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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
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.

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[*]April 22nd (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Competitive Programming at AoPS (USACO).[/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 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
Medium geometry with AH diameter circle
v_Enhance   94
N 11 minutes ago by alexanderchew
Source: USA TSTST 2016 Problem 2, by Evan Chen
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle with orthocenter $H$ and circumcenter $O$. Denote by $M$, $N$ the midpoints of $\overline{AH}$, $\overline{BC}$. Suppose the circle $\gamma$ with diameter $\overline{AH}$ meets the circumcircle of $ABC$ at $G \neq A$, and meets line $AN$ at a point $Q \neq A$. The tangent to $\gamma$ at $G$ meets line $OM$ at $P$. Show that the circumcircles of $\triangle GNQ$ and $\triangle MBC$ intersect at a point $T$ on $\overline{PN}$.

Proposed by Evan Chen
94 replies
v_Enhance
Jun 28, 2016
alexanderchew
11 minutes ago
problem interesting
Cobedangiu   7
N 12 minutes ago by vincentwant
Let $a=3k^2+3k+1 (a,k \in N)$
$i)$ Prove that: $a^2$ is the sum of $3$ square numbers
$ii)$ Let $b \vdots a$ and $b$ is the sum of $3$ square numbers. Prove that: $b^n$ is the sum of $3$ square numbers
7 replies
Cobedangiu
Yesterday at 5:06 AM
vincentwant
12 minutes ago
another problem
kjhgyuio   1
N 32 minutes ago by lpieleanu
........
1 reply
kjhgyuio
an hour ago
lpieleanu
32 minutes ago
2^x+3^x = yx^2
truongphatt2668   9
N 33 minutes ago by Jackson0423
Prove that the following equation has infinite integer solutions:
$$2^x+3^x = yx^2$$
9 replies
truongphatt2668
Apr 22, 2025
Jackson0423
33 minutes ago
Show that XD and AM meet on Gamma
MathStudent2002   92
N 35 minutes ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: IMO Shortlist 2016, Geometry 2
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with circumcircle $\Gamma$ and incenter $I$ and let $M$ be the midpoint of $\overline{BC}$. The points $D$, $E$, $F$ are selected on sides $\overline{BC}$, $\overline{CA}$, $\overline{AB}$ such that $\overline{ID} \perp \overline{BC}$, $\overline{IE}\perp \overline{AI}$, and $\overline{IF}\perp \overline{AI}$. Suppose that the circumcircle of $\triangle AEF$ intersects $\Gamma$ at a point $X$ other than $A$. Prove that lines $XD$ and $AM$ meet on $\Gamma$.

Proposed by Evan Chen, Taiwan
92 replies
MathStudent2002
Jul 19, 2017
Ilikeminecraft
35 minutes ago
IMO 2010 Problem 5
mavropnevma   54
N an hour ago by shanelin-sigma
Each of the six boxes $B_1$, $B_2$, $B_3$, $B_4$, $B_5$, $B_6$ initially contains one coin. The following operations are allowed

Type 1) Choose a non-empty box $B_j$, $1\leq j \leq 5$, remove one coin from $B_j$ and add two coins to $B_{j+1}$;

Type 2) Choose a non-empty box $B_k$, $1\leq k \leq 4$, remove one coin from $B_k$ and swap the contents (maybe empty) of the boxes $B_{k+1}$ and $B_{k+2}$.

Determine if there exists a finite sequence of operations of the allowed types, such that the five boxes $B_1$, $B_2$, $B_3$, $B_4$, $B_5$ become empty, while box $B_6$ contains exactly $2010^{2010^{2010}}$ coins.

Proposed by Hans Zantema, Netherlands
54 replies
mavropnevma
Jul 8, 2010
shanelin-sigma
an hour ago
3 var inequality
sqing   0
an hour ago
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c>0 . $ Prove that
$$ \left(1 +\frac{a}{b}\right)\left(1+\frac{b}{c}\right)\left(1+\frac{c}{a}\right )\geq  \frac{8}{3}\left(1+\frac{a+b}{b+c}+ \frac{b+c}{a+b}\right)$$$$ \left(1 +\frac{a^2}{b^2}\right)\left(1+\frac{b^2}{c^2}\right)\left(1+\frac{c^2}{a^2}\right )\geq \frac{8}{3}\left( 1+\frac{a^2+bc}{b^2+ca}+\frac{b^2+ca  }{a^2+bc}\right)$$
0 replies
sqing
an hour ago
0 replies
IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 5
nttu   32
N 2 hours ago by lpieleanu
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, geometry problem 5
Let $ABC$ be a triangle, $H$ its orthocenter, $O$ its circumcenter, and $R$ its circumradius. Let $D$ be the reflection of the point $A$ across the line $BC$, let $E$ be the reflection of the point $B$ across the line $CA$, and let $F$ be the reflection of the point $C$ across the line $AB$. Prove that the points $D$, $E$ and $F$ are collinear if and only if $OH=2R$.
32 replies
nttu
Oct 14, 2004
lpieleanu
2 hours ago
a_n < b_n for large n
tastymath75025   11
N 2 hours ago by torch
Source: 2017 ELMO Shortlist A1
Let $0<k<\frac{1}{2}$ be a real number and let $a_0, b_0$ be arbitrary real numbers in $(0,1)$. The sequences $(a_n)_{n\ge 0}$ and $(b_n)_{n\ge 0}$ are then defined recursively by

$$a_{n+1} = \dfrac{a_n+1}{2} \text{ and } b_{n+1} = b_n^k$$
for $n\ge 0$. Prove that $a_n<b_n$ for all sufficiently large $n$.

Proposed by Michael Ma
11 replies
tastymath75025
Jul 3, 2017
torch
2 hours ago
primes,exponentials,factorials
skellyrah   4
N 2 hours ago by aaravdodhia
find all primes p,q such that $$ \frac{p^q+q^p-p-q}{p!-q!} $$is a prime number
4 replies
skellyrah
Yesterday at 6:31 PM
aaravdodhia
2 hours ago
Special line through antipodal
Phorphyrion   9
N 3 hours ago by ihategeo_1969
Source: 2025 Israel TST Test 1 P2
Triangle $\triangle ABC$ is inscribed in circle $\Omega$. Let $I$ denote its incenter and $I_A$ its $A$-excenter. Let $N$ denote the midpoint of arc $BAC$. Line $NI_A$ meets $\Omega$ a second time at $T$. The perpendicular to $AI$ at $I$ meets sides $AC$ and $AB$ at $E$ and $F$ respectively. The circumcircle of $\triangle BFT$ meets $BI_A$ a second time at $P$, and the circumcircle of $\triangle CET$ meets $CI_A$ a second time at $Q$. Prove that $PQ$ passes through the antipodal to $A$ on $\Omega$.
9 replies
Phorphyrion
Oct 28, 2024
ihategeo_1969
3 hours ago
Triangle form by perpendicular bisector
psi241   50
N 4 hours ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: IMO Shortlist 2018 G5
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with circumcircle $\Omega$ and incentre $I$. A line $\ell$ intersects the lines $AI$, $BI$, and $CI$ at points $D$, $E$, and $F$, respectively, distinct from the points $A$, $B$, $C$, and $I$. The perpendicular bisectors $x$, $y$, and $z$ of the segments $AD$, $BE$, and $CF$, respectively determine a triangle $\Theta$. Show that the circumcircle of the triangle $\Theta$ is tangent to $\Omega$.
50 replies
psi241
Jul 17, 2019
Ilikeminecraft
4 hours ago
Sequence with infinite primes which we see again and again and again
Assassino9931   3
N 4 hours ago by grupyorum
Source: Balkan MO Shortlist 2024 N6
Let $c$ be a positive integer. Prove that there are infinitely many primes, each of which divides at least one term of the sequence $a_1 = c$, $a_{n+1} = a_n^3 + c$.
3 replies
Assassino9931
Apr 27, 2025
grupyorum
4 hours ago
Integer roots preserved under linear function of polynomial
alifenix-   23
N 4 hours ago by Mathandski
Source: USEMO 2019/2
Let $\mathbb{Z}[x]$ denote the set of single-variable polynomials in $x$ with integer coefficients. Find all functions $\theta : \mathbb{Z}[x] \to \mathbb{Z}[x]$ (i.e. functions taking polynomials to polynomials)
such that
[list]
[*] for any polynomials $p, q \in \mathbb{Z}[x]$, $\theta(p + q) = \theta(p) + \theta(q)$;
[*] for any polynomial $p \in \mathbb{Z}[x]$, $p$ has an integer root if and only if $\theta(p)$ does.
[/list]

Carl Schildkraut
23 replies
alifenix-
May 23, 2020
Mathandski
4 hours ago
Perpendicularity
April   32
N Tuesday at 8:01 PM by zuat.e
Source: CGMO 2007 P5
Point $D$ lies inside triangle $ABC$ such that $\angle DAC = \angle DCA = 30^{\circ}$ and $\angle DBA = 60^{\circ}$. Point $E$ is the midpoint of segment $BC$. Point $F$ lies on segment $AC$ with $AF = 2FC$. Prove that $DE \perp EF$.
32 replies
April
Dec 28, 2008
zuat.e
Tuesday at 8:01 PM
Perpendicularity
G H J
Source: CGMO 2007 P5
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April
1270 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by canhhoang30011999, centslordm, mathematicsy, Adventure10, Mango247
Point $D$ lies inside triangle $ABC$ such that $\angle DAC = \angle DCA = 30^{\circ}$ and $\angle DBA = 60^{\circ}$. Point $E$ is the midpoint of segment $BC$. Point $F$ lies on segment $AC$ with $AF = 2FC$. Prove that $DE \perp EF$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by v_Enhance, Jan 25, 2016, 3:51 PM
Reason: \equal -> =
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SaYaT
138 posts
#2 • 4 Y
Y by canhhoang30011999, centslordm, Adventure10, endless_abyss
April wrote:
Point $ D$ lies inside triangle $ ABC$ such that $ \angle DAC = \angle DCA = 30^{\circ}$ and $ \angle DBA = 60^{\circ}$. Point $ E$ is the midpoint of segment $ BC$. Point $ F$ lies on segment $ AC$ with $ AF = 2FC$. Prove that $ DE \perp EF$.

Solution
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vittasko
1327 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, endless_abyss
Let $ (K)$ be, the circumcircle of the triangle $ \bigtriangleup ABD,$ with $ \angle ABD = 60^{o}.$

From the isosceles triangle $ \bigtriangleup DAC,$ with $ \angle DAC = \angle DCA = 30^{o}$ and $ AF = 2FC,$ it is easy to show that $ DF = FC$ and so, we have that $ \angle DFA = 60^{o}$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ AD\perp DF.$

We denote the point $ B'\equiv (K)\cap DF$ and let $ K'$ be, the midpoint of the segment $ DF.$

Applying the Menelaos theorem in the equilateral triangle $ \bigtriangleup AB'F,$ we can say that the points $ K,\ K',\ C$ are collinear, because of $ \frac {KA}{KB'}\cdot \frac {K'B'}{K'F}\cdot \frac {CF}{CA} = 1$ $ ,(1)$

where $ K$ is the center of $ (K).$ $ ($ from $ AD\perp B'DF$ we have that $ AB'$ is a diameter of $ (K)$ and from $ AB' = B'F$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ K'B' = 3K'F$ $ ).$

If we consider now, the triangle $ \bigtriangleup KAC,$ taken as its transversal the line segment $ B'F,$ applying again the Menelaos theorem,

we have that $ \frac {K'K}{K'C}\cdot \frac {FC}{FA}\cdot \frac {B'A}{B'K} = 1$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ \frac {K'K}{K'C} = 1$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ K'K = K'C$ $ ,(2)$

$ \bullet$ From $ (2)$ and because of $ EB = EC,$ we conclude that $ K'E\parallel KB$ and $ KB = 2K'E$ $ ,(3)$

From $ AB' = B'F$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ AK = DF$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ KB = 2K'F$ $ ,(4)$

From $ (3),$ $ (4)$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ K'E = K'F = K'D$ $ ,(5)$

From $ (5)$ we conclude that $ DF\perp EF$ and the proof is completed.

Kostas Vittas.
Attachments:
t=247620.pdf (6kb)
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yetti
2643 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10
If $ M$ is midpoint of $ AC$ and $ G$ reflection of $ F$ in $ DM,$ then $ \frac{AC}{MC} = 2 = \frac{GC}{FC}.$ Since $ \frac{DC}{DM} = 2 = \frac{FM}{FC},$ $ DF$ bisects $ \angle CDM.$ $ \triangle DFG$ is therefore equilateral and $ \angle DGA = 120^\circ = 180^\circ - \angle DBA$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ B$ is on circumcircle $ (P)$ of the isosceles $ \triangle DGA.$ Let $ CD$ cut $ (P)$ again at $ K.$ $ \triangle DAK$ is equilateral with $ \angle DKA = \angle ADK = 60^\circ$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $ \frac{KC}{DC} = 2.$ Let $ (Q)$ be circumcircle with diameter $ DF$ of the right $ \triangle DFM.$ Since $ \frac{KC}{DC} = \frac{AC}{MC} = \frac{GC}{FC} = 2,$ the circles $ (P), (Q)$ are similar with center $ C$ and coefficient 2. Since $ B \in (P)$ and $ \frac{BC}{EC} = 2,$ it follows that $ E \in (Q)$ with diameter $ DF$ and $ \angle DEF = 90^\circ.$
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Zhero
2043 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10
Take $G$ on $AC$ so that $2AG = GC$. It is easy to see that $\angle GDA = \angle GAD = 30^{\circ}$. Let $D'$ be the reflection of $C$ across $D$. $D'DA = 180^{\circ} - \angle ADC = 60^{\circ}$, and $DA = DD'$, so $\triangle AD'D$ is equilateral, so $AD'BD$ is cyclic. Since $\angle AGD = 30^{\circ}$, $\angle GDD' = \angle GAD' = 90^{\circ}$, so $AGDBD'$ is cyclic. $\angle GD'D = \angle GAD = 30^{\circ}$ and $\angle D'AE = 60^{\circ}$, so $AD \perp D'G$, so $D'G$ must be a diameter of $D'AGDB$, so $\angle GBD' = 90^{\circ}$. Since $CG = 2CF$, a homothety centered at $C$ with factor 1/2 gives $FE \perp DE$, as desired.
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Particle
179 posts
#6 • 4 Y
Y by Durjoy1729, centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Solution:
Assume that $CD$ meets $AB$ at $W$. Let $F'$ be the mid-point of $AF$ and $M$ is that of $AC$. Now apply cosine rules to show $DFF'$ is an equilateral triangle. So $\angle DBA=\angle DF'F=60^{\circ}$ and $ABDF'$ is cyclic.
Since $\angle A+\angle B+\angle C=180^{\circ}$, we must have $\angle DAB+\angle DBC+\angle DCB=60^{\circ}$
In other words $\angle WDB+\angle DAB=60^{\circ}$
Hence \[\angle EFD=\angle EFA-60^{\circ}=\angle BF'A-60^{\circ} =\angle BDA-60^{\circ}=\angle BDW=60^{\circ}-\angle DAB\]At the same time $\angle EMD=\angle DXA\; (X=MD\cap AB)\; =90^{\circ}-\angle A=60^{\circ}-\angle DAB$
Therefore $\angle EFD=\angle EMD$ and $MDEF$ is cyclic. So $\angle DEF=180^{\circ}-\angle DMF=90^{\circ}$
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#7 • 9 Y
Y by osmannal4, anser, MathbugAOPS, srijonrick, HamstPan38825, centslordm, Mathlover_1, Adventure10, Mango247
Without loss of generality, $AC = 3$. Let $O$ be the circumcenter of $(BAD)$ and let $K = OC \cap DF$. We have $OD \parallel FC$ since $\angle ODA = 30^{\circ} = \angle DAF$, and we can compute $OD = FC = 1$. So $ODCF$ is a parallelogram and $K$ is the midpoint of $OC$. Then we can compute that $KD = KF = KE = \tfrac{1}{2}$, implying $DE \perp EF$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by v_Enhance, Jan 25, 2016, 3:51 PM
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vsathiam
201 posts
#8 • 6 Y
Y by osmannal4, GeometryIsMyWeakness, anser, MathbugAOPS, centslordm, Adventure10
Just to clarify, one gets the value of KE by noting that BOC and EKC are similar with a scale factor of two. (that comes from the parallelogram). So KE= $\frac{1}{2} $ and the conclusion follows.
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AllenWang314
661 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10
I was doing this problem in EGMO, I came up with a solution that I can't tell if it's bogus or not.

Using the first hint from EGMO, through simple computation we see that $DF=FC$ and $\angle DCF=\angle FDC=30^{\circ}$. Let $DC$ intersect the circumcircle $(BDA)$ again at $G$. Also, let the circle with diameter $DF$ intersect $AC$ again at $H$. Let $F'$ be the reflection of $F$ over $HD$. We see that $F'$ lies on $(BDAG)$ and $GAF'$ is a 30, 60, 90 triangle with right angle at $A$. Thus there is a homothety centered at $C$ that takes $\triangle DHF\rightarrow\triangle GAF'$.

This homothety also maps the circumcircles of these two triangles in a 1 to 2 ratio (we can easily compute the ratio of the circumradii with LOS). Since $H$ is the midpoint of $AC$, then the intersection of $(DHF)$ with $BC$ closer to $B$ is the midpoint of $BC$. So point $E$ lies on $(DHF)$, and the perpendicular condition is prove.
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absurdist
25 posts
#10 • 4 Y
Y by AllenWang314, centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Barycentric Coordinates :D

Here, $(x,y,z)$ is a homogenized coordinate while $(x:y:z)$ is not.

Let $Q$ be the point on $DC$ for which $\triangle QDA$ is an equilateral triangle. We will use $\triangle QDA$ as our reference triangle instead of $\triangle ABC$, with $Q = (1,0,0)$, $D = (0,1,0)$ and $A = (0,0,1)$. Then it is easy to see $C = (-1,2,0)$, since $D$ is the midpoint of $QC$.

The condition $\angle B = 60^\circ$ implies that $B$ lies on the circumcircle $(QDA)$. Thus, if $B=(u,v,w)$, then $vw+uw+uv=0$. Now, we can calculate the points $E$ and $F$, giving
\begin{align*}
E &= \tfrac{1}{2}B + \tfrac12 C =  \left(\tfrac{u-1}{2},\tfrac{v+2}{2},\tfrac{w}{2}\right),\\
F &= \tfrac{1}{3}A + \tfrac23 C = \left(-\tfrac{2}{3},\tfrac43,\tfrac13\right).
\end{align*}Now, we can calculate the displacement vectors $\overrightarrow{DE}$ and $\overrightarrow{FE}$. We get
\begin{align*}
\overrightarrow{DE} &= E - D = \left(\tfrac{3u+1}{6},\tfrac{3v-2}{6},\tfrac{3w-2}{6}\right)\\ &= (3u+1:3v-2:3w-2), \\
\overrightarrow{FE} &= E - F = \left(\tfrac{u-1}{2},\tfrac{v}{2},\tfrac{w}{2}\right)\\ &= (u-1:v:w).
\end{align*}Finally, it remains to show that the vectors are perpendicular, which happens iff
\[
\big((3v-2)w+(3w-2)v\big)+\big((3u+1)w+(3w-2)(u-1)\big)+\big((3u+1)v+(3v-2)(u-1)\big)=0
\]by the perpendicularity criterion. But the LHS is equal to
\[ 6(vw+uw+uv)-4(u+v+w)+4 = 0-4+4=0, \]and we are done.
Attachments:
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by absurdist, Jun 20, 2017, 10:05 PM
Reason: fixed diagram
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Vrangr
1600 posts
#11 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Note that $D$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of $AC$.
Let $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$, $DM\perp AC$.
It suffices to prove that $\odot(DMF)$ intersects $BC$ at $E$.
Consider the homothety at $C$ with scale $2$. $M \to A$, $E \to B$, $D\to D'$, $F \to F'$ and $\odot(DMF)\to\odot(AF'D')$. It now suffices to prove that $D$ lies on on $\odot(AF'D')$.
Note that $AF' : F'C = 1 : 2$ and $CD = CM \sec 30^{\circ} = \tfrac{2}{\sqrt3} CM = \tfrac1{\sqrt3} AC$.
We claim that $D$ lies on $\odot(AF'D')$. Since
\[CD\cdot CD' = 2CD^2 = \tfrac{2}{3} AC^2 = AC\cdot AF'\]Now, note that $AD'D$ is an equilateral triangle, since, $\angle D'AD = \angle D'AF - \angle DAF' = 60^{\circ}$ and $\angle ADD' = \angle DAC + \angle DCA = 60^{\circ}$.
Now, $B$ lies on $\odot(AF'D')$ since $\angle ABD = 60^{\circ} = \angle DD'A$.

Sidenote: If we let $CD \cap AB = K$. Then $\odot(BDK)$ and $\odot(DEF)$ are tangent to each other and $AD$ is their common tangent.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Vrangr, Jul 28, 2018, 5:49 PM
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sunken rock
4388 posts
#12 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
If $K$ was the circumcenter of $\triangle ABD, AK, DK$ are tangent to the $\odot(ADC)$, thus $CK$ is symmedian of $\triangle ADC$ and subsequently median of $\triangle CFD$, thus, if $L$ was the midpoint of $DF$, then $LE=\frac{BK}2$ (actually $CFKD$ is a parallelogram, thus $KL=CL$). But from $AD=DC$ and $\triangle AKD\cong\triangle CFD$ we get $BK=KD=DF$, hence $LE=DL=LF$ and $\triangle DEF$ is $E-$right-angled.

Best regards,
sunken rock
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anser
572 posts
#13 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Let $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$ and let $F'$ be the point on $\overline{AC}$ such that $2AF'=F'C$. Since $\angle{ADM}=\angle{ABD}=60^{\circ}$, $MD$ is tangent to $(ABD)$. Since $MD^2=MF'\cdot MA=\frac{AC^2}{12}$, quadrilateral $ABDF'$ is cyclic and $\angle{ABF'}=\angle{ADF'}=30^{\circ}$. Taking a homothety at $C$ by scale factor $\frac{1}{2}$ , we find that $\angle{ABF'}=\angle{MEF}=\angle{MDF}=30^{\circ}$. Thus, quadrilateral $MDEF$ is cyclic and $\angle{DEF}=180^{\circ}-\angle{DMF}=90^{\circ}$, as desired.
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AlastorMoody
2125 posts
#14 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
Let $M_B$ be the midpoint of $AC$ and let $X$ be the foot of perpendicular from $F$ to $DC$, then,
$$\frac{M_BF}{FC}=\frac{M_BC-FC}{FC}=\frac{\tfrac{1}{2}AC-\tfrac{1}{3}AC}{\tfrac{1}{3}AC}=\frac{1}{2}=\sin 30^{\circ}=\frac{M_BD}{DC}$$Hence, $\angle M_BDF=\angle FDC=\angle FCD=30^{\circ}$, Let $F'$ be the reflection of $F$ in $M_B$, then, $DF'$ is the angle bisector of $\angle ADM_B$, hence now, $AF'$ $=$ $FF'$ $=$ $FC$ $=$ $FD$ $=$ $F'D$ $\implies$ $\angle ABD$ $=$ $\angle DF'F$ $=$ $60^{\circ}$, hence, $ABDF'$ is cyclic $\implies$ $\angle ABF'$ $=$ $\angle F'BD$ $=$ $30^{\circ}$, since, $DF$ $=$ $FC$ $\implies$ $DX$ $=$ $XC$, hence, $\implies$ $DB||EX$ and $BF' ||EF$, now, $\angle FEX$ $=$ $\angle FEC$ $-$ $\angle XEC$ $=$ $\angle F'BC$ $-$ $\angle DBC$ $=$ $\angle F'BD$ $=$ $30^{\circ}$, therefore, $\angle FDC$ $=$ $\angle FEX$ $=$ $30^{\circ}$ $\implies$ $FDEX$ is cyclic, $\implies$ $\angle FXD$ $=$ $\angle FED$ $=$ $90^{\circ}$
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by AlastorMoody, Mar 9, 2019, 8:34 PM
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AopsUser101
1750 posts
#15 • 2 Y
Y by v4913, centslordm
[asy]
 /* Geogebra to Asymptote conversion, documentation at artofproblemsolving.com/Wiki go to User:Azjps/geogebra */
import graph; size(30cm); 
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 = -2.3, xmax = 20, ymin = -7, ymax = 3;  /* image dimensions */
pen dbwrru = rgb(0.8588235294117647,0.3803921568627451,0.0784313725490196); pen wrwrwr = rgb(0.3803921568627451,0.3803921568627451,0.3803921568627451); pen dtsfsf = rgb(0.8274509803921568,0.1843137254901961,0.1843137254901961); 
 /* draw figures */
draw((9.48,2.12)--(19.12,-6.12), linewidth(1) + dbwrru); 
draw((19.12,-6.12)--(2.64,-6.28), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((2.64,-6.28)--(9.48,2.12), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((xmin, -0.5644774419752964*xmin + 4.672808690567666)--(xmax, -0.5644774419752964*xmax + 4.672808690567666), linewidth(0.00001) + white + dotted); /* line */
draw((2.64,-6.28)--(10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861)--(9.48,2.12), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861)--(19.12,-6.12), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((xmin, -1.693858105629436*xmin + 7.55004592578608)--(xmax, -1.693858105629436*xmax + 7.55004592578608), linewidth(0.00001) + white); /* line */
draw((xmin, 0.3800031272794423*xmin-3.5209729303303585)--(xmax, 0.3800031272794423*xmax-3.5209729303303585), linewidth(0.00001) + white); /* line */
draw((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836)--(2.64,-6.28), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836)--(10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836)--(9.48,2.12), linewidth(1) + dbwrru); 
draw((xmin, -0.5644774419752964*xmin + 1.5210048189659622)--(xmax, -0.5644774419752964*xmax + 1.5210048189659622), linewidth(1) + white); /* line */
draw((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836)--(13.630832927947854,-6.173292884194681), linewidth(1) + wrwrwr); 
draw((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836)--(19.12,-6.12), linewidth(1) + dbwrru); 
draw((10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861)--(13.630832927947854,-6.173292884194681), linewidth(1) + dtsfsf); 
draw((10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861)--(14.3,-2), linewidth(1) + dtsfsf); 
draw((14.3,-2)--(13.630832927947854,-6.173292884194681), linewidth(1) + dtsfsf); 
 /* dots and labels */
dot((9.48,2.12),dotstyle); 
label("B", (9.56,2.32), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((2.64,-6.28),dotstyle); 
label("A", (2.72,-6.08), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((19.12,-6.12),dotstyle); 
label("$C$", (19.2,-5.92), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((10.833811978464832,-1.4426337818774861),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$D$", (10.92,-1.28), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((5.3383604845092725,-1.492379251671836),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$O$", (5.42,-1.34), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((13.630832927947854,-6.173292884194681),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$F$", (13.72,-6.02), NE * labelscalefactor); 
dot((14.3,-2),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); 
label("$E$", (14.38,-1.84), NE * labelscalefactor); 
clip((xmin,ymin)--(xmin,ymax)--(xmax,ymax)--(xmax,ymin)--cycle); 
 /* end of picture */
[/asy]

I totally did not read all of Evan’s hints [I read all of them - every single one]

Let $\angle OBD = \angle ODB = x$ and $\angle OAD = \angle ODA = y$. We know that:
$$\angle OBD + \angle BDA + \angle DAO + \angle AOB = x + x + y + y  + \angle AOB = 360 \Longleftrightarrow \angle AOB = 360 -2x - 2y$$This means that $\angle OBA = \angle OAB = x + y - 90$. Note that:
$$\angle OBA + \angle ABD = x + y - 90 + 60 = x + y - 30 = x$$Hence, $y = 30$. Since $\angle ODA = 30 $ and $\angle ADC = 120$ with $\angle DCA = 30$, $OD || FC$. Now, assume WLOG $AC =6$ (if this is not the case, we can always scale the diagram). Then, $AF = 4, FC = 2, AD = 2 \sqrt{3}$. Given that $\angle ODA = \angle OAD = 30$, we can deduce that $OB = OD = OA = 2$. Hence, $OD = FC$, so $ODCF$ is a parallelogram. By Stewart’s theorem:
$$DF^2 (CA) + CF \cdot FA \cdot CA = DC^2 \cdot FA + DA^2 \cdot CF \Longleftrightarrow DF = 2$$Note that the intersection of $OC$ and $DF$ is the midpoint of $DF$ ($ODCF$ is a parallelogram). The homothety that takes $E$ to $B$ (from $C$) also takes the midpoint of $DF$ to $O$, so the distance from the midpoint of $DF$ to $E$ is $\frac{BO}{2} = 1$. It follows that $DEF$ is a right triangle.
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mathleticguyyy
3217 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Here's a purely synthetic solution.

Let the reflection of $C$ over $D$ be $C'$, the midpoint of $AC$ be $M$ and the point at which the circumcircle of $ABD$ intersects $AC$ be $G$.

It's immediate that $\angle DGA=180^\circ-\angle DBA=120^\circ$; since $G$ lies on $AC$, $\angle GAD=30^\circ=\angle GDA$ and we have that $AG=\frac{AD}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{AC}{3}$, so $GC=\frac{2AC}{3}$.

Since $\angle AC'D=\angle DAC+\angle DCA=60^\circ=\angle ABD$, $C'$ lies on the circumcircle of $ABD$. Now, consider the homothety sending the circumcircle of $ABG$ to the circumcircle of $MEF$ centered at $C$. It has scale factor $\frac{1}{2}$, so it maps $C'$ to $D$, and hence $DEMF$ is cyclic. This gives $\angle DEF=\angle DMF=90^\circ$ as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by mathleticguyyy, Apr 29, 2021, 12:57 PM
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Wizard0001
336 posts
#17
Y by
posted here
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HamstPan38825
8857 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
First I misread thinking $F$ was not on segment $BC$. Then I misread that $D$ is outside $\triangle ABC$. What am I doing?

[asy]
size(250);
pair A = origin, C = (3, 0), D = (3/2, sqrt(3)/2);
pair X = extension(C, D, (0, 0), (0, 50));
pair B = circumcenter(A, D, X)+abs(circumcenter(A, D, X)-A)*dir(87);
draw(A--C--D--B--cycle);
pair EE = (B+C)/2;
pair F = C*2/3;
draw(B--C);
draw(D--EE--F--cycle, dashed);
pair M = (D+F)/2;
draw(EE--M);
draw(EE--circumcenter(A, B, D)--F);
draw(circumcenter(A, B, D)--B);
draw(circumcenter(A, B, D)--C, dashed);
draw(circumcenter(A, B, D)--D--A);
dot("$O$", circumcenter(A, B, D), SW);
dot("$A$", A, SW);
dot("$C$", C, SE);
dot("$B$", B, N);
dot("$F$", F, S);
dot("$M$", M, SW);
dot("$E$", EE, NE);
dot(D);
label("$D$", D+(0, 0.05), N);
[/asy]

Let $M$ be the midpoint of $DF$. It suffices to show that $EM = \frac 12 DF$.

WLOG let $AC=3$. From the Law of Cosines, we obtain $$DF = \sqrt{1+3-\sqrt 3 \cdot \frac{\sqrt 3}2 \cdot 2} = 1,$$so it suffices to show that $EM = \frac 12$.

First, verify that the circumradius of $\triangle ABD$ is 1 by the Extended Law of Sines, so compute $OB=1$. Furthermore, since $\angle ODA = 30^\circ = \angle DAC$ and $OD=CF=1$, $ODCF$ is a parallelogram. It follows that there is a homothety at $M$ taking $FC$ to $GD$ with ratio $-1$, and hence $M$ is the midpoint of $CG$.

Therefore, there is a homothety at $C$ with ratio $\frac 12$ taking $BG$ to $ME$. It follows that $ME = \frac 12$ for all choices of $B$, and $DE \perp EF$ as desired. $\square$
This post has been edited 9 times. Last edited by HamstPan38825, Jun 11, 2021, 4:11 PM
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bever209
1522 posts
#19 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Let $F'$ be the reflection of $F$ over $M$ and $C'$ be the reflection of $C$ over $D$ and $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$. It is trivial that $\angle DMA=90$. Now if $DM=x$ then $AM=x\sqrt{3}$ and $F'M=\frac{x\sqrt{3}}{2}$ and since $DM \perp AM$, we have $DF'M$ is a 30-60-90 triangle.

This quickly gives that $AF'DB$ is cyclic and that $F'A=F'D$. In addition we get $\angle F'DC=90$. This means $\angle F'CD=\angle F'C'D=30$ but since $\angle F'DA=30$, we have that $C'$ lies on $(ADB)$.

Finally, a homothety of ratio $0.5$ from $C$ sends $A,F',B,C'$ to $M,F,E,D$ respectively, so they are all cyclic. And thus \[\angle DEF=180-\angle DMF=90\]so we are done.
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jj_ca888
2726 posts
#20 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Consider point $X$ outside triangle $DAC$ such that $XA = XD$ and $\angle AXD = 120^{\circ}$. Consider the circle centered at $X$ with radius $PA$, which we let equal 1. Denote this circle as $\omega$. We then consider the configuration on the complex plane, letting $X$ be $0$ (or the center/origin), making $\omega$ the unit circle. Since $\angle DBA = 60^{\circ}$, we know that $B$ lies on $\omega$.

Some raw computation yields that $d = 1$, $f = \frac32 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}i$, $c = \frac52 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}i$, and $e = \frac{b+c}{2}$. We will keep these as reference, as these will be useful later on.

In order to show that $DE \perp EF$, it suffices to show that $V = \frac{d-e}{e-f} + \overline{\left(\frac{d-e}{e-f}\right)} = 0$. We substitute the values above that were kept as reference to obtain that$$V = \frac{2-b-c}{b+c-2f} + \frac{2-\overline{b} - \overline{c}}{\overline{b} + \overline{c} - 2\overline{f}}$$We know that $2-c = e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}}$, $2 - \overline{c} = e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}}$, $c-2f = e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}}$, and $\overline{c} - 2\overline{f} = e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}}$ from substitution. Therefore, we get the following:$$V = \frac{e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}} - b}{e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}} + b} + \frac{e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}} - \overline{b}}{e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}} + \overline{b}}$$Combining denominators and simplifying, the numerator becomes$$(e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}} - b)(e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}} + \overline{b}) + (e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}} + b)(e^{\frac{4\pi i}{3}} - \overline{b})$$It turns out that this expression is nice AF and everything CANCELS OUT, so therefore $V = 0$, as desired.
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khina
993 posts
#21 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, Mango247
A fairly motivated synthetic solution:

solution

motivation
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zbghj2
89 posts
#22
Y by
$G$ is the midpoint of $AF$. $H$ is on $BG$ or the extension of $BG$, and $CH \perp BH$.
$\angle ABD = 60 ^{\circ} = \angle DGC $ $ \Longrightarrow$ $AGDB$ are concyclic $ \Longrightarrow$ $\angle HBD= \angle DAG =30 ^{\circ}$
$\angle GDC = 90 ^{\circ} = \angle GHC $ $ \Longrightarrow$ $GHCD$ are concyclic $ \Longrightarrow$ $\angle DHC= \angle DGC =60 ^{\circ}$

The extension of $BD$ crosses $HC$ at $M$.
$ \Longrightarrow$ $BD=HD=DM$
$ \Longrightarrow$ $DE//HC$
$ \Longrightarrow$ $DE \perp BH$ $ \Longrightarrow$ $DE \perp EF$
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by zbghj2, Jun 30, 2021, 9:11 AM
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Mogmog8
1080 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Solution
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DottedCaculator
7344 posts
#24 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Solution
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huashiliao2020
1292 posts
#25
Y by
Very nice problem!

We'll show that E lies on the circle with diameter DF=$\omega$. Note that the midpoint of AC=M lies on $\omega$ since ADC is isosceles, $N=CD\cap\omega$ is the midpoint of CD since CFD is isosceles (proof: DMC is 30-60-90, MF/FC=(1/6)/(1/3)=1/2=MD/DC implies DF bisects angle MDC which is 60 deg), and F is the midpoint of $AC\cap(ABD)=P$ with C, since APD=120 means DPF=60, whence FPD is equilateral implies FP=FD=FC; in particular, (ADP) goes to (MNF), with A going to E by homothety at C; in particular, since B lies on (ADP), E lies on (DNFM), as desired. $\blacksquare$
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shendrew7
794 posts
#26
Y by
Let $X = CD \cap (ABD)$ and $Y = CA \cap (ABD)$. Then
  • $\triangle AXD$ is equilateral.
  • $\triangle AYD$ is a 30-30-120 triangle, so $\angle DAY = 30$ and $F$ is the midpoint of $YC$.

Thus there exists a homothety of scale factor 2 mapping $\triangle DEF \rightarrow \triangle XBY$, so
\[\angle DEF = \angle XBY = 180 - \angle YAX = 180-60-30 = 90. \quad \blacksquare\]
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RedFireTruck
4221 posts
#27
Y by
Let $D=(2, 0)$, $A=(-1, -\sqrt3)$, $C=(5, -\sqrt3)$, $F=(3, -\sqrt3)$, and $B=(2a, 2b)$ where $a^2+b^2=1$. We see that $E=(a+\frac52, b-\frac{\sqrt3}{2})$ so we must have that $\frac{(a-\frac12)+(b+\frac{\sqrt3}2)i}{(a+\frac12)+(b-\frac{\sqrt3}2)i}\in i\mathbb{R}$. Since $a^2+b^2=1$, $\text{Re}(\frac{(a-\frac12)+(b+\frac{\sqrt3}2)i}{(a+\frac12)+(b-\frac{\sqrt3}2)i})=\frac{(a^2-\frac14)+(b^2-\frac34)}{(a+\frac12)^2+(b-\frac{\sqrt3}2)^2}=0$, as desired.
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cj13609517288
1897 posts
#28
Y by
lol what

Note that $\triangle ADC\sim\triangle DFC$. Therefore, the circle with diameter $DF$ passes through the midpoints of $AC$ and $DC$. Thus, taking a homothety with scale factor $2$ from $C$ will take this circle to the circle with $A$, $D$, and the reflection of $C$ over $D$. Therefore, it suffices to show that $B$ is on this circle as well. But this is just because $\angle ABD=60^{\circ}$. $\blacksquare$
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joshualiu315
2533 posts
#29
Y by
WLOG suppose that $AC=6$. Moreover, let $O$ be the circumcenter of $(ABD)$, and let $(ABD)$ intersect $\overline{AC}$ again at point $G \neq A$. It is clear that $\angle AOD = 2 \angle ABD = 120^\circ$, which implies that $OA = OD = OB = 2$.

Clearly, $ODCF$ is a parallelogram, so denoting the midpoint of $\overline{DF}$ as $M$, we find that $M$ is also the midpoint of $\overline{OC}$. Thus, $\triangle CEM \sim \triangle CBO$, with scale factor $\tfrac{1}{2}$:

\[ME = \frac{1}{2} OB = 1 = MD = MF, \]
which implies $\triangle DEF$ is a right triangle. $\blacksquare$
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cj13609517288
1897 posts
#30
Y by
???

A simple length chase gives that $\angle FDC=30^{\circ}$. So $(FD)$ also passes through the midpoints of $AC$ and $DC$. So a homothety at $C$ with scale factor $2$ finishes. $\blacksquare$

Remark. This solution had to work because $B$ was literally only used once.
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Tsikaloudakis
980 posts
#32
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see the figure:
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This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by Tsikaloudakis, Apr 11, 2025, 11:41 AM
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zuat.e
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#33
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Let $B'$ be the point on the line parallel to $BD$ through $C$ and which lies on the circle centered at $D$ with radius $DA=DC$ and so we will consider $\triangle AB'C$ as our reference triangle and $D$ will be its center. Furthermore, let $X=DE\cap B'C$.

Claim: Quadrilateral $BDCX$ is a parallelogram and quadrilateral $BDXB'$ is an isosceles trapezoid
Proof: Consider the homothety centered at $E$ with radius $k=-1$, which sends $C$ to $B$ and as $BD\parallel B'C$, it sends $X$ to $D$, hence $DE=EX$ and $BDCX$ is a parallelogram.
It is now easy to note that $\measuredangle XBD=\measuredangle DCX=\measuredangle DCB'=\measuredangle CB'D$, hence $BDXB'$ is an isosceles trapezoid.

Let $P$ be the reflection of $C$ across $F$, therefore $AP=PF=FC$.
Claim: $CXDP$ is a cyclic quadrilateral centered at $F$
Proof: Consider the $(PDC)$ and we claim $AD$ is tangent to it.
Indeed, note that $AD^2=(\frac{AC}{2\cos{30º}})^2=\frac{AC^2}{3}=AP\cdot AC$, consequently $\measuredangle CDF\overset{\mathrm{symmetry}}{=}\measuredangle PDA=\measuredangle FCD=30º$, hence $F$ is the center of $(PDC)$.
It suffices to show that $PDXC$ is cyclic, which follows from $\measuredangle DFC=\measuredangle DCF+\measuredangle FDC=120º=\measuredangle B'BD=\measuredangle CXD$, proving our claim.

It now follows that $FD=FX$, which combined with $DE=EX$ yields that $EF$ is the side bisector of $DX$, hence $\measuredangle FED=90º$, as desired.


Remark: As $D$ is almost the center of $ABC$ (we just have to get rid of the angle $\measuredangle CBD$), which is the motivation to add $B'$. Besides that, the condition of $\measuredangle CB'A=60º$ is only used when proving $DF=FX$, that is the parallelogram and isosceles trapezoid are also true when $\measuredangle CB'A$ is arbitrary. Moreover, if $F$ is the point satisfying $\measuredangle FED=90º$, $CXDP$ will always be a cyclic quadrilateral with center $F$, however $F$ won't satisfy $AF=2FC$.
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#34
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We can also easily bash the problem using complex numbers.
Use the same setup as before and let $c=1$, therefore $a=-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}i$, while $b'$ is free.
We can compute $b=\frac{a+b'}{1-a}$, $e=\frac{b'+1}{2(1-a)}$ and $f=\frac{a+2}{3}$, hence $T=\frac{d-e}{f-e}=\frac{3(b'+1)}{2a^2+2a+3b'-1}$ and $\bar T=\frac{3a^2(b+1)}{2b'+2ab'+3a^2-a^2b'}$.
As $a^2+a+1=0$, we have $\frac{2b'+2ab'+3a^2-a^2b'}{a^2}=-(2a^2+2a+3b'-1)$, hence $T=-\bar T$, as desired
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