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k a March Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Mar 2, 2025
March is the month for State MATHCOUNTS competitions! Kudos to everyone who participated in their local chapter competitions and best of luck to all going to State! Join us on March 11th for a Math Jam devoted to our favorite Chapter competition problems! Are you interested in training for MATHCOUNTS? Be sure to check out our AMC 8/MATHCOUNTS Basics and Advanced courses.

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0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 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
Vieta Jumping Unsolved(Reposted)
Eagle116   2
N 3 minutes ago by pco
Source: MONT, Vieta Jumping part
The question is:
Let $x_1$, $x_2$, $\dots$, $x_n$ be $n$ integers. If $k>n$ is an integer, prove that the only solution to
$$x_1^2 + x_2^2 + \dots + x_n^2 = kx_1x_2\dots x_n $$is is $x_1 = x_2 = \dots = x_n = 0$.
2 replies
Eagle116
Yesterday at 4:53 PM
pco
3 minutes ago
An inequality
JK1603JK   2
N 3 minutes ago by lbh_qys
Source: unknown
Let a,b,c\ge 0: ab+bc+ca=1. Prove that \frac{a}{\left(a+1\right)^{2}}+\frac{b}{\left(b+1\right)^{2}}+\frac{c}{\left(c+1\right)^{2}}\ge \frac{1}{a+b+c}+\frac{abc}{4}.
2 replies
1 viewing
JK1603JK
2 hours ago
lbh_qys
3 minutes ago
Another FE
GreekIdiot   0
4 minutes ago
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ satisfying $f(f(x)+y)=f(x^2-y)+2025f(x)y \: \forall \: x,y \in \mathbb{R}$, where $\mathbb{R}$ denotes the set of all real numbers.
0 replies
GreekIdiot
4 minutes ago
0 replies
Functional equation
NZP_IMOCOMP4   13
N 4 minutes ago by jasperE3
Source: Serbian Mathematical Olympiad 2021, P5
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ such that for every $x,y\in\mathbb{R}$ the following equality holds: $$f(xf(y)+x^2+y)=f(x)f(y)+xf(x)+f(y).$$
13 replies
NZP_IMOCOMP4
May 14, 2021
jasperE3
4 minutes ago
Interesting inequality
sqing   3
N 31 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c\geq 0,(ab+c^2)(ac+b^2)\neq 0 $ and $ a+b+c=3 . $ Prove that
$$ \frac{1}{ab+c^2}+\frac{1}{ac+b^2} \geq\frac{3}{4} $$$$ \frac{1}{ab+2c^2}+\frac{1}{ac+2b^2} \geq\frac{4}{9} $$
3 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 2:12 PM
sqing
31 minutes ago
stuck on a system of recurrence sequence
Nonecludiangeofan   3
N 32 minutes ago by Ywgh1
Please guys help me solve this nasty problem that i've been stuck for the past month:
Let \( (a_n) \) and \( (b_n) \) be two sequences defined by:
\[
a_{n+1} = \frac{1 + a_n + a_n b_n}{b_n} \quad \text{and} \quad b_{n+1} = \frac{1 + b_n + a_n b_n}{a_n}
\]for all \( n \ge 0 \), with initial values \( a_0 = 1 \) and \( b_0 = 2 \).

Prove that:
\[
a_{2024} < 5.
\]
(btw am still not comfortable with system of recurrence sequences)
3 replies
Nonecludiangeofan
Mar 20, 2025
Ywgh1
32 minutes ago
2 degree polynomial
PrimeSol   0
an hour ago
Let $P_{1}(x)= x^2 +b_{1}x +c_{1}, ... , P_{n}(x)=x^2+ b_{n}x+c_{n}$, $P_{i}(x)\in \mathbb{R}[x], \forall i=\overline{1,n}.$ $\forall i,j ,1 \leq i<j \leq n : P_{i}(x) \ne P_{j}(x)$.
$\forall i,j, 1\leq i<j \leq n : Q_{i,j}(x)= P_{i}(x) + P_{j}(x)$ polynomial with only one root.
$max(n)=?$
0 replies
PrimeSol
an hour ago
0 replies
Sequence
PrimeSol   0
an hour ago
$(a_{n})_{n>0},  a_{0} =a_{1} =a_{2} =1$, $a_{n}a_{n+3} - a_{n+1}a_{n+2}=n! $ for all $n>=0$.
Prove that for all $n>=0$ : $a_{n} $ -is integer.
0 replies
PrimeSol
an hour ago
0 replies
D1018 : Can you do that ?
Dattier   0
an hour ago
Source: les dattes à Dattier
We can find $A,B,C$, such that $\gcd(A,B)=\gcd(C,A)=\gcd(A,2)=1$ and $$\forall n \in \mathbb N^*, (C^n \times B \mod A) \mod 2=0 $$.

For example :

$C=20$
$A=47650065401584409637777147310342834508082136874940478469495402430677786194142956609253842997905945723173497630499054266092849839$

$B=238877301561986449355077953728734922992395532218802882582141073061059783672634737309722816649187007910722185635031285098751698$

Can you find $A,B,C$ such that $A>3$ is prime, $C,B \in (\mathbb Z/A\mathbb Z)^*$ with $o(C)=(A-1)/2$ and $$\forall n \in \mathbb N^*, (C^n \times B \mod A) \mod 2=0 $$?
0 replies
Dattier
an hour ago
0 replies
The Sums of Elements in Subsets
bobaboby1   2
N an hour ago by bobaboby1
Given a finite set \( X = \{x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n\} \), and the pairwise comparison of the sums of elements of all its subsets (with the empty set defined as having a sum of 0), which amounts to \( \binom{2}{2^n} \) inequalities, these given comparisons satisfy the following three constraints:

1. The sum of elements of any non-empty subset is greater than 0.
2. For any two subsets, removing or adding the same elements does not change their comparison of the sums of elements.
3. For any two disjoint subsets \( A \) and \( B \), if the sums of elements of \( A \) and \( B \) are greater than those of subsets \( C \) and \( D \) respectively, then the sum of elements of the union \( A \cup B \) is greater than that of \( C \cup D \).

The question is: Does there necessarily exist a positive solution \( (x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n) \) that satisfies all these conditions?
2 replies
1 viewing
bobaboby1
Mar 12, 2025
bobaboby1
an hour ago
No More than √㏑x㏑㏑x Digits
EthanWYX2009   0
2 hours ago
Source: 2024 April 谜之竞赛-3
Let $f(x)\in\mathbb Z[x]$ have positive integer leading coefficient. Show that there exists infinte positive integer $x,$ such that the number of digit that doesn'r equal to $9$ is no more than $\mathcal O(\sqrt{\ln x\ln\ln x}).$

Created by Chunji Wang, Zhenyu Dong
0 replies
EthanWYX2009
2 hours ago
0 replies
Find all functions
Jackson0423   2
N 2 hours ago by pco
Find all functions F:R->R such that
1/(F(F(x))-F(x))=F(x)
I know x+1/x works..
2 replies
Jackson0423
Yesterday at 4:06 PM
pco
2 hours ago
Sharygin 2025 CR P8
Gengar_in_Galar   5
N 2 hours ago by ohiorizzler1434
Source: Sharygin 2025
The diagonals of a cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD$ meet at point $P$. Points $K$ and $L$ lie on $AC$, $BD$ respectively in such a way that $CK=AP$ and $DL=BP$. Prove that the line joining the common points of circles $ALC$ and $BKD$ passes through the mass-center of $ABCD$.
Proposed by:V.Konyshev
5 replies
Gengar_in_Galar
Mar 10, 2025
ohiorizzler1434
2 hours ago
Interesting inequality
sqing   2
N 2 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c  >0  . $ Prove that
$$  \frac{a}{2b+c}+ \frac{ b}{2a+b+2c} +\frac{ c}{a+ 2b } \geq \frac{5}{7 }$$$$  \frac{a}{4b+c}+ \frac{ b}{ a+b+ c} +\frac{ c}{a+ 4b } \geq \frac{5}{7 }$$$$  \frac{a}{3b+c}+ \frac{ b}{3a+b+3c} +\frac{ c}{a+ 3b } \geq \frac{9}{17 }$$$$  \frac{a}{4b+c}+ \frac{ b}{4a+b+4c} +\frac{ c}{a+ 4b } \geq \frac{13}{31 }$$
2 replies
1 viewing
sqing
2 hours ago
sqing
2 hours ago
1/sqrt(5) ???
navi_09220114   3
N Yesterday at 2:48 PM by math_comb01
Source: Own. Malaysian IMO TST 2025 P12
Two circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ are externally tangent at a point $A$. Let $\ell$ be a line tangent to $\omega_1$ at $B\neq A$ and $\omega_2$ at $C\neq A$. Let $BX$ and $CY$ be diameters in $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively. Suppose points $P$ and $Q$ lies on $\omega_2$ such that $XP$ and $XQ$ are tangent to $\omega_2$, and points $R$ and $S$ lies on $\omega_1$ such that $YR$ and $YS$ are tangent to $\omega_1$.

a) Prove that the points $P$, $Q$, $R$, $S$ lie on a circle $\Gamma$.

b) Prove that the four segments $XP$, $XQ$, $YR$, $YS$ determine a quadrilateral with an incircle $\gamma$, and its radius is $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}$ times the radius of $\Gamma$.

Proposed by Ivan Chan Kai Chin
3 replies
navi_09220114
Saturday at 1:10 PM
math_comb01
Yesterday at 2:48 PM
1/sqrt(5) ???
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: Own. Malaysian IMO TST 2025 P12
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navi_09220114
474 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by pingupignu
Two circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ are externally tangent at a point $A$. Let $\ell$ be a line tangent to $\omega_1$ at $B\neq A$ and $\omega_2$ at $C\neq A$. Let $BX$ and $CY$ be diameters in $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively. Suppose points $P$ and $Q$ lies on $\omega_2$ such that $XP$ and $XQ$ are tangent to $\omega_2$, and points $R$ and $S$ lies on $\omega_1$ such that $YR$ and $YS$ are tangent to $\omega_1$.

a) Prove that the points $P$, $Q$, $R$, $S$ lie on a circle $\Gamma$.

b) Prove that the four segments $XP$, $XQ$, $YR$, $YS$ determine a quadrilateral with an incircle $\gamma$, and its radius is $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}$ times the radius of $\Gamma$.

Proposed by Ivan Chan Kai Chin
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
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pingupignu
45 posts
#2
Y by
Nice problem! :P Solved with hints from the proposer himself, Ivan. We assume $B$, $R$, $S$ and $C$, $P$, $Q$ to appear in that order on $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively. Let $O_1$ and $O_2$ be the centers of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively. Let $k$ be the tangent to $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ passing through $A$, and let $k$ meet $\ell$ at $Z$. We see that $ZB^2=ZA^2=ZC^2$ so $\angle BAC = 90^\circ$, implying $B$, $A$, $Y$ and $C$, $A$, $X$ are collinear. Define some objects as follows:

$U = YR \cap XP$,
$V = YS \cap XQ$,
$I = XO_2 \cap YO_1$,
$D = IA \cap \ell$,
$S_e = \ell \cap O_1O_2 \cap XY$,
$\Omega = (S_e, S_eA)$,
$K = \Omega \cap BC$ such that $K$ lies on segment $BC$.

Step 1: $Z = PQ \cap RS$
Proof:
Since $X = PP \cap QQ \in AC$, $Z = AA \cap CC \in PQ$ by La Hire's Theorem. Similarly $Z \in RS$. $\square$

Now $$ZP \cdot ZQ = ZA^2 = ZR \cdot ZS \implies PQRS \text{ cyclic}.$$This solves a).

Step 2: $XUYV$ has an incircle $\gamma$.
Proof:
Redefine $\gamma$ such that it is internally tangent to $YR$, $YS$ and $XQ$. From Monge's theorem on $\gamma$, $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ we yield $X$ is the exsimilicenter of $\omega_2$ and $\gamma$. Hence $XP$ is also tangent to $\gamma$. $\square$

Step 3: $U$, $V$ $\in k$.
Proof:
Note that $XO_2$ and $YO_1$ are perpendicular bisectors of $PQ$ and $RS$, respectively, and are also the respective internal angle bisectors of $\angle UXV$ and $\angle UYV$, we must have $I = XO_2 \cap YO_1$ is the center of $\gamma$ and $\Gamma$.
Then, $UI$ must bisect $\angle XUY = \angle RUP$, combined with $IR=IP$, we have $UR=UP$. Since $UR^2=UP^2$ is the power of $U$ to $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$, $U$ must lie on their radical axis, namely $k$. Similarly $V \in k$. $\square$

Step 4: $P$, $R$, $S_e$ collinear.
Proof:
I first claim that $K = YP \cap XR$. Let $K' = YP \cap \ell$.

In view of $PP$, $AC$, $YY_1$ concur, where $Y_1 = XY \cap \omega_2$, from the Dual of Desargues Involution Theorem we yield some reciprocal pairs on $\omega_2$, that is, $$\{(P,P), (A,C), (Y,Y_1)\}.$$By perspectivity at $Y$ we have $$\{(K',K'), (B,C), (\infty_{\ell}, S_e)\}$$being reciprocal pairs of some involution on $\ell$. This gives $S_eB \cdot S_eC = S_eK'^2$ while the LHS is $S_eA^2$. Hence $S_eK'=S_eA$, from which follows that $K' \equiv K$. Similarly $K \in XR \implies K = YP \cap XR$.

Next, we observe that $$YP \cdot YK = YC^2 = YA \cdot YB = YR^2$$meaning that $(RPK)$ is tangent to $\omega_1$. Similarly it must also be tangent to $\omega_2$. From Monge's theorem we have $S_e \in RP$. $\square$

Note that similarly, $S_e$, $Q$, $S$ collinear.

Step 5: $IA \bot \ell$.
Proof:
Let $D'$ be the inverse of $D$ in $\Omega$, so that $AD \bot \ell$ and $$S_eD' \cdot S_eZ = S_eA^2 = S_eP \cdot S_eR = S_eQ \cdot S_eS\implies D' = (ZRP) \cap (ZSQ).$$Hence $D'$ is the Miquel point of $RPQS$ $\implies ID' \bot \ell$. So $D' \equiv D$. $\square$

Step 6: $A \in \gamma$.
Proof:
Since $Y$ is the exsimilicenter of $\omega_1$ and $\gamma$ and $IA \parallel O_1B$, the homothety centered at $Y$ sending $\gamma$ to $\omega_1$ sends $A$ to $B$, i.e. $A \in \gamma$. $\square$

Lemma: If $(A, B; X, Y)=-1$ and $X$ lies between $A$ and $B$, such that $AX=a$, $BX=b$, then we have $\frac{XY}{YB} = \frac{2a}{a+b}$.
Proof:
$$\frac{AY}{YB} = \frac{a}{b} \implies 1 + \frac{a+b}{YB} = \frac{a}{b} \implies YB = \frac{b(a+b)}{a-b}$$So $$XY = b + \frac{b(a+b)}{a-b} = \frac{2ab}{a-b} \implies \frac{XY}{YB} = \frac{2a}{a+b}. \square$$
Step 7: $AD=2IA$.
Proof:
We have, from $O_1B \parallel IA \parallel O_2C$, $$\frac{IA}{r_2} = \frac{r_1}{r_1+r_2}$$and $$\frac{AD}{r_2} = \frac{S_eA}{S_eO_2}$$Applying the lemma gives $\frac{2IA}{r_2} = \frac{AD}{r_2} \implies AD = 2IA$. $\square$

Let $A_1 = IA \cap \Omega$. Since $S_eR \cdot S_eP = S_eA^2 \implies \Gamma$ is orthogonal to $\Omega$, we have $IA \cdot IA_1 = IR^2$. Now, $$AD=DA_1 \implies IA_1 = 5IA \implies 5IA^2 = IR^2.$$Hence the radius of $\gamma$ is $\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}$ times the radius of $\Gamma$, completing part b).
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This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by pingupignu, Saturday at 2:02 PM
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everythingpi3141592
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Let $O_1$, $r_1$ and $O_2$, $r_2$ be the centre and radii of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively

Claim: $XP = XQ = 2R_1$.

Proof: Note that $X, A, C$ and $Y, A, B$ are collinear due to homotethy. Consider the inversion at $X$ with radius $XB$. Then, note that $\omega_1$ and the common tangent $BC$ get swapped. So, $\omega_2$ goes to a circle that is tangent to $BC$ at $C$ and $\omega_1$ at $A$, but this is in fact $\omega_2$ itself, so the circle we described must be orthogonal to $\omega_2$. This implies the result.

Now, let $XO_2$ and $YO_1$ intersect at $Z$. Then, $Z$ divides both lines in the ratio $\frac{R_1}{R_2}$ because the homotethy at this centre swaps $XO_1$ and $YO_2$. Now, what this means is that if the foot from $Z$ onto $XP$ is $P'$, then $PP' = \frac{2R_1R_2}{R_1+R_2}$, and $ZP' = \frac{R_1R_2}{R_1+R_2}$. This, implies the result
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math_comb01
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Cool Problem


Claim 1: $PQRS$ is cyclic.
Proof: Let $AA \cap \ell = V$ then it is suffices to prove that $PQ,RS$ pass through $V$ by power of point, by La Hire, it suffices to show that $A,C,X$ are collinear but this is obvious as $\measuredangle BAC = \measuredangle BAX = 90^{\circ}$ $\blacksquare$

Claim 2: $XB=XQ=XP$
Proof: It suffices to prove that the circle centered at $X$ with radius $XB$ is orthogonal to $\omega_2$, invert at $X$ with radius $XB$ it then suffices to prove that $\omega_2$ is fixed, note that $A,C$ exchange as $XB^2 = XA \cdot XC$, and note that $P,Q$ remain fixed and so $\omega_2 \rightarrow (ACPQ) = \omega_2$ under inversion so we're done. $\blacksquare$

Claim 3: $XP,XQ,YR,YS$ form a quadrilateral with incircle of radius $\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}$th of $(PQRS)$.
Proof: Let $O_1,O_2$ be the centers of $\omega_1,\omega_2$, $XP \cap YR = U$ and $XQ \cap YS = V$, Let $XO_2 \cap YO_1=I$, I claim that $I$ is the incenter of $XUVY$, indeed we compute distance from $I$ to $XP$ and proving it symmetric in radiuses of $\omega_1$ ad $\omega_2$ suffices by symmetry, indeed notice that under homethety at $I$ we take $XO_1$ to $O_2Y$, thus we must have $\text{dist}(I,XP) = \frac{r_1r_2}{r_1+r_2}$, next we claim that $I$ is center of $PQRS$, this is obvious as it lies on the perpendicular bisectors of $PQ,RS$ by definition, now to finish we compute the radius of $(PQRS)$, let the foot of perpendicular from $I$ to $XP$ be $L$ then $LP = \frac{2r_1r_2}{r_1+r_2}$ by using the homothety at $I$ and by pythogoras we are done. $\blacksquare$
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