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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, what are your plans? At AoPS Online our schedule has new classes starting now through July, so be sure to keep your skills sharp and be prepared for the Fall school year! Check out the schedule of upcoming classes below.

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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 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
a+d=2^k and b+c=2^m for some integers k and m
ehsan2004   15
N 24 minutes ago by SwordAxe
Source: IMO 1984, Day 2, Problem 6
Let $a,b,c,d$ be odd integers such that $0<a<b<c<d$ and $ad=bc$. Prove that if $a+d=2^k$ and $b+c=2^m$ for some integers $k$ and $m$, then $a=1$.
15 replies
+1 w
ehsan2004
Feb 12, 2005
SwordAxe
24 minutes ago
Inspired by Bet667
sqing   0
32 minutes ago
Source: Own
Let $ x,y\ge 0 $ such that $k(x+y)=1+xy. $ Prove that$$x+k^2y+\frac{1}{x}+\frac{k^2}{y} \geq \frac{k^2(k+1)^2+(k-1)^2}{k}$$Where $ k\in N^+.$
Let $ x,y\ge 0 $ such that $2(x+y)=1+xy. $ Prove that$$x+4y+\frac{1}{x}+\frac{4}{y} \geq \frac{37}{2}$$
0 replies
sqing
32 minutes ago
0 replies
Is it always possible to color the points red or white?
orl   7
N 37 minutes ago by SwordAxe
Source: 1986, Day 2, Problem 6
Given a finite set of points in the plane, each with integer coordinates, is it always possible to color the points red or white so that for any straight line $L$ parallel to one of the coordinate axes the difference (in absolute value) between the numbers of white and red points on $L$ is not greater than $1$?
7 replies
1 viewing
orl
Nov 11, 2005
SwordAxe
37 minutes ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   2
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b, c\geq 0 $ and $ a+b+c +a^2+b^2+c^2= 4$. Prove that
$$ (a^3+b^3)(b^3+c^3 )(c^3+a^3)\le 2$$
2 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 12:37 PM
sqing
an hour ago
3 var inquality
sqing   5
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c $ be reals such that $ a+b+c=0 $ and $ abc\geq \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} . $ Prove that
$$ a^2+b^2+c^2\geq 3$$Let $ a,b,c $ be reals such that $ a+2b+c=0 $ and $ abc\geq \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} . $ Prove that
$$ a^2+b^2+c^2\geq \frac{3}{ \sqrt[3]{2}}$$$$ a^2+2b^2+c^2\geq 2\sqrt[3]{4} $$
5 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 8:32 AM
sqing
an hour ago
Substitutions inequality?
giangtruong13   3
N an hour ago by giangtruong13
Let $a,b,c>0$ such that: $a^2b^2+ c^2b^2+ a^2c^2=3(abc)^2$. Prove that: $$\sum \frac{b+c}{a} \geq 2\sqrt{3(ab+bc+ca)}$$
3 replies
giangtruong13
Friday at 2:07 PM
giangtruong13
an hour ago
source own
Bet667   6
N an hour ago by sqing
Let $x,y\ge 0$ such that $2(x+y)=1+xy$ then find minimal value of $$x+\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}+y$$
6 replies
Bet667
Yesterday at 4:14 PM
sqing
an hour ago
functional equation on natural numbers ! CMO 2015 P1
aditya21   18
N an hour ago by NicoN9
Source: Canadian mathematical olympiad 2015
Let $\mathbb{N} = \{1, 2, 3, \ldots\}$ be the set of positive integers. Find all functions $f$, defined on $\mathbb{N}$ and taking values in $\mathbb{N}$, such that $(n-1)^2< f(n)f(f(n)) < n^2+n$ for every positive integer $n$.
18 replies
aditya21
Apr 24, 2015
NicoN9
an hour ago
Inspired by Bet667
sqing   0
an hour ago
Source: Own
Let $x,y\ge 0$ such that $k(x+y)=1+xy. $ Prove that $$x+y+\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}\geq 4k $$Where $k\geq 1. $
0 replies
sqing
an hour ago
0 replies
Number of Polynomial Q such that P(x) | P(Q(x))
IndoMathXdZ   16
N an hour ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: IZHO 2021 P6
Let $P(x)$ be a nonconstant polynomial of degree $n$ with rational coefficients which can not be presented as a product of two nonconstant polynomials with rational coefficients. Prove that the number of polynomials $Q(x)$ of degree less than $n$ with rational coefficients such that $P(x)$ divides $P(Q(x))$
a) is finite
b) does not exceed $n$.
16 replies
IndoMathXdZ
Jan 9, 2021
Ilikeminecraft
an hour ago
Quick Oly question
Alpaca31415   0
an hour ago
What is China second round? Just asking because I did a few questions and I'm wondering about the difficulty. Also, are there mohs ratings for non-IMO ISL questions?
0 replies
Alpaca31415
an hour ago
0 replies
Rectangular line segments in russia
egxa   1
N 2 hours ago by Quantum-Phantom
Source: All Russian 2025 9.1
Several line segments parallel to the sides of a rectangular sheet of paper were drawn on it. These segments divided the sheet into several rectangles, inside of which there are no drawn lines. Petya wants to draw one diagonal in each of the rectangles, dividing it into two triangles, and color each triangle either black or white. Is it always possible to do this in such a way that no two triangles of the same color share a segment of their boundary?
1 reply
egxa
Friday at 10:00 AM
Quantum-Phantom
2 hours ago
old and easy imo inequality
Valentin Vornicu   212
N 2 hours ago by Sleepy_Head
Source: IMO 2000, Problem 2, IMO Shortlist 2000, A1
Let $ a, b, c$ be positive real numbers so that $ abc = 1$. Prove that
\[ \left( a - 1 + \frac 1b \right) \left( b - 1 + \frac 1c \right) \left( c - 1 + \frac 1a \right) \leq 1.
\]
212 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Oct 24, 2005
Sleepy_Head
2 hours ago
Killer NT that nobody solved (also my hardest NT ever created)
mshtand1   1
N 3 hours ago by YaoAOPS
Source: Ukraine IMO 2025 TST P8
A positive integer number \( a \) is chosen. Prove that there exists a prime number that divides infinitely many terms of the sequence \( \{b_k\}_{k=1}^{\infty} \), where
\[
b_k = a^{k^k} \cdot 2^{2^k - k} + 1.
\]
Proposed by Arsenii Nikolaev and Mykhailo Shtandenko
1 reply
mshtand1
Yesterday at 9:31 PM
YaoAOPS
3 hours ago
R to R FE
a_507_bc   10
N Apr 3, 2025 by jasperE3
Source: Baltic Way 2023/4
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that $$f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$$for reals $x, y$.
10 replies
a_507_bc
Nov 11, 2023
jasperE3
Apr 3, 2025
R to R FE
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: Baltic Way 2023/4
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a_507_bc
676 posts
#1
Y by
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that $$f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$$for reals $x, y$.
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SBLNuclear17
75 posts
#2
Y by
Quite an interesting question. Here's my partial solution:
Make x=0, y=-f(0), then we will have f(f(0)-f(0))+0f(-f(0))=f(0*-f(0)-f(0))+f(0).
Which means f(-f(0))=0
Make x=-f(0),y=0, then we will have f(0)^2=0, f(0)=0
Make y=0, then we will know f(f(x))=f(x)
(not sure about the rest)
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Kimchiks926
256 posts
#3 • 5 Y
Y by Tintarn, Deadline, Tellocan, math_comb01, Beeoin
This problem is proposed by me. Hope you all enjoyed it!

Official Solution
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tadpoleloop
311 posts
#4
Y by
I think maybe I can tidy it up a bit.

Solution
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by tadpoleloop, Nov 11, 2023, 9:02 PM
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eulerleonhardfan
50 posts
#5
Y by
Let $p(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.
Since $f(x)=0$ is a solution, suppose that $f$ is not always 0.
$p(x, \frac{f(x)}{x}):$ $f(\frac{f(x)}{x})=\frac{f(x)}{x}$ for all $x\neq 0$
$p(0, -f(0)): f(-f(0))=0$
If $f(0) \neq 0$, then $$f(\frac{f(-f(0))}{-f(0)})=\frac{f(-f(0))}{-f(0)}=0$$Let there be some real number $t \neq 0$ s.t. $f(t) \neq 0$. Then
$$f(\frac{f(\frac{f(t)}{t})}{\frac{f(t)}{t}})=f(\frac{\frac{f(t)}{t}}{\frac{f(t)}{t}})=f(1)=1$$Let there be some real number $u\neq 0$ s.t. $f(u)=0$. This is impossible as $$p(1, u): f(u+1)=u+1$$and $$p(u, 1): f(u+1)=f(2u)+1$$yielding $$f(2u)=u$$Taking $f$ on both sides, we get $f(u)=f(f(2u))=f(2u)=u=0$, a contradiction.
The finishing steps are the same as the official solution.
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megarnie
5583 posts
#6
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Solved with vsamc

The only solutions are $\boxed{f\equiv 0}$ and $\boxed{f(x) = x}$, which both work. Now we prove they are the only solutions. Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.

We may assume that $f$ is nonconstant since the only constant solution is clearly zero.

For $x\ne 0$, $P\left( x, \frac{f(x)}{x} \right): x f\left( \frac{f(x)}{x} \right) = f(x)$, so $f\left( \frac{f(x)}{x} \right) = \frac{f(x)}{x}$. Let $f(0) = c$.

$P(0,x): f(x + c) = f(x) + c$, so $f(-c) = 0$. If $c\ne 0$, then $\frac{f(-c)}{-c} =0$ is a fixed point of $f$, so $c = 0$.

$P(x,0): f(f(x)) = f(x)$.

$P(f(x), 1): f(f(x) + 1) + f(x)f(1) = f(f(x) + 1) + f(x)\implies f(x) f(1) = f(x)\implies f(1) = 1$. Now let $f(-1) = d$. We see that $f(d) = d$.

$P(-1,x): f(x + d)  = f(x) + d$.

$P(x, d): f(f(x) + d) +  xd = f(xd + d) + f(x)$. Since $f(f(x) + d) = f(f(x)) + d = f(x) +d $, we see $f(xd + d) = xd + d$. If $d\ne 0$, then setting $x$ to $-\frac{1}{d} - 1$ gives $f(-1) = -1$, so $d = -1$, which implies $f(x - 1) = x-1$, so $f$ is the identity. Now we assume $d = 0$.

$P(1,x): f(x +1) + f(x) = f(2x) + 1$. Hence $f(2x) = f(x + 1) + f(x) - 1$ for each $x$. Thus, $f(-2) = f(-1) + f(0) - 1 = -1$. Hence $\frac{f(-2)}{-2} = 2$, so $f(2) = 2$.

$P(x, 2): f(f(x) + 2) + 2x = f(2x + 2) + f(x) = f(x) + f(x+1) + f(x+2) - 1$. Plugging $x = -2$ here gives $f(-1 + 2) - 4 = f(-2) + f(-1) + f(0) - 1$, so $-3= -2$, absurd! Therefore, $d\ne 0$, so $f(x) = x$ is our only nonconstant solution.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by megarnie, Nov 12, 2023, 3:26 PM
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Cali.Math
128 posts
#7
Y by
We uploaded our solution https://calimath.org/pdf/BalticWay2023-4.pdf on youtube https://youtu.be/TPsMv_clprQ.
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solasky
1566 posts
#8
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Solution
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MathLuis
1498 posts
#9
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Denote $P(x,y)$ as the assertion of the following F.E.
By $P(0,-f(0))$ we get $f(-f(0))=0$, now by $P(-f(0),x)$ we get $(1-f(0))f(0)=f(0)$ which gives $f(0)=0$.
Now $P(x.0)$ gives $f(f(x))=f(x)$, $P(-1,x)$ gives $f(x+f(-1))=f(x)+f(-1)$, and for $x \ne 0$ by $P \left(x, \frac{f(x)}{x} \right)$ we get $f \left(\frac{f(x)}{x} \right)=\frac{f(x)}{x}$. Since $f(x)=0$ is a solution suppose there exists $d$ s.t. $f(d) \ne 0$ then by $x=f(d)$ here we get $f(1)=1$ and by $P(1,x)$ we get $f(x+1)+f(x)=f(2x)+1$, now by indooks we get $f(x+nf(-1))=f(x)+nf(-1)$ for any integer $n$ so in the previous equation set $x$ to be $x+nf(-1)$ to get that $f(x+nf(-1)+1)=f(2x)-f(x)+nf(-1)+1$, also remember that $f(nf(-1))=nf(-1)$ and now $f(nf(-1)+1)=nf(-1)+1$ follow directly. From $P(x,nf(-1))$ we get $f(nf(-1)x)=nf(-1)x$ so if $f(-1) \ne 0$ then we get $f(x)=x$ for all reals $x$.
So suppose otherwise that $f(-1)=0$ then $f(-2)=-1$ but this means $f(-1)=-1$ which contradicts $f(-1)=0$.
Therefore the only solutions to this F.E. are $f(x)=x$ and $f(x)=0$ for all reals $x$, thus done :cool:
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Teirah
2 posts
#10
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nice problem : )
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jasperE3
11223 posts
#11
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Let $P(x,y)$ be the assertion $f(f(x)+y)+xf(y)=f(xy+y)+f(x)$.
$P(0,-f(0))\Rightarrow f(-f(0))=0$
$P(-f(0),0)\Rightarrow f(0)=0$
$P(x,0)\Rightarrow f(f(x))=f(x)$
$P(-1,x)\Rightarrow f(x+f(-1))=f(x)+f(-1)$
P(x,f(-1))\Rightarrow f(xf(-1))=xf(-1)$
So if $f(-1)\ne0$ we have the solution $\boxed{f(x)=x}$, which fits. Otherwise:
$P(f(x),1)\Rightarrow f(x)f(1)=f(x)4
So if $f(1)\ne1$ we have the solution $\boxed{f(x)=0}$, which fits. Otherwise:
$P(1,-1)\Rightarrow f(-2)=-1$
$P(-2,1)\Rightarrow-2=-1$
So no more solutions.
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