Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
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.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]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]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes run 7:30pm-8:45pm ET/4:30pm - 5:45pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Tuesday, May 13 - Aug 26
Thursday, May 29 - Sep 11
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Monday, Jun 30 - Oct 20
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Wednesday, May 7 - Aug 20
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 29 - Oct 26
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Sunday, May 11 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, May 14 - Aug 27
Friday, May 30 - Sep 26
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Thursday, Jun 26 - Oct 9
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Thursday, May 15 - Jul 31
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Wednesday, Jul 9 - Sep 24
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19

Introduction to Number Theory
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Monday, Jun 9 - Aug 25
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Sunday, May 11 - Nov 9
Tuesday, May 20 - Oct 28
Monday, Jun 16 - Dec 8
Friday, Jun 20 - Jan 9
Sunday, Jun 29 - Jan 11
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Nov 18
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 10
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Tuesday, May 27 - Nov 11
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 17

Group Theory
Thursday, Jun 12 - Sep 11

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Friday, May 23 - Aug 15
Monday, Jun 2 - Aug 18
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Sunday, May 11 - Aug 10
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Sunday, May 11 - Jun 8
Tuesday, May 27 - Jun 17
Monday, Jun 30 - Jul 21

AMC 12 Problem Series
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22

AMC 12 Final Fives
Sunday, May 18 - Jun 15

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

F=ma Problem Series
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27

WOOT Programs
Visit the pages linked for full schedule details for each of these programs!


MathWOOT Level 1
MathWOOT Level 2
ChemWOOT
CodeWOOT
PhysicsWOOT

Programming

Introduction to Programming with Python
Thursday, May 22 - Aug 7
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

Intermediate Programming with Python
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Tuesday, May 13 - Jul 29
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 1

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
UC Berkeley Integration Bee 2025 Bracket Rounds
Silver08   15
N 25 minutes ago by vanstraelen
Regular Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

3rd Place Match

Finals
15 replies
Silver08
May 9, 2025
vanstraelen
25 minutes ago
ISI UGB 2025 P3
SomeonecoolLovesMaths   7
N 28 minutes ago by MathsSolver007
Source: ISI UGB 2025 P3
Suppose $f : [0,1] \longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is differentiable with $f(0) = 0$. If $|f'(x) | \leq f(x)$ for all $x \in [0,1]$, then show that $f(x) = 0$ for all $x$.
7 replies
1 viewing
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
Today at 11:32 AM
MathsSolver007
28 minutes ago
Minimum value
Martin.s   3
N 2 hours ago by Martin.s
What is the minimum value of
$$
\frac{|a + b + c + d| \left( |a - b| |b - c| |c - d| + |b - a| |c - a| |d - a| \right)}{|a - b| |b - c| |c - d| |d - a|}
$$over all triples $a, b, c, d$ of distinct real numbers such that
$a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + d^2 = 3(ab + bc + cd + da).$

3 replies
Martin.s
Oct 17, 2024
Martin.s
2 hours ago
Cost Question
bassamali01   9
N 3 hours ago by Juno_34
Sorry, I have been struggling with this question so much. It is a simple derivative question as I think it is. Can I get some help on it?
9 replies
bassamali01
Dec 7, 2017
Juno_34
3 hours ago
No more topics!
I.S.I. B.Math.(Hons.) Admission test : 2010 Problem 5
mynamearzo   17
N Apr 24, 2025 by P162008
Let $a_1>a_2>.....>a_r$ be positive real numbers .
Compute $\lim_{n\to \infty} (a_1^n+a_2^n+.....+a_r^n)^{\frac{1}{n}}$
17 replies
mynamearzo
Apr 10, 2012
P162008
Apr 24, 2025
I.S.I. B.Math.(Hons.) Admission test : 2010 Problem 5
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mynamearzo
332 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Let $a_1>a_2>.....>a_r$ be positive real numbers .
Compute $\lim_{n\to \infty} (a_1^n+a_2^n+.....+a_r^n)^{\frac{1}{n}}$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by mynamearzo, Apr 12, 2012, 4:25 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Carcul
4550 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10 and 1 other user
$ \lim_{n\to\infty}(a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}} = \lim _{n\to\infty} a_1 \left[ 1 + \left( \frac{a_2}{a_1} \right)^n + ... + \left( \frac{a_r}{a_1} \right)^n \right]^{\frac1n} = ...$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mathproof
181 posts
#3 • 6 Y
Y by Dattier, integrated_JRC, ayan_mathematics_king, Adventure10, Rombo, and 1 other user
Try squeezing,

$(a^{n}_{1})^{\frac{1}{n}} \le (a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}}  \le (r a^{n}_{1}) ^{\frac{1}{n}} $
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sayan
2130 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Virgil Nicula wrote:
$\lim_{r\to 0} W_r =e^L$ , where $L=\lim_{r\to 0}\frac 1r\cdot \left(\frac{a^r_1+a^r_2+...+a^r_n}{n}-1\right)= \lim_{r\to 0}\frac 1n\cdot \sum_{k=1}^n\frac{a_k^r-1}{r}=$

$\frac 1n\cdot\sum_{k=1}^n\ln a_k=\ln\sqrt [n]{\prod_{k=1}^na_k}\implies$ $L=\ln\sqrt [n]{\prod_{k=1}^na_k}$ . Thus, $\lim_{r\to 0} W_r=e^L=\sqrt [n]{\prod_{k=1}^na_k}=\left(\prod_{k=1}^na_k\right)^{\frac 1n}$ .

I used the remarkable limit $\lim_{x\to 0}\frac {a^x-1}{x}=\ln a$ and the rule :

if $\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)=1$ and $\lim_{x\to x_0}g(x)=\infty$ , then $\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)^{g(x)}\stackrel{1^{\infty}}{\ =\ }e^L$ , where $L=\lim_{x\to x_0}g(x)\cdot [f(x)-1]$ .
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Carolstar9
827 posts
#5 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Where did Virgil Nicula write this?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sayan
2130 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
I have posted a month before here.
virgil sir proof is nice as usual
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sayan
2130 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
oops looks like those two are different
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
vickyricky
1893 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
$ \lim_{n\to\infty}(a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}} = \lim _{n\to\infty} a_1 \left[ 1 + \left( \frac{a_2}{a_1} \right)^n + ... + \left( \frac{a_r}{a_1} \right)^n \right]^{\frac1n}$. Now denote $\frac{a_2}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_1} , \frac{a_3}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_2}......,\frac{a_r}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_{r-1}}$ and then put the limit u will get the ans tobe $a_1$.

Correct me if i am wrong.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
integrated_JRC
3465 posts
#10 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
vickyricky wrote:
$ \lim_{n\to\infty}(a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}} = \lim _{n\to\infty} a_1 \left[ 1 + \left( \frac{a_2}{a_1} \right)^n + ... + \left( \frac{a_r}{a_1} \right)^n \right]^{\frac1n}$. Now denote $\frac{a_2}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_1} , \frac{a_3}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_2}......,\frac{a_r}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_{r-1}}$ and then put the limit u will get the ans tobe $a_1$.

Correct me if i am wrong.

Look at others' works before you post your solution. This is same as the post #2 in this thread. :mad:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
vickyricky
1893 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
jrc1729 wrote:
vickyricky wrote:
$ \lim_{n\to\infty}(a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}} = \lim _{n\to\infty} a_1 \left[ 1 + \left( \frac{a_2}{a_1} \right)^n + ... + \left( \frac{a_r}{a_1} \right)^n \right]^{\frac1n}$. Now denote $\frac{a_2}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_1} , \frac{a_3}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_2}......,\frac{a_r}{a_1}=\frac{1}{x_{r-1}}$ and then put the limit u will get the ans tobe $a_1$.

Correct me if i am wrong.

Look at others' works before you post your solution. This is same as the post #2 in this thread. :mad:

But he did'nt give the full solution right.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
integrated_JRC
3465 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Okay okay. The solution was incomplete but trivial. Don't post anymore in these sacred threads.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
EllipticCurve
286 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
mathproof wrote:
Try squeezing,

$(a^{n}_{1})^{\frac{1}{n}} \le (a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})^{\frac{1}{n}}  \le (r a^{n}_{1}) ^{\frac{1}{n}} $

This is the usual (and probably best) proof. I believe this is a standard result in any analysis course.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ftheftics
651 posts
#14 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Answer
"proof*
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
TuZo
19351 posts
#15 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Alternative solution:
If we apply the Cauchy-D'Alembert formula, we get: $\underset{n\to \infty }{\mathop{\lim }}\,{{(a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n})}^{\frac{1}{n}}}=\underset{n\to \infty }{\mathop{\lim }}\,\frac{a_{1}^{n+1}+a_{2}^{n+1}+.....+a_{r}^{n+1}}{a_{1}^{n}+a_{2}^{n}+.....+a_{r}^{n}}=\underset{n\to \infty }{\mathop{\lim }}\,{{a}_{1}}\frac{1+{{\left( \frac{{{a}_{2}}}{{{a}_{1}}} \right)}^{n+1}}+...+{{\left( \frac{{{a}_{r}}}{{{a}_{1}}} \right)}^{n+1}}}{1+{{\left( \frac{{{a}_{2}}}{{{a}_{1}}} \right)}^{n}}+...+{{\left( \frac{{{a}_{r}}}{{{a}_{1}}} \right)}^{n}}}={{a}_{1}}$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ftheftics
651 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Yeah...
..'
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
PRMOisTheHardestExam
409 posts
#17 • 1 Y
Y by aesthetics
take common $a_1$ and (1+x)^n = 1+nx for small x
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Aiden-1089
285 posts
#18
Y by
$\ln{\left (\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} (a_1^n + a_2^n + \cdots a_r^n)^{\frac{1}{n}} \right) } = \lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \ln{ (a_1^n + a_2^n + \cdots a_r^n)^{\frac{1}{n}} } = \lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \frac{\ln{(a_1^n + a_2^n + \cdots a_r^n)}}{n}$
$=\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \frac{a_1^n \ln{a_1} + a_2^n \ln{a_2} + \cdots a_r^n \ln{a_r}}{a_1^n + a_2^n + \cdots a_r^n} $(by L'Hopital's rule)
$=\ln{a_1} \lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \frac{1}{1+(\frac{a_2}{a_1})^n + \cdots (\frac{a_r}{a_1})^n} + \ln{a_2} \lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \frac{1}{(\frac{a_1}{a_2})^n + 1 + \cdots (\frac{a_r}{a_2})^n} + \cdots + \ln{a_r} \lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \frac{1}{(\frac{a_1}{a_r})^n + (\frac{a_2}{a_r})^n + \cdots + 1}$
$= \ln{a_1} \cdot 1 + \ln{a_2} \cdot 0 + \cdots + \ln{a_r} \cdot 0 = \ln{a_1}$.

Hence $\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} (a_1^n + a_2^n + \cdots a_r^n)^{\frac{1}{n}} = a_1$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
P162008
187 posts
#19
Y by
Claim
$ \lim_{n \to \infty} (a_{1}^n + a_{2}^n + a_{3}^n + .... + a_{r}^n)^{1/n} =$ max$(a_{1},a_{2},a_{3},....,a_{r})$

Proof $
 \lim_{n \to \infty} (a_{1}^n + a_{2}^n + a_{3}^n + .... + a_{r}^1/n)^{1/n} = \lim _{n\to\infty} a_1 \left[ 1 + \left( \frac{a_2}{a_1} \right)^n + ... + \left( \frac{a_r}{a_1} \right)^n \right]^{\frac1n}  = a_{1}$

$\boxed{\therefore  \lim_{n \to \infty} (a_{1}^n + a_{2}^n + a_{3}^n + .... + a_{r}^n)^{1/n} = a_{1}}$
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by P162008, Apr 24, 2025, 5:10 AM
Reason: Typo
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a