Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/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
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
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, 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
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
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
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
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

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
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
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
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
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
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
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

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

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
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
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
2-var inequality
sqing   4
N 2 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{a}{b+1}+ \frac{b}{a+1}\geq  1   $ . Prove that
$$\frac{a}{a^2+b+1}+ \frac{b}{b^2+a+1} \leq  \frac{2}{3} $$Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{1}{a+1}+ \frac{1}{b+1}\geq 1  $ . Prove that
$$\frac{a}{a^2+b+1}+ \frac{b}{b^2+a+1} \leq  \frac{2}{3} $$
4 replies
1 viewing
sqing
43 minutes ago
sqing
2 minutes ago
3-var inequality
sqing   1
N 10 minutes ago by lbh_qys
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c>0 $ and $\frac{1}{a+1}+ \frac{1}{b+1}+\frac{1}{c+1}   \geq \frac{a+b +c}{2}   $ . Prove that
$$ \frac{1}{a+2}+ \frac{1}{b+2} + \frac{1}{c+2}\geq1$$
1 reply
+1 w
sqing
34 minutes ago
lbh_qys
10 minutes ago
Combinatorics from EGMO 2018
BarishNamazov   27
N 15 minutes ago by HamstPan38825
Source: EGMO 2018 P3
The $n$ contestant of EGMO are named $C_1, C_2, \cdots C_n$. After the competition, they queue in front of the restaurant according to the following rules.
[list]
[*]The Jury chooses the initial order of the contestants in the queue.
[*]Every minute, the Jury chooses an integer $i$ with $1 \leq i \leq n$.
[list]
[*]If contestant $C_i$ has at least $i$ other contestants in front of her, she pays one euro to the Jury and moves forward in the queue by exactly $i$ positions.
[*]If contestant $C_i$ has fewer than $i$ other contestants in front of her, the restaurant opens and process ends.
[/list]
[/list]
[list=a]
[*]Prove that the process cannot continue indefinitely, regardless of the Jury’s choices.
[*]Determine for every $n$ the maximum number of euros that the Jury can collect by cunningly choosing the initial order and the sequence of moves.
[/list]
27 replies
BarishNamazov
Apr 11, 2018
HamstPan38825
15 minutes ago
Do you have any idea why they all call their problems' characters "Mykhailo"???
mshtand1   1
N 18 minutes ago by sarjinius
Source: Ukrainian Mathematical Olympiad 2025. Day 2, Problem 10.7
In a row, $1000$ numbers \(2\) and $2000$ numbers \(-1\) are written in some order.
Mykhailo counted the number of groups of adjacent numbers, consisting of at least two numbers, whose sum equals \(0\).
(a) Find the smallest possible value of this number.
(b) Find the largest possible value of this number.

Proposed by Anton Trygub
1 reply
mshtand1
Mar 14, 2025
sarjinius
18 minutes ago
No more topics!
incircle, excircle tangent projective geo
kamatadu   16
N Nov 30, 2023 by MathLuis
Source: Sharygin 2023 - P22 (Grade-10-11)
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle, $M$ be the midpoint of $BC,P$ be the common point of $AM$ and the incircle of $ABC$ closest to $A$, and $Q$ be the common point of the ray $AM$ and the excircle farthest from $A$. The tangent to the incircle at $P$ meets $BC$ at point $X$, and the tangent to the excircle at $Q$ meets $BC$ at $Y$. Prove that $MX=MY$.
16 replies
kamatadu
Mar 4, 2023
MathLuis
Nov 30, 2023
incircle, excircle tangent projective geo
G H J
Source: Sharygin 2023 - P22 (Grade-10-11)
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
kamatadu
480 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by GeoKing, LoloChen, aansc1729, HoripodoKrishno, Rounak_iitr
Let $ABC$ be a scalene triangle, $M$ be the midpoint of $BC,P$ be the common point of $AM$ and the incircle of $ABC$ closest to $A$, and $Q$ be the common point of the ray $AM$ and the excircle farthest from $A$. The tangent to the incircle at $P$ meets $BC$ at point $X$, and the tangent to the excircle at $Q$ meets $BC$ at $Y$. Prove that $MX=MY$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
LoloChen
479 posts
#2 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
Very beautiful problem.
This Lemma kills it.
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/7951343410#/
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by LoloChen, Mar 4, 2023, 8:48 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
kamatadu
480 posts
#3 • 5 Y
Y by GeoKing, amar_04, rama1728, HoripodoKrishno, mathmax12
My solution for this one too is again a huge one, I believe there exists a much simpler solution to this :maybe: ? @above noo sniped :noo: :rotfl: . @below lmao ded :stretcher:
$\textbf{LEMMA: }$If $ABC$ be a triangle, $M$ be the midpoint of $BC$, $\odot(I)$ and $\odot(I_A)$ denote the incircle and $A-$excircle respectively. Then $$\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I}(M)=\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I_A}(M)$$i.e., $M$ lies on the Radical Axis of $\{\odot(I),\odot(I_A)\}$.

$\textbf{PROOF: }D,E$ be the points where $\odot(I),\odot(I_A)$ touches $BC$. Using our previous lemma, we know that $MD=ME$.

Now as both $\odot(I),\odot(I_A)$ are tangent to $BC$, we get $$\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I}(M)=MD^2=ME^2=\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I_A}(M).$$
Apart from this Lemma, we use the fact that the if $DEF$ is the contact triangle, then $AM,EF,ID$ concur which I refer to as Incircle Concurrency Lemma.

https://i.imgur.com/K5p3Bnm.png

Let $I,I_A$ be the incenter and $A-$excenter. $\odot(I), \odot(I_A)$ denote the incircle and $A-$excircle. $D,E$ be the point where $\odot(I)$ touches $AB,AC$. $K,L$ be the points where the $\odot(I_A)$ touches $AB,AC$. Let $\ell$ be the line through $M$ such that $\ell\perp II_A$. Also let $R=DP\cap QK,S=PE\cap QL$.

Firstly by first Lemma, note that as $M$ lies on the Radical Axis of $\{\odot(I),\odot(I_A)\}$ and $I,I_A$ are the centers respectively, from $\ell\perp II_A$ we get that $\ell$ itself is the Radical Axis of $\{\odot(I),\odot(I_A))$.
$\textbf{CLAIM: }EPQL$ and $PDKQ$ is cyclic.

$\textbf{PROOF: }$This could be proved aswell using inversion at $A$ with radius $\sqrt{AE\cdot AL}$, but for the sake of simplicity, we provide a simpler proof.

Let $P'=AM\cap \odot(I_A)(\not=Q)$. Now note that the homothety $\Psi$ centred at $A$ that maps
$\odot(I)\mapsto\odot(I_A)$ also maps $D\mapsto K,E\mapsto L$ and $P\mapsto P'$, which implies $EP\parallel LP'$ and $DP\parallel KP'$.

Now $$\measuredangle LEP=\measuredangle AEP=\measuredangle ALP'=\measuredangle LQP'=\measuredangle LQP\implies PELQ\text{ is cyclic.}$$
Similarly, $PDKQ\text{ is cyclic.}$
$\textbf{CLAIM: }R,S\in\ell$.
$\textbf{PROOF: }$We have that $$\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I}(S)=SE\cdot SP=\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot EPQL}(S)=SL\cdot SQ=\operatorname{Pow}_{\odot I_A}(S)$$and so $S\in\ell$ and similarly $R\in \ell$.
https://i.imgur.com/8J8lrkm.png

$\textbf{CLAIM: }PQRS$ is cyclic.

$\textbf{PROOF: }$We use the same idea of homothety from the previous claim. We get
$D\xmapsto{\Psi}K,E\xmapsto{\Psi}L,P\xmapsto{\Psi}P'$ and so we get $$\measuredangle RPS=\measuredangle DPE=\measuredangle KP'L=\measuredangle KQL=\measuredangle RQS.$$
$\textbf{CLAIM: }\{\odot(PEFD),\odot(PQRS)\}$ are tangent to each other at $P$.

$\textbf{PROOF: }$Let $\ell_1,\ell_2$ be the tangents at $P$ to $\odot(PEFD),\odot(PQRS)$.

Now firstly notice that as $AD=AE$ and $AI$ is the angle bisector of $\angle DAE$, we get $AI\perp DE$. Moreover as $\overline{A-I-I_A}$ are collinear $\implies DE\perp II_A$ and $RS\perp II_A\implies DE\parallel RS$.

So $$\measuredangle(\ell_1,PD)=\measuredangle PED\stackrel{DE\parallel RS}{=}\measuredangle PSR=\measuredangle(\ell_2,PR)=\measuredangle(\ell_2,PD)\implies\ell_1\equiv\ell_2$$
Now since the tangents at $P$ to $\{\odot(PEFD),\odot(PQRS)\}$ are the same line, we conclude the circles are tangent at $P$.
Now let $U,V=BC\cap\odot(PQRS)$.

$\textbf{CLAIM: }M$ is the midpoint of $UV$.

$\textbf{PROOF: }$Let $M'=PM\cap DE$ and $F$ be the point where $\odot(I)$ touches $BC$. Also $O$ be the centre of $\odot(PQRS)$.

Now by Incircle Concurrency Lemma we know that $\overline{M'-I-F}$ are collinear $\implies M'I\perp BC$.

Now as $\overline{P-D-R}$ and $\overline{P-E-S}$ are collinear and $DE\parallel RS$, we can say there exists a homothety $\mathcal{H}$ centred at $P$ that sends $DE\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}} RS$. Also as $P$ is the centre of $\mathcal{H}$, $P\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}P\implies\odot(PED)\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}\odot(PSR)$ and so their centers also get mapped, i.e. $I\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}O$. Also, observe that the line
$PM\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}PM\implies PM\cap DE\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}PM\cap SR\implies M'\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}M$.

Therefore from $M'\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}M$ and $I\xmapsto{\mathcal{H}}O$, we can conclude that $M'I\parallel MO$ which together with the fact $MI'\perp BC\implies MO\perp BC$.

So, we get that $OM\perp UV$ from which we can conclude that $M$ is the midpoint of $UV$.
Now let $T_1=QR\cap BC,T_2=PR\cap BC,T_3=QS\cap BC,T_4=PS\cap BC$.

https://i.imgur.com/IVmi7t7.png
$\textbf{CLAIM: }MT_1=MT_4$ and $MT_2=MT_3$.

$\textbf{PROOF: }$We already know that $M$ is the midpoint of $UV$.

So by Butterfly Theorem on $\odot(PQRS)$ with $\{PQ,RS,UV\}$ as the chords, we get $T_4=UV\cap PS,T_1=UV\cap QR$ so $MT_1=MT_4$.

Similarly by Butterfly Theorem on $\odot(PQRS)$ with $\{QP,RS,UV\}$ as the chords, we get $T_2=UV\cap PR,T_3=UV\cap SQ$ so $MT_2=MT_3$.
https://i.imgur.com/5OQhEpu.png

Now finally we change the definitions of $P',Q'$ a little (because yeah, I messed them up and changing the definitions here would have needed to rewrite the entire Length Bash below which I am too lazy to do :rotfl: ). Let $P'=AM\cap\odot(I)(\not=P)$ and $Q'=AM\cap\odot(I_A)(\not=Q)$.

As $AD,AE$ are tangents to $\odot(I),\odot(I_A)$, we get $(P,P';D,E)=-1$ and $(Q,Q';L,K)=-1$.

So, projecting onto $BC$ from $P$ and $Q$, we get $-1=(P,P';D,E)\stackrel{P}{=}(X,M;T_2,T_4)$ and
$-1=(Q,Q';L,K)\stackrel{Q}{=}(Y,M;T_3,T_1)$.

We use signed lengths for the rest of the solution in order to avoid configuration issues. So using our signed conventions, we have $MT_1=T_4M$ and $MT_3=T_2M$.

So as $(X,M;T_2,T_4)=(Y,M;T_3,T_1)=-1$, we get
\begin{align*}
    &(X,M;T_2,T_4)=(Y,M;T_3,T_1)\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_2M}\div \dfrac{T_4X}{T_4M}=\dfrac{T_3Y}{T_3M}\div \dfrac{T_1Y}{T_1M}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X\cdot T_4M}{T_2M\cdot T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y\cdot T_1M}{T_3M\cdot T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X\cdot \cancel{T_4M}}{\cancel{T_2M}\cdot T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y\cdot -\cancel{MT_1}}{-\cancel{MT_3}\cdot T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y}{T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{-YT_3}{-YT_1}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{YT_3}{YT_1}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{MX-MT_2}{T_4M+MX}=\dfrac{YM-T_3M}{YM+MT_1}\\
    &\implies (MX-MT_2)(YM+MT_1)=(YM-T_3M)(T_4M+MX)\\
    &\implies MX\cdot YM + MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM-MT_2\cdot MT_1=YM\cdot T_4M +YM \cdot MX-T_3M\cdot T_4M-T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies \cancel{MX\cdot YM} + MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM+\cancel{T_2M\cdot MT_1}=YM\cdot T_4M +\cancel{YM \cdot MX}+\cancel{MT_3\cdot T_4M}-T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM=YM\cdot T_4M -T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies MX\cdot MT_1 +T_3M\cdot MX=YM\cdot T_4M +MT_2\cdot YM\\
    &\implies MX(MT_1 +T_3M)=YM(T_4M +MT_2)\\
    &\implies MX\cancel{(MT_1 +T_3M)}=YM\cancel{(MT_1 +T_3M)}\\
    &\implies MX=YM\\
\end{align*}And we are done :).
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by kamatadu, Mar 4, 2023, 9:20 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
sanyalarnab
947 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by NO_SQUARES
@above indeed. Rather i feel the problem is misplaced as far as difficulty is concerned.
Let AQ intersect the excircle again at R. We consider the homothety centered at A and mapping the incircle to the excircle as $\mathbb{H}$. So $\mathbb{H}(P)=R$ and hence $PX || \text{Line tangent to excircle at R}$.
So $\angle XPM= 180^o - \angle MQY$
We know $BW=CZ$ where $W,Z$ are the intouch and extouch points to BC respectively.
By Sine Rule we have
$$\frac{XP}{XM} = \frac{\sin \angle XMP}{\sin \angle XPM} = \frac{\sin \angle YMQ}{\sin \angle AQY} = \frac{YQ}{YM}$$$$\implies XW/XM=YZ/YM \implies MX=MY$$
@above is this correct tho?After seein the solution of yours i feel i did something horrible...
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by sanyalarnab, Mar 4, 2023, 9:29 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
starchan
1609 posts
#5 • 3 Y
Y by GeoKing, Infinityfun, L13832
Yay cross ratio chasing!
solution
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
GeoKing
520 posts
#6 • 3 Y
Y by LoloChen, sanyalarnab, DebayuRMO
Consider labellings as in the following diagram .
$G=FE \cap PX$ so $(F,E;H,G)=-1$. Projecting through $A$ on $BC$ we have $AG \parallel BC$ similarly $AG' \parallel BC$ so $A-G-G' \parallel BC$. The homothety at $A$ sending incircle to excircle maps $Q'$ to $Q$ so $\angle PQI_A=\angle AQ'I=\angle IPQ \implies \angle JPQ=\angle JQP \implies JP=JQ$ so $JM$ is radax of the incircle and excircle .Since the radax of incircle and excircle is also midline of trapezoid $FEE'F'$ which bisects $GG'$ so $JM$ bisects $GG'$ and since $GG' \parallel XY$ we get $JM$ is median in $XJY$ and hence $M$ is midpoint of $XY$.
Attachments:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
v4913
1650 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
It suffices to show that <MPX + <MQY = 180 degrees, because by Law of Sines on triangles MPX, MQY this would imply that MX/PX = MY/QY, or MX/DX = MY/EY if D, E are tangency points of the incircle, excircle on BC, and that would imply that MX = MY since MD = ME.

However, this is obvious because if P’, Q’ are the intersection points of AM with incircle, excircle other than P, Q then homothety at A taking incircle to excircle takes PP’ to Q’Q, so arcs PP’ and Q’Q of the incircle, excircle respectively have the same measure, thus <MPX + <MQY = 180.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
VicKmath7
1389 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
Let the incircle and excircle touchpoints be $D,E,F$ and $D', E', F'$, respectively. It is well-known (easily provable with projective) that if $PP \cap EF=T$, then $AT \parallel BC$. Similarly, if $QQ \cap E'F'=T'$, then $AT' \parallel BC$. Let the second tangent from $T$ to the incircle meet $BC$ at $Z$; define $W$ similarly but for the excircle. Then the homothety taking the incircle to the excircle takes $T$ to $T'$ and thus $TX \parallel T'W, T'Y \parallel TZ$. Notice that $TXT'W, TYT'Z$ are parallelograms, so $XW=YZ$. Thus, need to prove that $M$ is midpoint of $WZ$, or equivalently, $ZD=WD'$. This easily follows by length chasing using the equal segments from the parallelograms since the incircle of $ABC$ is also incircle for $\triangle TXZ$ and the excircle of $ABC$ is also excircle for $\triangle T'YW$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by VicKmath7, Mar 4, 2023, 9:12 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Noob_at_math_69_level
191 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
$\textbf{Generalization:}$ Let $\triangle{ABC}$ be a triangle with $(O_1),(O_2)$ are two different circles with centers $O_1,O_2$,they are tangent to $AB,AC$ and satisfying $\overline{BX}=\overline{YC}$ where $X,Y$ are orthogonal projections of $O_1,O_2$ on $BC$. $A-$median intersects $(O_1),(O_2)$ at $P,Q$ with $P$ closer to $A$ and $Q$ further to $A$. Tangents from $P,Q$ to $(O_1),(O_2)$ intersects $BC$ at $Z,T$. Prove that: $\overline{ZB}=\overline{CT}$.
Attachments:
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Noob_at_math_69_level, Mar 5, 2023, 6:00 AM
Reason: Picture added
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Pi-rate_91
285 posts
#10
Y by
Noob_at_math_69_level wrote:
$\textbf{Generalization:}$ Let $\triangle{ABC}$ be a triangle with $(O_1),(O_2)$ are two different circles with centers $O_1,O_2$,they are tangent to $AB,AC$ and satisfying $\overline{BX}=\overline{YC}$ where $X,Y$ are orthogonal projections of $O_1,O_2$ on $BC$. $A-$median intersects $(O_1),(O_2)$ at $P,Q$ with $P$ closer to $A$ and $Q$ further to $A$. Tangents from $P,Q$ to $(O_1),(O_2)$ intersects $BC$ at $Z,T$. Prove that: $\overline{ZB}=\overline{CT}$.[/quot
...
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Pi-rate_91, Mar 5, 2023, 12:02 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
GeoKing
520 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by Noob_at_math_69_level
GeoKing wrote:
Consider labellings as in the following diagram .
$G=FE \cap PX$ so $(F,E;H,G)=-1$. Projecting through $A$ on $BC$ we have $AG \parallel BC$ similarly $AG' \parallel BC$ so $A-G-G' \parallel BC$. The homothety at $A$ sending incircle to excircle maps $Q'$ to $Q$ so $\angle PQI_A=\angle AQ'I=\angle IPQ \implies \angle JPQ=\angle JQP \implies JP=JQ$ so $JM$ is radax of the incircle and excircle .Since the radax of incircle and excircle is also midline of trapezoid $FEE'F'$ which bisects $GG'$ so $JM$ bisects $GG'$ and since $GG' \parallel XY$ we get $JM$ is median in $XJY$ and hence $M$ is midpoint of $XY$.

This proof works for generalisation too. But in the generalisation proving that $M$ lies on radax is a little different.

Consider the labellings as below $N$ be midpooint of $O_1O_2$. Note that $N$ is midpoint of arc $BC$ in $(ABC)$. The projections of $N$ on $AB,AC$ are $M_1,M_2$ which are midpoints of $T_1T_1'$ and $T_2T_2'$ and $M_1M_2$ is radax of the $2$ circles.$M \in M_1M_2$ since $M-M_1-M_2$ is simson line of $N$ wrt $(ABC)$. So we are done :D
Attachments:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Maths_Girl
24 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by GeoKing, VicKmath7
A nice problem indeed, here is my solution:

Let $I_1$ be the center of the incircle of $ABC$ and let $I_2$ be the center of the $A-$excircle of $ABC$. Let $R$ be the intersection of $PI_1$ and $QI_2$.

Lemma 1. $RP=RQ$.
Proof.
Let $P'$ be the second intersection of $AM$ and the $A-$excircle of $ABC$. By homothety centered at $A$ sending the incircle to the excircle it follows that $I_1P$ and $I_2P'$ are parallel, so $\angle P'QI_2 = \angle QP'I_2 = \angle QPI_1$ so $\angle PQR=\angle QPR$ and our lemma is proved.

Lemma 2. Given a circle $\omega$ centered at $R$ and circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ both internally tangent to $\omega$ at points $P$ and $Q$ respectively. The internal tangent of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ touches $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ at points $D$ and $E$ respectively. If $PQ$ passes through the midpoint $DE$, $R$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of $DE$.

We will prove this lemma in the end of the solution.

Lemma 3. $R$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of $BC$.
Proof:
Lemma 3 follows directly from lemma 2 applied to the incircle of $ABC$, the $A-$excircle and the circle centered at $R$ passing through $P$ and $Q$.

Now to finish the problem, $RX=RY$, $RP=RQ$ and $\angle RQY=\angle RPX=90\circ$ so triangles $RPX$ and $RQY$ are congruent and so $YQ=PX$. Finally, let $D$ and $E$ be the touching points of $BC$ with the incircle and the $A-$excircle of $ABC$ respectively. It is well-known $BE=CD$ and so $M$ is the midpoint of both $BC$ and $DE$. $YQ=YE$ and $XD=XP$, so $MX=XD+DM = YE+EM = YM$. $\Box$

Now we prove lemma 2:

Let $QE$ intersect $\omega$ at $W_1$ and $PD$ intersect $\omega$ at $W_2$. It is very well-known that $W_1$ and $W_2$ are the midpoints of the respective arcs of $\omega$. Now assume $PQ$ passes through the midpoint of $DE$, but $W_1W_2$ does not pass through this midpoint. Let $L$ be the midpoint of $DE$ and let $PQ$ and $W_1W_2$ intersect at $L'$. Let the line parallel to $DE$ through $L'$ intersect $W_1Q$ and $W_2P$ at $S$ and $T$ respectively and $\omega$ at $F$ and $G$. Then because $L'F=L'G$ (because $W_1W_2$ is a diameter of $\omega$), by Butterfly theorem $SL'=L'T$. But also $LE=LD$ and $ST\parallel DE$ (because $ST$ and $DE$ are both perpendicular to $W_1W_2$) by Steiner's theorem on trapezoid $ESTD$ $LL'$, $ES$ and $TD$ must have a common point (by assumption $L\neq L'$) which is clear contradiction and with this we have proved our lemma.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Maths_Girl, Mar 5, 2023, 10:40 AM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
DakuMangalSingh
72 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Infinityfun, GeoKing
Let $PP \cap QQ = K$, incircle and excircle touches $BC$ at $D, D'$ respectively.

Claim : $\angle KPQ = \angle KQP$
Proof : If $AM$ intersects the excircle again at $Q'$, then by considering homothety taking incircle to excircle, line $KP$ goes to the tangent of excircle through $Q'$. Let this tangent intersects $QQ$ at $S$, then $\angle KPQ=\angle SQ'Q = \angle SQQ' = \angle KQP$

Now $\frac{PX}{XM}=\frac{\sin \angle PMX}{\sin \angle MPX}=\frac{\sin \angle QMY}{\sin \angle MQY}= \frac{QY}{YM}\implies \frac{XM-MD}{XM}=\frac{YM-MD'}{YM} \implies 1-\frac{MD}{XM}=1-\frac{MD'}{YM}$ and since $MD=MD'$, so $XM=YM$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Infinityfun
100 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by GeoKing
Interesting noone gave a DDIT solution.
Proof:
Let incircle and excircle touch $BC$ at $D$ and $D’$.
$ABCD$ is degenerate quadriple. Apply DDIT from $P$.
$(X,X),(B,C),(D,M)$ is an involution.
Similarly $(Y,Y),(B,C),(D’,M)$ is an involution.
If $X’$ is refletcion of $X$ across $M$,
$(X’,X’),(B,C),(D’,M)$ is also involution which implies $X’=Y$ since any involution on a line has $2$ stable points and the other case is not possible
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Infinityfun
100 posts
#15
Y by
kamatadu wrote:
So as $(X,M;T_2,T_4)=(Y,M;T_3,T_1)=-1$, we get
\begin{align*}
    &(X,M;T_2,T_4)=(Y,M;T_3,T_1)\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_2M}\div \dfrac{T_4X}{T_4M}=\dfrac{T_3Y}{T_3M}\div \dfrac{T_1Y}{T_1M}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X\cdot T_4M}{T_2M\cdot T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y\cdot T_1M}{T_3M\cdot T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X\cdot \cancel{T_4M}}{\cancel{T_2M}\cdot T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y\cdot -\cancel{MT_1}}{-\cancel{MT_3}\cdot T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{T_3Y}{T_1Y}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{-YT_3}{-YT_1}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{T_2X}{T_4X}=\dfrac{YT_3}{YT_1}\\
    &\implies \dfrac{MX-MT_2}{T_4M+MX}=\dfrac{YM-T_3M}{YM+MT_1}\\
    &\implies (MX-MT_2)(YM+MT_1)=(YM-T_3M)(T_4M+MX)\\
    &\implies MX\cdot YM + MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM-MT_2\cdot MT_1=YM\cdot T_4M +YM \cdot MX-T_3M\cdot T_4M-T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies \cancel{MX\cdot YM} + MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM+\cancel{T_2M\cdot MT_1}=YM\cdot T_4M +\cancel{YM \cdot MX}+\cancel{MT_3\cdot T_4M}-T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies MX\cdot MT_1 -MT_2\cdot YM=YM\cdot T_4M -T_3M\cdot MX\\
    &\implies MX\cdot MT_1 +T_3M\cdot MX=YM\cdot T_4M +MT_2\cdot YM\\
    &\implies MX(MT_1 +T_3M)=YM(T_4M +MT_2)\\
    &\implies MX\cancel{(MT_1 +T_3M)}=YM\cancel{(MT_1 +T_3M)}\\
    &\implies MX=YM\\
\end{align*}And we are done :).
For the last part you could simply reflect points across $M$
Btw I loved your solution.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
p_square
442 posts
#16 • 11 Y
Y by rama1728, anantmudgal09, GeoKing, proxima1681, L567, Aryan-23, green_leaf, BVKRB-, EpicBird08, Rijul saini, Karlsefni
This problem was proposed by me and Anant.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MathLuis
1525 posts
#17
Y by
Awsome geo!, the conditions over incircle and excircle are really similar, suggesting the use of an homothety sending the incircle to the excircle, congrats to the proposer for this nice problem. Let the incircle and A-excircle touch $BC$ at $D,Z$ respectivily.
Let $AP$ hit the incircle again at $Q'$, notice that by homothety we get that the tangent from $Q'$ to the incircle is parallel to $QY$, this gives us that $\angle MQY=180-\angle XPM$. Now by LoS we get:
$$\frac{YZ}{MY}=\frac{YQ}{MY}=\frac{\sin(YMQ)}{\sin(MQY)}=\frac{\sin(\angle PMX)}{\sin(XPM)}=\frac{XP}{MX}=\frac{XD}{MX} \implies \frac{MX}{MY}=\frac{MX-MD}{MY-MZ} \implies \frac{MX}{MY}=\frac{MD}{MZ}=1$$Hence $MX=MY$ as desired, thus we are done :D.
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a