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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
Interesting inequalities
sqing   0
7 minutes ago
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c \geq 0 $ and $ab+bc+ca- abc =3.$ Show that
$$a+k(b+c)\geq 2\sqrt{3 k}$$Where $ k\geq 1. $
Let $a,b,c \geq 0 $ and $2(ab+bc+ca)- abc =31.$ Show that
$$a+k(b+c)\geq \sqrt{62k}$$Where $ k\geq 1. $
0 replies
1 viewing
sqing
7 minutes ago
0 replies
Mega angle chase
kjhgyuio   1
N 33 minutes ago by jkim0656
Source: https://mrdrapermaths.wordpress.com/2021/01/30/filtering-with-basic-angle-facts/
........
1 reply
+1 w
kjhgyuio
38 minutes ago
jkim0656
33 minutes ago
Simple but hard
Lukariman   1
N 38 minutes ago by Giant_PT
Given triangle ABC. Outside the triangle, construct rectangles ACDE and BCFG with equal areas. Let M be the midpoint of DF. Prove that CM passes through the center of the circle circumscribing triangle ABC.
1 reply
Lukariman
2 hours ago
Giant_PT
38 minutes ago
Floor function and coprime
mofumofu   13
N an hour ago by Thapakazi
Source: 2018 China TST 2 Day 2 Q4
Let $k, M$ be positive integers such that $k-1$ is not squarefree. Prove that there exist a positive real $\alpha$, such that $\lfloor \alpha\cdot k^n \rfloor$ and $M$ are coprime for any positive integer $n$.
13 replies
mofumofu
Jan 9, 2018
Thapakazi
an hour ago
Minimum number of points
Ecrin_eren   2
N Yesterday at 8:32 PM by Shan3t
There are 18 teams in a football league. Each team plays against every other team twice in a season—once at home and once away. A win gives 3 points, a draw gives 1 point, and a loss gives 0 points. One team became the champion by earning more points than every other team. What is the minimum number of points this team could have?

2 replies
Ecrin_eren
Yesterday at 4:09 PM
Shan3t
Yesterday at 8:32 PM
Weird locus problem
Sedro   7
N Yesterday at 8:00 PM by ReticulatedPython
Points $A$ and $B$ are in the coordinate plane such that $AB=2$. Let $\mathcal{H}$ denote the locus of all points $P$ in the coordinate plane satisfying $PA\cdot PB=2$, and let $M$ be the midpoint of $AB$. Points $X$ and $Y$ are on $\mathcal{H}$ such that $\angle XMY = 45^\circ$ and $MX\cdot MY=\sqrt{2}$. The value of $MX^4 + MY^4$ can be expressed in the form $\tfrac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n$.
7 replies
Sedro
May 11, 2025
ReticulatedPython
Yesterday at 8:00 PM
2024 Mock AIME 1 ** p15 (cheaters' trap) - 128 | n^{\sigma (n)} - \sigma(n^n)
parmenides51   3
N Yesterday at 6:17 PM by Sedro
Let $N$ be the number of positive integers $n$ such that $n$ divides $2024^{2024}$ and $128$ divides
$$n^{\sigma (n)} - \sigma(n^n)$$where $\sigma (n)$ denotes the number of positive integers that divide $n$, including $1$ and $n$. Find the remainder when $N$ is divided by $1000$.
3 replies
parmenides51
Jan 29, 2025
Sedro
Yesterday at 6:17 PM
IOQM P23 2024
SomeonecoolLovesMaths   3
N Yesterday at 4:53 PM by lakshya2009
Consider the fourteen numbers, $1^4,2^4,...,14^4$. The smallest natural numebr $n$ such that they leave distinct remainders when divided by $n$ is:
3 replies
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
Sep 8, 2024
lakshya2009
Yesterday at 4:53 PM
Inequalities
sqing   2
N Yesterday at 4:05 PM by MITDragon
Let $ 0\leq x,y,z\leq 2. $ Prove that
$$-48\leq (x-yz)( 3y-zx)(z-xy)\leq 9$$$$-144\leq (3x-yz)(y-zx)(3z-xy)\leq\frac{81}{64}$$$$-144\leq (3x-yz)(2y-zx)(3z-xy)\leq\frac{81}{16}$$
2 replies
sqing
May 9, 2025
MITDragon
Yesterday at 4:05 PM
Pells equation
Entrepreneur   0
Yesterday at 3:56 PM
A Pells Equation is defined as follows $$x^2-1=ky^2.$$Where $x,y$ are positive integers and $k$ is a non-square positive integer. If $(x_n,y_n)$ denotes the n-th set of solution to the equation with $(x_0,y_0)=(1,0).$ Then, prove that $$x_{n+1}x_n-ky_{n+1}y_n=x_1,$$$$x_n\pm y_n\sqrt k=(x_1\pm y_1\sqrt k)^n.$$
0 replies
Entrepreneur
Yesterday at 3:56 PM
0 replies
Incircle concurrency
niwobin   1
N Yesterday at 2:42 PM by niwobin
Triangle ABC with incenter I, incircle is tangent to BC, AC, and AB at D, E and F respectively.
DT is a diameter for the incircle, and AT meets the incircle again at point H.
Let DH and EF intersect at point J. Prove: AJ//BC.
1 reply
niwobin
May 11, 2025
niwobin
Yesterday at 2:42 PM
Inequalities
sqing   3
N Yesterday at 2:29 PM by rachelcassano
Let $ a,b,c>0 $ . Prove that
$$\frac{a+5b}{b+c}+\frac{b+5c}{c+a}+\frac{c+5a}{a+b}\geq 9$$$$ \frac{2a+11b}{b+c}+\frac{2b+11c}{c+a}+\frac{2c+11a}{a+b}\geq \frac{39}{2}$$$$ \frac{25a+147b}{b+c}+\frac{25b+147c}{c+a}+\frac{25c+147a}{a+b} \geq258$$
3 replies
sqing
May 14, 2025
rachelcassano
Yesterday at 2:29 PM
The centroid of ABC lies on ME [2023 Abel, Problem 1b]
Amir Hossein   3
N Yesterday at 1:45 PM by Captainscrubz
In the triangle $ABC$, points $D$ and $E$ lie on the side $BC$, with $CE = BD$. Also, $M$ is the midpoint of $AD$. Show that the centroid of $ABC$ lies on $ME$.
3 replies
Amir Hossein
Mar 12, 2024
Captainscrubz
Yesterday at 1:45 PM
2021 SMT Guts Round 5 p17-20 - Stanford Math Tournament
parmenides51   5
N Yesterday at 8:00 AM by MATHS_ENTUSIAST
p17. Let the roots of the polynomial $f(x) = 3x^3 + 2x^2 + x + 8 = 0$ be $p, q$, and $r$. What is the sum $\frac{1}{p} +\frac{1}{q} +\frac{1}{r}$ ?


p18. Two students are playing a game. They take a deck of five cards numbered $1$ through $5$, shuffle them, and then place them in a stack facedown, turning over the top card next to the stack. They then take turns either drawing the card at the top of the stack into their hand, showing the drawn card to the other player, or drawing the card that is faceup, replacing it with the card on the top of the pile. This is repeated until all cards are drawn, and the player with the largest sum for their cards wins. What is the probability that the player who goes second wins, assuming optimal play?


p19. Compute the sum of all primes $p$ such that $2^p + p^2$ is also prime.


p20. In how many ways can one color the $8$ vertices of an octagon each red, black, and white, such that no two adjacent sides are the same color?


PS. You should use hide for answers. Collected here.
5 replies
parmenides51
Feb 11, 2022
MATHS_ENTUSIAST
Yesterday at 8:00 AM
IMO ShortList 2002, geometry problem 2
orl   27
N Apr 10, 2025 by ZZzzyy
Source: IMO ShortList 2002, geometry problem 2
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]
27 replies
orl
Sep 28, 2004
ZZzzyy
Apr 10, 2025
IMO ShortList 2002, geometry problem 2
G H J
Source: IMO ShortList 2002, geometry problem 2
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orl
3647 posts
#1 • 6 Y
Y by Mathcollege, Adventure10, donotoven, GeckoProd, Mango247, cubres
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]
Attachments:
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by orl, Sep 27, 2005, 4:41 PM
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orl
3647 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Please post your solutions. This is just a solution template to write up your solutions in a nice way and formatted in LaTeX. But maybe your solution is so well written that this is not required finally. For more information and instructions regarding the ISL/ILL problems please look here: introduction for the IMO ShortList/LongList project and regardingsolutions :)
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grobber
7849 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Sorry if it's a bit murky. I remember posting this one too, and giving a solution I was proud of (can't remember if I actually posted it). However, I can't find that solution.. [Moderator edit: This was at http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=220 .]

Let $D',E'$ be the images of $D,E$ through the homothety of center $F$ and ratio $4$. We have to show that $D'E'\le AB+AC$, so it would be enough to show $AE'+AD'\le AB+AC$. Again, we notice that it's enough to show $AD'\le AC\ (*)$. Let $X$ be the vertex of the equilateral triangle $CAX$, lying on the opposite side of $CA$ as $B$. Clearly, $AX=AC$, so $(*)$ is equivalent to $FD'\le FX=FA+FC$ (the last equality is well-known, and it follows from Ptolemy's equality applied to the cyclic quadrilateral $AFCX$) or, in other words, $4FD\le FA+FC$. In terms of areas, this means $4S(FAC)\le S(AFCX)\iff 3S(FAC)\le S(XAC)$, and this is clear since for fixed $XAC$, the area $FAC$ reaches its maximum when $FA=FC$, and in this case we have equality in the above inequality.

I think this pretty much ends the proof: we have shown that $4FD\le FX$, which is, as we have shown, equivalent to the initial problem.
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pohoatza
1145 posts
#4 • 10 Y
Y by huricane, alifenix-, Adventure10, Mango247, and 6 other users
I saw this problem these days and I was pretty sure it was an ISL problem.

Lets take the equilateral triangles $ ACP$ and $ ABQ$ on the exterior of the triangle $ ABC$.

We have that $ \angle{APC} + \angle{AFC} = 180$, therefore the points $ A,P,F,C$ are concyclic.

But $ \angle{AFP} = \angle{ACP} = 60 = \angle{AFD}$, so $ D \in (FP)$.
Analoguosly we have that $ E \in (FQ)$.

Now observe that $ \frac {FP}{FD} = 1 + \frac {DP}{FD} = 1 + \frac {[APC]}{[AFC]}\geq 4$, and the equality occurs when $ F$ is the midpoint of $ \widehat{AC}$.

Therefore $ FD \leq \frac {1}{4}FP$, and $ FE \leq \frac {1}{4}FQ$.

So, by taking it metrical, we have that:
$ DE = \sqrt {FD^{2} + FE^{2} + FD \cdot FE}\leq \frac {1}{4}\cdot \sqrt {FP^{2} + FQ^{2} + FP \cdot FQ} = \frac {1}{4}PQ$

But $ PQ \leq AP + AQ = AB + AC$, and thus the problem is solved.
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sayantanchakraborty
505 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by ali.agh, Adventure10
This post was also a spam and as I am unable to delete this post,i am writing the proof of $\frac{[APC]}{[AFC]} \ge 3$.

Note that
$(AF-CF)^2 \ge 0 \Rightarrow AF^2+CF^2+AF*CF \ge 3AF*CF \Rightarrow AC^2 \ge 3AF*CF \Rightarrow AP*CP\sin60^{\circ} \ge 3AF*CF\sin120^{\circ} \Rightarrow \frac{[APC]}{[AFC]} \ge 3$.
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AnonymousBunny
339 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
This is a really nice problem! Thanks to sayantanchakraborty for giving some crucial hints leading to the following solution.

Since $\angle BFC, \angle CFA, \angle AFB$ are all equal and sum up to $360^{\circ},$ they must each be equal to $120^{\circ}.$ Construct a point $B'$ outside $\triangle ABC$ such that $\triangle ABB'$ is equilateral. Define point $C'$ analogously. Since $\angle AB'B + \angle AFB = 60^{\circ} + 120^{\circ} = 180^{\circ},$ points $A,B',B,P$ are concyclic. Furthermore, since $\angle B'FB = \angle B'AB = 60^{\circ} = 180^{\circ} - \angle BFC,$ points $C,F,D,B'$ are collinear.

I claim that $FB' \geq 4FD.$ This is equivalent to
\begin{align*}
[\triangle AB'C] & \geq 3[\triangle APC] \\
\iff AB' \cdot B'C \cdot  \sin (60^{\circ}) & \geq 3 \cdot AF \cdot CF \cdot \sin (120^{\circ}) \\
\iff AB' \cdot B'C & \geq 3 \cdot AF \cdot CF .\end{align*}
By cosine rule on $\triangle AB'C,$
\begin{align*}
AC^2 & = AB'^2 + B'C^2 - 2 \cdot AB' \cdot B'C \cdot \cos (60^{\circ})  \\
& = AB'^2 + B'C^2 - AB' \cdot B'C \\
& \geq AB' \cdot B'C , \end{align*}
where we have used the trivial inequality $AB'^2 + B'C^2 \geq 2 \cdot AB' \cdot B'C.$ Hence, it suffices to show that
\begin{align*}
AC^2 & \geq 3 \cdot AF \cdot CF \\
\iff AF^2 + CF^2 - 2 \cdot AF \cdot CF \cos (120^{\circ}) & \geq 3 \cdot AF \cdot CF \\ 
\iff AF^2 + CF^2 & \geq 2 \cdot AF \cdot CF,\end{align*}
which is true. Similar arguments show that $FC' \geq 4FE.$

The rest is obvious. Both the dilations centered at $F$ which map to $B$ to $B'$ and $C$ to $C'$ have ratio at least 4, so $B'C' \geq 4DE.$ By triangle inequality, we have that
\[AB'+A'C \geq B'C' \implies AB+AC \geq 4DE. \quad \blacksquare\]

For equality to hold, we need $AF=BF=CF,$ that is, the Fermat point must be the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC.$ This is possible iff $\triangle ABC$ is equilateral, because $ \angle AFB = 2 \angle ACB \implies \angle ACB = 60^{\circ}$ and similarly $\angle ABC= 60^{\circ}.$
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PRO2000
239 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Erect equilateral triangles $AMC$ and $ANC$ outwardly on the sides of $\triangle ABC$. It is well known that $F \in BM$ and $D \in CN$.

$\blacksquare\boxed{\text{Lemma 1}}$ $\frac{1}{FD}=\frac{1}{FA}+\frac{1}{FC}$ and $\frac{1}{FE}=\frac{1}{FA}+\frac{1}{FB}$ .
Proof
Taking $\angle FAC= \alpha$ and $\angle FCA= \beta$ and using $\alpha + \beta =60$ ,$$\frac{FD}{FA}+\frac{FD}{FC}=\frac{sin(\alpha)}{sin(60+\beta)}+\frac{sin(\beta)}{sin(60+\beta)}=1$$and other part is analogously proved.

$\blacksquare\boxed{\text{Lemma 2}}$ $FA+FC \geq 4FD$ and $FA+FB \geq 4FE$
Proof
By lemma 1 , $\frac{FA+FC}{FD}= \left(\frac{1}{FA} + \frac{1}{FC} \right) \cdot ( FA+FC ) \geq 4 \implies FA+FC \geq 4FD$
The other part follows analogously.
Using lemma 2 $$ AB+AC =
 AN+AM 
\geq MN = \sqrt{FN^2+FM^2+FN \cdot FM }
= \sqrt{ (FA+FB)^2+(FA+FC)^2+(FA+FB)\cdot(FA+FC)} 
\geq 4 \cdot \sqrt{FC^2+FD^2+FC \cdot FD}=4DE$$
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mcdonalds106_7
1138 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Construct equilateral triangles $ACX$ and $ABY$ outside of $ABC$, so it's well known that $BFDX$ and $CFEY$ are lines. $YAFB$ is cyclic, so consider the tangent at the point $T$, the antipode of $Y$, labeled as line $\ell$. Note that $d(Y,AB):d(Y,\ell)=3:4$, so then $\dfrac{FE}{FY}\le \dfrac 14$ with equality only when $F=T$, and similarly $\dfrac{FD}{FX}\le \dfrac 14$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the points on segments $FY$ and $FX$, respectively, such that $\dfrac{FM}{FY}=\dfrac 14$ and $\dfrac{FN}{FX}=\dfrac 14$. Then since $FE\le FM$ and $FD\le FN$, $DE=\sqrt{FD^2+FE^2+FD\cdot FE}\le \sqrt{FN^2+FM^2+FN\cdot FM}=MN=\dfrac{XY}{4}\le \dfrac{AB+AC}{4}$, as desired.
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bobthesmartypants
4337 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by Tsikaloudakis, Adventure10, Mango247
cute

solution
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by bobthesmartypants, Apr 4, 2017, 8:08 PM
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Wizard_32
1566 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Trigonometry is the best weapon.
orl wrote:
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]
Clearly $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA=120^o.$ Now, erect equilateral triangles $ABC', BCA', CAB'$ on the sides, externally. Then $AFBC'. AFCB'$ are cyclic. Hence, $\angle C'FA+\angle AFC=\angle C'BA+\angle AFC=60^o+120^o=180^o,$ and so $C, F, C'$ are collinear. We get two more symmetric results and so $F$ is teh Fermat point given by $AA' \cap BB' \cap CC'.$

Claim: $FE: FC' \le 1:4.$
Proof: Ptolemy yields $FC'=FA+FB.$ Hence, it suffices to show
$$FA+FB \ge 4FE$$Let $\angle FAB=x.$ Then it suffices to show
$$\frac{FA}{FB}+1 \ge \frac{4FE}{FB} \Leftrightarrow \frac{sin(60^o-x)}{sinx}+1 \ge \frac{4sin(60^o-x)}{sin(60^o+x)}$$$$\Leftrightarrow \left(cosx-\sqrt{3}sinx \right)^2 \ge 0$$which is true. $\square$

Similarly we get $FD:FB' \le 1:4$ and so we get $4DE \le B'C' \le AC'+AB'=AB+AC,$ as desired. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Wizard_32, Oct 30, 2018, 11:37 AM
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mihaig
7366 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
orl wrote:
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]

The problem is a masterpiece.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by mihaig, Aug 8, 2019, 12:10 PM
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alifenix-
1547 posts
#13 • 4 Y
Y by v4913, Adventure10, Mango247, Alex-131
Solution (bash bash bash)
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Spacesam
596 posts
#14
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Construct points $X, Y, Z$ forming equilateral triangles $\triangle BCX$, $\triangle CAY$, $\triangle ABZ$ sticking out from the triangle. Evidently, $F$ is the intersection of the three circumcircles of these equilateral triangles.

Observe additionally that $F \in \overline{AX}$, and in particular $F$ is the concurrence point of $\overline{AX}$, $\overline{BY}$, and $\overline{CZ}$. Note now that $\angle DFE = \angle BFC = 120^\circ$.

Thus, we can calculate \begin{align*}
    DE^2 = DF^2 + FE^2 - 2 \cdot DF \cdot FE \cdot \cos{120^\circ} = DF^2 + FE^2 + DF \cdot FE.
\end{align*}As $F$ varies along $(ABZ)$ with length $AB$ fixed, note that the maximum length of $FE$ occurs when $\overline{FZ} \perp \overline{AB}$, and this is also the case for the minimum length of $FZ$. Thus $\frac{FE}{FZ} \leq \frac{1}{4}$.

As a result, we know \begin{align*}
    DE^2 &= DF^2 + FE^2 + DF \cdot FE \\
    &\leq \frac{1}{16} (FZ^2 + FY^2 + FZ \cdot FY) \\
    &= \frac{1}{16} YZ^2 \\
    &\leq \frac{1}{16} (AZ + AY)^2 \\
    &= \frac{1}{16} (AB + AC)^2,
\end{align*}as desired.
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TheUltimate123
1740 posts
#15 • 3 Y
Y by Eyed, DrYouKnowWho, BorivojeGuzic123
Solved with Alex Zhao, Elliott Liu, Connie Jiang, Groovy (\help), Jeffrey Chen, Nicole Shen, and Raymond Feng.

Externally construct equilateral triangles \(ACY\) and \(ABZ\), so that \(B\), \(F\), \(D\), \(Y\) are collinear and \(C\), \(F\), \(E\), \(Z\) are collinear.

[asy]         size(7cm); defaultpen(fontsize(10pt));         pair A,B,C,Y,Z,F,D,EE;         A=dir(110);         B=dir(220);         C=dir(320);         Y=A+(C-A)*dir(60);         Z=B+(A-B)*dir(60);         F=extension(B,Y,C,Z);         D=extension(B,Y,A,C);         EE=extension(C,Z,A,B);

draw(D--EE);         draw(B--Y,gray);         draw(C--Z,gray);         draw(circumcircle(A,F,C),linewidth(.3));         draw(circumcircle(A,F,B),linewidth(.3));         draw(C--Y--A--Z--B);         draw(A--B--C--cycle,linewidth(.7));

dot("\(A\)",A,dir(105));         dot("\(B\)",B,S);         dot("\(C\)",C,S);         dot("\(F\)",F,dir(265));         dot("\(Y\)",Y,dir(30));         dot("\(Z\)",Z,dir(150));         dot("\(D\)",D,dir(-5));         dot("\(E\)",EE,dir(210));     [/asy]

Observe that \(FY/FD\ge4\) and \(FZ/FE\ge4\). It follows that \begin{align*}     AB+AC=AY+AZ\ge YZ&=\sqrt{FY^2+FZ^2+FY\cdot FZ}\\     &\ge4\sqrt{FD^2+FE^2+FD\cdot FE}=4DE, \end{align*}as needed.
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mihaig
7366 posts
#16
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orl wrote:
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]

See also here https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6t243f6h2624066_a_refinement_of_imo_shl_2002
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bluelinfish
1449 posts
#17
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First ISL solution in a while. This is the type of problem where if you don't know this property of the Fermat point it's hard to solve (I certainly couldn't do it) and if you know it it's very quick (after I got a hint with the property I solved it within fifteen minutes).

It is well-known that $F$ is the Toricelli/1st Fermat point of $\triangle ABC$. It is a well-known property of $F$ that if $ABG$ and $ACH$ are equilateral triangles erected outward from $AB$ and $AC$, respectively, $C,F,G$ are collinear and $AGBF$ is cyclic (similarly $B,F,H$ are collinear and $AHCF$ is cyclic).

Notice that as $F$ is on minor arc $AB$, the minimum possible value of $\frac{GE}{EF}$ occurs when $F$ is on the midpoint of the arc, as this maximizes $EF$ and minimizes $EG$. In that case, it is easy to show that $\frac{EG}{EF}=3$ and thus $\frac{FG}{FE}=4$, hence it must be true that $\frac{FG}{FE}\ge 4$ and similarly $\frac{FH}{FD}\ge 4$.

Let $FG=\alpha FE$ and $FH=\beta FD$, where $\alpha, \beta \ge 4$. Since $\angle EFD = 120^{\circ}$, by LoC on $\triangle FED$ we get $$ED=\sqrt{FE^2+FD^2-2FE\cdot FD \cos{120^{\circ}}}=\sqrt{FE^2+FD^2+FE\cdot FD}.$$Using LoC on $\triangle FGH$, we get

\begin{align*} 
HG &= \sqrt{FG^2+FH^2-2FG\cdot FH\cos{120^{\circ}}} \\ &= \sqrt{FG^2+FH^2+FG\cdot FH} \\ &= \sqrt{(\alpha FE)^2+(\beta FD)^2+(\alpha FE)(\beta FD)} \\ &= \sqrt{\alpha^2 FE^2+\beta^2 FD^2+\alpha\beta FE\cdot FD} \\ & \ge \sqrt{16FE^2+16FD^2+16FE\cdot FD} \\ &= 4\sqrt{FE^2+FD^2+FE\cdot FD} \\ &= 4ED.
\end{align*}
By the Triangle Inequality, $AG+AH\ge GH \ge 4ED$, finishing the problem.
Attachments:
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by bluelinfish, Oct 16, 2021, 2:11 AM
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L567
1184 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by proxima1681
Let $B', C'$ be such that $ACB', ABC'$ are equilateral. We have that $C,F,C'$ and $B,F,B'$ are collinear.

Claim: $EC' \ge 3EF$

Proof: Note that $\frac{FE}{C'E} = \frac{AF}{AC'}  \frac{\sin \angle FAB}{\sin \angle C'AB} = \frac{AF}{c} \frac{2\sin \angle FAB}{\sqrt{3}}$. Let $AF = x$, $BF = y$. Note that $R$, the circumradius of $(AFBC')$, is equal to $\frac{c}{\sqrt{3}}$.

We have $2R = \frac{y}{\sin \angle FAB} \implies \sin \angle FAB = \frac{y}{2R} = \frac{\sqrt{3}y}{2c}$.

So $\frac{FE}{C'E} = \frac{x}{c} \frac{y}{c} = \frac{xy}{c^2}$.

Observe that $c^2 = x^2 + y^2 + xy \ge 3xy \implies \frac{xy}{c^2} \le \frac{1}{3}$.

So we have $\frac{FE}{C'E} \le \frac{1}{3} \implies C'E \ge 3FE$, as claimed. $\square$.

From the claim, we have $DE \le \frac{B'C'}{4} \le \frac{AB' + AC'}{4} = \frac{AB+AC}{4} \implies AB + AC \ge 4DE$, as desired. $\blacksquare$
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Mahdi_Mashayekhi
695 posts
#19
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Note that ∠AFB = ∠BFC = ∠CFA = 120 so making regular triangles with bases AB and AC is a good move.
Let S and K be outside ABC such that ABS and ACK are regular triangles. Note that AFBS and AFCK are cyclic. Let O1,O2 be reflections of F across AB and AC. FE/ES = [AFB]/[ABS] = [AO1B]/[ASB] ≤ 1/3 so FS ≥ 4FE. Same way we can prove FK ≥ 4FD. so SK ≥ 4DE and SK ≤ AS + AK = AB + AC.
we're Done.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Mahdi_Mashayekhi, Jan 10, 2022, 7:05 AM
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mihaig
7366 posts
#20
Y by
Try the refinement
https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6t243f6h2624066_a_refinement_of_imo_shl_2002
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awesomeming327.
1720 posts
#21
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What.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/925784397469331477/952399059321245766/Screen_Shot_2022-03-12_at_7.53.43_PM.png?width=864&height=1170

Let $G$ be on $FD$ extended such that $\angle AGC=60^\circ.$ Let $H$ be on $FE$ extended such that $\angle AHB=60^\circ.$ Note that $AFCG$ is cyclic. Also, $\angle AFD=60^\circ$ and $\angle CFD=60^\circ$ so $\angle CAG=\angle ACG=60^\circ.$ Thus, $ACG$ is equilateral. Similarly, $AHB$ is equilateral. Now, $AB+AC\ge HG.$ Since $\angle HFG$ is obtuse, it suffices to show $HF\ge 4EF$ and $GF\ge 4DF$ to prove that $HG\ge 4ED.$

Note that $\triangle HFA\sim \triangle HAE$ by AA so $\frac{HE}{HF}=\left(\frac{HE}{HA}\right)^2\ge \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\ge \frac{3}{4},$ which implies the result that $HF\ge 4EF$. Similarly, $GD\ge 4DF.$ Now, WLOG suppose the parallel line through $E$ parallel to $HG$ lies outside of $\triangle EDF.$ Then this line intersects $FG$ at $J.$ $HG\ge EJ\ge ED$ as desired.
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asdf334
7585 posts
#22
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Construct equilateral triangles $\triangle ABX$ and $\triangle ACY$ outside of $\triangle ABC$ and note that $AXBF$ and $AYCF$ are cyclic. It's easy to see that $FX\ge 4FE$ and $FY\ge 4FD$ so by the Law of Cosines we easily obtain $XY\ge 4DE$ so that
\[AB+AC=AX+AY\ge XY\ge 4DE.\]We are done. $\blacksquare$
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anantmudgal09
1980 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by Mango247
Really cute :)
orl wrote:
Let $ABC$ be a triangle for which there exists an interior point $F$ such that $\angle AFB=\angle BFC=\angle CFA$. Let the lines $BF$ and $CF$ meet the sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Prove that \[ AB+AC\geq4DE. \]

Draw points $K, L$ such that $AKB$ and $ALC$ are equilateral triangles. Clearly, $AFCL, AFBK$ are cyclic quads, and $\angle AFL=\angle ACL=180^{\circ}-\angle AFB=60^{\circ}$ implies $B, F, D, L$ are collinear. Similarly, $C, F, E,$ and $K,$ are collinear. Now $AB+AC=AK+AL \ge KL$ so it suffices to show that $DE \leq \tfrac{1}{4} KL$.

We will show that $FE \leq \tfrac{1}{4}FK$ and $FD \leq \tfrac{1}{4}FL$. It suffices to prove the following two lemmas to finish:

Lemma 1. Point $W$ lies on arc $\widehat{YZ}$ of the circumcircle of equilateral triangle $XYZ$ not containing $X$ and line $XW$ meets $YZ$ at point $T$. Then $WX \geq 4WT$.

Proof: Indeed, it is enough to show $XT \ge 3WT$. Now $XT$ is larger than the $X$-median of $\triangle XYZ$ and $WT$ is smaller than the length it achieves when $W$ is antipodal to $X$. For rigour, this follows as $XW \cdot XT$ is fixed by shooting lemma. When $W$ is antipodal, equality is achieved, proving the lemma.

Lemma 2. In obtuse triangle $XYZ$ with obtuse angle at $X$, points $Y_1, Z_1$ lie on rays $XY, XZ$ such that $XY \geq 4XY_1$ and $XZ \geq 4XZ_1$. Then $YZ \geq 4Y_1Z_1$.

Proof: Scale by a factor of $4$ to assume $XY_1 \leq XY$ and $XZ_1 \le XZ$. Now $Y_1Z_1<Y_1Z$ as $\angle Y_1Z_1Z>\angle Y_1XZ>90^{\circ}$ and $Y_1Z<YZ$ as $\angle YY_1Z>\angle YXZ>90^{\circ}$, so $Y_1Z_1<YZ$ unless $Y_1=Y$ and $Z_1=Z$, proving the claim.

Finally, by combining Lemma 1 and Lemma 2 in triangle $FKL$ for points $D$ and $E$, the conclusion follows.
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pikapika007
298 posts
#24
Y by
r poblem

Construct equilateral triangles $ABX$ and $ACY$ so that both are not in the of $ABC$. Then it is well known that $A$, $F$, $X$ and $B$, $F$, $Y$ are collinear, and moreover $AXBF$, $AYCF$ are cyclic. Now we can obtain $FX\ge 4FE$, $FY\ge 4FD$ and hence by LOC $XY \ge 4DE$. To finish,
\[AB+AC=AX+AY\ge XY\ge 4DE\]as desired. $\square$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by pikapika007, Jul 18, 2023, 4:13 AM
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lian_the_noob12
173 posts
#25
Y by
Point $F$ is $\textbf{First Fermat Point}$ and construction can easily be found from the theorem thonk:/
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by lian_the_noob12, Dec 12, 2023, 5:31 PM
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dudade
139 posts
#26
Y by
Note $F$ is the Fermat Point. Thus, let $X$ and $Y$ be points such that $\triangle ABX$ and $\triangle ACY$ are equilateral triangles lying outside $\triangle ABC$.

Claim. $FX \geq 4 \cdot FE$ and $FY \geq 4 \cdot FD$.
Proof. We will prove this with area ratios. Note, $AB^2 = AF^2 + FB^2 + AF \cdot FB$, by Law of Cosines.
\begin{align*}
\dfrac{[AXB]}{[AFB]} = \dfrac{\tfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot AB^2}{\tfrac{1}{2} \cdot AF \cdot FB \cdot \sin\left(120^{\circ}\right)} = \dfrac{AF^2 + FB^2 + AF \cdot FB}{AF \cdot FB} = \dfrac{AF}{FB} + \dfrac{FB}{AF} + 1 \geq 3.
\end{align*}Thus, $[AXB] \geq 3 \cdot [AFB]$, thus $XE \geq 3 \cdot EF$ and $FX \geq 4 \cdot FE$. Then, $FY \geq 4 \cdot FD$ follows, as desired. $\blacksquare$

Note that by triangle inequality this clearly implies $XY \geq 4 \cdot DE$. But, $AB + AC = AX + AY \geq XY$, by triangle inequality. Therefore $AB + BC \geq 4 \cdot DE$, as desired.
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EpicBird08
1753 posts
#27
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Clearly $\angle AFB = \angle BFC = \angle CFA = 120^\circ.$ Erect equilateral triangles $\triangle ACP$ and $\triangle ABQ$ outside of $\triangle ABC.$
Let $AF = x$ and $FB = y.$ Observe that $AFBQ$ is cyclic as $\angle AQB + \angle AFB = 60^\circ + 120^\circ = 180^\circ.$ Thus by Ptolemy on $AFBQ,$ we get $FQ = FA + FB = x + y.$ Since $\triangle FAE \sim \triangle FQB$ (by simple angle-chasing), we get $FE \cdot FQ = FA \cdot FB,$ so $FE = \frac{FA \cdot FB}{FA + FB} = \frac{xy}{x+y}.$ Therefore, $$\frac{FE}{FQ} = \frac{xy}{(x+y)^2} \le \frac{xy}{4xy} = \frac{1}{4}$$by AM-GM on the denominator. Similarly, $\frac{FD}{FP} \le \frac{1}{4}.$ Therefore, $$AB + AC = AQ + AP \ge QP \ge 4DE,$$as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by EpicBird08, Nov 29, 2024, 7:14 AM
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HamstPan38825
8866 posts
#28
Y by
By similar triangles and angle bisector theorem, we may compute \[EF = AE \cdot \frac{BF}{AB} = AB \cdot \frac{AF}{AF+BF} \cdot \frac{BF}{AB} = \frac{AF \cdot BF}{AF+BF}.\]Now let $a = AF$, $b = BF$, and $c = CF$, and observe that $EF = \frac{ab}{a+b} \leq \frac{a+b}4$ while $FD \leq \frac{a+c}4$. From here, it is very much feasible to directly expand $(AB+AC)^2 \geq 16 DE^2$ using Law of Cosines, but here is a comparatively nicer finish.

Erect equilateral triangles $BCX$, $ACY$, and $ABZ$ outside triangle $ABC$ such that $F = \overline{AX} \cap \overline{BY} \cap \overline{CZ}$, and note that $EF \leq \frac 14 FZ$, et cetera. So \[DE^2 = EF^2+DF^2 + DE \cdot EF \leq \frac{FZ^2+FY^2 + FZ \cdot FY}{16} = \frac{ZY^2}{16} \leq \frac{(AB+AC)^2}{16}\]as needed.

Remark: For some reason, this felt quite hard for G2.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by HamstPan38825, Feb 8, 2025, 10:49 PM
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ZZzzyy
2 posts
#29
Y by
Let $C'$ be the point outside of $\triangle ABC$, and $C'AB$ is equilateral, by simple angle chase, we have that $C, F, C'$ colinear, and $F$ lies on $(ABC')$. Define $B'$ similarly, notice by triangle inequality, $$B'C' \leq AB' + AC' = AB + AC$$Claim:
In a equilateral triangle $ABC$, the line passes through $C$ is $l$, let $E = \overline{AB} \cap l$, $F = (ABC) \cap l$, then $\frac {CF}{EF} \geq 4$, equality case holds iff $CF \perp AB$.
Proof:
Let $l'$ be the perpendicular to $AB$ from $C$, and $E' = \overline{AB} \cap l', F' = (ABC) \cap l'$. So $CF' = 2R$ is a diameter, and it is trivial that $F'E' = \frac 1 2 R$, so $\frac {CE'}{E'F'} = 3$ and $\frac {CF'}{E'F'} = 4$. Now we can see that $CE$ is the hypotenuse of rt$\triangle CEE'$, so $CE \geq CE'$, also we have $CEE' \sim CF'F$, thus $\frac {CE} {CE'} = \frac {CF'}{CF} = \frac{CE' + E'F'}{CE + EF} \geq 1$ $\Rightarrow \frac {CF' + CF + E'F'} {CF + CF' + EF} \geq 1$ $\Rightarrow CE' + CE + E'F' \geq CE' + CE + EF$ $\Rightarrow E'F' \geq EF$, so $\frac {CE}{EF} \geq \frac{CE'}{E'F'} = 3$, so $\frac{CE}{EF} + 1 = \frac{CE + EF} {EF} = \frac{CF}{EF} \geq 3 + 1 = 4$ as desired. The equality only holds when $F' = F, E' = E$, so when $CF \perp AB$.

Now back to the problem, by the claim, we have that $\frac{C'F}{EF}, \frac{B'F}{DF} \geq 4$, WLOG let $\frac{C'F}{EF} < \frac{B'F}{DF}$, let the parallel line to $DE$ passing through $C$ intersecting $B'D$ at $B''$, then it is trivial that $B''C \leq B'C'$, equality holds when $B'' = B'$. Now we can finish the problem:
$$ 4DE \leq \frac{C'F}{EF} \cdot DE = B''C' \leq B'C' \leq AB + AC$$as desired.
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