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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
Something weird with this one FE in integers (probably challenging, maybe not)
Gaunter_O_Dim_of_math   1
N 20 minutes ago by Rayanelba
Source: Pang-Cheng-Wu, FE, problem number 52.
During FE problems' solving I found a very specific one:

Find all such f that f: Z -> Z and for all integers a, b, c
f(a^3 + b^3 + c^3) = f(a)^3 + f(b)^3 + f(c)^3.

Everything what I've got is that f is odd, f(n) = n or -n or 0
for all n from 0 to 11 (just bash it), but it is very simple and do not give the main idea.
I actually have spent not so much time on this problem, but definitely have no clue. As far as I see, number theory here or classical FE solving or advanced methods, which I know, do not work at all.
Is here a normal solution (I mean, without bashing and something with a huge number of ugly and weird inequalities)?
Or this is kind of rubbish, which was put just for bash?
1 reply
Gaunter_O_Dim_of_math
2 hours ago
Rayanelba
20 minutes ago
USAMO 1985 #2
Mrdavid445   6
N 28 minutes ago by anticodon
Determine each real root of \[x^4-(2\cdot10^{10}+1)x^2-x+10^{20}+10^{10}-1=0\]correct to four decimal places.
6 replies
Mrdavid445
Jul 26, 2011
anticodon
28 minutes ago
Balkan MO 2022/1 is reborn
Assassino9931   7
N an hour ago by Rayvhs
Source: Bulgaria EGMO TST 2023 Day 1, Problem 1
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with circumcircle $k$. The tangents at $A$ and $C$ intersect at $T$. The circumcircle of triangle $ABT$ intersects the line $CT$ at $X$ and $Y$ is the midpoint of $CX$. Prove that the lines $AX$ and $BY$ intersect on $k$.
7 replies
Assassino9931
Feb 7, 2023
Rayvhs
an hour ago
Inequality with rational function
MathMystic33   3
N 2 hours ago by ariopro1387
Source: Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad 2025 Problem 2
Let \( n > 2 \) be an integer, \( k > 1 \) a real number, and \( x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n \) be positive real numbers such that \( x_1 \cdot x_2 \cdots x_n = 1 \). Prove that:

\[
\frac{1 + x_1^k}{1 + x_2} + \frac{1 + x_2^k}{1 + x_3} + \cdots + \frac{1 + x_n^k}{1 + x_1} \geq n.
\]
When does equality hold?
3 replies
1 viewing
MathMystic33
4 hours ago
ariopro1387
2 hours ago
No more topics!
parallelogram
Pascual2005   11
N Jun 23, 2014 by jayme
Source: Poland 2001
Let $ABCD$ be a parallelogram and let $K$ and $L$ be points on the segments $BC$ and $CD$, respectively, such that $BK\cdot AD=DL\cdot AB$. Let the lines $DK$ and $BL$ intersect at $P$. Show that $\measuredangle DAP=\measuredangle BAC$.
11 replies
Pascual2005
Nov 9, 2004
jayme
Jun 23, 2014
Source: Poland 2001
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Pascual2005
1160 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Let $ABCD$ be a parallelogram and let $K$ and $L$ be points on the segments $BC$ and $CD$, respectively, such that $BK\cdot AD=DL\cdot AB$. Let the lines $DK$ and $BL$ intersect at $P$. Show that $\measuredangle DAP=\measuredangle BAC$.
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grobber
7849 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Perfect setting for a homography :D.

The one we're interested in is the map $DK\mapsto BL$. Since this takes $DB$ to $BD$, it means that it's a perspectivity, so the locus of $BL\cap DK$ is a line. Now look at some particular situations to find this line (for example, consider the cases when $P$ is on $BC,DC$; notice that we don't need the points $K,L$ to lie on the segments as long as we choose directions on $BC,DC$ in a convenient way).
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darij grinberg
6555 posts
#3 • 4 Y
Y by ILIILIIILIIIIL, Adventure10, Mango247, Kau_specter
I'd say this is also a perfect setting for simple application of Ceva :)

Let the lines BL and DK meet the lines AD and AB at U and V, respectively. Let the line AP meet the line BD at R. Since the lines AR, BU and DV concur at P, the Ceva theorem, applied to triangle ABD, yields $\frac{BR}{RD}\cdot\frac{DU}{UA}\cdot\frac{AV}{VB}=1$, where we use directed segments. Since $\frac{AV}{VB}=-\frac{AV}{BV}$ and $\frac{DU}{UA}=-\frac{DU}{AU}$, we can rewrite this as $\frac{BR}{RD}\cdot\frac{DU}{AU}\cdot\frac{AV}{BV}=1$.

Now, since CD || AB, we have $\frac{DU}{AU}=\frac{DL}{AB}$. Since BC || DA, we have $\frac{AV}{BV}=\frac{AD}{BK}$. Thus, we get $\frac{BR}{RD}\cdot\frac{DL}{AB}\cdot\frac{AD}{BK}=1$. In other words,

$\frac{BR}{RD}=\frac{AB}{DL}\cdot\frac{BK}{AD}=\frac{BK\cdot AB}{DL\cdot AD} = \frac{AB^2}{AD^2}\cdot\frac{BK\cdot AD}{DL\cdot AB}$.

Since $BK\cdot AD = DL\cdot AB$, this becomes

$\frac{BR}{RD}=\frac{AB^2}{AD^2}$.

Thus, the line AR is a symmedian in triangle ABD. On the other hand, since the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other, the line AC is a median in triangle ABD. Since the symmedian in a triangle is the reflection of the corresponding median in the corresponding angle bisector, we have < DAP = < BAC. Proof complete.

It's very well possible that there is a much simpler solution.

Darij
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sprmnt21
279 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Where Ceva works, usually, Menelaos do it too.

By Menelaos, DL/DC*KC/KB*PB/PL = 1. If Q=AP^CD, as ABP~QLP, PB/PL = AB/QL. From hypothesis DL/BK = AD/AB. Combining all these relations we get QL/DL = KC/BK from which follows that QD/DL = BC/BK or QD/DA = DL/BK = AD/DB=CB/BA which implies that QDA~CBA and from this the thesis.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by sprmnt21, Nov 12, 2004, 8:56 AM
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sprmnt21
279 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
grobber wrote:
Perfect setting for a homography :D.

The one we're interested in is the map $DK\mapsto BL$. Since this takes $DB$ to $BD$, it means that it's a perspectivity, so the locus of $BL\cap DK$ is a line. Now look at some particular situations to find this line (for example, consider the cases when $P$ is on $BC,DC$; notice that we don't need the points $K,L$ to lie on the segments as long as we choose directions on $BC,DC$ in a convenient way).

Grobber I don't understand the idea underliing this proof. Could you, please, make it explicit and give more details, if you have time to do it, about why, for instance, "since this takes $DB$ to $BD$, it means that it's a perspectivity, so the locus of $BL\cap DK$ is a line".
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grobber
7849 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
There are some theorems in projective geometry which I used but didn't prove. For example:

Assume you have a homography between two lines (a bijection preserving cross-ratios taking the points of a line $\ell_1$ to the points of the line $\ell_2$, including infinity points). If the intersection point of the two lines is mapped to itself, then there is a theorem stating that the lines formed by the pairs $A,f(A)$ pass through a fixed point.

In the solution I used the dual of the above: instead of a homography between two lines we have a homography between two pencils through two points $D,B$, and the line connecting these two points is mapped to itself. Then the dual of that theorem states that this is a perspectivity, i.e. the intersection points of the pairs $a,f(a)$ ($a$ is a line through $D$ and $f(a)$ is its image, passing through $B$) lies on a line. This intersection point was called $P$.

After we have determined this, all we need to do in order to determine the line is look at two particular positions of this intersection point, and I indicated two such positions in which it's easier to see what the line on which $P$ lies actually is.

I hope it sheds some light on what I wrote up there. :)
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sprmnt21
279 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
grobber wrote:
...

I hope it sheds some light on what I wrote up there. :)

I have to study carefully this post: I'm not an expert so I don't have many theoretical knolodge, I'm only an enthusiast.

Anyway, to help me in undertstanding this case, could explain where and how you use the hypothesis that BK.AD=DL.AB.

Thank you very much.
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grobber
7849 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Beleive me, I'm no expert either :).

I'll try to explain that part whih you asked me about.

Take $D,B$ as origin points on the lines $DC,BC$, and consider the positive directions on these lines to be $D\to C,\ B\to C$ respectively. We want to show that $K\mapsto L$ is a homography between the two lines, so that it will unduce a homography $DK\mapsto BL$ between the pencils of lines through $D,B$. In order to do this, all we need to do is show that the map is of the form $f(x)=\frac{ax+b}{cx+d}$, where $x$ is the coordinate of $L$ on the line $DC$ (remember that we have fixed an origin and a direction, so we can regard points on this line as coordinates), and $f(x)$ is the coordinate of $K$ on $BC$. From the condition given we get $f(x)=\frac{AB}{AD}\cdot x$, which is precisely a homography.
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sayantanchakraborty
505 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
This problem is a nice application of the Menelaus' theorem.

Let $AP \cap DC=Q$.From hypothesis we have $\frac{AB}{BK}=\frac{AD}{DL}$ and $\angle{ABK}=\angle{ADL} \Rightarrow \triangle{ABK} \sim \triangle{ADL} \Rightarrow \angle{BAK}=\angle{DAL}$.

Now applying the Menelaus' theorem wrt $\triangle{BLC}$ taking $DK$ as the transversal we have $\frac{DL}{LC} \times \frac{CK}{BK} \times \frac{BP}{PL}=1$.From the similar triangles $APB$ and $QPL$ we obtain $\frac{BP}{PL}=\frac{AB}{QL}$.Again from hypothesis we have $\frac{DL}{BK}=\frac{AD}{AB}$.Plugging in these relations we obtain $\frac{KC}{QL}=\frac{CD}{AD}=\frac{AB}{AD}=\frac{AK}{AL}$(the last step is from the fact that $\triangle{ADL}\sim \triangle{ABK}$).These together with $\angle{AKC}=\angle{ALQ}$ implies that $\triangle{ALQ} \sim \triangle{AKC}$.Thus $\angle{LAQ}=\angle{KAC}$ and the result follows.
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jayme
9792 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Dear Mathlinkers,
another way is to known how to construct simply K and L wrt the relation, and then perhaps the problem is solved.
Sincerely
Jean-Louis
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jayme
9792 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Dear Mathlinkers,
I confirm that the construction of the K and L, leads to an nice proof of this problem without calculation...I have to write my proof...
Sincerely
Jean-Louis
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jayme
9792 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Dear Mathlinkers,
you can se my proof on
http://perso.orange.fr/jl.ayme vol. 18 Regard 1, p. 3-5
Sincerely
Jean-Louis
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