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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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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
2 var inquality
sqing   3
N 2 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b\geq 0 $ and $ a+ b+ab=3 . $ Prove that
$$   (a^2+b^2+a+b-4)(2 -  ab)\ge\sqrt 7(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$ 3 (a^2+b^2+a+b-4)(5 - 2ab)\ge 20(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$ 6(a^2+b^2-2)(5 - 2ab)\ge 35(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$ 2(a^2+b^2-2)(3 - ab)\ge 7(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$
3 replies
sqing
3 hours ago
sqing
2 minutes ago
Quadric function
soryn   1
N 8 minutes ago by soryn
If f(x)=ax^2+bx+c, a,b,c integers, |a|>=3, and M îs the set of integers x for which f(x) is a prime number and f has exactly one integer solution,prove that M has at most three elements.
1 reply
soryn
2 hours ago
soryn
8 minutes ago
A Segment Bisection Problem
buratinogigle   4
N 19 minutes ago by buratinogigle
Source: VN Math Olympiad For High School Students P9 - 2025
In triangle $ABC$, let the incircle $\omega$ touch sides $BC, CA, AB$ at $D, E, F$, respectively. Let $P$ lie on the line through $D$ perpendicular to $BC$. Let $Q, R$ be the intersections of $PC, PB$ with $EF$, respectively. Let $K, L$ be the projections of $R, Q$ onto line $BC$. Let $M, N$ be the second intersections of $DQ, DR$ with the incircle $\omega$. Let $S$ be the intersection of $KM$ and $LN$. Prove that the line $DS$ bisects segment $QR$.
4 replies
1 viewing
buratinogigle
Apr 16, 2025
buratinogigle
19 minutes ago
DR bisects MN
Entrepreneur   5
N 22 minutes ago by buratinogigle
Source: Crux 4277
Let $I$ be the incentre of $\Delta ABC$ such that the incircle touches the sides $BC, CA, AB$ at the points $D, E, F$ respectively. The perpendicular to $BC$ at $B$ and $C$ meets $EF$ at $M$ and $N$ respectively. $MD$ and $ND$ meet the incircle at $P$ and $Q$ respectively. $BQ$ and $CP$ intersect at $R.$ Prove that $DR$ bisects $MN.$
5 replies
1 viewing
Entrepreneur
Aug 21, 2024
buratinogigle
22 minutes ago
A hard inequality
JK1603JK   1
N 24 minutes ago by arqady
Source: unknown
Let $a,b,c\ge 0: a^2+b^2+c^2\le 3$ then prove $$a^3+b^3+c^3\ge a^3b^3+b^3c^3+c^3a^3.$$
1 reply
JK1603JK
Yesterday at 12:54 PM
arqady
24 minutes ago
Prove that |a|≥2ⁿ+1
Rohit-2006   0
31 minutes ago
$P\in\mathbb{Z}[x]$ has degree $n$ having $n$ real roots in $(0,1)$. Suppose $a$ is the leading coefficient of $P$. Show that, $$\mid a\mid\geq2^n+1$$
0 replies
Rohit-2006
31 minutes ago
0 replies
Why is the old one deleted?
EeEeRUT   9
N 42 minutes ago by Jupiterballs
Source: EGMO 2025 P1
For a positive integer $N$, let $c_1 < c_2 < \cdots < c_m$ be all positive integers smaller than $N$ that are coprime to $N$. Find all $N \geqslant 3$ such that $$\gcd( N, c_i + c_{i+1}) \neq 1$$for all $1 \leqslant i \leqslant m-1$

Here $\gcd(a, b)$ is the largest positive integer that divides both $a$ and $b$. Integers $a$ and $b$ are coprime if $\gcd(a, b) = 1$.

Proposed by Paulius Aleknavičius, Lithuania
9 replies
EeEeRUT
Apr 16, 2025
Jupiterballs
42 minutes ago
divisibility+factorial+exponent
britishprobe17   0
an hour ago
Source: KTOM Maret 2025
Determine all pairs of natural numbers $(m,n)$ that satisfy $2^{n!}+1|2^{m!}+19$
0 replies
britishprobe17
an hour ago
0 replies
inequalities
pennypc123456789   4
N an hour ago by KhuongTrang
If $a,b,c$ are positive real numbers, then
$$
\frac{a + b}{a + 7b + c} + \dfrac{b + c}{b + 7c + a}+\dfrac{c + a}{c + 7a + b} \geq \dfrac{2}{3}$$
we can generalize this problem
4 replies
pennypc123456789
Yesterday at 1:53 PM
KhuongTrang
an hour ago
2 var inquality
sqing   1
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b\geq 0 $ and $ a+ b+ab+a^2+b^2=5. $ Prove that
$$ (9+\sqrt{21} ) (a+b-2)(5- 2ab) \ge 10(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$ (9+\sqrt{21} ) (a+b-2)(3- ab) \ge6(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$
1 reply
sqing
3 hours ago
sqing
an hour ago
Perfect Square Function
Miku3D   16
N 2 hours ago by MathLuis
Source: 2021 APMO P5
Determine all Functions $f:\mathbb{Z} \to \mathbb{Z}$ such that $f(f(a)-b)+bf(2a)$ is a perfect square for all integers $a$ and $b$.
16 replies
Miku3D
Jun 9, 2021
MathLuis
2 hours ago
2 var inquality
sqing   4
N 2 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b\geq 0 $ and $ a+ b+2ab=4 . $ Prove that
$$ 3(a+b-2)(2 -  ab) \ge (a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$ 9 (a+b-2)(3 - 2ab) \ge 2\sqrt 5(a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$$$9(a+b-2)(6 - 5ab) \ge2\sqrt {14} (a-1)(b-1)(a-b)$$
4 replies
sqing
3 hours ago
sqing
2 hours ago
Inspired by JK1603JK
sqing   2
N 2 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c\geq 0 $ and $ ab+bc+ca=3. $ Prove that
$$ (a+b+c-3)(12-5abc)\ge 2(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$$$$6(a+b+c-3)(5-2abc)\ge 5(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$$$$2(a+b+c-3)(9-5abc)\ge 3(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$$$$3(a+b+c-3)(14-5abc)\ge 7(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$$
2 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 2:11 PM
sqing
2 hours ago
Inequalities
hn111009   1
N 3 hours ago by hn111009
Source: Maybe anywhere?
Let $a,b,c>0;r,s\in\mathbb{R}$ satisfied $a+b+c=1.$ Find minimum and maximum of $$P=a^rb^s+b^rc^s+c^ra^s.$$
1 reply
hn111009
Apr 13, 2025
hn111009
3 hours ago
convex quadrilateral and centroids
Valentin Vornicu   28
N Jul 31, 2021 by hydo2332
Source: Romanian Nationals RMO 2005 - grade 9, problem 1
Let $ABCD$ be a convex quadrilateral with $AD\not\parallel BC$. Define the points $E=AD \cap BC$ and $I = AC\cap BD$. Prove that the triangles $EDC$ and $IAB$ have the same centroid if and only if $AB \parallel CD$ and $IC^{2}= IA \cdot AC$.

Virgil Nicula
28 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Mar 31, 2005
hydo2332
Jul 31, 2021
convex quadrilateral and centroids
G H J
Source: Romanian Nationals RMO 2005 - grade 9, problem 1
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Let $ABCD$ be a convex quadrilateral with $AD\not\parallel BC$. Define the points $E=AD \cap BC$ and $I = AC\cap BD$. Prove that the triangles $EDC$ and $IAB$ have the same centroid if and only if $AB \parallel CD$ and $IC^{2}= IA \cdot AC$.

Virgil Nicula
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chavez
53 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
nice problem.. complex numbers is good to this?
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Myth
4464 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
An easy task for mass point geometry.
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mecrazywong
606 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Won't it be too simple for grade 9 student? I solved it immediately tonight...
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chavez
53 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
please, post your solutions :lol:
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yetti
2643 posts
#6 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
If the points $E, A, D$ and $E, C, B$ follow on the lines $DA, BC$ in this order, the triangles $\triangle EDC, \triangle IAB$ do not have a common point and the proposition is trivial. Assume that the points $E, D, A$ and $E, B, C$ follow on the lines $DA, BC$ in this order. Assume that the lines $AB, CD$ are not parallel - they intersect at a point $F \equiv AB \cap CD$. WLOG, assume that the points $A, B, F$ and $D, C, F$ follow on the lines $AB, CD$ in this order. Let $M, N$ be the midpoints of the segments $AB, CD$ and $K \equiv EM \cap AB$. In a central projection of the line $AB$ to the line $CD$, the cross-ratio of 4 points is preserved:

$\frac{\frac{ND}{NC}}{\frac{FD}{FC}} = \frac{\frac{KA}{KB}}{\frac{FA}{FB}}$

Let $B'$ be the intersection the line $AB$ of a line through the point $C$ parallel to the line $DA$. Obviously, $FB > FB'$. Since $\frac{ND}{NC} = 1$,

$\frac{KA}{KB} = \frac{\frac{FA}{FB}}{\frac{FD}{FC}} = \frac{FA}{FD} \cdot \frac{FC}{FB} < \frac{FA}{FD} \cdot \frac{FC}{FB'} = 1$

Consequently, $KA < MA, KB > MB$ and the points $A, K, M, B$ follow on the segment $AB$ in this order. Let $P, Q$ be the intersections of the line $EI$ with the lines $AB, CD$, respectively. Project the point $F$ to infinity. The projected lines $A'B', C'D'$ become parallel and the projected points $P', Q'$ become the midpoints of the projected segments $A'B', C'D'$. Again, the cross ratios of 4 points are preserved:

$\frac{\frac{PA}{PB}}{\frac{MA}{MB}} = \frac{\frac{P'A'}{P'B'}}{\frac{M'A'}{M'B'}}$, $\frac{\frac{FA}{FB}}{\frac{MA}{MB}} = \frac{\frac{F'A'}{F'B'}}{\frac{M'A'}{M'B'}}$

Since $\frac{MA}{MB} = \frac{P'A'}{P'B'} = 1$ and $\frac{F'A'}{F'B'} \rightarrow 1$,

$\frac{PA}{PB} = \frac{M'B'}{M'A'} = \frac{FA}{FB} > 1$

Consequently, $PA > MA, PB < MB$ and the points $A, M, P, B$ follow on the segment $AB$ in this order. Similarly, it can be shown that the points $C, N, Q, D$ follow on the segment $CD$ in this order. Thus the segments $PQ, KN$ do not have a common point and consequently, the median segments $EN, IM$ of the triangles $\triangle ECD, \triangle IAB$ do not have a common point either. Hence, these 2 triangles cannot have a common centroid.

Assume that the lines $AB \parallel CD$ are parallel and let $M, N$ be the intersections of the line $EI$ with the lines $AB, CD$. From similarity of the triangles $\triangle EBA \sim \triangle ECD$, we have

$\frac{DA}{DE} = \frac{BC}{BE}$

By Ceva's theorem for concurrent cevians $EM, AC, BD$ of the triangle $\triangle ECD$

$\frac{ND}{NC} \cdot \frac{BC}{BE} \cdot\frac{DE}{DA} = 1$

and consequently $ND = NC$, i,e., $N$ is the midpoint of the segment $CD$. From similarity of the triangles $\triangle EBA \sim \triangle ECD$, $M$ is also the midpoint of the segment $AB$. Thus the median lines $EN \equiv IM$ of of the triangles $\triangle EBA, \triangle ECD$ are coincident.

Let a line through the point $D$ and parallel to the line $EN$ intersect the lines $AC, BC$ at points $K, L$. Since $ND = NC$, from similarity of the triangles $\triangle ICN \sim \triangle KCD$ and $\triangle ECN \sim \triangle LCD$ we deduce that $IK = IC$ and $EL = EC$. The cross ratio of 4 points is preserved in a central projection of the line $AC$ to the line $BC$ from the point $D$. Thus

$\frac{\frac{AC}{AI}}{\frac{KC}{KI}} = \frac{\frac{EC}{EB}}{\frac{LC}{LB}}$

$\frac 1 2 \frac{AC}{AI} = \frac 1 2 \frac{LB}{EB}$

$\frac{AI + IC}{AI} = \frac{LE + EB}{EB} = \frac{EC + EB}{EB}$

$1 + \frac{IC}{AI} = 1 + \frac{EC}{EB}$

$\frac{IC}{AI} = \frac{EC}{EB}$

From similarity of the triangles $\triangle EBM \sim \triangle ECN$ and $\triangle IAM \sim \triangle ICN$, it follows that

$\frac{IN}{IM} = \frac{IC}{AI} = \frac{EC}{EB} = \frac{EN}{EM}$

$\frac{IM}{IN} = \frac{EN - MN}{EN} = 1 - \frac{MN}{EN}$

Let $G, H$ be the centroids of the triangles $\triangle IAB, \triangle ECD$. Since the centroids cuts the medians $IM, EN$ in the ratio $IG : GM = 2 : 1$, $EH : HN = 2 : 1$. For coincidence of the centroids $G, H$, it is necessary and sufficient that

$HN + GM = MN = IN + IM$

$\frac{EN}{3} + \frac{IM}{3} = IN + IM$

Substituting $EN = \frac{MN}{1 - \frac{IM}{IN}} = IN \cdot \frac{1 + \frac{IM}{IN}}{1 - \frac{IM}{IN}}$, we obtain a quadratic equation for the ratio $x = \frac{IM}{IN}$

$\frac 1 3 \cdot \frac{1 + x}{1 - x} + \frac{x}{3} = 1 + x$

$1 + x + x(1 - x) = 3(1 - x^2)$

$x^2 + x - 1 = 0$

$x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}$

The negative root is not acceptable and $x = \frac{IM}{IN} = \frac 1 g$, where $g = \frac{1 + \sqrt 5}{2}$ is the golden ratio. From similarity of the triangles $\triangle IAM \sim \triangle ICN$,

$\frac{IC}{AI} = \frac{IN}{IM} = \frac 1 x = g$

$\frac{AC}{IC} = \frac{AI + IC}{IC} = \frac 1 g + 1 = g$

and as a result,

$\frac{IC}{AI} = g = \frac{AC}{IC}$

$IC^2 = AI \cdot AC$
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Myth
4464 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Ops :huh:
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pestich
179 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
:?
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by pestich, May 11, 2005, 3:08 PM
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yetti
2643 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Myth wrote:
Ops :huh:

What do you mean, Myth :?: Did I make errors, misunderstand the problem, or is the proof just too long ?

yetti
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Myth
4464 posts
#10 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
tooo long :)
Never mind
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Myth wrote:
An easy task for mass point geometry.

may i ask what is mass point geometry ?
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
perfect_radio wrote:
Myth wrote:
An easy task for mass point geometry.

may i ask what is mass point geometry ?

i have found on the net that mass point geometry is another name for barycentric coordinates

i'd like to know how do you use the coordinates to solve it :?
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M@re
274 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Are there somewhere on the net some articles or books (but only if i can download them, not to buy) where i can find things like mass geometry, or complex numbers geometry (i know only the general stuf about this two)...? Chavez you said that complex numbers are good for this problem if you have solution via complex number can you post it
Thanx

m@re
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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#14 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Thanks, Yeti!. May be tediously a vectorial solution or the Yeti's solution, however the conclusion of this problem is interestingly and it has a great use in physics in the equilibrium problems. Sir Chavez, afterwards I will present my vectorial solution, abviously ! See and http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=47616
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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#15 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Let $I$ be the origin of the vectorial system, i.e. for any $X$ we have the vectors $X=\overrightarrow{IX},\ I=\overrightarrow 0$. Thus,

$\ (\exists ) m,n\in R^{+}- \{ 0,1\},\ IC=m\cdot IA,\ ID=n\cdot IB\Longleftrightarrow C=-mA,D=-nB$.

Therefore, $E\in AD\cap BC\Longleftrightarrow (\exists )x,y\in R,\ x,y\not\in \{ 0,1\}$ such that

$E=(1-x)B+xC=(1-y)A+yD\Longleftrightarrow E=-xmA+(1-x)B=$ $(1-y)A-ynB\Longrightarrow$

$x=\frac{1+n}{1-mn},\ y=\frac{1+m}{1-mn},\ E=\frac{m(1+n)}{mn-1}\cdot A+\frac{n(1+m)}{mn-1}\cdot B.$

The triangles $ABI$ and $CDE$ have the same centroid $\Longleftrightarrow E+C+D=A+B\Longleftrightarrow $

$\frac{m(1+n)}{mn-1}\cdot A+\frac{n(1+m)}{mn-1}\cdot B-mA-nB=A+B\Longleftrightarrow$

$mn^2=2n+1\ \wedge \ nm^2=2m+1\Longleftrightarrow m=n\ \wedge \ n^3=2n+1\Longleftrightarrow m=n\ \wedge \ n^2=n+1$

$\Longleftrightarrow AB\parallel CD\ \wedge\ \left( \frac{IC}{IA}\right) ^2=\frac{IC}{IA} +1\Longleftrightarrow AB\parallel CD\ \wedge \ IC^2=IA\cdot AC.$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Virgil Nicula, Aug 12, 2005, 12:07 AM
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#16 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
you write $\overrightarrow{AB}$

\overrightarrow{AB}


i don't have time right now to look over your solution (seems nice and correct at first sight), but i'll do it tomorrow
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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Thank you, perfect_radio !. With you I am learning better LaTeX.
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indybar
398 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
The solutions are great! Are there any more interesting ones? (I mean, looking at what Myth said...)
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silouan
3952 posts
#19 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Which is the official solution to this problem ?The vectorial one ?There exist solution with plain geometry ?Thanks for all
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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#20 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
This problem had officially four solutions: syntetic (with Ceva, Menelaus,...), vectorial, with complex numbers and analytical. The student makes choice of the best suitable method. In my opinion, the best is the vectorial method !.
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perfect_radio
2607 posts
#21 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
The official solution is Virgil Nicula's one. This is actually his problem... as you can well see.

[yeah, you're right. typo]
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by perfect_radio, Dec 4, 2005, 9:06 PM
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Cezar Lupu
1906 posts
#22 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Actually it is Virgil Nicula. :P
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indybar
398 posts
#23 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Is there a synthetic one shorter than Yetti?
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pontios
777 posts
#24 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Lemma 1
Quote:
Let $ABCD$ be a trapezoid $(AB \parallel CD)$.
Let the points $E\in AD \cap BC$ and $I \in AC \cap BD$.
$M,N$ are the midpoints of $AB,CD$ respectively.
It is known that the points $E,M,I,N$ are collinear.

Prove that the division $(E,M,I,N)$ is harmonic (that is, $\frac{EM}{EN}= \frac{IM}{IN}$)

P.S. It can be applied also to a parallelogram $ABCD$
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=106811


Lemma 2
Quote:
Let $(E,M,I,N)$ be an harmonic division with ratios $\frac{EM}{EN}= \frac{IM}{IN}= \lambda$.

$Z$ is a point $\in (MI)$ which divides the segments $MI,NE$ in the same ratio $\frac{ZM}{ZI}= \frac{ZN}{ZE}= \mu$

Then $\boxed{\mu = \frac{1}{2}(\frac{1}{\lambda}-\lambda)}$
http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=106817



Proof
Suppose that $AB \parallel CD$ and $IC^{2}=IA \cdot AC$. We will show that the triangles $EDC,IAB$ have the same centroid

from the Lemma 1 we get that $\frac{EM}{EN}= \frac{IM}{IN}= \lambda$, for some $\lambda>0$

From the parallel lines $AB,CD$ we get that $\frac{IA}{IC}= \frac{IM}{IN}$

So, $IA = \lambda \cdot IC$

$\boxed{IC^{2}=IA \cdot AC}\Rightarrow$

$\lambda^{2}\cdot IC^{2}= \lambda \cdot IC(1+\lambda) IC \Rightarrow$

$\lambda^{2}= \lambda(1+\lambda) \Rightarrow \boxed{\lambda = \frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}}$, because $\lambda>0$

As yetti noticed, $\lambda=\frac{1}{\phi}$, where $\phi$ is the golden ratio.

From the Lemma 2 we get that the point $Z$ wich divides the segment $MI$ in the ratio $\mu=\frac{1-\lambda^{2}}{2\lambda}$, divides the segment $NE$ in the same ratio

$\lambda=\frac{1}{\phi}\Rightarrow$
$\mu=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{1}{\lambda}-\lambda) = \frac{1}{2}(\phi-\frac{1}{\phi})=\frac{1}{2}$.

So $\frac{ZM}{ZI}= \frac{ZN}{ZE}= \frac{1}{2}$, which means that the point $Z$ is the centroid of $\triangle IAB$ and $\triangle ECD$.



(=>)

We suppose that the triangles $EDC$ and $IAB$ have the same centroid.
We'll prove that $AB\parallel CD$ and $IC^{2}=IA \cdot AC$

Let $G$ be te common centroid.

From the Gauss line theorem we get that the points $M,N$ and the midpoint of $EI$ are collinear.

But $\frac{GM}{GI}= \frac{GN}{GE}\Rightarrow MN \parallel EI$

The midpoint of $EI$ belongs both to the lines $MN,EI$, so the only possible result is that the points $M,N,E,I$ are collinear.

So the median $EN$ of the triangle $ECD$ is also median for the triangle $EAB$.
And $A\in (ED, B\in (EC$
This concludes that $AB \parallel CD$. So $ABCD$ is a trapezoid.


According to the Lemma 1 we have $\frac{EM}{EN}= \frac{IM}{IN}= \lambda$, for aome $\lambda>0$
According to the Lemma 2, there is a unique point $Z$ in $(MI)$ which divides the segments $MI,NE$ at the same ratio, and the ratio is $\mu = \frac{1-\lambda^{2}}{2\lambda}$

$G$ is the one with this property, and the value of $\mu$ is $\frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{1}{2}(\frac{1}{\lambda}-\lambda) = \frac{1}{2}\Rightarrow$

$\frac{1}{\lambda}-\lambda) = 1 \Rightarrow$

$\lambda^{2}+\lambda-1 = 0 \Rightarrow \lambda = \frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$, because $\lambda$ is positive

So $\frac{IA}{IC}= \frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$, which yields $IC^{2}=IA \cdot AC$

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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#25 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Pontios wrote:
From the Gauss line theorem we get that the points $M,N$ and the midpoint of $EI$ are collinear. But $\frac{GM}{GI}= \frac{GN}{GE}\Rightarrow MN \parallel EI$.
The midpoint of $EI$ belongs both to the lines $MN,EI$, so the only possible result is that the points $M,N,E,I$ are collinear.

Congratulations, Pontios, for your nice solution ! It is and the background (spring) of the my idea for set up this problem.
Now, Siluan and Indybar have a nice and short synthetical solution. In the their name, thanks, Pontios !
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pontios
777 posts
#26 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Virgil Nicula wrote:
Congratulations, Pontios, for your nice solution !
Congratulations for your nice problem!!! :)
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hucht
230 posts
#27 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
here I've got a solution with barycentric coordinates :D

Let $A=(1: 0: 0)$, $B=(0: 1: 0)$, $C=(0: 0: 1)$, $D=(x: y: z)$. So the line $BD=[-z: 0: x]$ and the line $AC=[0: 1: 0]$. This follows that $I=(x: 0: z)$. Similary we have that the line $BC=[1: 0: 0]$ and $AD=[0:-z: y]$. Thus $E=(0: y: z)$.

As we have got the points let us do it.

let $G_{1}$ and $G_{2}$ be the barycenters of $\triangle ABI$ and $\triangle ECD$ so $3G_{1}=(1: 0: 0)+(0: 1: 0)+\frac{(x: 0: z)}{x+z}$ and $3G_{2}=\frac{(0: y: z)}{y+z}+(0: 0: 1)+\frac{(x: y: z)}{x+y+z}$ then if $G_{1}=G_{2}$

Let's asume that $x+y+z=1$, it means that $D=(x: y: z)$ is in normalized coordinates.

$\frac{(2x+z: x+z: z)}{(x+z)}=\frac{(xy+xz: y^{2}+yz+y: z^{2}+2z+yz+y)}{(y+z)}$

Thus $2x+z=x(x+z)$, $y+z=y^{2}+yz+y$ and $z(y+z)=(z^{2}+2z+yz+y)(x+z)$.

so the solutions are $x=\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}$, $y=-\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}$, $z=1$. This follows $\overrightarrow{CD}=(x: y: z-1)=(\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}:-\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}: 0)=-\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}(-1: 1: 0)=\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}\overrightarrow{AB}$. That's $AB//CD$

Let $\lambda$ be $\frac{(1+\sqrt[]{5})}{2}$, so $x=\lambda$, $y=-\lambda$ and $z=1$

Now, we have got that $I=(\lambda: 0: 1)$ and $E=(0:-\lambda: 1)$.

$IC^{2}=S_{A}(\lambda)^{2}+S_{B}(0)^{2}+S_{C}(0)^{2}=\lambda^{2}S_{A}$

Now $IA^{2}=S_{A}(\lambda-1)^{2}+S_{B}(0)^{2}+S_{C}(1)^{2}$ and $AC^{2}=S_{A}+S_{C}$ so $IA^{2}.AC^{2}=((\lambda-1)^{2}S_{A}+S_{C})(S_{A}+S_{C})$ and with some betrayals we get $IC^{4}=IA^{2}AC^{2}$ and we get $IC^{2}=IA.AC$.

$\bigstar$ Capitán Mandarina
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hucht
230 posts
#28 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
What do u think? :icecream:

$\bigstar$ Capitán Mandarina
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hydo2332
435 posts
#29
Y by
Virgil Nicula wrote:
This problem had officially four solutions: syntetic (with Ceva, Menelaus,...), vectorial, with complex numbers and analytical. The student makes choice of the best suitable method. In my opinion, the best is the vectorial method !.

Can you post here those official?
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