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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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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.

Are you ready to level up with Olympiad training? Registration is open with early bird pricing available for our WOOT programs: MathWOOT (Levels 1 and 2), CodeWOOT, PhysicsWOOT, and ChemWOOT. What is WOOT? WOOT stands for Worldwide Online Olympiad Training and is a 7-month high school math Olympiad preparation and testing program that brings together many of the best students from around the world to learn Olympiad problem solving skills. Classes begin in September!

Do you have plans this summer? There are so many options to fit your schedule and goals whether attending a summer camp or taking online classes, it can be a great break from the routine of the school year. Check out our summer courses at AoPS Online, or if you want a math or language arts class that doesn’t have homework, but is an enriching summer experience, our AoPS Virtual Campus summer camps may be just the ticket! We are expanding our locations for our AoPS Academies across the country with 15 locations so far and new campuses opening in Saratoga CA, Johns Creek GA, and the Upper West Side NY. Check out this page for summer camp information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events:
[list][*]March 5th (Wednesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, HCSSiM Math Jam 2025. Amber Verser, Assistant Director of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, will host an information session about HCSSiM, a summer program for high school students.
[*]March 6th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar on Math Competitions from elementary through high school. Join us for an enlightening session that demystifies the world of math competitions and helps you make informed decisions about your contest journey.
[*]March 11th (Tuesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MATHCOUNTS Chapter Discussion MATH JAM. AoPS instructors will discuss some of their favorite problems from the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition. All are welcome!
[*]March 13th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar about Summer Camps at the Virtual Campus. Transform your summer into an unforgettable learning adventure! From elementary through high school, we offer dynamic summer camps featuring topics in mathematics, language arts, and competition preparation - all designed to fit your schedule and ignite your passion for learning.[/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.

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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
F-ma exam and math
MathNerdRabbit103   3
N a few seconds ago by MathNerdRabbit103
Hi guys,
Do I need to know calculus to take the F-ma exam? I am only on the intro to algebra book. Also, I want to do good on the USAPHO exam. So can I skip the waves section of HRK?
Thanks
3 replies
1 viewing
MathNerdRabbit103
Yesterday at 10:05 PM
MathNerdRabbit103
a few seconds ago
usamOOK geometry
KevinYang2.71   68
N 8 minutes ago by Pengu14
Source: USAMO 2025/4, USAJMO 2025/5
Let $H$ be the orthocenter of acute triangle $ABC$, let $F$ be the foot of the altitude from $C$ to $AB$, and let $P$ be the reflection of $H$ across $BC$. Suppose that the circumcircle of triangle $AFP$ intersects line $BC$ at two distinct points $X$ and $Y$. Prove that $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$.
68 replies
+2 w
KevinYang2.71
Yesterday at 12:00 PM
Pengu14
8 minutes ago
Tennessee Math Tournament (TMT) Online 2025
TennesseeMathTournament   37
N 21 minutes ago by athreyay
Hello everyone! We are excited to announce a new competition, the Tennessee Math Tournament, created by the Tennessee Math Coalition! Anyone can participate in the virtual competition for free.

The testing window is from March 22nd to April 5th, 2025. Virtual competitors may participate in the competition at any time during that window.

The virtual competition consists of three rounds: Individual, Bullet, and Team. The Individual Round is 60 minutes long and consists of 30 questions (AMC 10 level). The Bullet Round is 20 minutes long and consists of 80 questions (Mathcounts Chapter level). The Team Round is 30 minutes long and consists of 16 questions (AMC 12 level). Virtual competitors may compete in teams of four, or choose to not participate in the team round.

To register and see more information, click here!

If you have any questions, please email connect@tnmathcoalition.org or reply to this thread!

Thank you to our lead sponsor, Jane Street!

IMAGE
37 replies
TennesseeMathTournament
Mar 9, 2025
athreyay
21 minutes ago
2025 USA(J)MO Cutoff Predictions
KevinChen_Yay   90
N 27 minutes ago by a_smart_alecks
What do y'all think JMO winner and MOP cuts will be?

(Also, to satisfy the USAMO takers; what about the bronze, silver, gold, green mop, blue mop, black mop?)
90 replies
KevinChen_Yay
Yesterday at 12:33 PM
a_smart_alecks
27 minutes ago
Dealing with Multiple Circles
Wildabandon   4
N an hour ago by Double07
Source: PEMNAS Brawijaya University Senior High School Semifinal 2023 P4
A non-isosceles triangle $ABC$ and $\ell$ is tangent to the circumcircle of triangle $ABC$ through point $C$. Points $D$ and $E$ are the midpoints of segments $BC$ and $CA$ respectively, then line $AD$ and line $BE$ intersect $\ell$ at points $A_1$ and $B_1$ respectively. Line $AB_1$ and line $BA_1$ intersect the circumcircle of triangle $ABC$ at points $X$ and $Y$ respectively. Prove that $X$, $Y$, $D$ and $E$ concyclic.
4 replies
Wildabandon
Dec 1, 2024
Double07
an hour ago
Thanks u!
Ruji2018252   1
N an hour ago by pco
Jqkrjfđrfffffff
1 reply
Ruji2018252
an hour ago
pco
an hour ago
funny title
nguyenvana   1
N an hour ago by pco
Source: no from book
Find all the functions f: R+ to R+ which satisfy the functional equation:
f(2f(x)+f(y)+xy)=xy+2x+y (x,y R+)
1 reply
nguyenvana
3 hours ago
pco
an hour ago
subsets of subset has same sum
61plus   3
N an hour ago by sttsmet
Source: 2015 China TST 2 Day 2 Q2
Set $S$ to be a subset of size $68$ of $\{1,2,...,2015\}$. Prove that there exist $3$ pairwise disjoint, non-empty subsets $A,B,C$ such that $|A|=|B|=|C|$ and $\sum_{a\in A}a=\sum_{b\in B}b=\sum_{c\in C}c$
3 replies
61plus
Mar 19, 2015
sttsmet
an hour ago
Dear Sqing: So Many Inequalities...
hashtagmath   23
N an hour ago by MTA_2024
I have noticed thousands upon thousands of inequalities that you have posted to HSO and was wondering where you get the inspiration, imagination, and even the validation that such inequalities are true? Also, what do you find particularly appealing and important about specifically inequalities rather than other branches of mathematics? Thank you :)
23 replies
hashtagmath
Oct 30, 2024
MTA_2024
an hour ago
(ab)^2 + (bc)^2 + (ca)^2
GorgonMathDota   13
N an hour ago by ektorasmiliotis
Source: Shortlist BMO 2019, A5
Let $a,b,c$ be positive real numbers, such that $(ab)^2 + (bc)^2 + (ca)^2 = 3$. Prove that
\[ (a^2 - a + 1)(b^2 - b + 1)(c^2 - c + 1) \ge 1. \]
Proposed by Florin Stanescu (wer), România
13 replies
GorgonMathDota
Nov 7, 2020
ektorasmiliotis
an hour ago
weird combinatorics/algebra
Dr.Poe98   1
N an hour ago by americancheeseburger4281
Source: Brazil Cono Sur TST 2024 - T3/P2
For each natural number $n\ge3$, let $m(n)$ be the maximum number of points inside or on the sides of a regular $n$-agon of side $1$ such that the distance between any two points is greater than $1$. Prove that $m(n)\ge n$ for $n>6$.
1 reply
Dr.Poe98
Oct 21, 2024
americancheeseburger4281
an hour ago
A nice problem
hanzo.ei   0
an hour ago

Given a nonzero real number \(a\) and a polynomial \(P(x)\) with real coefficients of degree \(n\) (\(n > 1\)) such that \(P(x)\) has no real roots. Prove that the polynomial
\[
Q(x) \;=\; P(x) \;+\; a\,P'(x) \;+\; a^2\,P''(x) \;+\; \dots \;+\; a^n\,P^{(n)}(x)
\]has no real roots.
0 replies
hanzo.ei
an hour ago
0 replies
interesting algebra/geometry
Dr.Poe98   2
N an hour ago by americancheeseburger4281
Source: Brazil Cono Sur TST 2024 - T2/P4
In the cartesian plane, consider the subset of all the points with both integer coordinates. Prove that it is possible to choose a finite non-empty subset $S$ of these points in such a way that any line $l$ that forms an angle of $90^{\circ},0^{\circ},135^{\circ}$ or $45^{\circ}$ with the positive horizontal semi-axis intersects $S$ at exactly $2024$ points or at no points.
2 replies
Dr.Poe98
Oct 21, 2024
americancheeseburger4281
an hour ago
Round up to the nearest power of two
navi_09220114   1
N 2 hours ago by ja.
Source: Own. Malaysian IMO TST 2025 P6
A sequence $2^{a_1}, 2^{a_2}, \cdots,2^{a_m}$ is called good, if $a_i$ are non-negative integers, and $a_{i+1}-a_{i}$ is either $0$ or $1$ for all $1\le i\le m-1$.

Fix a positive integer $n$, and Ivan has a whiteboard with some ones written on it. In each step, he may erase any good sequence $2^{a_1}, 2^{a_2}, \cdots,2^{a_m}$ that appears on the whiteboard, and then he writes the number $2^k$ such that $$2^{k-1}<2^{a_1}+2^{a_2}+\cdots+2^{a_m}\le 2^{k}$$Suppose Ivan starts with the least possible number of ones to obtain $2^n$ after some steps, determine the minimum number of steps he will need in order to do so.

Proposed by Ivan Chan Kai Chin
1 reply
navi_09220114
6 hours ago
ja.
2 hours ago
Quadrilateral APBQ
v_Enhance   134
N Mar 20, 2025 by quantam13
Source: USAMO 2015 Problem 2, JMO Problem 3
Quadrilateral $APBQ$ is inscribed in circle $\omega$ with $\angle P = \angle Q = 90^{\circ}$ and $AP = AQ < BP$. Let $X$ be a variable point on segment $\overline{PQ}$. Line $AX$ meets $\omega$ again at $S$ (other than $A$). Point $T$ lies on arc $AQB$ of $\omega$ such that $\overline{XT}$ is perpendicular to $\overline{AX}$. Let $M$ denote the midpoint of chord $\overline{ST}$. As $X$ varies on segment $\overline{PQ}$, show that $M$ moves along a circle.
134 replies
v_Enhance
Apr 28, 2015
quantam13
Mar 20, 2025
Quadrilateral APBQ
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: USAMO 2015 Problem 2, JMO Problem 3
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CT17
1481 posts
#168 • 11 Y
Y by Leo.Euler, CyclicISLscelesTrapezoid, Orthogonal., peelybonehead, megarnie, Spectator, Inconsistent, bjump, KI_HG, EpicBird08, trk08
Let $Y = AT\cap PQ$. Then $STYX$ is cyclic by shooting lemma and has center $M$ since $\angle SXT = 90^\circ$. But then if $\omega$ is centered at $O$ with radius $R$ we have

$$AP^2 = \text{pow}_{(ST)}(A) = AM^2 - MS^2 = AM^2 - (R^2 - OM^2)$$
so $AM^2 + OM^2$ is fixed, and hence $M$ lies on a circle centered at the midpoint of $AO$, as desired.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by CT17, Jun 13, 2023, 1:45 AM
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trk08
614 posts
#171
Y by
$\underline{Claim:}$

$AX\cdot AS$ is independent of $X$.

$\underline{Proof:}$

Denote $Y=AB\cap PQ$ and $R$ as the radius of $\omega$. By Power of a Point, we can say that:

\begin{align*}
AX\cdot AS & =AX^2+AX\cdot XS\\
&= AX^2+R^2-OX^2\\
&=AX^2+R^2-YO^2-YX^2\\
&=AY^2-YO^2+R^2.
\end{align*}

Therefore, as $Y$ is fixed, $AX\cdot AS$ is independent of $X$.

$\underline{Claim:}$

If $N_9$ is the nine-point center of $\triangle{AST}$, the locus of $N_9$ is a circle with a center at $A$.

$\underline{Proof:}$
Denote $S'$ as the midpoint of $AS$. By Power of a Point, and the fact that the radius of the nine-point circle is half of $R$, we can say that:
\[AX\cdot AS'=AN_9^2-\frac{R^2}{4},\]\[\frac{AX\cdot AS}{2}=AN_9^2-\frac{R^2}{4},\]\[AN_9^2=\frac{AY^2-YO^2}{2}+\frac{3R^2}{4}.\]Thus, $AN_9^2$ does not depend on the position of $X$ so it is fixed, as desired.

Now, consider a homothety centered at $H$, the orthocenter of $\triangle{AST}$, with a scale factor of $\frac{4}{3}$. This maps $N_9$ to $G$ and $A$ to a point $A'$. Now, consider a homothety centered at $A$ with a scale factor of $\frac{3}{2}$. This maps $G$ to $M$ and $A$ to some point $A''$. Thus, $M$ lies on a circle with center $A''$ as a homothety maps a circle to a circle.
Z K Y
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peace09
5416 posts
#172
Y by
Let $N$ and $O$ be the midpoints of $AB$ and $AN$ respectively, and let $\Omega$ be the circle centered at $O$ with radius $AO$. We shall prove that $M$ moves along a circle centered at $O$ by showing that $\text{Pow}_\Omega(M)=MO^2-AO^2$, and in turn $MO$, is constant.

Define $f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ by $f(P)=\text{Pow}_\Omega(P)-\text{Pow}_\omega(P)$, so that $f$ is linear by Linearity of Power of a Point. Hence, $f(M)=\tfrac{f(S)+f(T)}{2}$, which rewrites as
\[\text{Pow}_\Omega(M)-\text{Pow}_\omega(M)=\frac{\text{Pow}_\Omega(S)+\text{Pow}_\Omega(T)}{2},\]because $S,T\in\omega\implies\text{Pow}_\omega(S)=\text{Pow}_\omega(T)=0$.

Now $\text{Pow}_\omega(M)=SM\cdot TM=\tfrac{ST^2}{4}$. Additionally, taking a homothety of scale factor $\tfrac{1}{2}$ at $A$, we find that $AS$ and $AT$ intersect $\Omega$ for a second time at their midpoints; so $\text{Pow}_\Omega(S)=\tfrac{AS}{2}\cdot AS=\tfrac{AS^2}{4}$ and $\text{Pow}_\Omega(T)=\tfrac{AT^2}{4}$. Therefore, it remains to show that
\begin{align*}
    \text{Pow}_\Omega(M)&=\frac{\text{Pow}_\Omega(S)+\text{Pow}_\Omega(T)}{2}+\text{Pow}_\omega(M)\\
    &=\frac{AS^2+AT^2-ST^2}{4}
\end{align*}is constant. The rest is direct by Pythagoras:
  • $AT^2-ST^2=AX^2-SX^2$ since $AS\perp TX$, and
  • $AS^2=(AX+SX)^2=AX^2+SX^2+2\cdot AX\cdot SX$.
Summing gives $2(AX^2+AX\cdot SX)=2(AX^2+AN^2-XN^2)$ by Power of a Point. But $AX^2-XN^2=AQ^2-QN^2$ by Pythagoras, and adding $AN^2$ leaves $AQ^2$, constant.
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shendrew7
792 posts
#173
Y by
Our synthetic solution follows with a series of claims.

Claim 1: $\triangle APX \sim \triangle ASP$.

We have $\angle PAX = \angle SAP$, and
\begin{align*}
\angle APX &= \angle APQ = \angle ABQ = \angle ABP = \angle ASP \text{ } \Box \\
&\implies \boxed{AP^2 = AX \cdot AS.}
\end{align*}
Claim 2: The length $AN$ is fixed.

Denote $Y$ as the midpoint of $AS$, implying $(XYM)$ is the nine-point circle of $\triangle AST$. Then let $H$ and $N$ be the orthocenter and nine-point center of $\triangle AST$, respectively.

Using Power of a Point, we find
\begin{align*}
AN^2 &= pow(A, (XYM)) + R^2_{(XYM)} \\
&= AX \cdot AY + \frac{1}{4} R^2_{(APBQ)} \\
&= \frac{1}{2} AP^2 + \frac{1}{4} R^2_{(APBQ)},
\end{align*}which is a fixed quantity. $\Box$

Claim 3: $AN = KM$, where $K$ is the midpoint of $AO$.

This follows from a stronger statement - $AKMN$ is a parallelogram. We have $AK = NM$ as $R_{(APBQ)} = 2R_{(XYM)}$, and $AK \parallel NM$ due to a homothety at $H$ with ratio $2$. $\Box$

Hence $KM$ is a fixed quantity, meaning $M$ moves along a circle centered at $K$. $\blacksquare$

[asy]
size(256);
defaultpen(linewidth(0.4)+fontsize(8));

pair O, K, A, P, B, Q, S, X;
O = 0;
K = -.5;
A = -1;
P = dir(135);
B = 1;
Q = dir(225);
S = dir(40);
X = extension(A, S, P, Q);

pair [] T=intersectionpoints(circle(O, 1), 3X-2*(rotate(90, X)*S)--rotate(90, X)*S);

pair M, Y, H, N;
M = .5S + .5T[1];
Y = .5S + .5A;
H = orthocenter(A, S, T[1]);
N = .5H;

fill(A--P--S--cycle, palegreen);
fill(A--K--M--N--cycle, lightyellow);

draw(circle(O, 1));
draw(A--P--B--Q--A--P--Q);
draw(S--A--B);
draw(A--T[1]--S);
draw(T[1]--X);
draw(circumcircle(X, Y, M), blue);
draw(A--H--B, dashed);
draw(2N-M--M);
draw(P--S);
draw(A--N^^M--K);

label("$O$", O, dir(90));
label("$A$", A, W);
label("$P$", P, NW);
label("$B$", B, E);
label("$Q$", Q, SW);
label("$S$", S, NE);
label("$X$", X, NW);
label("$T$", T[1], dir(270));
label("$Y$", Y, dir(90));
label("$H$", H, dir(225));
label("$N$", N, SE);
label("$M$", M, dir(0));
label("$K$", K, dir(90));

dot(O);
dot(A);
dot(P);
dot(B);
dot(Q);
dot(S);
dot(X);
dot(T[1]);
dot(Y);
dot(H);
dot(N);
dot(M);
dot(2N-M);
dot(K);
[/asy]
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by shendrew7, Aug 16, 2023, 12:22 AM
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Siddharth03
177 posts
#174 • 3 Y
Y by rama1728, Leo.Euler, starchan
Here's a short solution I found:

Let $\Omega$ be the circle with center $A$ passing through $P,Q$. Note that as $AP^2 = AX\cdot AS$ we have that $(XST)$ is orthogonal to $\Omega$.
Hence, w.r.t. $\Omega$, the power of the center of $(XST)$ i.e. $M$ is $MS^2$. So, as the power of $M$ w.r.t. $\omega$ is $MS\cdot MT = - MS^2$, we have that the ratio of powers of $M$ w.r.t. $\omega,\Omega$ is constant i.e. $-1$.
Hence, $M$ moves along a fixed circle coaxial with $\omega,\Omega$ and we are done!

Remark: For any $2$ circles, $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ the locus of all points s.t. the powers w.r.t. the $2$ circles have ratio $-1$ is actually a circle with its center at the midpoint of the centers of $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ and coaxial with $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ (if it exists). So, in particular for the given problem, the center of the required locus is actually at the midpoint of $AO$!
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Siddharth03, Feb 5, 2024, 6:35 AM
Reason: remark
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Rijul saini
904 posts
#175 • 1 Y
Y by rama1728
Here's a solution with Inversion at $P$. (elaborated with motivation)

Invert at $P$. Then the problem becomes: (this is the literal translation into the inversion so it is an easy exercise to check that this is the reduction)

Inverted Problem: Let $P,Q,A$ be points so that $QP = QA$. $X$ is a variable point on ray $\overrightarrow{PQ}$ not lying on $\overline{PQ}$. Let the circumcircle of $\displaystyle \triangle PAX$ be $\Gamma$. Suppose $\Gamma$ intersects $AQ$ at $S$. Let $K$ be the point of intersection of the tangent to $\Gamma$ at $P,X$, and let $\gamma$ be the circle with center $K$ and radius $KP$. Let $T$ be the point of intersection of $AQ$ and $\gamma$ so that $T,S$ are on the same side of $PQ$. Finally let $M$ be the point on circumcircle of $PST$ so that $PSMT$ is a harmonic quadrilateral. Show that as $X$ varies, $M$ moves along a line.

[asy]
 /* Geogebra to Asymptote conversion, documentation at artofproblemsolving.com/Wiki go to User:Azjps/geogebra */
import graph; size(8.69579111791154cm); 
real labelscalefactor = 0.5; /* changes label-to-point distance */
pen dps = linewidth(0.7) + fontsize(10); defaultpen(dps); /* default pen style */ 
pen dotstyle = black; /* point style */ 
real xmin = -12.588921244761162, xmax = 34.10686987315038, ymin = -10.97652652920867, ymax = 8.59096386647165;  /* image dimensions */
pen wvvxds = rgb(0.396078431372549,0.3411764705882353,0.8235294117647058); pen yqqqyq = rgb(0.5019607843137255,0.,0.5019607843137255); pen ttzzqq = rgb(0.2,0.6,0.); pen zzttqq = rgb(0.6,0.2,0.); pen wrwrwr = rgb(0.3803921568627451,0.3803921568627451,0.3803921568627451); pen dbwrru = rgb(0.8588235294117647,0.3803921568627451,0.0784313725490196); 

draw(arc((-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821),1.2742938752613824,-94.88382104067733,-17.15501704176266)--(-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821)--cycle, linewidth(0.8) + ttzzqq); 
draw(arc((3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813),1.5574702919861338,187.95251875876014,200.22371475984545)--(3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813)--cycle, linewidth(0.8) + zzttqq); 
 /* draw figures */
draw(circle((-0.5587056160162932,-3.5202213397406914), 4.600858466346371), linewidth(0.8) + wvvxds); 
draw(circle((-3.86334837257875,-3.2378535050286303), 1.8674444733326263), linewidth(0.8) + yqqqyq); 
draw((-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821)--(-5.000632730256479,-4.719046656093717), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821)--(-2.2135750277227,-2.3628696357012853), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-2.2135750277227,-2.3628696357012853)--(3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813)--(-5.000632730256479,-4.719046656093717), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((1.3624776541290877,0.6603232982059701)--(3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-0.6034183727430487,7.322622166497663)--(-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-0.6034183727430487,7.322622166497663)--(3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((1.3624776541290877,0.6603232982059701)--(-5.000632730256479,-4.719046656093717), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821)--(3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-2.2135750277227,-2.3628696357012853)--(1.8091785098197786,-9.94773124493867), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((1.8091785098197786,-9.94773124493867)--(-5.000632730256479,-4.719046656093717), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw(shift((-0.6034183727430492,7.3226221664976645))*xscale(9.818419216148714)*yscale(9.818419216148714)*arc((0,0),1,212.00934216225082,330.46867914558794), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
draw((-1.9080693022464674,0.14256281609147714)--(1.8091785098197786,-9.94773124493867), linewidth(0.8) + linetype("4 4") + dbwrru); 
draw((1.8091785098197786,-9.94773124493867)--(-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821), linewidth(0.8) + wrwrwr); 
 /* dots and labels */
dot((-4.73285770201925,-1.5851882676025821),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$P$", (-5.396240259952471,-1.1219872271873232), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-1.27681893696828,-1.5709365613549493),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$Q$", (-1.3751351424609977,-1.2635754355496989), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((1.3624776541290877,0.6603232982059701),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$A$", (1.4849466664589936,0.8319300482134614), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((3.5993457452603925,-1.55082866575813),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$X$", (3.948581491964333,-1.291893077222174), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-5.000632730256479,-4.719046656093717),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$S$", (-5.8776401683845485,-4.973186494643942), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-0.6034183727430487,7.322622166497663),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$K$", (-1.3751351424609977,6.891905366123141), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-2.2135750277227,-2.3628696357012853),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$T$", (-2.479523167687529,-3.2174927109504834), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((1.8091785098197786,-9.94773124493867),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$U$", (2.022981858236022,-10.013726712344518), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-2.468559581939059,-4.4795914365127425),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$M$", (-2.677746659394855,-5.482904044748494), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-3.3637792092231593,-3.335251606389178),linewidth(3.pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$V$", (-3.498958267896635,-2.905998652553257), NE * labelscalefactor); 
clip((xmin,ymin)--(xmin,ymax)--(xmax,ymax)--(xmax,ymin)--cycle); 
 /* end of picture */
[/asy]

Okay, this is quite intimidating at first, for example the definition of $M$ is quite scary. But then we realize that $M$ is supposed to move along a line through $Q$ (since that earlier locus should have been a circle passing through $P$ and $Q$), so all we need to show is that $QM$ is a fixed line independent of $M$.

Now, let the tangents to $(PST)$ at $T,S$ intersect at $U$, then $P,M,Z$ are collinear. Let $PZ$ intersect $ST$ at $V$. Then $(P,M; V,U) = -1$, hence $(QP, QM; QV, QU) = -1$. Now $QP, QV$ are fixed lines, so it is enough to show that $QU$ is a fixed line. Inspecting the diagram it appears as if $QU$ seems to be the angle bisector of $PQA$, so let's try to make that claim. (note that $QA = QP$, therefore $PAXS$ is an isosceles trapezium)

Reduced problem: Let $PAXS$ be an isosceles trapezium, with circumcircle $\Gamma$, and diagonals intersecting at $Q$. Suppose tangents to $\Gamma$ at $P,X$ intersect at $K$, and let $T$ be the point on segment $QS$ so that $KT = KP = KX$. If the tangents to $(PST)$ at $S,T$ intersect at $U$ then $U$ lies on the angle bisector of $PQA$.

Proof: Note that the angle bisector of $PQA$ is the perpendicular bisector of $SX$. Thus, we are reduced to proving that $U$ is the circumcenter of $\displaystyle \triangle STX$.
This is just angle chasing: we already know that $US = UT$, therefore it is enough to show that $\angle TUS = 2 \angle TXS$. But $\angle TUS = 180^\circ - 2 \angle TPS$, thus it is enough to show that $\angle TPS + \angle TXS = 90^\circ$. Now, $\angle PKX = 180^\circ - 2 \angle PSX$ thus $\angle PTX = 90^\circ + \angle PSX$. Therefore $\angle TPX+ \angle TXP = 90^\circ - \angle PSX$, and finally we have $$\angle TPS + \angle TXS = 180^\circ - (\angle TPX+ \angle TXP + \angle PSX) = 90^\circ.$$And we are through. $\square$
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qwerty123456asdfgzxcvb
1077 posts
#176
Y by
Siddharth03 wrote:
Here's a short solution I found:

Let $\Omega$ be the circle with center $A$ passing through $P,Q$. Note that as $AP^2 = AX\cdot AS$ we have that $(XST)$ is orthogonal to $\Omega$.
Hence, w.r.t. $\Omega$, the power of the center of $(XST)$ i.e. $M$ is $MS^2$. So, as the power of $M$ w.r.t. $\omega$ is $MS\cdot MT = - MS^2$, we have that the ratio of powers of $M$ w.r.t. $\omega,\Omega$ is constant i.e. $-1$.
Hence, $M$ moves along a fixed circle coaxial with $\omega,\Omega$ and we are done!

Remark: For any $2$ circles, $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ the locus of all points s.t. the powers w.r.t. the $2$ circles have ratio $-1$ is actually a circle with its center at the midpoint of the centers of $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ and coaxial with $\mathcal{C}_1,\mathcal{C}_2$ (if it exists). So, in particular for the given problem, the center of the required locus is actually at the midpoint of $AO$!

forgotten coaxiality lemma: ratio of locus of points such that power of one circle is k* power of another is another coaxal circle
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cursed_tangent1434
552 posts
#177 • 1 Y
Y by dolphinday
In my honest opinion. guessing the locus was trivial but proving it required some ingenuity (since I forgot that complex numbers existed). We claim that as $X$ varies along $PQ$, the point $M$ varies along the circle passing through $P$ , $Q$ , and the midpoints of segments $PB$ and $QB$. To see why this is true, we let $T_1$ and $T_2$ be the intersections of the line perpendicular to $AS$ at $X$ with $\omega$ and rewrite the problem in terms of the reference triangle $\triangle ST_1T_2$. Then, it suffices to show the following.
Rephrased Problem wrote:
Let $\triangle ABC$ be an acute scalene triangle with $M_B$ and $M_C$ being the midpoints of $AC$ and $AB$. Let $D$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $A$ to $BC$ and $H_A$ the intersection of $\overline{AD}$ with $(ABC)$. Let $A'$ be the intersection of the line parallel to side $BC$ through $A$ and $(ABC)$. Let $P$ and $Q$ be the intersections of the line through $D$ perpendicular to segment $A'H_A$, with $(ABC)$. Let $M_P$ and $M_Q$ be the midpoints of sides $A'Q$ and $A'P$ respectively. Show that the points, $P$ , $Q$ , $M_B$ , $M_C$ , $M_P$ and $M_Q$ lie on the same circle.

Let $X$ denote the intersection of the tangent to $(ABC)$ at $A$ and $\overline{PQ}$. Then, note that
\[\measuredangle DAX = \measuredangle H_AAX = \measuredangle H_AA'A = \measuredangle QDH_A = \measuredangle XDA\]so $XD=XA$. Thus, $X$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of segment $AD$. Further, points $M_B$ and $M_C$ also lie on this perpendicular bisector so points $X$ , $M_B$ and $M_C$ are collinear. We also know that circles $(ABC)$ and $(AM_BM_C)$ are tangent at $A$ (due to homothety reasons). Thus,
\[XP \cdot XQ = XA^2 = XM_B \cdot XM_C\]so quadrilateral $PQM_BM_C$ is indeed cyclic.

Further, let $N$ be the midpoint of $A'D$. Then, $N$ clearly lies on $M_PM_Q$ since this is the $A-$midline of $\triangle A'PQ$ and $D$ is a point lying on side $PQ$. Further, let $D'$ be the reflection of $D$ across the perpendicular bisector of side $BC$. $N$ is clearly the center of rectangle $AA'D'D$ so it is also the midpoint of $AD'$. Thus, $N$ also lies on $M_BM_C$ as it is the $A-$midline of $\triangle ABC$ and $D'$ lies on side $BC$. Thus, lines $\overline{M_BM_C}$ , $\overline{M_PM_Q}$ and $\overline{A'D}$ concur , at $N$. Then,
\[4NM_P \cdot NM_Q = DP \cdot DQ = DB \cdot DC = D'B \cdot D'C = 4NM_C \cdot NM_B\]so quadrilateral $M_CM_PM_BM_Q$ is cyclic.

Now, since lines $\overline{M_BM_C}$ and $\overline{PQ}$ are not parallel ($BC$ and $PQ$ intersect at $D$), it follows that points $P$ , $Q$ , $M_B$ , $M_C$ , $M_P$ and $M_Q$ lie on the same circle as desired.
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eg4334
614 posts
#178
Y by
Complex

Edit
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by eg4334, Jan 1, 2025, 12:16 AM
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TestX01
329 posts
#179
Y by
this aint 15m

Taking reference triangle $ABC$ and a bit of relabelling, we have the following problem. Let $ABC$ be a triangle and $D,E,F$ be the feet from $A,B,C$ to the opposite sides. Note by a simple angle chase $EF$ is the same line as $PQ$ in the problem. Suppose now this intersects $(ABC)$ at $P,Q$. Let $A'$ be the $A$-antipode, and midpoints of $PA',QA'$ be $U,V$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of $BC$. We want to prove $PQVUM$ is cyclic, as in the problem taking $X$ as $P,AB\cap PQ, Q$ give two points from the locus.

Clearly, $PQMD$ is cyclic, as if $EF\cap BC=Y$, $YD\times YM=YE\times YF=YB\times YC=YP\times YQ$ by power of a point on nine point circle, semicircle on $BC$, circumcircle.

Thus we actually need $PQDUV$ cyclic. We do this by forgotten coaxiality lemma.

Consider $\omega=(A,P)$ and $(ABC)$. Checking the power of $D$, we see that $AD^2-AH\times AD=AD(DH)$, $H$ is orthocentre. Now check if this is $DB\times DC$ which is negative. The ratio is $-1$ by similar triangles $\triangle BDH\sim\triangle ADC$.

However, the ratio for $U,V$ is just $-1\times \frac{UP^2}{UP\times UA'}=-1$ etc, so we're done as then $D$ lies on a circle coaxial to $(ABC),\omega$, hence passing through $P,Q$.
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Scilyse
386 posts
#180
Y by
TestX01 wrote:
this aint 15m
yes it is (in particular, forgotten coaxiality lemma is a >= 15m technique)

We complex bash. Let \(a = 1\), \(b = -1\) and \(r = 1 / 2\). We wish to show that if \(\operatorname{Re}(x)\) is constant, then \(|r - m|\) is constant.

The complex foot formula yields that \[\frac{1}{2} (s + t + 1 - s \overline{t}) = x;\]therefore
\begin{align*}
    \operatorname{Re}(x) &= \operatorname{Re}\left(\frac{1}{2} (s + t + 1 - s \overline{t})\right) \\
    &= \frac{1}{2} \operatorname{Re}(s + t + 1 - s \overline{t}) \\
    &= \frac{1}{4} (s + t + 1 - s \overline{t} + \overline{s} + \overline{t} + 1 - \overline{s} t) \\
    &= \frac{1}{4} (2 + s + t + \overline{s} + \overline{t} - s \overline{t} - \overline{s} t) \\
    &= \frac{1}{2} + \frac{c}{4}
\end{align*}where \(c = s + t + \overline{s} + \overline{t} - s\overline{t} - \overline{s}t\).

However,
\begin{align*}
    |r - m|^2 &= (r - m)(\overline{r - m}) \\
    &= \left(\frac{s + t}{2} - \frac{1}{2}\right) \left(\overline{\frac{s + t}{2} - \frac{1}{2}}\right) \\
    &= \frac{1}{4} (s + t - 1) (\overline{s} + \overline{t} - 1) \\
    &= \frac{1}{4} (3 - s - t - \overline{s} - \overline{t} + s \overline{t} + \overline{s} t) \\
    &= \frac{1}{4} (3 - c)
\end{align*}which is constant, as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Scilyse, Sep 24, 2024, 12:47 PM
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Vedoral
89 posts
#181
Y by
Click to reveal hidden text
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ihatemath123
3439 posts
#182 • 1 Y
Y by peace09
Let $O$ be the center of $\omega$. We will show that the fixed circle is the circle centered at $\overline{AO}$ passing through $P$ and $Q$.

Let $T_1$ and $T_2$ be the points on $\omega$ for which $\angle TX_1 S = \angle T_2 XS = 90^{\circ}$, and let $M_1$ and $M_2$ be the midpoints of $\overline{ST_1}$ and $\overline{ST_2}$.

Claim: We have that $PM_2 M_1 Q$ is cyclic.
Proof: Invert at $S$ and refer to points' images by their original names (except for $S$) (just for this claim). We will show that $PM_2 M_1 Q$ is an isosceles trapezoid (after inversion) – since $\overline{PQ} \parallel \overline{M_1 M_2}$, it suffices to show that $XP = XQ$ and $XM_1 = XM_2$. The former is true since $X$ is now the arc midpoint of arc $PQ$ in $(SPQ)$, while the latter is true since $XM_1 = XS = XM_2$. The claim is proven.

Claim: The perpendicular bisector of $\overline{M_1 M_2}$ always bisects $\overline{AO}$.
Proof: Let $A'$ be the midpoint of $\overline{AS}$. Since $\angle OA'A = 90^{\circ}$, the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{A'O}$ bisects $\overline{AO}$. Since $O$ is the antipode of $S$ in $(SM_1 M_2)$ and $A'$ lies on $(SM_1 M_2)$ such that $\overline{SA_1} \perp \overline{M_1 M_2}$, it follows that $A'OM_1 M_2$ is an isosceles trapezoid. Therefore, the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{A'O}$ coincides with the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{M_1 M_2}$.

These two claims are enough to show the problem.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by ihatemath123, Jan 1, 2025, 6:23 PM
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Mr.Sharkman
489 posts
#183
Y by
How did this problem take me more time to solve than #3 :/
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quantam13
97 posts
#184
Y by
I use the following lemma:

Lemma: Let $\overline{AD},\overline{BE},\overline{CF}$ be altitudes of $\triangle ABC$ with orthocenter $H$.Also let $M$ be the midpoint of $\overline{BC}$.Let $EF$ intersect the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$ at $X,Y$.Then $(XYDM)$ is cyclic.
Proof of lemma: Denote $\overline{EF} \cap \overline{BC}$ as $Z$. We have that $(DMFE)$ is cyclic since its the nine point circle of $\triangle ABC$ and $(BFEC)$ is cyclic with diameter $BC$ .Now by power of point we have $$KY \cdot KX = KB \cdot KC=KF \cdot KE = KD \cdot KM$$and by power of point $(XYDM)$ is cyclic $\square$

Now consider the triangle $AST$. Let the foot of perpendicular from $S$ to $AT$ be $Y$.

Claim: $Y$ lies on line $PQ$
Proof of claim: Simple angle chase in triangle $AST$ gives $XY\perp AO$. But since $PQ\perp AO$ and $X\in PQ$, the claim follows.

But now notice that if we apply the lemma we get that $PQMF$ is cyclic where $F$ is the foot of $A$ on $ST$. The center of this circle must lie on the perpendicular bisector of both $PQ$ and $MY$, so it must be the midpoint of $AO$. Indeed, the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$ is line $AB$ and the perp bisector of $MY$ passes through midpoint of $AO$ by considering right trapezium $AOMY$ in which $OM\parallel AY\perp MY$.

But this means that $M$ lies on a circle passing through $P$ and $Q$, which are fixed points, and having a fixed center. This finishes. Sub Diamond: 5ea30a3c
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by quantam13, Yesterday at 2:17 PM
Reason: Line breaks
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