G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a My Retirement & New Leadership at AoPS
rrusczyk   1571
N Mar 26, 2025 by SmartGroot
I write today to announce my retirement as CEO from Art of Problem Solving. When I founded AoPS 22 years ago, I never imagined that we would reach so many students and families, or that we would find so many channels through which we discover, inspire, and train the great problem solvers of the next generation. I am very proud of all we have accomplished and I’m thankful for the many supporters who provided inspiration and encouragement along the way. I'm particularly grateful to all of the wonderful members of the AoPS Community!

I’m delighted to introduce our new leaders - Ben Kornell and Andrew Sutherland. Ben has extensive experience in education and edtech prior to joining AoPS as my successor as CEO, including starting like I did as a classroom teacher. He has a deep understanding of the value of our work because he’s an AoPS parent! Meanwhile, Andrew and I have common roots as founders of education companies; he launched Quizlet at age 15! His journey from founder to MIT to technology and product leader as our Chief Product Officer traces a pathway many of our students will follow in the years to come.

Thank you again for your support for Art of Problem Solving and we look forward to working with millions more wonderful problem solvers in the years to come.

And special thanks to all of the amazing AoPS team members who have helped build AoPS. We’ve come a long way from here:IMAGE
1571 replies
rrusczyk
Mar 24, 2025
SmartGroot
Mar 26, 2025
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.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Sunday, Mar 2 - Jun 22
Friday, Mar 28 - Jul 18
Sunday, Apr 13 - Aug 10
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
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Jul 8
Sunday, Apr 13 - Aug 10
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, Mar 23 - Jul 20
Monday, Apr 7 - Jul 28
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
Sunday, Mar 16 - Jun 8
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 2
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
Monday, Mar 17 - Jun 9
Thursday, Apr 17 - Jul 3
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
Sunday, Mar 2 - Jun 22
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 30
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Tuesday, Mar 4 - Aug 12
Sunday, Mar 23 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Apr 23 - Oct 1
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

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Mar 16 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Sep 2
Monday, Apr 21 - Oct 13
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
Sunday, Mar 23 - Aug 3
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Friday, Apr 11 - Jun 27
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Sunday, Mar 16 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Apr 9 - Sep 3
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Wednesday, Mar 5 - May 21
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Sunday, Mar 30 - Oct 5
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
Sunday, Mar 23 - Jun 15
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 2
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
Friday, Apr 11 - Jun 27
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
Tuesday, Mar 4 - May 20
Monday, Mar 31 - Jun 23
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

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
Monday, Mar 24 - Jun 16
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
Sunday, Mar 30 - Jun 22
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Sep 2
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Sat & Sun, Apr 26 - Apr 27 (4:00 - 7:00 pm ET/1:00 - 4:00pm PT)
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 2, 2025
0 replies
Inspired by old results
sqing   7
N 2 hours ago by SunnyEvan
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c> 0 $ and $ abc=1 $. Prove that
$$\frac1{a^2+a+k}+\frac1{b^2+b+k}+\frac1{c^2+c+k}\geq \frac{3}{k+2}$$Where $ 0<k \leq 1.$
7 replies
1 viewing
sqing
Monday at 1:42 PM
SunnyEvan
2 hours ago
Modular Arithmetic and Integers
steven_zhang123   3
N 2 hours ago by steven_zhang123
Integers \( n, a, b \in \mathbb{Z}^+ \) satisfies \( n + a + b = 30 \). If \( \alpha < b, \alpha \in \mathbb{Z^+} \), find the maximum possible value of $\sum_{k=1}^{\alpha} \left \lfloor \frac{kn^2 \bmod a }{b-k}  \right \rfloor $.
3 replies
+1 w
steven_zhang123
Mar 28, 2025
steven_zhang123
2 hours ago
Polynomials and their shift with all real roots and in common
Assassino9931   4
N 2 hours ago by Assassino9931
Source: Bulgaria Spring Mathematical Competition 2025 11.4
We call two non-constant polynomials friendly if each of them has only real roots, and every root of one polynomial is also a root of the other. For two friendly polynomials \( P(x), Q(x) \) and a constant \( C \in \mathbb{R}, C \neq 0 \), it is given that \( P(x) + C \) and \( Q(x) + C \) are also friendly polynomials. Prove that \( P(x) \equiv Q(x) \).
4 replies
Assassino9931
Mar 30, 2025
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
2025 Caucasus MO Seniors P7
BR1F1SZ   2
N 2 hours ago by sami1618
Source: Caucasus MO
From a point $O$ lying outside the circle $\omega$, two tangents are drawn touching $\omega$ at points $M$ and $N$. A point $K$ is chosen on the segment $MN$. Let points $P$ and $Q$ be the midpoints of segments $KM$ and $OM$ respectively. The circumcircle of triangle $MPQ$ intersects $\omega$ again at point $L$ ($L \neq M$). Prove that the line $LN$ passes through the centroid of triangle $KMO$.
2 replies
BR1F1SZ
Mar 26, 2025
sami1618
2 hours ago
No more topics!
Coaxal Circles
fattypiggy123   28
N Jan 30, 2025 by EthanWYX2009
Source: China TSTST Test 2 Day 1 Q3
Let $ABCD$ be a quadrilateral and let $l$ be a line. Let $l$ intersect the lines $AB,CD,BC,DA,AC,BD$ at points $X,X',Y,Y',Z,Z'$ respectively. Given that these six points on $l$ are in the order $X,Y,Z,X',Y',Z'$, show that the circles with diameter $XX',YY',ZZ'$ are coaxal.
28 replies
fattypiggy123
Mar 13, 2017
EthanWYX2009
Jan 30, 2025
Coaxal Circles
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: China TSTST Test 2 Day 1 Q3
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
fattypiggy123
615 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, Rounak_iitr
Let $ABCD$ be a quadrilateral and let $l$ be a line. Let $l$ intersect the lines $AB,CD,BC,DA,AC,BD$ at points $X,X',Y,Y',Z,Z'$ respectively. Given that these six points on $l$ are in the order $X,Y,Z,X',Y',Z'$, show that the circles with diameter $XX',YY',ZZ'$ are coaxal.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by fattypiggy123, Mar 13, 2017, 1:34 AM
Reason: Typo
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ABCDE
1963 posts
#2 • 7 Y
Y by rafayaashary1, WizardMath, kapilpavase, RC., mathleticguyyy, Adventure10, ohiorizzler1434
Note that by Desargues' Involution Theorem, $(XX';YY;ZZ')$ are pairs of an involution on $l$. Let $P$ and $Q$ be the fixed points of the involution. Note that the midpoint of $PQ$ has the same power $\frac{PQ^2}{4}$ to all three circles by harmonics, so the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$ is the common radical axis of all three circles.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
WizardMath
2487 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by RC., Adventure10
Nice solution @ABCDE, my solution coincides with your solution.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
math90
1474 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
What is Desargues' Involution Theorem?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
toto1234567890
889 posts
#5 • 4 Y
Y by k12byda5h, Adventure10, Mango247, Kingsbane2139
I wonder why this problem got in China TST...(and even number 6!!) This is so easy if you know involution...
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
math90
1474 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Can someone explain/provide a link?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MonsterS
148 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by math90, Adventure10, Mango247
Dear math90:http://www2.washjeff.edu/users/mwoltermann/Dorrie/63.pdf
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
smy2012
688 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
toto1234567890 wrote:
I wonder why this problem got in China TST...(and even number 6!!) This is so easy if you know involution...

Geometry is usually the easiest part in our country. :-D
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
dagezjm
88 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Just look at the problem today... Surprise me!
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
adamov1
355 posts
#10 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
ABCDE wrote:
Note that by Desargues' Involution Theorem, $(XX';YY;ZZ')$ are pairs of an involution on $l$. Let $P$ and $Q$ be the fixed points of the involution. Note that the midpoint of $PQ$ has the same power $\frac{PQ^2}{4}$ to all three circles by harmonics, so the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$ is the common radical axis of all three circles.

This solution is slightly incorrect: not all involutions on a (real) line are guaranteed to have fixed points. Fortunately this can be fixed with a pretty small amount of work. What is true (you can verify this algebraically using mobius transforms; CantonMathGuy and I just did this) is that any involution on a line is an inversion of some nonzero (possibly negative) power (there are no fixed points when it is negative). It is clear then that the center of this inversion has equal power to all three circles, so it serves the same purpose as the midpoint of $PQ$.

In fact, the center of this inversion is the midpoint of $PQ$, at least when they exist. In the complex projective line, where $P,Q$ must exist, the center of inversion is still the midpoint of these two points, so this is another way to patch the original solution. One still must take a certain amount of care to work out the details, though, when working in the complex projective line.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
62861
3564 posts
#11 • 12 Y
Y by anantmudgal09, tastymath75025, Pluto1708, Crystal., Pure_IQ, MarkBcc168, Kagebaka, Gaussian_cyber, Imayormaynotknowcalculus, guptaamitu1, Adventure10, Mango247
Claim. Let $\omega_a$, $\omega_b$, $\omega_c$, $\omega_d$ be four circles. Define $P_{xy}$ to be the exsimilicenter of $(\omega_x, \omega_y)$ for $\{x, y\} \subset \{a, b, c, d\}$. Then the circles with diameters $P_{ab}P_{cd}, P_{ac}P_{bd}, P_{ad}P_{bc}$ are coaxal.

Proof. By Monge, $P_{ab}, P_{ac}, P_{ad}$ belong to a line $\ell_a$; define $\ell_b, \ell_c, \ell_d$ similarly. If these lines are pairwise distinct, the claim follows from Gauss-Bodenmiller Theorem in the complete quadrilateral $\{\ell_a, \ell_b, \ell_c, \ell_d\}$; otherwise, these lines must be identical, and the claim follows by continuity. $\square$
Select circles $\omega_a, \omega_b, \omega_c, \omega_d$ centered at $A, B, C, D$, so that the exsimilicenters of $(\omega_c, \omega_d), (\omega_a, \omega_d), (\omega_b, \omega_d)$ are the points $X', Y', Z'$, respectively. (The circles may have negative radius.) By Monge, the points $X, Y, Z$ are the exsimilicenters of $(\omega_a, \omega_b), (\omega_b, \omega_c), (\omega_a, \omega_c)$. The problem now follows from the claim.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MarkBcc168
1594 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
adamov1 wrote:
This solution is slightly incorrect: not all involutions on a (real) line are guaranteed to have fixed points. Fortunately this can be fixed with a pretty small amount of work. What is true (you can verify this algebraically using mobius transforms; CantonMathGuy and I just did this) is that any involution on a line is an inversion of some nonzero (possibly negative) power (there are no fixed points when it is negative). It is clear then that the center of this inversion has equal power to all three circles, so it serves the same purpose as the midpoint of $PQ$.

Can you show the proof this?
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by MarkBcc168, Aug 27, 2017, 11:07 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
me9hanics
375 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Can somebody explain what coaxal means?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MarkBcc168
1594 posts
#14 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Three circles are coaxal if and only if they have common radical axis.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Pluto1708
1107 posts
#16 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
adamov1 wrote:
ABCDE wrote:
Note that by Desargues' Involution Theorem, $(XX';YY;ZZ')$ are pairs of an involution on $l$. Let $P$ and $Q$ be the fixed points of the involution. Note that the midpoint of $PQ$ has the same power $\frac{PQ^2}{4}$ to all three circles by harmonics, so the perpendicular bisector of $PQ$ is the common radical axis of all three circles.

This solution is slightly incorrect: not all involutions on a (real) line are guaranteed to have fixed points. Fortunately this can be fixed with a pretty small amount of work. What is true (you can verify this algebraically using mobius transforms; CantonMathGuy and I just did this) is that any involution on a line is an inversion of some nonzero (possibly negative) power (there are no fixed points when it is negative). It is clear then that the center of this inversion has equal power to all three circles, so it serves the same purpose as the midpoint of $PQ$.

In fact, the center of this inversion is the midpoint of $PQ$, at least when they exist. In the complex projective line, where $P,Q$ must exist, the center of inversion is still the midpoint of these two points, so this is another way to patch the original solution. One still must take a certain amount of care to work out the details, though, when working in the complex projective line.

Sorry but how does this complete the proof?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Kagebaka
3001 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Does this work? It doesn't seem to be the same as ABCDE's.

By Desargues' Involution Theorem, $(X,X'),(Y,Y'),(Z,Z')$ must be swapped under some inversion with center $K$ on $l.$ Since $KX\cdot KX'=KY\cdot KY'=KZ\cdot KZ',$ $K$ must then be the radical center of $(XX'),(YY'),(ZZ').$ However, we know that the centers of the circles are collinear, so $K$ must either be the point at infinity along a line perpendicular to $l$ or $(XX'),(YY'),(ZZ')$ must be coaxial; clearly, the former is impossible, so we're done. $\blacksquare$

oh wait this is basically the correct finish that adamov1 pointed out .-.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Kagebaka, Dec 26, 2019, 2:16 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
sriraamster
1492 posts
#18
Y by
By Desargues Involution Theorem, $(X', X), (Y, Y'), (Z, Z')$ are pairs swapped under some involution. If this is a reflection, the problem is done. Otherwise, suppose that the involution is an inversion, say with center $P$ on line $l.$ Now observe that $$PX \cdot PX' = PY \cdot PY' = PZ \cdot PZ'$$meaning that $P$ is the radical center of the circles with diameters $XX', YY',$ and $ZZ'.$ Now if you draw the line perpendicular to $l$ passing through $P$ this must be the radical axis of the $3$ circles, as desired. Note: $P$ may be the point at infinity, but this is clearly not true since then the line must be the line at infinity.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by sriraamster, Apr 10, 2020, 5:04 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
stroller
894 posts
#19 • 4 Y
Y by Kagebaka, MarkBcc168, Inconsistent, ohiorizzler1434
Who needs DIT when you can just kill with coordinates :love:

The condition is equivalent to the existence of a point $P$ such that $PX\cdot PX' = PY\cdot PY' = PZ \cdot PZ'$ (lengths are signed).

Claim: For any four points $X,X',Y,Y' \in l$ there exists a unique $P\in l$ such that $PX\cdot PX' = PY\cdot PY'$.

Proof: Note that $P$ has equal power with respect to the circles with diameter $XX', YY'$ respectively, thus $P$ must lie on the radical axis of the two circles which is perpendicular to $l$, so $P$ is the intersection of $l$ and the radical axis of the two circles. It is evident that this intersection satisfies the problem statement, as claimed. $\blacksquare$

For the main part of the proof, set up coordinates with $P$ as the origin and $l$ the $x$-axis. Consider conics $\Xi :=AB \cup CD, \Psi := BC \cup DA$ and any other conic through $A,B,C,D$ (which can be expressed as $\lambda \Xi + \mu \Psi = 0$ for some reals $\lambda, \mu$). By Vieta it follows that the ratio (constant/leading coeff) of $\lambda \Xi + \mu \Psi$ is the same as that of $\Xi$ and $\Psi$, hence for any conic through $A,B,C,D$ (including $AC\cup BD$) intersecting $l$ at points $Z,Z'$ we have (in signed distances) $PZ\cdot PZ' = PX\cdot PX' = PY\cdot PY'$, as desired.

Note that this offers a proof of DIT using cartesian coordinates.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by stroller, May 31, 2020, 5:54 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Spacesam
597 posts
#20 • 1 Y
Y by Frestho
This is pretty much just DIT using $\ell$: the desired involution is a negative inversion about some point $P$ on $\ell$ which can be easily seen from the orientation of the points. $P$ has equal power to all three circles, and since the circle centers are collinear, we are done.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
p-6
12 posts
#21
Y by
This is kind of equivalent to DIT, we are obviously done if the involution is a reflection, if the involution is an inversion, there exists point $P$ on $l$ such that it's power to all three circles is constant, and hence the line $d$ which is perpendicular to $l$ and passes through $P$ would be our radical axis, so those three circles would be coaxial.

The other side is also the same, simply consider the intersection of the radical axis of the three circles with $l$, then that point is the center of an inversion which maps X to X', Y to Y' and Z to Z'.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
rafaello
1079 posts
#22
Y by
Using DIT, reflection does not exist, since in that case, circles are concentric and radical axis does not exist.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by rafaello, Mar 18, 2021, 10:19 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mogmog8
1080 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
By DIT, $(X,X'),(Y,Y'),(Z,Z')$ are swapped by an involution. If it is a reflection, we are done. If it is an inversion at $P,$ then $$PX\cdot PX'=PY\cdot PY'=PZ\cdot PZ'$$so $P$ is the radical center of our circles. If the circles are not coaxal, then $P$ is the point at infinity along the line perpendicular to $\ell,$ which is absurd. $\square$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
kamatadu
465 posts
#24 • 1 Y
Y by HoripodoKrishno
[asy]
        /*
        Converted from GeoGebra by User:Azjps using Evan's magic cleaner
        https://github.com/vEnhance/dotfiles/blob/main/py-scripts/export-ggb-clean-asy.py
        */
        /*
        A few re-additions (otherwise throws error due to the missing xmin) are done using bubu-asy.py. This adds back the dps, real xmin coordinates, changes the linewidth, the fontsize and adds the directions to the labellings.
        */
        pair A = (-112.56662,71.45286);
        pair B = (-140,-80);
        pair C = (98.17049,-82.53832);
        pair D = (14.16640,154.49649);
        pair X = (-180.85092,-305.52787);
        pair Y = (-72.06909,-80.72397);
        pair Zp = (118.67646,313.46266);
        pair Z = (-28.24650,9.83792);
        pair Xp = (25.82900,121.58806);
        pair Yp = (54.56188,180.96621);

        import graph;
        size(12.1cm);
        pen dps = linewidth(0.5) + fontsize(13); defaultpen(dps);

        draw(A--B, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(B--C, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(C--D, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(D--A, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(B--Zp, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(Zp--X, linewidth(0.5) + red);
        draw(X--B, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(D--Yp, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(A--C, linewidth(0.5));
        draw(circle((-77.51096,-91.96990), 237.24703), linewidth(0.5) + blue);
        draw(circle((-8.75360,50.12111), 145.35917), linewidth(0.5) + blue);
        draw(circle((45.21497,161.65029), 168.65226), linewidth(0.5) + blue);

        dot("$A$", A, NW);
        dot("$B$", B, W);
        dot("$C$", C, E);
        dot("$D$", D, NW);
        dot("$X$", X, SW);
        dot("$Y$", Y, 2*dir(270));
        dot("$Z'$", Zp, NE);
        dot("$Z$", Z, 2*dir(270));
        dot("$X'$", Xp, NE);
        dot("$Y'$", Yp, 2*E);
[/asy]

Note that from the definition of the points, using DIT we get that there exists an Involution on $\ell$ swapping $(X,X')$, $(Y, Y')$ and $(Z,Z')$. Moreover, as this is an Involution on a line, so we get that it is either a reflection w.r.t. some point on $\ell$, or an Inversion w.r.t. some point on $\ell$ as its center. If this were a reflection, then the segments $XX'$ and $YY'$ share the same midpoint and thus the order of the points would be $\overline{X-Y-Y'-X'}$ or $\overline{Y-X-X'-Y'}$. This however contradicts the order of $Y'$ with $X'$ as given in the problem statement.

Thus this Involution must be an Inversion. Note that as this Inversion swaps $(X,X')$ we get that this Inversion fixes the circle with diameter $\odot(XX')$. Similarly, it fixes the circles $\odot(YY')$ and $\odot(ZZ')$ too. Now consider the radical axis of $\odot(XX')$ and $\odot(YY')$. Note that this passes through the intersection points of $\odot(XX')$ and $\odot(YY')$ (due to the ordering of the points in the problem statement). Now further notice that as both the circles are fixed, we get that their intersection points are also fixed. Thus the intersection points lie on the circle with respect to which we are Inverting (say $\Gamma$). Thus $\left\{\Gamma,\odot(XX'),\odot(YY')\right\}$ share a common radical axis. Similarly, $\left\{\Gamma,\odot(XX'),\odot(ZZ')\right\}$ also share the common radical axis which means that the circles $\left\{\odot(XX'),\odot(YY'),\odot(ZZ')\right\}$ are coaxial and we are done. :stretcher:
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by kamatadu, Jul 28, 2023, 2:10 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
math_comb01
662 posts
#25
Y by
By DIT, there exists an involution swapping $(X,X');(Y,Y');(Z,Z')$ but this is just inversion for some point $O$, so $OX \cdot OX' = OY \cdot OY' = OZ \cdot OZ'$ and hence the circles are coaxial.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by math_comb01, Dec 13, 2023, 8:38 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Shreyasharma
667 posts
#26
Y by
Wow.

[asy]
 /* Geogebra to Asymptote conversion, documentation at artofproblemsolving.com/Wiki go to User:Azjps/geogebra */
import graph; size(6cm); 
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 = -7.699762129321672, xmax = 6.559203545586037, ymin = -7.052415271250787, ymax = 6.240149911824218;  /* image dimensions */
pen qqwwzz = rgb(0,0.4,0.6); pen ccqqqq = rgb(0.8,0,0); 
 /* draw figures */
draw((-4.757561676220963,-2.701927853701796)--(-2.9394930360882117,4.271331028839409), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw((-2.9394930360882117,4.271331028839409)--(-1.2281172214791287,-0.413771068210891), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw((-1.2281172214791287,-0.413771068210891)--(2.5671300893294786,0.03546708777647148), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw((2.5671300893294786,0.03546708777647148)--(-4.757561676220963,-2.701927853701796), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw(shift((-1.1277580349207321,0.9301856222504602))*xscale(2.627452391198322)*yscale(2.627452391198322)*arc((0,0),1,-23.479199827160983,156.52080017283902), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw(shift((-1.1277580349207321,0.9301856222504602))*xscale(2.6274523911983216)*yscale(2.6274523911983216)*arc((0,0),1,156.52080017283905,336.520800172839), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw(shift((-0.07117818042485069,0.4712276449589007))*xscale(1.918189669306153)*yscale(1.918189669306153)*arc((0,0),1,-23.479199827160983,156.52080017283902), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw(shift((-0.07117818042485069,0.4712276449589007))*xscale(1.918189669306153)*yscale(1.918189669306153)*arc((0,0),1,156.52080017283905,336.520800172839), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw(shift((2.3708766145451667,-0.5895540123530806))*xscale(2.526602380171547)*yscale(2.526602380171547)*arc((0,0),1,-23.479199827160983,156.52080017283902), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw(shift((2.3708766145451667,-0.5895540123530806))*xscale(2.5266023801715476)*yscale(2.5266023801715476)*arc((0,0),1,156.52080017283902,336.520800172839), linewidth(0.7) + qqwwzz); 
draw((-2.9394930360882117,4.271331028839409)--(4.688288375657454,-1.5961931318725715), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw((-4.757561676220963,-2.701927853701796)--(0.05346485343287957,0.4170851071664104), linewidth(0.7) + blue); 
draw((-3.5376699074458338,1.9770050119621412)--(4.688288375657454,-1.5961931318725715), linewidth(0.7) + ccqqqq); 
draw((-0.0061926112720241955,-1.4458608984408903)--(1.3742965084867471,1.7322012890723566), linewidth(0.7) + dotted); 
 /* dots and labels */
dot((-4.757561676220963,-2.701927853701796),dotstyle); 
label("$A$", (-5.019368325982243,-3.3321114106731107), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-2.9394930360882117,4.271331028839409),dotstyle); 
label("$B$", (-3.0318654377917826,4.507922624592221), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-1.2281172214791287,-0.413771068210891),dotstyle); 
label("$C$", (-1.1537663783090537,-0.9799290943265048), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((2.5671300893294786,0.03546708777647148),dotstyle); 
label("$D$", (2.6388996835589813,0.22293933512359834), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-3.5376699074458338,1.9770050119621412),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$X$", (-4.2617979818075026,1.9551666223555948), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((-1.8305508995277082,1.2354653322718627),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$Y$", (-2.5113367224837943,0.770532164350039), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((0.05346485343287957,0.4170851071664104),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$Z$", (-0.35089794848817917,0.6240867069036397), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((1.2821538376043697,-0.11663376746122077),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$X'$", (0.7890121101994477,0.3317694779008617), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((1.6881945386780068,-0.29301004235406136),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$Y'$", (1.5454350824458382,-0.9799290943265048), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((4.688288375657454,-1.5961931318725715),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$Z'$", (4.936380086421348,-1.6004578093311348), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((0.6840519486073616,0.14317019531573355),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$P$", (0.21435516650176835,0.423513021013619), NE * labelscalefactor); 
clip((xmin,ymin)--(xmin,ymax)--(xmax,ymax)--(xmax,ymin)--cycle); 
 /* end of picture */
[/asy]
Let $\omega_1$, $\omega_2$ and $\omega_3$ be the circles $(XX')$, $(YY')$ and $(ZZ')$. Note that $(X, X')$, $(Y, Y')$ and $(Z, Z')$ are reciprocal pairs for a unique involution a unique involution along $\ell$. Now it is well-known that any involution along a line is an inversion with fixed center, say $P$. However this value of $P$ satisfies,
\begin{align*}
\text{Pow}(\text{Inversion}) = PX \cdot PX' = PY \cdot PY' = PZ \cdot PZ'
\end{align*}Then $P$ lies on the pairwise radical axes of $\omega_i$ and $\omega_{i+1}$, where indices are taken modulo $3$. However also note that all three radical axes are perpendicular to $\ell$ and hence each radical axis is simply the line perpendicular to $\ell$ through $P$. Hence the three circles are coaxial. $\square$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ohiorizzler1434
744 posts
#27
Y by
Rizztastic problem! By the amazing DDIT theorem, $XX'$, $YY'$ and $ZZ'$ are pairs of points swapped by an involution. Also, the involution can be defined as inversion from a point $P$ on the line $XX'YY'ZZ'$. But now, $PX \cdot PX' = PY \cdot PY' = PZ \cdot PZ'$ by inversion. Now this means that $P$ is on all the radical axes. But because the centers of the circles are collinear, then they have to be coaxial, or otherwise $P$ is at infinity (but lies on the line).
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Eka01
204 posts
#28
Y by
By Desargues' Involution Theorem; $X$ and $X'$; $Y$ and $Y'$; $Z$ and $Z'$ are swapped by some involution. Since involutions are inversions/reflections, the center $O$ of this inversion lies on $l$ and satisfies $OX.OX'=OY.OY'=OZ.OZ'$ so $O$ lies on the radical axes of $(XX'),(YY'),(ZZ')$. Note that $l$ joins the centers of all these circles so their pairwise radical axes must be perpendicular to $l$. But by the above assertion, all of these lines must pass through $O$, so it is easy to see that all these radical axes must coincide so we are done.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Eka01, Sep 4, 2024, 9:50 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cursed_tangent1434
565 posts
#29
Y by
Denote by $\Gamma_X , \Gamma_Y$ and $\Gamma_Z$ the circles with diameters $XX'$ , $YY'$ and $ZZ'$ respectively. By Desargue's Involution Theorem, there exists an involution swapping pairs $(X,X')$ , $(Y,Y')$ and $(Z,Z')$. Since $X,Y,X'$ and $Y'$ are on the line $\ell$ in this order, this involution cannot be a reflection across a point on $\ell$. Thus, it must be an inversion about a point $P \in \ell$. Thus, there exists a point $P \in \ell$ such that,
\[PX\cdot PX' = PY \cdot PY' = PZ \cdot PZ'\]Thus, the pairwise radical axes of $\Gamma_X$ , $\Gamma_Y$ and $\Gamma_Z$ have a common point $P \in \ell$. Further, it is well known that the radical axis of two circles must be perpendicular to the line joining their centers. Thus, the pairwise radical axes of $\Gamma_X$ , $\Gamma_Y$ and $\Gamma_Z$ must all also be perpendicular to $\ell$. But then, they must be the same line - the line through $P$ which is perpendicular to $\ell$. Thus, the pairwise radical axes of $\Gamma_X$ , $\Gamma_Y$ and $\Gamma_Z$ are all the same line, which since these circles clearly intersect ($X,Y,Z,X',Y',Z'$ lie on $\ell$ in this order) implies that the circles $\Gamma_X , \Gamma_Y$ and $\Gamma_Z$ are coaxial.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
EthanWYX2009
841 posts
#30
Y by
I just built my new blog to collect bashing.
Nice solution from my teacher: Consider $\ell :y=c$ where $c$ is moving. $X(u,c),Y(v,c),Z(w,c),X'(u',c),Y'(v',c),Z'(w',c).$
The Analytical formula of $\odot (XX')$ is $$(x-(u+u')/2)^2+(y-c)^2=(u-u')^2/4\iff x^2-(u+u')x+uu'+(y-c)^2=0.$$To prove the three functions are linearly dependent, we only need
$$\frac{u+u'-v-v'}{uu'-vv'}=\frac{u+u'-w-w'}{uu'-ww'}.$$However we may write $u=P(c)$ where $\deg P=1,$ thus the above equality is $Q(c)$ with degree 3. Therefore we only need to plug in 4 special $c,$ and using $A,B,C,D$ we are done! $\Box$
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a