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad P4
Let $x, y$, and $z$ be positive real numbers, such that $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 3$. Prove the inequality
\[\frac{x^3}{2 + x} + \frac{y^3}{2 + y} + \frac{z^3}{2 + z} \ge 1.\]When does the equality hold?
18 replies
Lukaluce
May 18, 2025
sqing
3 hours ago
Cauchy FE
InftyByond   1
N 4 hours ago by maromex
For the Cauchy FE, is x^nf(x)=f(x^(n+1)) enouh to go from rationals to reals? thats what wikipedia says but idk really
1 reply
InftyByond
Mar 1, 2025
maromex
4 hours ago
Sequence with infinite primes which we see again and again and again
Assassino9931   4
N May 2, 2025 by SimplisticFormulas
Source: Balkan MO Shortlist 2024 N6
Let $c$ be a positive integer. Prove that there are infinitely many primes, each of which divides at least one term of the sequence $a_1 = c$, $a_{n+1} = a_n^3 + c$.
4 replies
Assassino9931
Apr 27, 2025
SimplisticFormulas
May 2, 2025
Sequence with infinite primes which we see again and again and again
G H J
Source: Balkan MO Shortlist 2024 N6
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Assassino9931
1362 posts
#1
Y by
Let $c$ be a positive integer. Prove that there are infinitely many primes, each of which divides at least one term of the sequence $a_1 = c$, $a_{n+1} = a_n^3 + c$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Assassino9931, Apr 27, 2025, 1:08 PM
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Parsia--
79 posts
#2
Y by
We prove the generalization (I'm not quite sure which contest this problem is from):
Let $P(x)$ be a non-constant monic polynomial with non-negative integer coefficients such that $P'(0) = 0$. Let ${a_n}$ be a sequence such that $a_0=0$ and $P(a_n)=a_{n+1}$. Prove that for every $n$, there exists a prime $r$ such that $r|a_n$ but $r \not | a_1 \cdots a_{n-1}$.
Claim: for all prime $q$ and integers $m,n$, $v_q(a_n)=v_q(a_{mn})$
Proof: Let $v_q(a_n) = \alpha$. Since $P'(0)=0$, we get $$a_{n+i} = P^i(a_n) \equiv P^i(0) = a_i \mod q^{2\alpha} \Rightarrow a_{mn} \equiv a_n \mod q^{2\alpha} \Rightarrow v_q(a_{mn})=v_q(a_n)$$Suppose that for some $m$, and each $r$ dividing $a_m$, there exists $i$ such that $r|a_i$. Then from the claim we get $$v_r(a_m) = v_r(a_{mi}) = v_r(a_i) \Rightarrow a_m | a_1 \cdots a_{m-1}$$But we have $a_m > a_{m-1}^2 > a_{m-1}a_{m-2}^2 > \cdots > a_{m-1}\cdots a_1$ which is a contradiction.
And so for every $n$, there exists a prime $r$ such that $r|a_n$ but $r \not | a_1 \cdots a_{n-1}$.

The problem is simply letting $P(x)= x^3+c$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Parsia--, Apr 27, 2025, 2:31 PM
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Assassino9931
1362 posts
#3 • 1 Y
Y by ehuseyinyigit
Parsia-- wrote:
We prove the generalization (I'm not quite sure which contest this problem is from)

The thing you proved: Bulgaria National Round 2018

The given problem posted: here

See also: China IMO TST 2016 , IMO Shortlist 2014 N7, Silk Road 2023
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Assassino9931, Apr 27, 2025, 2:44 PM
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grupyorum
1427 posts
#4
Y by
Easier (though less general) solution: It's well-known that $x\mapsto x^3$ is injective modulo $p$ for any $p\equiv 5\pmod{p}$ prime (e.g., see my solution to a 1999 Balkan problem).

We now prove any such prime works. Note that there exists $(i,j)$ such that $a_i\equiv a_j\pmod{p}$. Take such a pair $j>i\ge 1$ with the smallest coordinate sum and assume $i>1$. Then, $a_j=a_{j-1}^3+c\equiv a_{i-1}^3+c\pmod{p}$ forces $a_{j-1}\equiv a_{i-1}$, contradicting with minimality of $(i,j)$. So, $i=1$. But then, there is a $j>2$ such that $a_j=a_{j-1}^3+c\equiv c\pmod{p}$, forcing $p\mid a_{j-1}$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by grupyorum, Apr 30, 2025, 10:12 PM
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SimplisticFormulas
120 posts
#5 • 1 Y
Y by L13832
sol
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
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