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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

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[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Hard geometry
Lukariman   9
N 2 minutes ago by Captainscrubz
Given circle (O) and chord AB with different diameters. The tangents of circle (O) at A and B intersect at point P. On the small arc AB, take point C so that triangle CAB is not isosceles. The lines CA and BP intersect at D, BC and AP intersect at E. Prove that the centers of the circles circumscribing triangles ACE, BCD and OPC are collinear.
9 replies
+1 w
Lukariman
May 14, 2025
Captainscrubz
2 minutes ago
INMO 2007 Problem 6
Sathej   32
N 19 minutes ago by math_genie
Source: Inequality
If $ x$, $ y$, $ z$ are positive real numbers, prove that
\[ \left(x + y + z\right)^2 \left(yz + zx + xy\right)^2 \leq 3\left(y^2 + yz + z^2\right)\left(z^2 + zx + x^2\right)\left(x^2 + xy + y^2\right) .\]
32 replies
Sathej
Feb 4, 2007
math_genie
19 minutes ago
Prove that the triangle is isosceles.
TUAN2k8   3
N 21 minutes ago by TUAN2k8
Source: My book
Given acute triangle $ABC$ with two altitudes $CF$ and $BE$.Let $D$ be the point on the line $CF$ such that $DB \perp BC$.The lines $AD$ and $EF$ intersect at point $X$, and $Y$ is the point on segment $BX$ such that $CY \perp BY$.Suppose that $CF$ bisects $BE$.Prove that triangle $ACY$ is isosceles.
3 replies
TUAN2k8
2 hours ago
TUAN2k8
21 minutes ago
Choice of indexes in a sequence
randomusername   2
N 33 minutes ago by EthanWYX2009
Source: Kürschák 2005, problem 1
Let $N>1$ and let $a_1,a_2,\dots,a_N$ be nonnegative reals with sum at most $500$. Prove that there exist integers $k\ge 1$ and $1=n_0<n_1<\dots<n_k=N$ such that
\[\sum_{i=1}^k n_ia_{n_{i-1}}<2005.\]
2 replies
randomusername
Jul 13, 2014
EthanWYX2009
33 minutes ago
Simple but hard
Lukariman   3
N 41 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.
3 replies
Lukariman
Today at 2:47 AM
Giant_PT
41 minutes ago
Ah, easy one
irregular22104   2
N an hour ago by irregular22104
Source: Own
In the number series $1,9,9,9,8,...,$ every next number (from the fifth number) is the unit number of the sum of the four numbers preceding it. Is there any cases that we get the numbers $1234$ and $5678$ in this series?
2 replies
irregular22104
Wednesday at 4:01 PM
irregular22104
an hour ago
power of a point
BekzodMarupov   1
N an hour ago by nabodorbuco2
Source: lemmas in olympiad geometry
Epsilon 1.3. Let ABC be a triangle and let D, E, F be the feet of the altitudes, with D on BC, E on CA, and F on AB. Let the parallel through D to EF meet AB at X and AC at Y. Let T be the intersection of EF with BC and let M be the midpoint of side BC. Prove that the points T, M, X, Y are concyclic.
1 reply
BekzodMarupov
Today at 5:41 AM
nabodorbuco2
an hour ago
Functional Equation!
EthanWYX2009   5
N an hour ago by Miquel-point
Source: 2025 TST 24
Find all functions $f:\mathbb Z\to\mathbb Z$ such that $f$ is unbounded and
\[2f(m)f(n)-f(n-m)-1\]is a perfect square for all integer $m,n.$
5 replies
EthanWYX2009
Mar 29, 2025
Miquel-point
an hour ago
IMO Shortlist 2014 G3
hajimbrak   46
N an hour ago by Rayvhs
Let $\Omega$ and $O$ be the circumcircle and the circumcentre of an acute-angled triangle $ABC$ with $AB > BC$. The angle bisector of $\angle ABC$ intersects $\Omega$ at $M \ne B$. Let $\Gamma$ be the circle with diameter $BM$. The angle bisectors of $\angle AOB$ and $\angle BOC$ intersect $\Gamma$ at points $P$ and $Q,$ respectively. The point $R$ is chosen on the line $P Q$ so that $BR = MR$. Prove that $BR\parallel AC$.
(Here we always assume that an angle bisector is a ray.)

Proposed by Sergey Berlov, Russia
46 replies
hajimbrak
Jul 11, 2015
Rayvhs
an hour ago
Eight-point cicle
sandu2508   15
N an hour ago by Mamadi
Source: Balkan MO 2010, Problem 2
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle with orthocentre $H$, and let $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$. The point $C_1$ on $AB$ is such that $CC_1$ is an altitude of the triangle $ABC$. Let $H_1$ be the reflection of $H$ in $AB$. The orthogonal projections of $C_1$ onto the lines $AH_1$, $AC$ and $BC$ are $P$, $Q$ and $R$, respectively. Let $M_1$ be the point such that the circumcentre of triangle $PQR$ is the midpoint of the segment $MM_1$.
Prove that $M_1$ lies on the segment $BH_1$.
15 replies
sandu2508
May 4, 2010
Mamadi
an hour ago
IMO Solution mistake
CHESSR1DER   1
N 2 hours ago by whwlqkd
Source: Mistake in IMO 1982/1 4th solution
I found a mistake in 4th solution at IMO 1982/1. It gives answer $660$ and $661$. But right answer is only $660$. Should it be reported somewhere in Aops?
1 reply
CHESSR1DER
5 hours ago
whwlqkd
2 hours ago
inequality
mathematical-forest   2
N 2 hours 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:
$$\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{1}{1+\sum _{j\ne i}x_{j}  } \le 1$$
2 replies
mathematical-forest
Yesterday at 12:40 PM
mathematical-forest
2 hours ago
4-vars inequality
xytunghoanh   4
N 2 hours ago by JARP091
For $a,b,c,d \ge 0$ and $a\ge c$, $b \ge d$. Prove that
$$a+b+c+d+ac+bd+8 \ge 2(\sqrt{ab}+\sqrt{bc}+\sqrt{cd}+\sqrt{da}+\sqrt{ac}+\sqrt{bd})$$.
4 replies
xytunghoanh
Yesterday at 2:10 PM
JARP091
2 hours ago
Sneaky one
Sunjee   2
N 2 hours ago by Sunjee
Find minimum and maximum value of following function.
$$f(x,y)=\frac{\sqrt{x^2+y^2}+\sqrt{(x-2)^2+(y-1)^2}}{\sqrt{x^2+(y-1)^2}+\sqrt{(x-2)^2+y^2}} $$
2 replies
Sunjee
3 hours ago
Sunjee
2 hours ago
IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 1
orl   25
N Apr 13, 2025 by cj13609517288
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 1
A convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ has perpendicular diagonals. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides $AB$ and $CD$ meet at a unique point $P$ inside $ABCD$. Prove that the quadrilateral $ABCD$ is cyclic if and only if triangles $ABP$ and $CDP$ have equal areas.
25 replies
orl
Oct 22, 2004
cj13609517288
Apr 13, 2025
IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 1
G H J
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 1
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orl
3647 posts
#1 • 4 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, lian_the_noob12, Mango247
A convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ has perpendicular diagonals. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides $AB$ and $CD$ meet at a unique point $P$ inside $ABCD$. Prove that the quadrilateral $ABCD$ is cyclic if and only if triangles $ABP$ and $CDP$ have equal areas.
Attachments:
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orl
3647 posts
#2 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, 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 • 9 Y
Y by numerology9, ArefS, anantmudgal09, Illuzion, Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247, Deadline, and 1 other user
Assume first that $ABCD$ is cyclic. It's easy then to see that $\angle APB+\angle CPD=\pi$, so $2S[APB]=R^2\sin \angle APB=R^2\sin\angle CPD=2S[CPD]$, where $R=PA=PB=PC=PD$ is the radius of the circumcircle of $ABCD$.

Conversely, assume we have $S[APB]=S[CPD]$. Let $M,N$ be the midpoints of $AB,CD$ respectively. We have $TM=AM,TN=DN$, where $T=AC\cap BD$. The hypothesis is equivalent to $PM\cdot AM=PN\cdot DN$, and from here we deduce $PM\cdot TM=PN\cdot TN$. A quick angle chase reveals $\angle MPN=\angle MTN$, so the triangles $TMN,PNM$ are, in fact, congruent, meaning that $TMPN$ is a parallelogram. This, however, means that the triangles $TAM,DTN$ are similar (because they have three pairs of perpendicular sides), so $\angle TAB=\angle TDC$, Q.E.D.
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jpark
299 posts
#4 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247
Problem 1. In the convex quadrilateral ABCD, the diagonals AC and BD are perpendicular and the opposite sides AB and DC are not parallel. The point P, where the perpendicular bisectors of AB and DC meet, is inside ABCD. Prove that ABCD is cyclic if and only if the triangles ABP and CDP have equal areas.

I can prove this using an elegant method (I think) when ABCD is cyclic.
I think there should be a nice way for this for the other way, but I can't find it..

Here is my half-solution. If someone could do the other half using the similar approach, it will be appreciated..

If ABCD is cyclic, then area ABP = area CDP

Since the diagonals are perpendicular,

2*area ABCD = AB.CD + AD. BC (Ptolemy)
Now, take the sectors ABP, BPC, CPD, DPA, and rearrange them, so that the side AB and CD would be adjacent to each other.
It is still cyclic, because P is clearly the circumcentre of the circle.
Now, the area of the new quadrilateral did not change, since we have only rearranged it.
Let x be the angle between AB and CD.
2*area of new quadrilateral = AB.CD sin x + AD. BC sin (180-x) = sinx(AB.CD + AD. BC)

Equate the two expressions, and we have sinx = 1, so x = pi/2.

Simple calculation shows that angle APB = 180 - angle CPD, so the areas of the two triangles are equal.


I've been trying to apply something similar to the other half, but have not had any progress so far..

Sorry for not using LaTeX.
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yetti
2643 posts
#5 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247
jpark wrote:
Problem 1. In the convex quadrilateral ABCD, the diagonals AC and BD are perpendicular and the opposite sides AB and DC are not parallel. The point P, where the perpendicular bisectors of AB and DC meet, is inside ABCD. Prove that ABCD is cyclic if and only if the triangles ABP and CDP have equal areas.

I can prove this using an elegant method (I think) when ABCD is cyclic. [...]
I've been trying to apply something similar to the other half, but have not had any progress so far..

First, the circumcenter $O$ of a cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD$ with perpendicular diagonals is always in its interior. This is because the angle $\measuredangle ACB > \measuredangle AOB = 90^o$, hence, the chord $AB$ has the circumcenter on the same side as the vertices $C, D$. Similarly, all other sides of the quadrilateral.

Let $ABCD$ be a quadrilateral with perpendicular diagonals, which is not cyclic. Let $M, N$ be the midpoints of the sides $AB, CD$ and $P$ the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of these sides, which happens to be in the quadrilateral interior. Assume that the areas $S(\triangle APB), S(\triangle CPD)$ of the triangles $\triangle APB$ and $\triangle CPD$ are equal. Let $(O)$ be the circumcircle of the triangle $\triangle ABD$ centered at the point $O$ on the perpendicular bisector of $AB$. Assume first, that the vertex $C$ of the quadrilateral $ABCD$ is outside of this circumcircle. Move the point $C'$ along the line $AC$ form the point $C$ toward the the intersection $C\"$ of this line with the circle $(O)$. Let $N'$ be the midpoint of the segment $C'D$ and $P'$ the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of $AB$ and $C'D$. In this process, the point $P'$ moves on the line $PM$ (the perpendicular bisector of $AB$) into the circumcenter $O$. The base $AB$ of the isosceles triangle $\triangle AP'B$ remains unchanged, but its altitude $P'M$ is increasing. As a result, the area $S(\triangle AP'B)$ is increasing and $S(\triangle AP'B) > S(\triangle APB)$. On the other hand, the base $C'D$ and the the angles $\measuredangle P'C'D = \measuredangle P'DC'$ of the isosceles triangle $\triangle C'P'D$ are decreasing. Hence, the remaining angle $\measuredangle C'P'D$ of this triangle is increasing and its altitude $P'N'$ is decreasing. As a result, the area $S(\triangle C'P'D)$ is decreasing and $S(\triangle C'P'D) < S(\triangle CPD)$. When and the point $C'$ coincides with the point $C\"$ and the point $P'$ coincides with the circumcenter $O$, the quadrilateral $ABC\"D$ becomes cyclic and $S(\triangle AOB) = S(\triangle C\"OD)$, as you just proved. But since $S(\triangle AOB) > S(\triangle APB)$, $S(\triangle C\"OD) < S(\triangle CPD)$, this is a contradiction with the assumption $S(\triangle APB) = S(\triangle CPD)$. The case, when the vertex $C$ lies inside of the circumcircle $(O)$ of the triangle $\triangle ABD$ is handled similarly.
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Vo Duc Dien
341 posts
#6 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/wiki-math/index.php?n=MathematicalOlympiads.IMO1998Problem1

Vo Duc Dien
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andrejilievski
129 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247
Let us assume that $ ABCD $ is cyclic, $ N,S $ be the midpoints of $ AB $ and $ DC $ respectively, $ AC $ and $ BD $ meet at $ R $, $ SR $ cuts $ AB $ at $ M $ and $ NR $ cuts $ CD $ at $ T $. According to Brahmagupta theorem $ SM \perp AB $ and $ TN \perp CD $ so $ SRNP $ is a parallelogram. Now, we have to show that $ PN*BN=PS*SC $ , but note that $ PN=RS=CS $ (since $ DRC $ is right angled and $ RS $ is its median ) and for the same reasons $ BN=RN=PS $ so we are done
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DaChickenInc
418 posts
#8 • 3 Y
Y by Bachsonata3, Adventure10, Mango247
I tried to length-chase but it turned out to be a lot easier.
Thought Process
Solution
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WJ.JamshiD
29 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Which is Brahmagupta theorem?
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anantmudgal09
1980 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Storage
1998 G1 wrote:
A convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ has perpendicular diagonals. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides $AB$ and $CD$ meet at a unique point $P$ inside $ABCD$. Prove that the quadrilateral $ABCD$ is cyclic if and only if triangles $ABP$ and $CDP$ have equal areas.

If $ABCD$ cyclic with circumradius $R$, then conclusion follows since $\angle APB+\angle CPD=180^{\circ}$ as $AC \perp BD$, so $[APB]=\frac{1}{2}R^2\sin \angle APB=\frac{1}{2}R^2\sin \angle CPD=[CPD]$ as desired.

Now assume $ABCD$ is not cyclic, but $AC \perp BD$ and $[APB]=[CPD]$. Let $E=AC \cap BD$. WLOG, say $P$ lies inside $\triangle BEC$ and $PA<PD$. Let $A', B'$ be second intersections of diagonals $AC$ and $BD$ with $\odot(P, PA)$. Note that $ABA'B'$ is a convex cyclic quadrilateral with perpendicular diagonals, and so $[APB]=[A'PB']$.

Note that $A'$ lies on segment $AC$ and $B'$ on segment $BD$, since $PA<PD$. Since ray $\overrightarrow{A'P}$ meets line $BD$ at it's extension beyond $P$ (as $\angle EA'P=\angle PAC<90^{\circ}$) and $B', D$ lie on the same side of line $A'P$, with $B'$ closer to the intersection than $D$, we conclude that $[A'PB']<[A'PD]$. But $[A'PD]<[BPD]$ since $A'$ lies inside $\triangle PBD$. This chain of inequalities is a contradiction! So, we conclude that $ABCD$ must be cyclic. $\blacksquare$



P.S. grobber's solution is really nice :)
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#11 • 6 Y
Y by Pluto04, Aimingformygoal, nikitadas, HamstPan38825, ike.chen, khina
Solution from Twitch Solves ISL:

If $ABCD$ is cyclic, then $P$ is the circumcenter, and $\angle APB + \angle PCD = 180^{\circ}$. The hard part is the converse.
[asy] import graph; size(10cm); pen zzttqq = rgb(0.6,0.2,0.); pen aqaqaq = rgb(0.62745,0.62745,0.62745); pen cqcqcq = rgb(0.75294,0.75294,0.75294); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(8.62921,-11.79133)--(2.93422,-2.54008)--cycle, linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(-2.,-4.)--(-4.,-12.)--cycle, linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq);
draw((8.62921,-11.79133)--(-2.,-4.), linewidth(0.6)); draw((2.93422,-2.54008)--(-4.,-12.), linewidth(0.6)); draw((8.62921,-11.79133)--(2.93422,-2.54008), linewidth(0.6)); draw((-2.,-4.)--(-4.,-12.), linewidth(0.6)); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(5.78172,-7.16571), linewidth(0.6) + blue); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(-3.,-8.), linewidth(0.6) + blue); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(8.62921,-11.79133), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((8.62921,-11.79133)--(2.93422,-2.54008), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((2.93422,-2.54008)--(2.28154,-9.32038), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((2.28154,-9.32038)--(-2.,-4.), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((-2.,-4.)--(-4.,-12.), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((-4.,-12.)--(2.28154,-9.32038), linewidth(0.6) + zzttqq); draw((2.93422,-2.54008)--(-0.31533,2.73866), linewidth(0.6)); draw((-2.,-4.)--(-0.31533,2.73866), linewidth(0.6)); draw(circle((2.25532,-9.31383), 6.80768), linewidth(0.6) + aqaqaq); draw((0.51354,-5.84245)--(-3.,-8.), linewidth(0.6) + blue); draw((0.51354,-5.84245)--(5.78172,-7.16571), linewidth(0.6) + blue); dot("$D$", (-4.,-12.), dir((-76.113, -27.810))); dot("$C$", (-2.,-4.), dir((-75.616, 41.734))); dot("$B$", (2.93422,-2.54008), dir((1.940, 37.397))); dot("$A$", (8.62921,-11.79133), dir((31.751, -33.422))); dot("$P$", (2.28154,-9.32038), dir((-11.247, -66.945))); dot("$M$", (5.78172,-7.16571), dir((39.728, 27.050))); dot("$N$", (-3.,-8.), dir((-82.402, 23.307))); dot("$E$", (0.51354,-5.84245), dir((-30.585, 62.531))); dot("$X$", (-0.31533,2.73866), dir((-23.973, 36.915))); [/asy]
Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{CD}$.
Claim: Unconditionally, we have $\measuredangle NEM = \measuredangle MPN$.
Proof. Note that $\overline{EN}$ is the median of right triangle $\triangle ECD$, and similarly for $\overline{EM}$. Hence $\measuredangle NED = \measuredangle EDN = \measuredangle BDC$, while $\measuredangle AEM = \measuredangle ACB$. Since $\measuredangle DEA = 90^{\circ}$, by looking at quadrilateral $XDEA$ where $X = \overline{CD} \cap \overline{AB}$, we derive that $\measuredangle NED + \measuredangle AEM + \measuredangle DXA = 90^{\circ}$, so \[ \measuredangle NEM = \measuredangle NED + \measuredangle AEM + 90^{\circ} = -\measuredangle DXA = -\measuredangle NXM 		= -\measuredangle NPM \]as needed. $\blacksquare$
However, the area condition in the problem tells us \[ \frac{EN}{EM} = \frac{CN}{CM} = \frac{PM}{PN}. \]Finally, we have $\angle MEN > 90^{\circ}$ from the configuration. These properties uniquely determine the point $E$: it is the reflection of $P$ across line $MN$.
So $EMPN$ is a parallelogram, and thus $\overline{ME} \perp \overline{CD}$. This implies $\measuredangle BAE = \measuredangle CEM = \measuredangle EDC$ giving $ABCD$ cyclic.
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bluelinfish
1449 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Way too hard for an early IMO #1.

First, we will prove that if $ABCD$ is cyclic, the area condition holds. Let $E$ be the intersection of lines $AC$ and $BD$, and let $r$ be the circumradius of $ABCD$. Note that $P$ is the circumcenter of $ABCD$, so reflecting $C$ about $P$ to a point $C'$ creates a trapezoid $AC'BD$. In particular, because it is cyclic, it is an isosceles trapezoid, so $\angle CPB=180^{\circ}-\angle BPC'=180^{\circ}-\angle APD$. Therefore $\angle APB+\angle CPD=180^{\circ}$, so $\sin \angle APB =\sin \angle CPD$, implying the area condition as the area of $APB$ and $CPD$ are $\frac{r^2}{2} \sin \angle APB$ and $\frac{r^2}{2} \sin \angle CPD$, respectively.

Now we will prove the harder part, that given the area of triangles $APB$ and $CPD$ are the same, $ABCD$ is cyclic. Let $X$ be the intersection of lines $AB$ and $CD$ (if $AB\parallel CD$, either $P$ doesn't exist or $ABCD$ is an isosceles trapezoid), and let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $AB,CD$, respectively. Then notice that \begin{align*} \angle MPN &= 180^{\circ}-\angle BXC \\ &=\angle XBC+\angle XCB \\ &= \angle ABE+(\angle EBC+\angle ECB)+\angle ECD \\ &= \angle BME+90^{\circ}+\angle NEC \\ &= \angle MEN. \end{align*}Also, we have $$\frac{EN}{EM}=\frac{CN}{BM}=\frac{PM}{PN},$$where the second equality is by the area condition. This implies $EMPN$ is a parallelogram. Therefore we have $$\angle ACD = \frac{1}{2}\angle END = \frac{1}{2}(90^{\circ}-\angle PNE) = \frac{1}{2}(90^{\circ}-\angle PME) =\frac{1}{2}\angle AME =\angle ABD,$$and we are done.
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asdf334
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#13
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I don't know if this works (there are probably a lot of configuration issues) but I think you can fix $A,B,C$ and let $D$ vary along the line through $B$ that is perpendicular to $AC$ and show that only one point on this line will work (by showing that the area of one triangle decreases while the other increases), and then check that this point must be the intersection of $(ABC)$ with the line.

Edit: I don't think there would be any issues with area becoming "negative" because we are given $P$ is inside $ABCD$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by asdf334, Jan 1, 2022, 12:31 AM
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Rekt4
360 posts
#14
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Let $E = \overline{AC} \cap \overline{BD}$. Suppose $P$ lies in $\triangle AEB$. The other cases are similar to the following.

Let $M,N$ be the foot of the perpendiculars from $P$ to $AC$ and $BD$ respectively. We have
\begin{align*}
[PAB] &= \dfrac 12 (AE\cdot BE - BE\cdot ME - AE\cdot EN) \\ &= \dfrac 12 (AM\cdot BN - ME\cdot NE)
\end{align*}Similarly, one can see that $[PCD] = \frac 12 (CM\cdot ND - EM\cdot EN)$. Thus, we have
\begin{align}
[PAB] - [PCD] = \dfrac 12 (AM\cdot BN - CM\cdot DN)
\end{align}Suppose $ABCD$ is cyclic, then $P$ is the circumcenter of $ABCD$. So, $AM = CM$ and $BN = DN$. Thus, $(1)$ gives us $[PAB] = [PCD]$.

On the other hand, suppose $ABCD$ is not cyclic. Without the loss of generality assume $PA = PB > PC = PD$. Then we see that $AM > CM$ and $BN > DN$, so $(1)$ gives us $[PAB] > [PCD]$. This proves the other implication, and we are done.
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Ruy
27 posts
#15
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orl wrote:
A convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ has perpendicular diagonals. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides $AB$ and $CD$ meet at a unique point $P$ inside $ABCD$. Prove that the quadrilateral $ABCD$ is cyclic if and only if triangles $ABP$ and $CDP$ have equal areas.

I guess you can successfully complex-bash this using the axis as diagonals with the standard aereal formula and the power of the origin point.
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Davsch
381 posts
#16
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Ruy wrote:
I guess you can successfully complex-bash this using the axis as diagonals with the standard aereal formula and the power of the origin point.
Well, even cartesian coordinates are enough. Let $A=(0,a),B=(b,0),C=(0,c),D=(d,0)$. $ABCD$ is cyclic if and only if $ac=bd$. By perpendiculars from $\left(\frac b2,\frac a2\right)$ and $\left(\frac d2,\frac c2\right)$, $P=\left(\frac{b^2c-a^2c-ad^2+ac^2}{2(bc-ad)},\frac{bc^2+b^2d-bd^2-a^2d}{2(bc-ad)}\right)$. Using determinants, the equation $[ABP]=[CDP]$ factors as $0=(bd-ac)((b-d)^2+(a-c)^2)$, as desired.
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Mahdi_Mashayekhi
695 posts
#17
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Let diagonals meet at $S$ and Let $M,N$ be midpoint's of $AB,CD$. we have $[APB] = [CPD] \implies [AMP] = [DNP] \implies \frac{MS}{NS} = \frac{NP}{MP}$. we also have $\angle MSN = \angle MAS + \angle NDS + \angle 90 = \angle MPN$ which implies that $MPN$ and $NSM$ are congruent so $MPNS$ is parallelogram so $SM \perp DN$ and $SN \perp AM$ and $AS \perp DS$ which implies $AMS$ and $DNS$ are similar so $\angle MAS = \angle NDS$ so $ABCD$ is cyclic.

Now assume $ABCD$ is cyclic. $2[APB] = AP.PB.\sin{APB} = DP.PC.\sin{DPC} = 2[DPC] \implies [APB] = [CPD]$
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asdf334
7585 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by Sross314
Let $A=(0,2a)$, $B=(2b,0)$, $C=(0,2c)$, $D=(2d,0)$, where $a,b>0$ and $c,d<0$. Then we have:
\[AB:y=\frac{b}{a}x-\frac{b^2}{a}+a\]\[CD:y=\frac{d}{c}x-\frac{d^2}{c}+c\]and their intersection has $x$-coordinate $\frac{b^2c+ac^2-ad^2-a^2c}{bc-ad}.$ Clearly the length of the altitude from $P$ to $AB$ is then
\[\left(b-\frac{b^2c+ac^2-ad^2-a^2c}{bc-ad}\right)\cdot \frac{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}}{a}\]while the length of the base, $AB$, is $2\sqrt{a^2+b^2}$. Then the area of $ABP$ is equal to
\[\left(\frac{d^2+ac-c^2-bd}{bc-ad}\right)(a^2+b^2).\]Similarly, the length of the altitude from $P$ to $CD$ is equal to
\[\left(\frac{b^2c+ac^2-ad^2-a^2c}{bc-ad}-d\right)\cdot \frac{\sqrt{c^2+d^2}}{-c}\]and the length of the base is $2\sqrt{c^2+d^2}$. Then the area of $CDP$ is equal to
\[-\left(\frac{b^2+ac-a^2-bd}{bc-ad}\right)(c^2+d^2).\]If $ABP$ and $CDP$ have equal areas then
\[(d^2+ac-c^2-bd)(a^2+b^2)=-(b^2+ac-a^2-bd)(c^2+d^2)\]which is obviously true when $ac=bd$, which is precisely the condition that $ABCD$ is cyclic. Then, it suffices to show that from this equation follows $ac=bd$; note that the equation is equivalent to
\[(ac-bd)(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)=(a^2-b^2)(c^2+d^2)+(a^2+b^2)(c^2-d^2)=2a^2c^2-2b^2d^2.\]Then if $ac\neq bd$ then we have that $a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2=2ac+2bd$ which implies that $a=c$ and $b=d$, a contradiction because $a,b>0$ and $c,d<0$. We are done. $\blacksquare$
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awesomeming327.
1720 posts
#19
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Diagram

Forward Direction
If $ABCD$ is cyclic then $P$ must be the circumcenter. Since $AC\perp BD$ we have $\widehat{AB}+\widehat{CD}=180^\circ.$ Thus, $\angle APB,\angle CPD$ are supplementary. In particular, $\sin (\angle APB)=\sin (\angle CPD).$ Let $r$ be the circumradius then \[[APB]=\frac{1}{2}r^2\sin (\angle APB)=\frac{1}{2}r^2\sin (\angle CPD)=[CPD]\]as desired.

Backward Direction
If $[APB]=[CPD]$ then let $E$ be the intersection of $AC$ and $BD.$ Let $M$ be midpoint of $CD$ and $N$ be midpoint of $AB.$ We claim that $EMPN$ is a parallelogram.

To prove our claim, let $E=(0,0),A=(0,a),B=(b,0),C=(0,-c),D=(-d,0)$ where $a,b,c,d$ are positive. $M=(-\frac{d}{2},-\frac{c}{2})$ and $N=(\frac{b}{2},\frac{a}{2}).$ It suffices to show that $P=(\frac{b-d}{2},\frac{a-c}{2}).$ Let $P'=(\frac{b-d}{2},\frac{a-c}{2})$ and we verify that $P'C=PD$ and $P'A=P'B.$ Since $P$ is unique, we know that $P'=P$ so our claim holds.

Since $EMPN$ is a parallelogram, $EM=PN$, which implies $DM=PN.$ We have $[DMP]=[APN]$ which implies $\triangle DMP\cong \triangle PNA.$ Thus, $DP=AP$ and so $P$ is equidistant from $A,B,C,D.$ It follows that $ABCD$ is cyclic, as desired.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by awesomeming327., Dec 28, 2022, 3:54 PM
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bobthegod78
2982 posts
#20 • 2 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247
The direction from cyclic to equal area is pretty easy so I'll skip it.

Here's a really easy way for equal area to cyclic (i don't think anyone's posted a coordinate method yet? or at least the easy way). Let $P=(0,0)$ and let the circle centered at $P$ through $AB$ be $x^2+y^2=1$ and through $C,D$ be $x^2+y^2=r^2.$ Now wlog the perpendicular lines to be perpendicular to the axes. We can wlog some more variables and find that $A(-\sqrt{1-y^2}, y), B(x, \sqrt{1-x^2}), C(\sqrt{r^2-y^2}, y), D(x, -\sqrt{r^2-x^2}).$ Now Shoelace trivializes the problem by giving us that $\sqrt{(r^2-x^2)(r^2-y^2)} = \sqrt{(1-x^2)(1-y^2)}$ and we get $r=1$, as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by bobthegod78, Sep 16, 2022, 12:37 AM
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Taco12
1757 posts
#21
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Apply cartesian coordinates with $A=(0,a), C=(0,c), B=(b,0), D=(d,0)$ so that the diagonals lie on the axis of the coordinate plane. Then we have the perpendicular bisector of $AB$ as $y=\frac{b}{a}x+\frac{a}{2}-\frac{b^2}{2a}$ and similarly the perpendicular bisector of $CD$ is $y=\frac{d}{c}x+\frac{c}{2}-\frac{d^2}{2c}$. Then, we have $$P=\left(\frac{ac^2+b^2c-a^2c-ad^2}{2bc-2ad},\frac{bc^2+b^2d-bd^2-a^2d}{2bc-2ad}\right)$$and Shoelace now gives $$-a^3c + a^2 b d + 2 a^2 c^2 - a b^2 c - a c^3 - a c d^2 + b^3 d - 2 b^2 d^2 + b c^2 d + b d^3=0 \rightarrow ac=bd,$$which implies cyclicity. $\blacksquare$
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awesomehuman
499 posts
#22
Y by
Assume $ABCD$ is cyclic. Then $P$ is the center of $(ABCD)$. We have $\angle APB+\angle CPD=2\angle ACB+2\angle CAD=180$. So, $AP*BP*sin(APB)=CP*DP*sin(CPD)$. So, $[ABP]=[CDP]$.

Assume $[ABP]=[CDP]$. Then, $[ABPC]=[CDPB]$. Let $X$ and $Y$ be the feet of the perpendiculars from $P$ to $AC$ and $BD$ respectively. Then, $[ABYC]=[CDXB]$. So, $CX/AX=DY/BY$.

Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $AB$ and $CD$ respectively. Then, $PY^2+BY^2=BP^2=AP^2=PX^2+AX^2$. Similarly, $PY^2+DY^2=PX^2+CX^2$. So, $CX^2-AX^2=DY^2-BY^2$. Combining this with $CX/AX=DY/BY$, we find that $DY=BY$ and $CX=AX$ (in which case $ABCD$ is cyclic as desired) or $AC=BD$. In this case, $PY=PX$, so by symmetry, $ABCD$ is an isosceles trapezoid, which is cyclic.
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huashiliao2020
1292 posts
#26
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Necessity: Given ABCD is cyclic it is well known that the intersection P is the unique circumcenter. <ADB+<CAD=90 degrees (orthogonal quad), so <APB+<CPD=180 degrees. Then (CP=DP=AP=BP) CP*DPsinCPD=AP*BPsinAPB, or [ABP]=[CBP]. (directed angles might be necessary depending on config? can someone pm or tell me here if it is necessary, the sketch is done though)
Sufficiency: Given [ABP]=[CBP] I use coordinates. Unfortunately my proof was not saved but basically I let the intersection of the diagonals be the origin, and shoelace formula to get PoP stays constant on the origin with ac=bd.

Actually, this can lead to an interesting corollary: BF=EP, from which it follows that EC=PF.
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lpieleanu
3001 posts
#27
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only if (forward direction)
if (backward direction)
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ezpotd
1272 posts
#28
Y by
WLOG let $AC$ be the $y$ axis, $BD$ be the $x$ axis, WLOG let $A,D$ have nonnegative coordinates, $B,C$, nonpositive . Then fix points $P,C,D$, WLOG let $P$ lie within $OCD$ where $O$ is the origin. Let $A = (0,a), B = (-b, 0 )$, with $a,b> 0$. Note that for each value of $a$, the point $B$ lies on the circle with radius $AP$ centered at $P$, and the $x$ axis, but this circle intersects the $x$ axis at two points, one of which is on the wrong side, so $b$ is a function of $a$. We show this function is increasing. Let $P = (x,-y)$ with $x,y  > 0$, then $(b + x)^2 + y^2 = (a + y)^2 + x^2$, so clearly as $a$ increases, so does $(a + y)$ since $a, y > 0$, and so does $(a + y)^2 $ , so $(b + x)^2$ is forced to increase, since $b + x > 0$ we also see that $b + x$ is forced to increase, so $b$ is forced to increase. Now we show that this property implies that the area of $APB$ is increasing as a function of $a$. It suffices to show that the areas of $AOB, AOP, BOP$ increase, but this is trivial by sine area formula and observing that all side lengths are constant or increasing. Thus for each fixture of $C,P,D$, exactly one position of $A$ forces a position of $B$ such that $APB$ and $CPD$ have equal areas. It suffices to prove that if $ABCD$ is cyclic, then $APB$ and $CPD$ have equal areas. This is because we have shown $APB$ and $CPD$ are equal areas in exactly one position position of $A$, so it will be then implied that position is exactly the one for which $ABCD$ is cyclic, hence proving the only if direction. If $ABCD$ is cyclic, then we see it has circumcenter $P$, so we can calculate the area of $APB$ as $\frac 12 R^2  \sin 2 \angle ACB$, symmetrically the other area is $\frac 12 R^2 \sin 2 \angle CAD$, so it remains to prove $2 \angle ACB$ and $2 \angle CAD$ are supplements, which is obvious.

It's obvious all possible quadrilaterals $ABCD$ are handled via this argument, but it should be noted.
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cj13609517288
1922 posts
#29
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Bashed on paper; only summary provided.

The forwards direction is obvious (sine area formula) so we prove the backwards direction.

Use Cartesian coordinates with $A=(a,0)$, $B=(0,b)$, $C=(c,0)$, $D=(0,d)$, $P=(x,y)$. Wait I just realized that I seem to have swapped $A$ and $C$ but of course that's not an issue.

Indeed, by the Shoelace formula, the second condition is equivalent to $(a-c)y=(b-d)x+(2da-2bc)$. The perpendicular bisectors are $by=cx+b^2-c^2$ and $dy=ax+d^2-a^2$. Then the second condition is equivalent to the following determinant vanishing:
\[
\begin{vmatrix}
a-c & b-d & 2da-2bc \\
b & c & b^2-c^2 \\
d & a & d^2-a^2
\end{vmatrix}.
\]After fully expanding then factoring, we eventually get that this determinant is $(bd-ac)((a-c)^2+(b-d)^2)$, which can only vanish when $ac=bd$, as desired. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by cj13609517288, Apr 13, 2025, 7:56 PM
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