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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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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
Number Theory Marathon!!!
starchan   435
N 2 minutes ago by Primeniyazidayi
Source: Possibly Mercury??
Number theory Marathon
Let us begin
P1
435 replies
starchan
May 28, 2020
Primeniyazidayi
2 minutes ago
one cyclic formed by two cyclic
CrazyInMath   39
N 3 minutes ago by trigadd123
Source: EGMO 2025/3
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle. Points $B, D, E$, and $C$ lie on a line in this order and satisfy $BD = DE = EC$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $AD$ and $AE$, respectively. Suppose triangle $ADE$ is acute, and let $H$ be its orthocentre. Points $P$ and $Q$ lie on lines $BM$ and $CN$, respectively, such that $D, H, M,$ and $P$ are concyclic and pairwise different, and $E, H, N,$ and $Q$ are concyclic and pairwise different. Prove that $P, Q, N,$ and $M$ are concyclic.
39 replies
CrazyInMath
Apr 13, 2025
trigadd123
3 minutes ago
Either you get a 9th degree polynomial, or just easily find using inequality
Sadigly   2
N 4 minutes ago by Sadigly
Source: Azerbaijan Senior MO 2025 P2
Find all the positive reals $x,y,z$ satisfying the following equations: $$y=\frac6{(2x-1)^2}$$$$z=\frac6{(2y-1)^2}$$$$x=\frac6{(2z-1)^2}$$
2 replies
Sadigly
43 minutes ago
Sadigly
4 minutes ago
Continuity of function and line segment of integer length
egxa   4
N 13 minutes ago by jasperE3
Source: All Russian 2025 11.8
Let \( f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \) be a continuous function. A chord is defined as a segment of integer length, parallel to the x-axis, whose endpoints lie on the graph of \( f \). It is known that the graph of \( f \) contains exactly \( N \) chords, one of which has length 2025. Find the minimum possible value of \( N \).
4 replies
egxa
Apr 18, 2025
jasperE3
13 minutes ago
Range if \omega for No Inscribed Right Triangle y = \sin(\omega x)
ThisIsJoe   0
3 hours ago
For a positive number \omega , determine the range of \omega for which the curve y = \sin(\omega x) has no inscribed right triangle.
Could someone help me figure out how to approach this?
0 replies
ThisIsJoe
3 hours ago
0 replies
Interesting question from Al-Khwarezmi olympiad 2024 P3, day1
Adventure1000   1
N 4 hours ago by pooh123
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
1 reply
Adventure1000
Yesterday at 4:10 PM
pooh123
4 hours ago
one nice!
MihaiT   3
N 4 hours ago by Pin123
Find positiv integer numbers $(a,b) $ s.t. $\frac{a}{b-2}  $ and $\frac{3b-6}{a-3}$ be positiv integer numbers.
3 replies
MihaiT
Jan 14, 2025
Pin123
4 hours ago
Acute Angle Altitudes... say that ten times fast
Math-lover1   1
N 4 hours ago by pooh123
In acute triangle $ABC$, points $D$ and $E$ are the feet of the angle bisector and altitude from $A$, respectively. Suppose that $AC-AB=36$ and $DC-DB=24$. Compute $EC-EB$.
1 reply
Math-lover1
Yesterday at 11:30 PM
pooh123
4 hours ago
Find a and b such that a^2 = (a-b)^3 + b and a and b are coprimes
picysm   2
N Today at 8:28 AM by picysm
it is given that a and b are coprime to each other and a, b belong to N*
2 replies
picysm
Apr 25, 2025
picysm
Today at 8:28 AM
Algebra problem
Deomad123   1
N Today at 8:28 AM by lbh_qys
Let $n$ be a positive integer.Prove that there is a polynomial $P$ with integer coefficients so that $a+b+c=0$,then$$a^{2n+1}+b^{2n+1}+c^{2n+1}=abc[P(a,b)+P(b,c)+P(a,c)]$$.
1 reply
Deomad123
May 3, 2025
lbh_qys
Today at 8:28 AM
Palindrome
Darealzolt   1
N Today at 8:01 AM by ehz2701
Find the number of six-digit palindromic numbers that are divisible by \( 37 \).
1 reply
Darealzolt
Today at 4:13 AM
ehz2701
Today at 8:01 AM
Geometry Proof
strongstephen   17
N Today at 3:59 AM by ohiorizzler1434
Proof that choosing four distinct points at random has an equal probability of getting a convex quadrilateral vs a concave one.
not cohesive proof alert!

NOTE: By choosing four distinct points, that means no three points lie on the same line on the Gaussian Plane.
NOTE: The probability of each point getting chosen don’t need to be uniform (as long as it is symmetric about the origin), you just need a way to choose points in the infinite plane (such as a normal distribution)

Start by picking three of the four points. Next, graph the regions where the fourth point would make the quadrilateral convex or concave. In diagram 1 below, you can see the regions where the fourth point would be convex or concave. Of course, there is the centre region (the shaded triangle), but in an infinite plane, the probability the fourth point ends up in the finite region approaches 0.

Next, I want to prove to you the area of convex/concave, or rather, the probability a point ends up in each area, is the same. Referring to the second diagram, you can flip each concave region over the line perpendicular to the angle bisector of which the region is defined. (Just look at it and you'll get what it means.) Now, each concave region has an almost perfect 1:1 probability correspondence to another convex region. The only difference is the finite region (the triangle, shaded). Again, however, the actual significance (probability) of this approaches 0.

If I call each of the convex region's probability P(a), P(c), and P(e) and the concave ones P(b), P(d), P(f), assuming areas a and b are on opposite sides (same with c and d, e and f) you can get:
P(a) = P(b)
P(c) = P(d)
P(e) = P(f)

and P(a) + P(c) + P(e) = P(convex)
and P(b) + P(d) + P(f) = P(concave)

therefore:
P(convex) = P(concave)
17 replies
strongstephen
May 6, 2025
ohiorizzler1434
Today at 3:59 AM
simple trapezoid
gggzul   3
N Today at 2:51 AM by imbadatmath1233
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.
3 replies
gggzul
May 5, 2025
imbadatmath1233
Today at 2:51 AM
Calculate the sidelength BC
MTA_2024   1
N Today at 2:44 AM by imbadatmath1233
Let $ABC$ be a triangle such that $AB=2AC$ and $\angle ABC =120°$. Let $D$ be the foot of the interior bissector of $\angle ABC$ (its intersection with $BC$).
If $AD=10$ calculate the sidelength $BC$.
1 reply
MTA_2024
Yesterday at 7:16 PM
imbadatmath1233
Today at 2:44 AM
Composite sum
rohitsingh0812   39
N Apr 23, 2025 by YaoAOPS
Source: INDIA IMOTC-2006 TST1 PROBLEM-2; IMO Shortlist 2005 problem N3
Let $ a$, $ b$, $ c$, $ d$, $ e$, $ f$ be positive integers and let $ S = a+b+c+d+e+f$.
Suppose that the number $ S$ divides $ abc+def$ and $ ab+bc+ca-de-ef-df$. Prove that $ S$ is composite.
39 replies
rohitsingh0812
Jun 3, 2006
YaoAOPS
Apr 23, 2025
Composite sum
G H J
Source: INDIA IMOTC-2006 TST1 PROBLEM-2; IMO Shortlist 2005 problem N3
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rohitsingh0812
105 posts
#1 • 8 Y
Y by yayitsme, centslordm, Adventure10, HWenslawski, megarnie, SatisfiedMagma, and 2 other users
Let $ a$, $ b$, $ c$, $ d$, $ e$, $ f$ be positive integers and let $ S = a+b+c+d+e+f$.
Suppose that the number $ S$ divides $ abc+def$ and $ ab+bc+ca-de-ef-df$. Prove that $ S$ is composite.
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Davron
484 posts
#2 • 41 Y
Y by mathbuzz, mjuk, HarvardMit, div5252, Swag00, jt314, Anar24, A_Math_Lover, Wizard_32, richrow12, Pluto1708, green_leaf, rashah76, Toinfinity, Illuzion, mathleticguyyy, yayitsme, Wizard0001, centslordm, hakN, Adventure10, HWenslawski, megarnie, W.R.O.N.G, arinastronomy, Mango247, rstenetbg, Ab_Rin, Stuffybear, kiyoras_2001, aidan0626, Sedro, and 9 other users
All the coefficients of $f(x)=(x+a)(x+b)(x+c)-(x-d)(x-e)(x-f)=$ $Sx^2+(ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd)x+(abc+def)$ are multiples of $S$. Evaluating $f$ at $d$ we get that $f(d)=(a+d)(b+d)(c+d)$ is a multiple of $S$.
So this implies that $S$ is composite, since $a+d,b+d,c+d$ are all strictly less than $S$.

davron
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spider_boy
210 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10
My solution (some kind of minimality idea).

Suppose $S$ is prime.
We observe that if $(a, b, c, d, e ,f)$ is a solution then $(a-1, b-1, c-1, d+1, e+1, f+1)$ is also a solution. Note that $S$ does not change. Denote $X=\min\{a,b,c\}$. We can claim that $(a-X, b-X, c-X, d+X, e+X, f+X)$ also satisfies the conditions.
So we get $S \mid (d+X)(e+X)(f+X)$. But this is impossible, since $d+X,e+X, f+X$ are all $<S$. :)
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Particle
179 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10
Hidden due to length
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Particle, May 21, 2013, 2:29 AM
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subham1729
1479 posts
#5 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Well, note $(a+d)(b+d)(c+d)=A+dB+d^2S$ now so we get $S|(a+d)(b+d)(c+d)$ , suppose $S$ is prime then it must be less than one of $a+d,b+d,c+d$ but as $S=a+b+c+d$ so absurd and done.
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ksun48
1514 posts
#6 • 4 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Assume $S$ is a prime. Then $(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)$ and $(x+d)(x+e)(x+f)$ are the same polynomial, mod $S$, so by Lagrange's theorem $\{a,b,c\} = \{-d,-e,-f\}$. Thus $a+b+c+d+e+f \ge 3S > S$.
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AMN300
563 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Solution
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RayThroughSpace
426 posts
#8 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
For the sake of contradiction, let $S$ be prime. Note $S$ divides $(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) - (x+d)(x+e)(x+f)$. Substitute $x= a,b,c,-d,-e,-f,$ we get $S$ divides $(d+a)(d+b)(d+c) , (e+a)(e+b)(e+c), (f+a)(f+b)(f+c)$ and

$S|(a+d)(a+e)(a+f)$
$S|(b+d)(b+e)(b+f)$
$S|(c+d)(c+e)(c+f)$

From the first set of 3 conditions, WLOG, we can let $S|(a+d)$, $S|(b+e)$ and $S|(c+f)$. However, each of $(a+d),(b+e), (c+f)$ are smaller than $S$, a contradiction.
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#9 • 15 Y
Y by Wizard_32, RAMUGAUSS, Gems98, rashah76, Cindy.tw, v4913, Robokop, SerdarBozdag, centslordm, hakN, mathleticguyyy, lahmacun, HamstPan38825, Adventure10, Mango247
Let $p$ be a fixed prime. We say a $6$-tuple $(a,b,c,d,e,f)$ of integers is good if $a+b+c+d+e+f = p$ and $p \mid abc+def$ and $p \mid ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd$.

Claim: If $(a,b,c,d,e,f)$ is good then so is $(a+1, b+1, c+1, d-1, e-1, f-1)$.

Proof. Direct computation. $\blacksquare$

We claim there exists no good $6$-tuple of positive integers. If not, WLOG $f$ is the smallest of the six numbers. Then by repeating the claim, the tuple $(a+f, b+f, c+f, d-f, e-f, 0)$ is good. But now $p \mid (a+f)(b+f)(c+f)$ and $p > \max(a+f, b+f, c+f)$, contradiction.
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yayups
1614 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
We see that
\begin{align*}
a+b+c&\equiv -(d+e+f)\pmod{S} \\
ab+bc+ca&\equiv -(de+ef+fd)\pmod{S} \\
abc &\equiv -def\pmod{S}.
\end{align*}Now, assuming that $S$ is prime, we see that
\[(X-a)(X-b)(X-c)=(X+d)(X+e)(X+f)\]over $\mathbb{F}_S[X]$, so because of unique factorization, we have WLOG that $a\equiv -d\pmod{S}$, $b\equiv -e\pmod{S}$, and $c\equiv -f\pmod{S}$. In particular, this means that $S\mid a+d$. However, $S>a+d$, so this isn't possible. Therefore, $S$ couldn't have been prime to start with. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by yayups, Apr 5, 2019, 9:30 PM
Reason: latex align fix
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Zorger74
760 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Solution
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Zorger74, Jan 23, 2021, 12:41 AM
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Spacesam
596 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
AFSOC $S = p$ for some prime $p$. Define \begin{align*}
    P(x) &= (x + a)(x + b)(x + c) = x^3 + x^2(a + b + c) + x(ab + bc + ca) + abc \\
    Q(x) &= (x - d)(x - e)(x - f) = x^3 - x^2(d + e + f) + x(de + ef + fd) - def,
\end{align*}and consider \begin{align*}
    R(x) &= P(x) - Q(x) \\
    &= x^2 \cdot p + x(ab + bc + ca - de - ef - fd) + abc + def.
\end{align*}Taking mod $p$, we find that $P(x) \equiv Q(x) \pmod p$.

However, plug in $x = d$. We know $Q$ has a root at $d$, so \begin{align*}
    P(d) = (d + a)(d + b)(d + c) \equiv 0\pmod p,
\end{align*}but $p > d + a, d + b, d + c$ and so we are done.
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Mano
46 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
$S\geq6$, so assume for the sake of contradiction that $S$ is prime. Let $P(x)\coloneqq (x-a)(x-b)(x-c)$ and $Q(x)\coloneqq (x+a)(x+b)(x+c)$. Multiplying out, we get that $P(x)\equiv Q(x)\;(\text{mod}\,S)$ for all integers $x$. In particular, we get that for an integer $x$, $S$ divides $P(x)$ if and only if $S$ divides $Q(x)$, which, because $S$ is assumed to be a prime, means that $\{a, b, c\}$ is just some permutation of $\{-d, -e, -f\}$ modulo $S$. WLOG, assume that $a\equiv -d$, $b\equiv -e$ and $c\equiv -f$ modulo $S$. But this means that $a+d$, $b+e$ and $c+f$ are all multiples of $S$, which is impossible, because they are positive integers which sum up to $S$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Mano, Apr 28, 2021, 9:35 AM
Reason: 6, not 1
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bever209
1522 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Note that $(x+a)(x+b)(x+c)-(x-d)(x-e)(x-f)$ has all of its coefficients divisible by $S$. This implies $S|(d+a)(d+b)(d+c)$. FTSOC assume $S$ is prime. Then it must divide either $d+a,d+b,d+c$, all of which are smaller than $S$, a contradiction, so we are done.
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bora_olmez
277 posts
#15
Y by
Assume for the sake of contradiction that $S$ is prime. Notice that $$S \mid (a+k)(b+k)(c+k)+(d-k)(e-k)(f-k)$$for all $k \in \mathbb{Z}$.
Then taking $k$ to be $-a,-b,-c$ we have that $\{d,e,f\} = \{-a,-b,-c\}$ in $\mathbb{F}_S$ using that $S$ is prime, yet, adding any such values of $a,b,c,d,e,f$, we have that $$S = a+b+c+d+e+f \geq 3S$$which is a contradiction. $\blacksquare$
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Sprites
478 posts
#16
Y by
Suppose that $S$ is a prime and let $x=-d,y=-e,z=-f$,so that $abc \equiv xyz \pmod S$
Now consider the polynomial $ (a+k)(b+k)(c+k)+(d-k)(e-k)(f-k)$ and clearly inputting $x,y,z$ implies $S|(a+d)(a+e)(a+f)$,which implies that $S$ divides one of $(a+d),(a+e),(a+f)$,a contradiction.
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AwesomeYRY
579 posts
#17 • 1 Y
Y by trying_to_solve_br
Note that the polynomial $f(x) = (x-a)(x-b)(x-c)-(x+d)(x+e)(x+f) = (ab+ac+bc-de-ef-df)x-(abc+def)$ is divisible by $S$ for all integers $x$. Thus,
\[S\mid f(a) = -(a+d)(a+e)(a+f)\]To finish, $S$ cannot be prime because $a+d,a+e,a+f<a+b+c+d+e+f = S$, so we're done. $\blacksquare$.
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HoRI_DA_GRe8
597 posts
#18
Y by
Sol
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Mogmog8
1080 posts
#19 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Notice \begin{align*}S\mid f(x)&=Sx^2+(ab+bc+ca-de-df-fd)x+(abc+def)\\&=(x+a)(x+b)(x+c)-(x-d)(x-e)(x-f)\end{align*}Letting $x=d,$ we have $S\mid (d+a)(d+b)(d+c),$ which is absurd if $S$ is prime as $S>d+a,d+b,d+c.$ $\square$
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awesomeming327.
1714 posts
#20
Y by
Assume for the sake of contradiction $S$ is prime, and take polynomials $P(x)=(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)$ and $Q(x)=(x+d)(x+e)(x+f).$ Note that \[P(x)\equiv x^3 - (a+b+c)x^2 + (ab+bc+ca)x-abc \pmod S\]Note that on the other hand, \[Q(x)\equiv x^3 + (d+e+f)x^2 + (de+ef+fd)x+def \pmod S\]Now, $Q(x)-P(x)=Sx^2+(de+ef+fd-ab-bc-ca)x+abc+def.$ Note that this is divisible by $S.$ In particular, $Q(a)-P(a)=(a+d)(a+e)(a+f)$ is divisible by $S.$ Note that each of those factors are less than $S$ but $S$ is prime, which is a contradiction.
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HamstPan38825
8860 posts
#21
Y by
Observe that we have the system of congruences
\begin{align*}
a+b+c &\equiv -d-e-f \pmod S \\
ab+bc+ca &\equiv de+ef+fd \pmod S \\
abc &\equiv -def \pmod S.
\end{align*}This means that $$(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) \equiv (x+d)(x+e)(x+f) \pmod S$$for all $x \in \mathbb Z$ as the resulting polynomials are equivalent under modulo $S$. Letting $x=a$, $$S \mid (a+d)(a+e)(a+f),$$but $a+d, a+e, a+f < S$, and thus $S$ must be composite.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by HamstPan38825, Jul 20, 2022, 12:02 AM
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Kimchiks926
256 posts
#22 • 2 Y
Y by mkomisarova, Mango247
Suppose otherwise that $S$ is prime $p$. Then we have the following equations.
\begin{align*} 
a+b+c \equiv -(d+e+f) \pmod p \\ 
ab+bc+ca \equiv de+ef+df \pmod p \\ 
abc \equiv -def \pmod p 
\end{align*}We will construct numbers $a_1,b_1, c_1, d_1, e_1, f_1$ such that:
\begin{align*} 
a_1+b_1+c_1 \equiv -(d_1+e_1+f_1) \pmod p \\ 
a_1b_1+b_1c_1+c_1a_1 \equiv d_1e_1+e_1f_1+d_1f_1 \pmod p \\ 
a_1b_1c_1 \equiv -d_1e_1f_1 \pmod p 
\end{align*}In fact, this is not so hard to do. It is just enough to take $a_1=a+1, b_1=b+1, c_1 =c_1$ and $d_1 =d-1, e_1 =e-1, f_1 =f-1$. It is easy to see that they satisfy the first congruence. Note that:
\begin{align*} 
(a+1)(b+1)+(b+1)(c+1)+(c+1)(a+1) \equiv (d-1)(e-1)+(e-1)(f-1)+(f-1)(d-1) \pmod p\\ 
ab+bc+ca +2(a+b+c)+3 \equiv de+ef+fd -2(d+e+f)+3 \pmod p
\end{align*}We see that the second desired congruence is also satisfied by given congruences. Also, observe that:
\begin{align*} 
(a+1)(b+1)(c+1) \equiv -(d-1)(e-1)(f-1)  \pmod p \\
a+b+c+(ab+bc+ca)+abc+1 \equiv -((d+e+f)-(de+ef+fd)+def-1) \pmod p \\
(a+b+c+de+f) +(ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd)+(abc+def) \equiv 0 \pmod p
\end{align*}We see that the third desired congruence is also satisfied by given congruences.

Since $a,b,c, d,e,f$ are positive integers and their sum it $p$, then they all are less than $p$. WLOG $a$ is the largest among $a,b,c$. With each construction we increase $a,b,c$ by $1$ and decrease $d,e,f$ by $1$. We can keep doing it until $a$ becomes $p$. Suppose that we needed for that $k$ constructions, in other words $a+k =p=a_k$. Consider congruence:
$$ a_kb_kc_k \equiv d_ke_kf_k \equiv 0 \pmod p $$We see that it implies that $d_ke_kf_k \equiv 0 \pmod p$. WLOG assume that $d_k = d-k$ is the one which is divisible by $p$. Then $0 \equiv a_k + d_k = a+k+d-k = a+ d \pmod p$, which is contradiction, since it forces $b,c,e,f$ to be $0$.

Our initial assumption was wrong, therefore $S$ composite as desired.
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SatisfiedMagma
458 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by kamatadu
I'm not smart as others to see that you can really form a polynomial... Anyways here is a solution by induction which kind of makes the polynomial in a different way which I feel is intuitive too...

Solution. Assume on the contrary that $S$ is prime. We will make use of these handy identities in the solution.
\begin{align}
        (a+1)(b+1)(c+1) &= abc + (ab+bc+ca) + (a+b+c) + 1 \\
        (d-k)(e-k)(f-k) &= def - (de+ef+df) + (d+e+f) - 1
    \end{align}The following claim is the crux of the problem.

Claim: $S \mid (a+x)(b+x)(c+x) + (d-x)(e-x)(f-x)$ for all $x \in \mathbb{Z}_{\ge 0}$.

Proof: The proof is by induction with the base case being trivial. As an induction hypothesis, assume that $S \mid (a+k)(b+k)(c+k) + (d-k)(e-k)(f-k)$. For ease of notation label $a+k = A$, $d - k = D$ and so on. Now finally for the inductive step, we will just work backward.
\begin{align*}
            S \mid (A+1)(B+1)(C+1) &+ (D-1)(E-1)(F-1) \\
            \iff S \mid (ABC + DEF) + (AB+BC+CA) &- (DE+EF+FA) + (A+B+C+\ldots)
        \end{align*}By the induction hypothesis, we will cancel of $ABC + DEF$ term. It is not hard to see that $S \mid (A+B+C+D+E+F)$ as well.
\begin{align*}
            \iff S \mid AB + BC + CA - DE - EF - FA
        \end{align*}It isn't hard to expand this out and realize its a tautology. So, the induction is complete.$\square$
Finally choose $x = d$. This would give
\[S = a + b + c + d + e + f \mid (a + d)(b + d)(c+d).\]Since $S$ is a prime, it must divide one of the factors. But since all the factors are positive and less than $S$, its the desired contradiction. $\blacksquare$
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sman96
136 posts
#24 • 1 Y
Y by lian_the_noob12
Let's allow $0$ as value of $d,e,f$.
FTSOC, let's assume that $S = p$ is a prime.
Here, \begin{align*}
S &= a+b+c+d+e+f\\ &= (a+1) + (b+1)+(c+1) + (d-1)+(e-1)+(f-1)
\end{align*}
Now, $p\mid a+b+c+d+e+f$, $p\mid abc+def$ and $p\mid ab+bc+ca-de-ef-df$. Summing these up gives, $$p\mid (a+1)(b+1)(c+1) + (d-1)(e-1)(f-1)$$Also, \begin{align*}
&\sum_{cyc}(a+1)(b+1) - \sum_{cyc}(d-1)(e-1)\\
=& ab+bc+ca-de-ef-df +2(a+b+c+d+e+f)
\end{align*}
Therefore, $\displaystyle p\mid \sum_{cyc}(a+1)(b+1) - \sum_{cyc}(d-1)(e-1)$.
So, if $(a,b,c,d,e,f)$ is a solution then, $(a+1, b+1, c+1, d-1,e-1,f-1)$ is also a solution with $S= p$.

Now we continue this process until one of the elements becomes $0$. WLOG that be $f$.
Then we will get, $p\mid abc$. But therefore $p$ must divide one of $a,b,c$ which isn't possible as, $p = a+b+c+d+e$. This gives a contradiction. $\blacksquare$
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IAmTheHazard
5001 posts
#25 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Suppose that $S$ was prime. Then the polynomials $(x+a)(x+b)(x+c)$ and $(x-d)(x-e)(x-f)$ have equivalent expansions modulo $p$, hence we must have $\{-a,-b,-c\} \equiv \{d,e,f\} \pmod{S} \implies \{S-a,S-b,S-c\}=\{d,e,f\}$. But then $d+e+f=3S-a-b-c \implies S=a+b+c+d+e+f=3S$: contradiction. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by IAmTheHazard, Aug 12, 2023, 5:46 PM
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lifeismathematics
1188 posts
#26
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Consider $P(x)=(x+a)(x+b)(x+c)-(x-d)(x-e)(x-f)$

$P(x)=Sx^2+x(ab+bc+ca-ed-ef-df)+(abc+def) \implies S|P(x)$ $\forall x \in \mathbb{Z}$

$P(d)=(a+d)(b+d)(c+d)$ hence as $S|P(d)$. Now , $\mathrm{FTSOC}$ assume $S$ is prime, then as we have $S|(a+d)(b+d)(c+d)$ we have at least one of $(a+d), (b+d) , (c+d)> S$ but since $S=a+b+c+d+e+f$ this is absurd for $a,b,c,d,e, f \in \mathbb{Z}^{+}$ , hence our assumption false and hence $S$ is composite $\blacksquare$.
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sixoneeight
1138 posts
#27 • 1 Y
Y by fuzimiao2013
Solved with xor, xook, and xonk, also known as fuzimiao2013, sixoneeight, popop614.

We can rewrite the condition as
\[
(t-a)(t-b)(t-c) \equiv (t+d)(t+e)(t+f) \pmod{S}
\]for all integer $t$. Suppose for the sake of contradiction that $S$ was prime. Take $t=a$. Then, $S$ divides one of $a+d$, $a+e$, $a+f$. However, since $a,b,c,d,e,f$ are positive integers, that would mean that one of $a+d, a+e, a+f$ is equal to $S$. This is a contradiction as the rest of the variables could not be positive, so $S$ must be composite.
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math_comb01
662 posts
#28
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FTSOC let $S$ be a prime
$a+b+c \equiv -(d+e+f)$
$abc \equiv (-d)(-e)(-f)$
$ab+bc+ca \equiv (-d)(-e)+(-e)(-f)+(-d)(-f)$
In $\mathbb{F}_S$
$(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) \equiv (x+d)(x+e)(x+f)$
therefore $\{a,b,c\} \equiv \{-d,-e,-f\}$ in $\mathbb{F}_S$
$\therefore$ we're done.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by math_comb01, Dec 27, 2023, 11:57 AM
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EpicBird08
1751 posts
#29 • 2 Y
Y by GeoKing, torch
Thanks to torch for suggesting this problem to me!

Let $k$ be an integer. Note that $S$ divides the quantity $$abc + def + k(ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd) + k^2(a+b+c+d+e+f) + 1 - 1 = (a+k)(b+k)(c+k) - (d-k)(e-k)(f-k).$$Now there are $2$ cases.

Case 1: The smallest of $a,b,c,d,e,f$ is one of $a,b,c.$ WLOG suppose it is $a.$ Letting $k = -a$ gives $S \mid -(d+a)(e+a)(f+a),$ so switching the positive sign yields $$S \mid (d+a)(e+a)(f+a).$$If $S$ was prime, then it would have to divide at least one of these factors, say $d+a$ (the other cases are symmetrical to this). Then $a+b+c+d+e+f \mid d+a,$ which is a contradiction due to size issues.

Case 2: The smallest of $a,b,c,d,e,f$ is one of $d,e,f.$ WLOG suppose it is $d.$ Letting $k = d$ gives $S \mid (a+d)(b+d)(c+d),$ and repeat the size argument from the previous case.

Therefore, in any case, $S$ must be composite, as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by EpicBird08, Jun 21, 2024, 10:31 PM
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PEKKA
1848 posts
#30
Y by
Used a whole bunch of ARCH Hints after 30 min of failing:
FTSOC $S=p$ for some prime $p.$
Let $d_0=-d, e_0=-e, f_0=-f.$ Then we get a vieta-like relation modulo $P.$ This implies that $a,b,c$ and $d_0,e_0,f_0$ are roots to the same polynomial with coefficients modulo $p.$
Now WLOG $a-d_0 \equiv 0\pmod{p},b-e_0 \equiv 0\pmod{p}, c-f_0 \equiv 0\pmod{p}.$
Therefore, $a+d, b+e, c+f$ are multiples of $p$
Therefore, $S=a+d+b+e+c+f=p(k)$ for some integer $k>1$ which violates the condition that $S=p,$ or $S$ is prime. Therefore $S$ must be composite.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by PEKKA, Jun 23, 2024, 7:03 PM
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cursed_tangent1434
623 posts
#31
Y by
Really cute problem. I'm surprised I found the nice solution! We consider ordered pairs of sets $(\{a,b,c\},\{d,e,f\})$ which satisfy the given conditions. We call such a pair a good pair and if $a+b+c+d+e+f=k$ then we say that it is a $k-$good pair. We start off by proving the following nice result about $k-$good pairs.

Claim : For all integers $k$ for which there exists a $k-$good pair $(\{a,b,c\},\{d,e,f\})$, the pairs $(\{a-1,b-1,c-1\},\{d+1,e+1,f+1\})$ and $(\{a+1,b+1,c+1\},\{d-1,e-1,f-1\})$ are also $k-$good.

Proof : It is not hard to see that they must be $k-$good if they are good at all, since the sum $a+b+c+d+e+f$ does not change in either instance. We show that if $(\{a,b,c\},\{d,e,f\})$ is good then the pair $(\{a-1,b-1,c-1\},\{d+1,e+1,f+1\})$ must also be good. This is a mere calculation. Note that,
\[    (a-1)(b-1)(c-1)+(d+1)(e+1)(f+1) = (abc+def) -(ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd) + (a+b+c+d+e+f)\]where each of the bracketed terms are known to be multiples of $a+b+c+d+e+f$. The proof of the other is entirely similar, so this finishes the proof of the claim.

We wish to show that there exists no $p-$good pairs for any prime $p$. By way of contradiction, say there exists such a prime $p$ and a $p-$good pair $(\{a,b,c\},\{d,e,f\})$. Then, WLOG say the minimum element of the set $\{a,b,c,d,e,f\}$ is $a$. By way of our claim, it follows that the pair $(\{0,b-a,c-a\},\{d+a,e+a,f+a\})$ is also $p-$good. Note that here, $d'=d+a$ , $e'=e+a$ and $f'=f+a$ are all positive integers. Then,
\[p|(0)(b-a)(c-a)+(d+a)(e+a)(f+a)=d'e'f'\]Since $p$ is a prime, this implies that $p$ divides one of $d'$ , $e'$ and $f'$. But, since $p=0 + (b-a) + (c-a) + (d+a) + (e+a) + (f+a)$ where the first 3 terms are non-negative and the last two terms are strictly positive,
\[p = (b-a) + (c-a) + (d+a) + (e+a) + (f+a) \ge d'+e'+f' > d',e',f' \]which is a clear contradiction. Thus, there cannot exist such a prime $p$ which proves the desired result.
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kingu
220 posts
#32
Y by
Same solution as everyone else.
Storage
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john0512
4187 posts
#33
Y by
a bit silly, statement reminded me of usa tst 2021/1

Suppose FTSOC $a+b+c+d+e+f=p$.

Claim: For any integer $t$,
$$(a+t)(b+t)(c+t)+(d-t)(e-t)(f-t)\equiv 0\pmod p.$$
We have
$$(abc+def)+t(ab+ac+bc-de-df-ef)+t^2(a+b+c+d+e+f)+(t^3-t^3)\equiv 0\pmod{p}.$$
In particular, if $t=d$, then $p\mid (a+d)(b+d)(c+d)$. However, $a+d,b+d,c+d$ are all less than $p$, contradiction if $p$ is prime.

code golf because this is funny
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by john0512, Nov 15, 2024, 8:46 PM
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emi3.141592
71 posts
#34
Y by
Suppose that \(S\) is prime. Observe that
\[
a + b + c \equiv -d - e - f \pmod{S}
\]\[
abc \equiv -def \pmod{S}
\]\[
ab + bc + ca \equiv de + ef + fd \pmod{S}
\]By Vieta, we have that for every positive integer \(n\), the following relation holds:
\[
(n + a)(n + b)(n + c) \equiv (n - d)(n - e)(n - f) \pmod{S}.
\]By setting \(n = -a\), we obtain that \(S\) divides one of the numbers \(-a-d\), \(-a-e\), or \(-a-f\).

By symmetry, we can assume without loss of generality that \(S \mid -a-d\). In particular, we have \(-d \equiv a \pmod{S}\), i.e., \(S \mid d+a\).

However, this is a contradiction, since
\[
a + d < a + b + c + d + e + f = S.
\]
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AshAuktober
1005 posts
#35
Y by
Note that by Vieta, we have $S \mid P(x) = (x-a)(x-b)(x-c) - (x+d)(x+e)(x+f)$.
But putting $x = a$ we get $S$ cannot be prime, qed.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by AshAuktober, Dec 20, 2024, 3:11 PM
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Mr.Sharkman
500 posts
#36
Y by
Assume for the sake of contradiction that $a+b+c+d+e+f$ is prime. Then, $a+b+c \equiv -d-e-f,$ $ab+bc+ca \equiv de+df+ef,$ and $abc \equiv -def,$ when taken modulo $a+b+c+d+e+f.$ Let $i_{1} \equiv -i,$ for $i \in \{a,b,c\}.$ It is clear that $a_{1}+b_{1}+c_{1} \equiv d+e+f,$ and $a_{1}b_{1}+a_{1}c_{1}+b_{1}c_{1} \equiv de+ef+df,$ and $a_{1}b_{1}c_{1} \equiv de+ef+df.$ So, $\{a_{1}, a_{2}, a_{3}\}, \{d, e, f\}$ are the solutions of some cubic modulo $p.$ But, by Lagrange's Theorem, this can only have at most $3$ solutions, so these sets are the same, in some order. So, $i+j \equiv 0,$ where $i \in \{a,b,c\},$ and $j \in \{d,e,f\}.$ But, then $i+j < a+b+c+d+e+f,$ so we have a contradiction.
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Perelman1000000
115 posts
#37
Y by
v_Enhance wrote:
Let $p$ be a fixed prime. We say a $6$-tuple $(a,b,c,d,e,f)$ of integers is good if $a+b+c+d+e+f = p$ and $p \mid abc+def$ and $p \mid ab+bc+ca-de-ef-fd$.

Claim: If $(a,b,c,d,e,f)$ is good then so is $(a+1, b+1, c+1, d-1, e-1, f-1)$.

Proof. Direct computation. $\blacksquare$

We claim there exists no good $6$-tuple of positive integers. If not, WLOG $f$ is the smallest of the six numbers. Then by repeating the claim, the tuple $(a+f, b+f, c+f, d-f, e-f, 0)$ is good. But now $p \mid (a+f)(b+f)(c+f)$ and $p > \max(a+f, b+f, c+f)$, contradiction.

When i first saw this problem on math class in 15 minutes i had exactly same solution as you :)
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Ilikeminecraft
619 posts
#38
Y by
Note that this implies that the polynomials $P(x) = (x + d)(x + e)(x + f), Q(x) = (x - a)(x - b)(x - c)$ are congruent modulo $S.$ Thus, $P(x) - Q(x) \equiv 0\pmod S.$ However, $P(a) - Q(a) = (a + d)(a + e)(a + f) \equiv 0 \pmod S.$ However, each of the factors are less than $S,$ which finishes.
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alexanderhamilton124
391 posts
#39
Y by
Suppose, FTSOC, it is a prime. Let $a + b + c + d + e + f = p$. We have $p \mid ab + bc + ca - de - ef - df \implies p \mid abc + c^2(a + b) - dec - efc - dfc \implies p \mid - def + c^2(-c - d - e - f) - dec - efc - dfc \implies p \mid c^3 + c^2d + c^2e + c^2f + dec + efc + dfc + def = (c + d)(c + e)(c + f)$.

So, $p$ must divide one of them but all three are less than $a + b + c + d + e + f$, a contradiction. So, $S$ is composite.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by alexanderhamilton124, Feb 4, 2025, 7:50 PM
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YaoAOPS
1540 posts
#40
Y by
This means that $S$ divides the coefficients of
\[
	(x+a)(x+b)(x+c) - (x-d)(x-e)(x-f).
\]If $S$ was prime, then this means that $\{a, b, c\} \equiv \{-d, -e, -f\} \pmod{S}$, however then $p$ divides one of $a+d, a+e, a+f$, giving a contradiction by size.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by YaoAOPS, Apr 23, 2025, 2:44 PM
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