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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
Congruence related perimeter
egxa   3
N a few seconds ago by nervy
Source: All Russian 2025 9.8 and 10.8
On the sides of triangle \( ABC \), points \( D_1, D_2, E_1, E_2, F_1, F_2 \) are chosen such that when going around the triangle, the points occur in the order \( A, F_1, F_2, B, D_1, D_2, C, E_1, E_2 \). It is given that
\[
AD_1 = AD_2 = BE_1 = BE_2 = CF_1 = CF_2.
\]Prove that the perimeters of the triangles formed by the lines \( AD_1, BE_1, CF_1 \) and \( AD_2, BE_2, CF_2 \) are equal.
3 replies
egxa
Friday at 5:08 PM
nervy
a few seconds ago
true or false ?
SunnyEvan   2
N a few seconds ago by GeoMorocco
Let $ a,b,c \geq 0 $ Prove that :
$$ \frac{3k}{k^4+k+1} \leq \frac{ka}{a+k^4b+kc}+\frac{kb}{b+k^4c+ka}+\frac{kc}{c+k^4a+kb} \leq k $$Where $ k \geq 1 $
2 replies
SunnyEvan
3 hours ago
GeoMorocco
a few seconds ago
Inspired by Bet667
sqing   5
N 5 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $x,y\ge 0$ such that $k(x+y)=1+xy. $ Prove that $$x+y+\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}\geq 4k $$Where $k\geq 1. $
5 replies
sqing
Today at 2:34 AM
sqing
5 minutes ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   7
N 7 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0. $ Prove that
$$\frac{(a+1)^2}{b}+\frac{(b+k)^2}{a} \geq4(k+1) $$Where $ k\geq 0. $
$$\frac{a^2}{b}+\frac{(b+1)^2}{a} \geq4$$
7 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 2:43 AM
sqing
7 minutes ago
Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2024- P2
Lukaluce   18
N 8 minutes ago by Primeniyazidayi
Source: JBMO 2024
Let $ABC$ be a triangle such that $AB < AC$. Let the excircle opposite to A be tangent to the lines $AB, AC$, and $BC$ at points $D, E$, and $F$, respectively, and let $J$ be its centre. Let $P$ be a point on the side $BC$. The circumcircles of the triangles $BDP$ and $CEP$ intersect for the second time at $Q$. Let $R$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $A$ to the line $FJ$. Prove that the points $P, Q$, and $R$ are collinear.

(The excircle of a triangle $ABC$ opposite to $A$ is the circle that is tangent to the line segment $BC$, to the ray $AB$ beyond $B$, and to the ray $AC$ beyond $C$.)

Proposed by Bozhidar Dimitrov, Bulgaria
18 replies
Lukaluce
Jun 27, 2024
Primeniyazidayi
8 minutes ago
Same radius geo
ThatApollo777   3
N an hour ago by ThatApollo777
Source: Own
Classify all possible quadrupes of $4$ distinct points in a plane such the circumradius of any $3$ of them is the same.
3 replies
ThatApollo777
Yesterday at 7:37 AM
ThatApollo777
an hour ago
Hard geo from UKR TST
mshtand1   7
N 3 hours ago by bin_sherlo
Source: Ukraine IMO 2023 TST P9
Let $ABC$ be a triangle and let its incircle, centred at $I$, touches the side $BC$ at $D$. A line through $A$ intersects the lines $BC$, $BI$ and $CI$ at $X$, $Y$ and $Z$, respectively. The circle $(ABC)$ intersects the circles $(AIY)$ and $(AIZ)$ again at $U$ and $V$, respectively. Prove that the points $D$, $U$, $V$ and $X$ are concyclic.
Proposed by Fedir Yudin and Mykhailo Shtandenko
7 replies
mshtand1
May 5, 2023
bin_sherlo
3 hours ago
Guessing Point is Hard
MarkBcc168   31
N 3 hours ago by wu2481632
Source: IMO Shortlist 2023 G5
Let $ABC$ be an acute-angled triangle with circumcircle $\omega$ and circumcentre $O$. Points $D\neq B$ and $E\neq C$ lie on $\omega$ such that $BD\perp AC$ and $CE\perp AB$. Let $CO$ meet $AB$ at $X$, and $BO$ meet $AC$ at $Y$.

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

Ivan Chan Kai Chin, Malaysia
31 replies
MarkBcc168
Jul 17, 2024
wu2481632
3 hours ago
IMO Shortlist 2014 G4
hajimbrak   27
N 3 hours ago by jp62
Consider a fixed circle $\Gamma$ with three fixed points $A, B,$ and $C$ on it. Also, let us fix a real number $\lambda \in(0,1)$. For a variable point $P \not\in\{A, B, C\}$ on $\Gamma$, let $M$ be the point on the segment $CP$ such that $CM =\lambda\cdot  CP$ . Let $Q$ be the second point of intersection of the circumcircles of the triangles $AMP$ and $BMC$. Prove that as $P$ varies, the point $Q$ lies on a fixed circle.

Proposed by Jack Edward Smith, UK
27 replies
hajimbrak
Jul 11, 2015
jp62
3 hours ago
Equal Distances in an Isosceles Setting
mojyla222   2
N 4 hours ago by Mahdi_Mashayekhi
Source: IDMC 2025 P4
Let $ABC$ be an isosceles triangle with $AB=AC$. The circle $\omega_1$, passing through $B$ and $C$, intersects segment $AB$ at $K\neq B$. The circle $\omega_2$ is tangent to $BC$ at $B$ and passes through $K$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of segments $AB$ and $AC$, respectively. The line $MN$ intersects $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ at points $P$ and $Q$, respectively, where $P$ and $Q$ are the intersections closer to $M$. Prove that $MP=MQ$.

Proposed by Hooman Fattahi
2 replies
mojyla222
Today at 5:05 AM
Mahdi_Mashayekhi
4 hours ago
Prove that the line $MN$ is tangent to the inscribed circle
janssv.200603   9
N 4 hours ago by Captainscrubz
Source: Peru TST
Let $I$ be the incenter of the $ABC$ triangle. The circumference that passes through $I$ and has center
in $A$ intersects the circumscribed circumference of the $ABC$ triangle at points $M$ and
$N$. Prove that the line $MN$ is tangent to the inscribed circle of the $ABC$ triangle.
9 replies
janssv.200603
Feb 3, 2019
Captainscrubz
4 hours ago
Equal distances between pairs of orthocenters in cyclic quad
Shu   2
N 4 hours ago by Nari_Tom
Source: XVII Tuymaada Mathematical Olympiad (2010), Senior Level
In a cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD$, the extensions of sides $AB$ and $CD$ meet at point $P$, and the extensions of sides $AD$ and $BC$ meet at point $Q$. Prove that the distance between the orthocenters of triangles $APD$ and $AQB$ is equal to the distance between the orthocenters of triangles $CQD$ and $BPC$.
2 replies
Shu
Jul 31, 2011
Nari_Tom
4 hours ago
Euler line of incircle touching points /Reposted/
Eagle116   5
N 5 hours ago by Tsikaloudakis
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with incentre $I$ and circumcentre $O$. Let $D,E,F$ be the touchpoints of the incircle with $BC$, $CA$, $AB$ respectively. Prove that $OI$ is the Euler line of $\vartriangle DEF$.
5 replies
Eagle116
Yesterday at 2:48 PM
Tsikaloudakis
5 hours ago
Bunch of midpoints
Retemoeg   0
5 hours ago
Source: Own
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle with orthocenter $H$ and medial triangle $MNP$. Let $F$ be a point on $AC$ such that $\angle HMF = 90^{\circ}$. If $L$ is the midpoint of segment $BF$, show that $\triangle NLP$ is isoceles.
0 replies
Retemoeg
5 hours ago
0 replies
set with c+2a>3b
VicKmath7   48
N Apr 2, 2025 by akliu
Source: ISL 2021 A1
Let $n$ be a positive integer. Given is a subset $A$ of $\{0,1,...,5^n\}$ with $4n+2$ elements. Prove that there exist three elements $a<b<c$ from $A$ such that $c+2a>3b$.

Proposed by Dominik Burek and Tomasz Ciesla, Poland
48 replies
VicKmath7
Jul 12, 2022
akliu
Apr 2, 2025
set with c+2a>3b
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: ISL 2021 A1
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Mr.Sharkman
496 posts
#41
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Solution
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RedFireTruck
4221 posts
#42
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FTSOC assume there is no $a<b<c$ in $A$ such that $c+2a>3b$. Then, $b-a\ge \frac{c-b}2$ for $a<b<c$. Let the elements of $A$ be $\{x_1, x_2, \dots, x_{4n+1}, x_{4n+2}\}$ such that $x_1>x_2>\dots>x_{4n+1}>x_{4n+2}$. Let $d=x_1-x_2\ge 1$. Then $x_2-x_3\ge \frac{d}{2}$ so $x_1-x_3\ge \frac{3d}{2}$. Then, $x_3-x_4\ge \frac{3d}{4}$, so $x_1-x_4\ge \frac{9d}{4}$. Therefore, $x_1-x_{4n+2}\ge(\frac32)^{4n}d\ge(\frac{81}{16})^nd\ge 5^n$, which is impossible, as desired for our contradiction.
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de-Kirschbaum
193 posts
#43
Y by
Assume for the sake of contradiction that this doesn't hold. So for any positive integer $n=k \geq 1$, we have elements $x_0<x_1<...<x_{4k+1}$ such that $x_{4n}+2x_i \leq 3x_{i+1}$. Thus we find that $3(x_{4k+1}-x_{i+1}) \leq 2(x_{4k+1}-x_i) \implies \frac{3}{2} (x_{4k+1}-x_{i+1}) \leq x_{4k+1}-x_i$. Multiplying over all possible triples $(x_i, x_{i+1}, x_{4k+1})$ and dividing out common terms on both sides $x_{4k+1}-x_0 \geq (\frac{3}{2})^{4k}(x_{4k+1}-x_{4k}) = \frac{81}{16}^k (x_{4k+1}-x_{4k})$. Note that $\frac{81}{16}^k (x_{4k+1}-x_{4k}) \geq 5^k \geq x_{4k+1}-x_0$. Thus this is a contradiction and the problem statement holds.
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Markas
105 posts
#44
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Suppose the elements of A are $a_1 < a_2 < \cdots < a_{4n+2}$. Choose c = $a_{4n+2}$, a = $a_i$, b = $a_{i+1}$. If we prove that $c + 2a_i > 3a_{i+1}$ for at least one i, we are ready. Suppose the opposite $\Rightarrow$ $a_{i+1} \geq \frac{c+2a_i}{3}$, for all i. We set $a_i = b_i + c$ $\Rightarrow$ we get $b_{i+1} \geq \frac{2b_i}{3}$ $\Rightarrow$ $b_{4n+1} \geq \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n}b_1$ $\Rightarrow$ $\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n}(c-a_1) \geq c - a_{4n+1}$. However $\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n}(c-a_1) \leq \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n} \cdot 5^n = \left(\frac{80}{81}\right)^{n} < 1$. Also $c - a_{4n+1} \geq 1$ $\Rightarrow$ there is a contradiction $\Rightarrow$ we are ready.
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Sagnik123Biswas
420 posts
#45
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Suppose that the elements of our subset are $x_1, x_2, x_3 \dots x_{4n+2}$ with $0 \leq x_1 < x_2 < x_3 \dots x_{4n} < x_{4n+1} < x_{4n+2} \leq 5^n$. Define $d_i = x_{i+1} - x_{i}$ for $1 \leq i \leq 4n+1$. Now assume for the sake of contradiction that there exist no $i, j, k$ such that $1 \leq i < j < k \leq 4n+2$ and $x_k + 2x_i > 3x_j$. So it follows that for all $i, j, k$ such that $1 \leq i < j < k \leq 4n+2$, we have $x_k + 2x_i \leq 3x_j \implies x_k - x_j \leq 2(x_j - x_i)$.

So for $1 \leq a \leq 4n$, we have that $2(x_{a+1} - x_{a}) \geq x_{4n+2} - x_{a+1}$. It follows that $2d_{a} \geq d_{a+1} + \dots d_{4n+1}$

So it follows that $2d_{4n} \geq d_{4n+1}, 2d_{4n-1} \geq d_{4n} + d_{4n+1}, 2d_{4n-2} \geq d_{4n-1} + d_{4n} + d_{4n+1}, \dots,  2d_{1} \geq d_{2} + d_{3} \dots + d_{4n+1}$.

So $d_{4n} \geq \frac{d_{4n+1}}{2}$. Next, $d_{4n-1} \geq \frac{ \frac{d_{4n+1}}{2} + d_{4n+1} }{2} = \frac{3d_{4n+1}}{4}, d_{4n-2} \geq \frac{ \frac{3d_{4n+1}}{4} + \frac{d_{4n+1}}{2} + d_{4n+1}  }{2} = \frac{9d_{4n+1}}{8} $ for $k \in \{0, 1, 2, \dots 4n-1 \}$. We speculate that $d_{4n-k} \geq \frac{3^{k}}{2^{k+1}}d_{4n+1}$. This can be proven through strong induction.

Base Case: Suppose $k = 0$, then it follows that $2d_{4n} \geq d_{4n+1} \implies d_{4n} \geq \frac{d_{4n+1}}{2}$ which is consistent with our conjecture.

Inductive Step: Suppose that for some $0 \leq j \leq 4n-2$ we have that for all $0 \leq k \leq j$, $d_{4n-k} \geq \frac{3^{k}d_{4n+1}}{2^{k+1}}$. Now we know that $2d_{4n-(j+1)} \geq d_{4n-j} + d_{4n-(j-1)} + \dots d_{4n+1} $. So $d_{4n-(j+1)} \geq \frac{d_{4n-j} + d_{4n-(j-1)} + \dots d_{4n+1}}{2} \geq \frac{d_{4n+1} + \sum_{k=0}^{j}\frac{3^{k}d_{4n+1}}{2^{k+1}} }{2} \geq \frac{d_{4n+1}}{2} (1 + \frac{1}{2}\frac{(\frac{3}{2})^{j+1} - 1 }{\frac{3}{2} - 1} ) \geq d_{4n+1}\frac{3^{j+1}}{2^{j+2}} $. This completes the inductive step.

Now we have that $d_1 + d_2 + d_3 \dots d_{4n+1} \leq 5^n$. But $d_1 + d_2 + d_3 \dots d_{4n+1} \geq d_{4n+1} + \sum_{k=0}^{4n-1}\frac{3^{k}}{2^{k+1}}d_{4n+1} = d_{4n+1}(1 + \frac{1}{2}\frac{(\frac{3}{2})^{4n}-1}{\frac{3}{2}-1}) = d_{4n+1}(\frac{3}{2})^{4n}$. Since $d_{4n+1} \geq 1$, it follows that $d_1 + d_2 + d_3 \dots d_{4n+1} \geq (\frac{3}{2})^{4n} = (\frac{81}{16})^n > 5^n$
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Sammy27
81 posts
#46 • 1 Y
Y by Eka01
Solution
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ezpotd
1253 posts
#48
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Order the elements of $A$ as $a_1 \dots a_{4n + 2}$. If no such triples exist, we have $a_{4n + 2} \le 3a_{i + 1} - 2a_i$ for all $i$, or $3(a_{4n + 2} - a_{i + 1}) \le 2(a_{4n + 2} - a_i)$, so letting $b_i = a_{4n + 2} - a_i$, we have $3b_{i + 1} \le 2b_{i}$, so $b_1 \ge (\frac 32)^{4n} b_{4n + 1} \ge (\frac 32)^{4n} > 5^n$, so $a_{4n + 2} - a_{n} > 5^n$, but this is impossible since the maximal difference between any two elements of $A$ is $5^n$.
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L13832
263 posts
#49
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A nice problem
Storage
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pi271828
3363 posts
#50
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Let $A = \{ a_1 < a_2 < \cdots < a_{4n+2} \}$ and $a_{4n+2} - a_{i} = d_i$. Assume for contradiction that the given condition is never true. Applying the condition for contradiction on the triplet $(a_{i-1}, a_i, a_{4n+2})$, we have $d_{i} < \tfrac{2}{3} \cdot d_{i-1}$. Chaining inequalities, we have \begin{align*} 5^n \cdot \left( \frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n} \ge \left( \frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n} \cdot d_1 > \cdots > d_{4n+1}\end{align*}implying that $d_{4n+1} = a_{4n+2} - a_{4n+1} < (\tfrac{80}{81})^n < 1$, contradiction.
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eg4334
631 posts
#51
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Wasted too much time on global stuff and chaining the wrong inequalities in this one..

Let the numbers be $a_1 < a_2 < \dots < a_{4n+2}$ and assume FTSOC $c+2a \leq 3b$. The entire idea of the problem is to write this as $\frac32 (c-b) \leq (c-a)$. Now we let $c=a_{4n+2}$ and exploit the confinment of $5^n$:
\begin{align*}
a_{4n+2} - a_1 &\geq \frac32 (a_{4n+2}-a_2) \\
 &\geq \left( \frac32 \right)^2 (a_{4n+2}-a_3) \\
&\geq \ddots \\
&\geq \left( \frac32 \right)^{4n} (a_{4n+2} - a_{4n+1}) 
\end{align*}But using the miraculous fact that $\left( \frac32 \right)^{4n} = \left( \frac{81}{16} \right)^n > 5^n$ we get an obvious contradiction.
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Saucepan_man02
1322 posts
#52
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Ad-Hoc:

FTSOC assume the numbers $x_1 \le x_2 \cdots \le x_{4n+2}$ to be the elements of $A$ such that: $3x_{t+1} \ge x_{t+2}+2x_t$. Let $y_k = x_{k+1}-x_k$, and thus: $y_{k+1} \le \frac{2}{3} y_k$. Spamming up: $y_{4n+1} \le (\tfrac{2}{3})^{4n} y_1$.
Therefore: $1 \le y_{4n+1} \le (\tfrac{2}{3})^{4n} y_1 \le (\tfrac{2}{3})^{4n} (5^n) = (\frac{80}{81})^n < 1$ and thus, contradiction.
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Turtwig113
128 posts
#53
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We rearrange the condition to $3(c-b)>2(c-a)$. Note that letting $c$ be the largest element of $A$ is ideal, since any $c > b$ can be selected without needing to change $a$ and if the condition is satisfiable, it is clearly satisfiable with $c$ as the largest element of $A$.

For this condition to never hold, consider the elements of $A$ as ordered from greatest to least as $c=a_0, a_1, a_2, a_3 \dots a_{4n+1}$. Then, the sequence $b_i = a_0-a_i$ for $i \geq 1$ must have each term at least a factor of $3/2$ greater than the previous term. Since all elements of $A$ are distinct, $b_1 \geq 1$ and therefore $b_{4n+1} \geq (\frac{3}{2})^{4n}$. However, $\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n} > 5^n,$ producing a contradiction, since this implies the difference between some two elements of $A$ would be more than $5^n$. Therefore, the stated condition always holds.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Turtwig113, Mar 9, 2025, 4:13 PM
Reason: Typo
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Mapism
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#54
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Let $A=\{a_1,a_2,...,a_{4n+2}\}$ where $0\le a_1< a_2< ...< a_{4n+2}\le 5^n$. Suppose $c+2a\le 3b\ \ \forall a,b,c\in A$ such that $a<b<c$. This is equivalent to $a_k+2a_i\le 3a_j\ \ \forall i<j<k$. If we take any $i$ and let $j,k$ vary it is clear that $a_{4n+2}+2a_i\le 3a_{i+1}\ \ \forall i=1,2,...,4n$ is a necessary and sufficient condition.

Observe,
$$a_{i+1}\ge \frac{a_{4n+2}}{3}+\frac{2}{3}a_i\ge ...\ge a_{4n+2}\left(1-\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^i\right)+\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^ia_1$$$$a_{i}\le \frac{a_{4n+2}}{2}\ +\ \frac{3}{2}a_{i+1}\le ...\le a_{4n+2}\left(1-\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n+1-i}\right)\ +\ \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n+1-i}a_{4n+1}$$These imply
$$a_{4n+2}\left(1-\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}\right)+\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}a_{4n+1}\ge a_{i+1}\ge a_{4n+2}\left(1-\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^i\right)+\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^ia_1,\ \ \forall i=2,...,4n$$$$\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}(a_{4n+2}-1)\ge \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}a_{4n+1}-\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^ia_1\ge a_{4n+2}\left(\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}-\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^i\right)$$$$-\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n-i}\ge -\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^ia_{4n+2}\implies 5^n\ge a_{4n+2}\ge \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^{4n}=\left(\frac{81}{16}\right)^{n}>5^n$$Which clearly is a contradiction.
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by Mapism, Mar 12, 2025, 5:57 AM
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mananaban
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#55
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Let $A = \{a_1, a_2, \cdots, a_{4n+2}\}$, where $a_1 < a_2 < \cdots < a_{4n+2}$.
Assume, FTSOC, that this $A$ violates the problem condition.

We may as well let $c=a_{4n+2}$ always. We also may as well set $b=a_{k+1}$ and $a=a_k$ for some $1 \leq k \leq 4n$. From this, we get the relation
\[c  < 3a_{k+1} - 2a_k \implies a_{k+1} > \frac{2}{3} a_k + \frac{c}{3} \qquad \text{for all } 1 \leq k \leq 4n \]Now this implies that, since $a_1 \geq 0$, $a_{k+1} > (1-\left(\tfrac{2}{3}\right)^k)c$. This conclusion is from the manipulation
\[ a_{k+1} - c > \frac{2}{3} (a_k - c) \]to get $a_{k+1}-c > \left(\tfrac{2}{3}\right)^n (a_0-c) \geq -c \left(\tfrac{2}{3}\right)^n$.

The critical inequality from where we derive the contradiction is
\[ c > a_{4n+1} > \left( 1 - \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n} \right) c \]Now I will show that
\[ \left( 1 - \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{4n} \right) c > c-1 \]
for $c \leq 5^n$. This is true due to the amazing fact that $5 \cdot 2^4 < 3^4$. In particular, this is equivalent to
\[ 1 > \left(\frac{16}{81}\right)^n c,\]which is true since $(\tfrac{16}{81})^n c \leq (\tfrac{5 \cdot 16}{81})^n < 1$.

This provides us with the bound
\[ c > a_{4n+1} > c-1 \]which leaves $a_{4n+1}$ with no possible integer value, our desired contradiction. $\blacksquare$
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akliu
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#56
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For the sake of contradiction, assume there exists a sequence of numbers $a_k$ that doesn't satisfy the conditions but exists entirely within the bound $0 \leq a_1 < a_2 < \dots < a_{4n+2} \leq 5^n$. We then have $a_{4n+2} + 2a_{4n} \leq 3a_{4n+1}$, or $a_{4n+2} - a_{4n+1} \leq 2(a_{4n+1} - a_{4n})$, in other words, $a_{4n+2} - a_{4n} \geq \frac{3}{2}(a_{4n+2} - a_{4n+1})$. If we set $d_i = a_{4n+2} - a_i$, we have $d_{i+1} \leq \frac{2}{3}d_i$, giving us the inequality $d_{4n+1} \leq (\frac{16}{81})^n d_1$ (where $d_i$ is essentially the distance between the last term and term $i$ in sequence $a$). However, $d_1$ is at most $5^n$ and $d_{4n+1}$ is at least $1$, meaning we have $1 < d_{4n+1} \leq (\frac{80}{81})^n < 1$, giving us our desired contradiction.
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