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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Yesterday at 3:18 PM
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.

WOOT early bird pricing is in effect, don’t miss out! If you took MathWOOT Level 2 last year, no worries, it is all new problems this year! Our Worldwide Online Olympiad Training program is for high school level competitors. AoPS designed these courses to help our top students get the deep focus they need to succeed in their specific competition goals. Check out the details at this link for all our WOOT programs in math, computer science, chemistry, and physics.

Looking for summer camps in math and language arts? Be sure to check out the video-based summer camps offered at the Virtual Campus that are 2- to 4-weeks in duration. 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 events:
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April 9th (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Learn about Video-based Summer Camps at the Virtual Campus
[*]April 10th (Math Jam), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MathILy and MathILy-Er Math Jam: Multibackwards Numbers
[*]April 22nd (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Competitive Programming at AoPS (USACO).[/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
Yesterday at 3:18 PM
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
Geometry :3c
popop614   2
N 24 minutes ago by Ianis
Source: MINE :<
Quadrilateral $ABCD$ has an incenter $I$ Suppose $AB > BC$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$. Suppose that $MI \perp BI$. $DI$ meets $(BDM)$ again at point $T$. Let points $P$ and $Q$ be such that $T$ is the midpoint of $MP$ and $I$ is the midpoint of $MQ$. Point $S$ lies on the plane such that $AMSQ$ is a parallelogram, and suppose the angle bisectors of $MCQ$ and $MSQ$ concur on $IM$.

The angle bisectors of $\angle PAQ$ and $\angle PCQ$ meet $PQ$ at $X$ and $Y$. Prove that $PX = QY$.
2 replies
popop614
an hour ago
Ianis
24 minutes ago
cursed tangent is xiooix
TestX01   2
N 2 hours ago by TestX01
Source: xiooix and i
Let $ABC$ be a triangle. Let $E$ and $F$ be the intersections of the $B$ and $C$ angle bisectors with the opposite sides. Let $S = (AEF) \cap (ABC)$. Let $W = SL \cap (AEF)$ where $L$ is the major $BC$ arc midpiont.
i)Show that points $S , B , C , W , E$ and $F$ are coconic on a conic $\mathcal{C}$
ii) If $\mathcal{C}$ intersects $(ABC)$ again at $T$, not equal to $B,C$ or $S$, then prove $AL$ and $ST$ concur on $(AEF)$

I will post solution in ~1 week if noone solves.
2 replies
TestX01
Feb 25, 2025
TestX01
2 hours ago
Game on a row of 9 squares
EmersonSoriano   2
N 2 hours ago by Mr.Sharkman
Source: 2018 Peru TST Cono Sur P10
Let $n$ be a positive integer. Alex plays on a row of 9 squares as follows. Initially, all squares are empty. In each turn, Alex must perform exactly one of the following moves:

$(i)\:$ Choose a number of the form $2^j$, with $j$ a non-negative integer, and place it in an empty square.

$(ii)\:$ Choose two (not necessarily consecutive) squares containing the same number, say $2^j$. Replace the number in one of the squares with $2^{j+1}$ and erase the number in the other square.

At the end of the game, one square contains the number $2^n$, while the other squares are empty. Determine, as a function of $n$, the maximum number of turns Alex can make.
2 replies
EmersonSoriano
3 hours ago
Mr.Sharkman
2 hours ago
Guessing Point is Hard
MarkBcc168   30
N 2 hours ago by Circumcircle
Source: IMO Shortlist 2023 G5
Let $ABC$ be an acute-angled triangle with circumcircle $\omega$ and circumcentre $O$. Points $D\neq B$ and $E\neq C$ lie on $\omega$ such that $BD\perp AC$ and $CE\perp AB$. Let $CO$ meet $AB$ at $X$, and $BO$ meet $AC$ at $Y$.

Prove that the circumcircles of triangles $BXD$ and $CYE$ have an intersection lie on line $AO$.

Ivan Chan Kai Chin, Malaysia
30 replies
MarkBcc168
Jul 17, 2024
Circumcircle
2 hours ago
Thanks u!
Ruji2018252   5
N 2 hours ago by Sadigly
Find all $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ and
\[ f(x+y)+f(x^2+f(y))=f(f(x))^2+f(x)+f(y)+y,\forall x,y\in\mathbb{R}\]
5 replies
Ruji2018252
Mar 26, 2025
Sadigly
2 hours ago
Famous geo configuration appears on the district MO
AndreiVila   5
N 3 hours ago by chirita.andrei
Source: Romanian District Olympiad 2025 10.4
Let $ABCDEF$ be a convex hexagon with $\angle A = \angle C=\angle E$ and $\angle B = \angle D=\angle F$.
[list=a]
[*] Prove that there is a unique point $P$ which is equidistant from sides $AB,CD$ and $EF$.
[*] If $G_1$ and $G_2$ are the centers of mass of $\triangle ACE$ and $\triangle BDF$, show that $\angle G_1PG_2=60^{\circ}$.
5 replies
AndreiVila
Mar 8, 2025
chirita.andrei
3 hours ago
Classic complex number geo
Ciobi_   1
N 3 hours ago by TestX01
Source: Romania NMO 2025 10.1
Let $M$ be a point in the plane, distinct from the vertices of $\triangle ABC$. Consider $N,P,Q$ the reflections of $M$ with respect to lines $AB, BC$ and $CA$, in this order.
a) Prove that $N, P ,Q$ are collinear if and only if $M$ lies on the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$.
b) If $M$ does not lie on the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$ and the centroids of triangles $\triangle ABC$ and $\triangle NPQ$ coincide, prove that $\triangle ABC$ is equilateral.
1 reply
Ciobi_
Yesterday at 12:56 PM
TestX01
3 hours ago
The greatest length of a sequence that satisfies a special condition
EmersonSoriano   0
3 hours ago
Source: 2018 Peru TST Cono Sur P9
Find the largest possible value of the positive integer $N$ given that there exist positive integers $a_1, a_2, \dots, a_N$ satisfying
$$ a_n = \sqrt{(a_{n-1})^2 + 2018 \, a_{n-2}}\:, \quad \text{for } n = 3,4,\dots,N. $$
0 replies
EmersonSoriano
3 hours ago
0 replies
Olympiad Geometry problem-second time posting
kjhgyuio   5
N 3 hours ago by kjhgyuio
Source: smo problem
In trapezium ABCD,AD is parallel to BC and points E and F are midpoints of AB and DC respectively. If
Area of AEFD/Area of EBCF =√3 + 1/3-√3 and the area of triangle ABD is √3 .find the area of trapezium ABCD
5 replies
kjhgyuio
Yesterday at 1:03 AM
kjhgyuio
3 hours ago
Summing the GCD of a number and the divisors of another.
EmersonSoriano   0
3 hours ago
Source: 2018 Peru TST Cono Sur P8
For each pair of positive integers $m$ and $n$, we define $f_m(n)$ as follows:
$$ f_m(n) = \gcd(n, d_1) + \gcd(n, d_2) + \cdots + \gcd(n, d_k), $$where $1 = d_1 < d_2 < \cdots < d_k = m$ are all the positive divisors of $m$. For example,
$f_4(6) = \gcd(6,1) + \gcd(6,2) + \gcd(6,4) = 5$.

$a)\:$ Find all positive integers $n$ such that $f_{2017}(n) = f_n(2017)$.

$b)\:$ Find all positive integers $n$ such that $f_6(n) = f_n(6)$.
0 replies
EmersonSoriano
3 hours ago
0 replies
Sum of whose elements is divisible by p
nntrkien   42
N 3 hours ago by cubres
Source: IMO 1995, Problem 6, Day 2, IMO Shortlist 1995, N6
Let $ p$ be an odd prime number. How many $ p$-element subsets $ A$ of $ \{1,2,\dots,2p\}$ are there, the sum of whose elements is divisible by $ p$?
42 replies
nntrkien
Aug 8, 2004
cubres
3 hours ago
kind of well known?
dotscom26   3
N 3 hours ago by Svenskerhaor
Source: MBL
Let $ y_1, y_2, ..., y_{2025}$ be real numbers satisfying
$
y_1^2 + y_2^2 + \cdots + y_{2025}^2 = 1.
$
Find the maximum value of
$
|y_1 - y_2| + |y_2 - y_3| + \cdots + |y_{2025} - y_1|.
$

I have seen many problems with the same structure, Id really appreciate if someone could explain which approach is suitable here
3 replies
dotscom26
Tuesday at 4:11 AM
Svenskerhaor
3 hours ago
Locus of a point on the side of a square
EmersonSoriano   0
3 hours ago
Source: 2018 Peru TST Cono Sur P7
Let $ABCD$ be a fixed square and $K$ a variable point on segment $AD$. The square $KLMN$ is constructed such that $B$ is on segment $LM$ and $C$ is on segment $MN$. Let $T$ be the intersection point of lines $LA$ and $ND$. Find the locus of $T$ as $K$ varies along segment $AD$.
0 replies
EmersonSoriano
3 hours ago
0 replies
Chess queens on a cylindrical board
EmersonSoriano   0
3 hours ago
Source: 2018 Peru TST Cono Sur P6
Let $n$ be a positive integer. In an $n \times n$ board, two opposite sides have been joined, forming a cylinder. Determine whether it is possible to place $n$ queens on the board such that no two threaten each other when:

$a)\:$ $n=14$.

$b)\:$ $n=15$.
0 replies
EmersonSoriano
3 hours ago
0 replies
Intersection of a cevian with the incircle
djb86   24
N Mar 30, 2025 by Ilikeminecraft
Source: South African MO 2005 Q4
The inscribed circle of triangle $ABC$ touches the sides $BC$, $CA$ and $AB$ at $D$, $E$ and $F$ respectively. Let $Q$ denote the other point of intersection of $AD$ and the inscribed circle. Prove that $EQ$ extended passes through the midpoint of $AF$ if and only if $AC = BC$.
24 replies
djb86
May 27, 2012
Ilikeminecraft
Mar 30, 2025
Intersection of a cevian with the incircle
G H J
Source: South African MO 2005 Q4
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djb86
445 posts
#1 • 6 Y
Y by megarnie, mathematicsy, jhu08, centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
The inscribed circle of triangle $ABC$ touches the sides $BC$, $CA$ and $AB$ at $D$, $E$ and $F$ respectively. Let $Q$ denote the other point of intersection of $AD$ and the inscribed circle. Prove that $EQ$ extended passes through the midpoint of $AF$ if and only if $AC = BC$.
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v_Enhance
6870 posts
#2 • 7 Y
Y by HamstPan38825, jhu08, megarnie, centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247, Sedro
Solution
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r1234
462 posts
#3 • 4 Y
Y by jhu08, megarnie, centslordm, Adventure10
Let $EF\cap AD=X$.Then $E(A,Q,X,D)=-1$. If $EQ$ passes through the midpoint of $AF$, then $E(A,Q,X,\infty)=-1\Longrightarrow ED\parallel AB\Longrightarrow AC=BC$.
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algebra_star1234
2467 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by megarnie, centslordm
let $M = AF \cap EQ$ and $P = ED \cap AB$. We know $EDQF$ is harmonic, so $-1 = (EF;QD) \stackrel E = (AF;MP)$. If $M$ is the midpoint, then $(AF;M \infty) = -1$, so $ED || AB$, from which it is clear that $AC = BC$. If $AC = BC$, then $DE || AB$, and we have $(AF;M\infty)=-1$, so $M$ is the midpoint of $AF$. Therefore, we are done.
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Stormersyle
2785 posts
#5 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $M=EQ\cap AF$; note $AM=MF \iff (A, F; M, P_{\infty})=-1$, but we have $(A, F; M, P_{\infty})\overset{E}=(E, F; Q, EP_{\infty}\cap \omega)$. Thus, since $(E, F; D, Q)=-1$, it's equivalent to $EP_{\infty}\cap \omega=D$, or $DE||AB$, which in turn is equivalent to $CA=CB$.
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pad
1671 posts
#6 • 4 Y
Y by centslordm, Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
Let $\omega$ be the incricle. Define $Y\in \omega$ such that $\overline{EY}\parallel \overline{AB}$. Then $-1=(AF;X\infty)\stackrel{E}{=}(EF;QY)$. But $(EF;QD)=-1$ since $A=\overline{EE}\cap \overline{FF}\cap \overline{QD}$. Hence $Y=D$, so $\overline{ED} \parallel \overline{AB}$. Therefore, $1=CE/CD=CA/CB$, so $CA=CB$. The opposite direction is very similar.
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HamstPan38825
8857 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
$$-1 = (A, F; \overline{QE} \cap \overline{AF}, P_\infty) \stackrel E= (A, \overline{EF} \cap \overline{AD}; Q, \overline{EP_\infty} \cap \overline{AD}).$$But $(A, \overline{EF} \cap \overline{AD}, Q, D)=-1$, so $\overline{DE} \parallel \overline{AB}$ and $AC=BC$.
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bever209
1522 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
First, we have $(E,F;Q,D)=-1$. Now we assume $EQ$ passes through the midpoint $M$ of $AF$. Now if $P_\infty$ is the point at infinity along line $AB$, we have $(A,B;F,P_\infty)=-1$. Projecting through $E$ gives $(E,F;Q,EP_\infty \cap AD)=-1$, which is only possible if the final point is $D$, i.e. $ED||AB$ which implies the problem.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by bever209, Sep 23, 2021, 11:08 PM
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BVKRB-
322 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $EQ \cap AF =M$
I have used the Incircle Polars Lemma (EGMO Lemma 9.27) and the Midpoints and Parallels Lemma (EGMO Lemma 9.8)
$$-1 = (E,F;Q,D)\stackrel{E}{=}(A,F;M,ED \ \cap \ AB) \ \text{but} \ AM=MF \iff ED \ \cap \ AB = P_\infty \iff AC=BC \ \ \blacksquare$$
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Mogmog8
1080 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $P=\overline{QE}\cap\overline{AB}.$ Notice \[-1=(Q,D;E,F)\stackrel{E}=(P,\overline{DE}\cap\overline{AB};A,F)\]so $P$ is the midpoint of $\overline{AF}$ if and only if $\overline{DE}\parallel\overline{AB}.$ But $CD=CE$ so $\overline{DE}\parallel\overline{AB}$ is equivalent to $CA=CB,$ as desired. $\square$
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john0512
4175 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Note that due to tangents at $A$, $EDFQ$ is harmonic. Let $EQ$ intersect $AB$ at $K$.

If $CA=CB$, then $ED$ is parallel to $AB$, so projecting through $E$ we have $$-1=(EF;QD)=(AF;K\infty),$$so $K$ must be the midpoint of $AF.$

On the other hand, if $CA\neq CB$, then $ED$ is not parallel to $AB$. Therefore, in this case let $ED$ and $AB$ intersect at $P$. We would then have $$-1=(EF;QD)=(AF;KP),$$but since $P$ is a finite point, $K$ is not the midpoint of $AF$ in this case, so we are done.
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eibc
598 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $M' = EQ \cap AF$.. Then since $EF$ is the polar of $A$ wrt the incircle, we have $(A, EF\cap QD;Q, D) = -1$. Taking perspectivity at $E$ gives
$$-1 = (A, EF\cap QD;Q, D) \overset{E}{=} (A, F; M', DE \cap AB).$$Thus, since $(A, F; M, P\infty) = -1$, where $M$ is the midpoint of $\overline{AF}$ and $P\infty$ is the point at infinity along line $AB$, we have $M = M'$ iff $DE \parallel AB \iff AC = BC$.
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IAmTheHazard
5000 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $\overline{EQ} \cap \overline{AF}=T$ and $P \neq Q$ be the point on the incircle such that $\overline{PQ} \parallel \overline{AB}$. Then $T$ is the midpoint iff $(A,F;T,P_\infty)=-1$. We have $(A,F;T,P_\infty)\stackrel{Q}{=}(D,F;E,P)$, so this is equivalent to $\overline{EP}$ passing through the intersection of the tangents through $D$ and $F$, which is just $B$. If $AC=BC$ this is clearly true by symmetry. Otherwise, note that since $DEPQ$ is cyclic, by Reim's $DEAB$ should be as well, hence by power of a point $CE\cdot CA=CD\cdot CB$, but since $CD=CE$ this is a contradiction. $\blacksquare$
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YaoAOPS
1501 posts
#14
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Note that $QFED$ is harmonic. Let $M$ be the midpoint of $AF$.
As such, $E$, $Q$, $M$ are collinear if and only if \[ (EF;QD) \overset{E}= (A,F;M,\overline{ED} \cap \overline{AB}) = -1. \]This in turn in only holds if $ED \parallel AB$ which holds when \[ \frac{AC}{BC} = \frac{EC}{DC} = 1. \]
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Batsuh
152 posts
#15
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First we prove that if $AC=BC$, then $EQ$ passes through the midpoint of $AF$.
Let $P$ be the intersection of $AD$ and $EF$. Also let line $EQ$ intersect $AF$ at $M$. It is clear that $QFDE$ is harmonic. Projecting through
$F$ onto $AB$ gives $(A,P;Q,D)=1$. Thus $(EA,EP;EQ,ED)=(EA,EF;EM,ED)$ is a harmonic pencil. On the other hand $ED$ is parallel to $AF$. This means that $M$ is the midpoint of $AF$.
For the converse direction, assume that $M$ is the midpoint of $AF$. Note that it's enough to show that $ED$ is parallel to $AB$. Again, $(A,P;Q,D)=1$ and $(EA,EP;EQ,ED)=(EA,EF;EM,ED)$ is a harmonic pencil. But $M$ is the midpoint of $AF$. Thus $ED$ is parallel to $AB$. We're done.
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kamatadu
465 posts
#16
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Let $M=EQ\cap AF$.

Now $-1 = (E,F;Q,D) \overset{E}{=}(A,F;M,ED\cap AB)$.

So now, $M$ is midpoint of $AF \iff ED\parallel AB$ and we are done. :yoda:
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Om245
163 posts
#17
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Let $M = \overline{AF} \cap \overline{EQ}$ As its given $MF = MA$ by POP we get


$$ \angle FAD = \angle AEQ \implies  2\angle BAC = 2\angle EQD = \angle DIE$$hence $\angle C = 180 - \angle A \implies CA=CB$. $\blacksquare$
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shendrew7
793 posts
#18
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Oops.

Let $M = QE \cap AF$ and $P$ as the intersection of the incircle with the line through $Q$ parallel to $AB$. Then
\begin{align*}
MA = MF &\iff (AF;M \infty) = -1 \iff (DF;EP) = -1 \\ 
&\iff B, P, E \text{ collinear} \iff ABDE \text{ cyclic} \iff AC = BC. \quad \blacksquare.
\end{align*}
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cursed_tangent1434
565 posts
#19
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Quite trivial. Let $M=\overline{QE} \cap \overline{AB}$.

We first make the following observation. Since $AE,AF$ are tangents and $A-Q-D$ we have that,
\[(QD;EF)=-1\]Now, if $CA=CB$, then $ED \parallel AB$ since $2\measuredangle CED = \measuredangle ECD = 2\measuredangle CAB$. Thus,
\[(AF;MP_\infty) \overset{E}{=}(EF;QD)=-1\]This means that $M$ is in fact the midpoint of $AF$ as desired.

If $M$ is the midpoint of $AF$, then note that
\[-1=(EF;QD) \overset{E}{=} (AF;MP)\]where $P= \overline{ED} \cap \overline{AB}$. But, it is well known that $(AF;MP_\infty)=-1$ which implies that $P=P_\infty$ and thus, $ED \parallel AB$ which inturn implies that $\triangle CAB$ is isoceles with $CA=CB$ as desired.
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Scilyse
387 posts
#20
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[asy]
import olympiad; import cse5;
defaultpen(fontsize(10pt));
usepackage("amsmath"); usepackage("amssymb"); usepackage("gensymb"); usepackage("textcomp");
size(8cm);

pair MRA (pair B, pair A, pair C, real r, pen q=anglepen) {
    r=r/2;
    pair Bp=unit(B-A)*r+A;
    pair Cp=unit(C-A)*r+A;
    pair P=Bp+Cp-A;
    D(Bp--P--Cp,q);
    return A;
}

pointpen=black+linewidth(2);
pen polyline=linewidth(pathpen)+rgb(0.6,0.2,0);
pen polyfill=polyline+opacity(0.1);
pen angleline=linewidth(pathpen)+rgb(0,0.4,0);
pen anglefill=angleline+opacity(0.4);
markscalefactor=0.01;
size(12cm);

pair A=dir(180+50),B=dir(-50),C=dir(90);
// filldraw(A--B--C--cycle,polyfill,polyline);
D(A--B--C--cycle,polyline);

pair I=incenter(A,B,C);
pair D=foot(I,B,C),E=foot(I,C,A),F=foot(I,A,B);
pair Q=2*foot(I,A,D)-D;
pair M=(A+F)/2;
D(CP(I,D));
D(A--D);
D(E--M,pathpen+dashed);

D("A",D(A),A);
D("B",D(B),B);
D("C",D(C),C);
D("I",D(I),dir(90));
D("D",D(D),unit(D-I));
D("E",D(E),unit(E-I));
D("F",D(F),unit(F-I));
D("Q",D(Q),dir(174));
D("M",D(M),S);
[/asy]

Let $M$ be the midpoint of $\overline{AF}$. Now \[-1 = (DQ; EF) \stackrel{E}{=} (DE \cap AB, EQ \cap AF; AF)\text{.}\]Now if $AC = BC$ then $DE \parallel AB$ so $EQ \cap AF$ must necessarily be $M$. Conversely, if $EQ \cap AF = M$ then $DE \cap AB = \infty_{AB}$ and so $AC = BC$.
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dolphinday
1318 posts
#21
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Let $M$ be the midpoint of $AF$.
If $AC = BC$ then it follows that $DE \parallel AB$ so we have $-1 = (P_{\infty}, M; F, A)$. Since $QEDF$ is a harmonic quadrilateral, we have $-1 = (Q, D; E, F) \overset{E} = (\overline{EQ} \cap \overline{AB}, P_{\infty}; F, A)$ so $\overline{EQ} \cap \overline{AB} = M$.
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Markas
105 posts
#22
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Let $EQ\cap AF = M$. If we have AM = MF, then $(A, F; M, P_{\infty}) = -1$, but also $(A, F; M, P_{\infty})\stackrel{E}{=}(E, F; Q, EP_{\infty}\cap \omega) = -1$. Now from AF and AE tangents and A, Q, D being collinear we have that EQFD is a harmonic quadrilateral $\Rightarrow$ $(E, F; Q, D) = -1$ and from $(E, F; Q, EP_{\infty}\cap \omega) =  (E, F; Q, D) = -1$ $\Rightarrow$ $EP_{\infty} \cap \omega = D$, or $DE \parallel AB$, which is equivalent to CA = CB, since CE = CD $\Rightarrow$ we are ready.
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bebebe
984 posts
#23
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We know $(E,F;Q,D)=-1$ (from tangents at $A$). Taking perspectivity from $E$ onto line $AB$ gives $(A,F;EQ\cap AB,ED\cap AB)=-1.$ Thus, $EQ\cap AB$ is the midpoint of $AF$ iff $ED \cap AB = P_{\infty}$. Since $CE=CD,$ we know by similar triangles $ED \parallel AB$ iff $AC=BC$, and we are done.
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N3bula
257 posts
#24
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Let $EF\cap AD$ be $P$, we let $ED\cap AB$ be $T$ and we let $EQ\cap AF$ be $M$, we get $-1=(A,P;Q,D)\overset{\mathrm{E}}{=}(A,F;M,T)$ as $M$ is the midpoint
of $AF$ we get that $T$ is the point at infinity so $ED$ is parallel to $AB$ so $AC=BC$.
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Ilikeminecraft
330 posts
#25
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\[-1 = (A, F; \overline{QE} \cap \overline{AF}, P_\infty) \stackrel E= (A, \overline{EF} \cap \overline{AD}; Q, \overline{EP_\infty} \cap \overline{AD}).\]But $(A, \overline{EF} \cap \overline{AD}, Q, D)=-1$, so $\overline{DE} \parallel \overline{AB}$ and $AC=BC$.
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