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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.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 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
Lots of midpoints
Jackson0423   1
N 8 minutes ago by Captainscrubz

In triangle \( ABC \), suppose \( AB = BC \). Let \( M \) be the midpoint of \( AB \), and let \( K \) be a point inside the triangle such that \( AM = AK \) and \( CK = CB \).
If \( AC=y \), Find \( \sin \angle AKC \).
1 reply
Jackson0423
2 hours ago
Captainscrubz
8 minutes ago
A bit tricky invariant with 98 numbers on the board.
Nuran2010   4
N 9 minutes ago by Jg_D
Source: Azerbaijan Al-Khwarizmi IJMO TST 2025
The numbers $\frac{50}{1},\frac{50}{2},...\frac{50}{97},\frac{50}{98}$ are written on the board.In each step,two random numbers $a$ and $b$ are chosen and deleted.Then,the number $2ab-a-b+1$ is written instead.What will be the number remained on the board after the last step.
4 replies
+1 w
Nuran2010
6 hours ago
Jg_D
9 minutes ago
IMO 2010 Problem 1
canada   120
N 10 minutes ago by chenghaohu
Find all function $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ such that for all $x,y\in\mathbb{R}$ the following equality holds \[
f(\left\lfloor x\right\rfloor y)=f(x)\left\lfloor f(y)\right\rfloor \] where $\left\lfloor a\right\rfloor $ is greatest integer not greater than $a.$

Proposed by Pierre Bornsztein, France
120 replies
canada
Jul 7, 2010
chenghaohu
10 minutes ago
hard inequality omg
tokitaohma   0
11 minutes ago
1. Given $a, b, c > 0$ and $abc=1$
Prove that: $ \sqrt{a^2+1} + \sqrt{b^2+1} + \sqrt{c^2+1} \leq \sqrt{2}(a+b+c) $

2. Given $a, b, c > 0$ and $a+b+c=1 $
Prove that: $ \dfrac{\sqrt{a^2+2ab}}{\sqrt{b^2+2c^2}} + \dfrac{\sqrt{b^2+2bc}}{\sqrt{c^2+2a^2}} + \dfrac{\sqrt{c^2+2ca}}{\sqrt{a^2+2b^2}} \geq \dfrac{1}{a^2+b^2+c^2} $
0 replies
tokitaohma
11 minutes ago
0 replies
Very easy case of a folklore polynomial equation
Assassino9931   5
N 14 minutes ago by Rahym
Source: Bulgaria EGMO TST 2025 P6
Determine all polynomials $P(x)$ of odd degree with real coefficients such that $P(x^2 + 2025) = P(x)^2 + 2025$.
5 replies
Assassino9931
May 2, 2025
Rahym
14 minutes ago
IMO Shortlist 2010 - Problem G1
Amir Hossein   132
N 28 minutes ago by John_Mgr
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle with $D, E, F$ the feet of the altitudes lying on $BC, CA, AB$ respectively. One of the intersection points of the line $EF$ and the circumcircle is $P.$ The lines $BP$ and $DF$ meet at point $Q.$ Prove that $AP = AQ.$

Proposed by Christopher Bradley, United Kingdom
132 replies
Amir Hossein
Jul 17, 2011
John_Mgr
28 minutes ago
A number theory problem
super1978   0
an hour ago
Source: Somewhere
Let $a,b,n$ be positive integers such that $\sqrt[n]{a}+\sqrt[n]{b}$ is an integer. Prove that $a,b$ are both the $n$th power of $2$ positive integers.
0 replies
super1978
an hour ago
0 replies
A irreducible polynomial
super1978   0
an hour ago
Source: Somewhere
Let $f(x)=a_{n}x^n+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+...+a_{1}x+a_0$ such that $|a_0|$ is a prime number and $|a_0|\geq|a_n|+|a_{n-1}|+...+|a_1|$. Prove that $f(x)$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Z}[x]$.
0 replies
super1978
an hour ago
0 replies
(2^n + 1)/n^2 is an integer (IMO 1990 Problem 3)
orl   107
N an hour ago by Rayvhs
Source: IMO 1990, Day 1, Problem 3, IMO ShortList 1990, Problem 23 (ROM 5)
Determine all integers $ n > 1$ such that
\[ \frac {2^n + 1}{n^2}
\]is an integer.
107 replies
+1 w
orl
Nov 11, 2005
Rayvhs
an hour ago
n + k are composites for all nice numbers n, when n+1, 8n+1 both squares
parmenides51   2
N an hour ago by Assassino9931
Source: 2022 Saudi Arabia JBMO TST 1.1
The positive $n > 3$ called ‘nice’ if and only if $n +1$ and $8n + 1$ are both perfect squares. How many positive integers $k \le 15$ such that $4n + k$ are composites for all nice numbers $n$?
2 replies
parmenides51
Nov 3, 2022
Assassino9931
an hour ago
Functional inequality condition
WakeUp   3
N an hour ago by AshAuktober
Source: Italy TST 1995
A function $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ satisfies the conditions
\[\begin{cases}f(x+24)\le f(x)+24\\ f(x+77)\ge f(x)+77\end{cases}\quad\text{for all}\ x\in\mathbb{R}\]
Prove that $f(x+1)=f(x)+1$ for all real $x$.
3 replies
WakeUp
Nov 22, 2010
AshAuktober
an hour ago
Asymmetric FE
sman96   16
N an hour ago by jasperE3
Source: BdMO 2025 Higher Secondary P8
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ such that$$f(xf(y)-y) + f(xy-x) + f(x+y) = 2xy$$for all $x, y \in \mathbb{R}$.
16 replies
sman96
Feb 8, 2025
jasperE3
an hour ago
Existence of a rational arithmetic sequence
brianchung11   28
N 2 hours ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: APMO 2009 Q.4
Prove that for any positive integer $ k$, there exists an arithmetic sequence $ \frac{a_1}{b_1}, \frac{a_2}{b_2}, \frac{a_3}{b_3}, ... ,\frac{a_k}{b_k}$ of rational numbers, where $ a_i, b_i$ are relatively prime positive integers for each $ i = 1,2,...,k$ such that the positive integers $ a_1, b_1, a_2, b_2, ...,  a_k, b_k$ are all distinct.
28 replies
brianchung11
Mar 13, 2009
cursed_tangent1434
2 hours ago
NT from EGMO 2018
BarishNamazov   39
N 2 hours ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: EGMO 2018 P2
Consider the set
\[A = \left\{1+\frac{1}{k} : k=1,2,3,4,\cdots \right\}.\]
[list=a]
[*]Prove that every integer $x \geq 2$ can be written as the product of one or more elements of $A$, which are not necessarily different.

[*]For every integer $x \geq 2$ let $f(x)$ denote the minimum integer such that $x$ can be written as the
product of $f(x)$ elements of $A$, which are not necessarily different.
Prove that there exist infinitely many pairs $(x,y)$ of integers with $x\geq 2$, $y \geq 2$, and \[f(xy)<f(x)+f(y).\](Pairs $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$ are different if $x_1 \neq x_2$ or $y_1 \neq y_2$).
[/list]
39 replies
BarishNamazov
Apr 11, 2018
cursed_tangent1434
2 hours ago
USAMO 2003 Problem 1
MithsApprentice   68
N May 7, 2025 by Mamadi
Prove that for every positive integer $n$ there exists an $n$-digit number divisible by $5^n$ all of whose digits are odd.
68 replies
MithsApprentice
Sep 27, 2005
Mamadi
May 7, 2025
USAMO 2003 Problem 1
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
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dolphinday
1325 posts
#57 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We will use induction.
$\newline$
Let our $n$-digit number be $k_n$.
Then our base case of $n = 1$ works for $k_1 = 5$.
$\newline$

Inductive Step:
$\newline$

Assume that $k_n$ works. Then we can prove that $k_{n+1}$ works.
Let $k_{n+1} = a \cdot 10^n + k_{n}$ for some $a \in \{1, 3, 5, 7, 9\}$.
And since all of $\{1, 3, 5, 7, 9\}$ are distinct modulo $5$, then there must be some $a$ that makes $k_{n+1} \equiv 0\pmod{5^{n+1}}$ since both $10^n$ and $k_n$ are divisible by $5^n$, so we are done.
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yamamaya
76 posts
#58 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Davron wrote:
Who can show that the first digit number of the k-digit number can be never equal to 1 ?

Davron


Consider 193,359,375
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AngeloChu
471 posts
#59 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
we will use induction
we first have that there exists $(2x_0+1)*10^0$ that is divisible by $5^1$
next, assume there exists $(2x_0+1)*10^{n-1}+...+(2x_n+1)*10^0$ divisible by $5^n$
multiply by $10$ to get $2(x_1*10^n+...+x_n*10)+\frac{10^{n+1}-10}{9}$
this is divisible by $5^{n+1}$
add one to get $2(x_1*10^n+...+x_n*10)+\frac{10^{n+1}-1}{9} \equiv 1 (\text{mod }5^{n+1})$
we need $2(y_1*10^n+...+y_n) \equiv -1 (\text{mod }5^{n+1})$
the existence of this is trivial since $5^{n+1}-1$ is even
therefore, we are done
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by AngeloChu, Jan 27, 2024, 2:54 AM
Reason: fixed latex fr this time
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Carolstar9
827 posts
#60 • 2 Y
Y by busy-beaver, cubres
Apologies for adding another solution to the long list already present here.

Look at the $n$-digit decimal representations of the numbers $S = \left\{k\cdot 5^n\,\mid\, 0\leq k < 2^n\right\}$ [i.e., if the number has less than $n$ digits, then add appropriate number of zeroes at the beginning]. Define a map $f : S \to \{0,1\}^n$ as follows:
$ f(\overline{a_1 a_2 \cdots a_n}) = (b_1, b_2, \cdots , b_n) $, where $ b_i = 0 $ if $ a_i $ is even and $ b_i = 1 $ if $ a_i $ is odd. If $ f(k\cdot 5^n) = f(l\cdot 5^n) $ where $ 0 \leq k \leq l < 2^n$ then $ (k-l) \cdot 5^n = \sum_{i=0}^{n-1} c_i \cdot 10^i $ for some $ c_i \in \{-8, -6, -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8\} $. If any of the $ c_i $ are nonzero, let $ i $ be the smallest one. Then, the highest power of $5$ dividing $ \sum_{i=0}^{n-1} c_i \cdot 10^i $ is $i$, which is a contradiction. Therefore, $ k = l $, which implies that $f$ is injective. Since $|S| = 2^n = |\{ 0,1\}^n| $, we get that $f$ is surjective as well.
Looking at the pre image of $(1, 1,\cdots , 1)$, we are done.
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EpicBird08
1752 posts
#61 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
sus this was easier than i thought it was

We will construct such a number inductively. Let $a_n$ be our constructed number with $n$ digits divisible by $5^n$ with all odd digits. For the base case $n = 1,$ take $a_1 = 5.$ Now suppose we have our number $a_k$ that is divisible by $5^k.$ Then we will add a digit to the beginning of $a_k$ to make $a_{k+1}.$ To add the digit at the beginning, we need to add one of $10^k, 3 \cdot 10^k, 5 \cdot 10^k, 7 \cdot 10^k,$ or $9 \cdot 10^k.$ Adding any of these will not change whether or not the expression is divisible by $5^k.$ Moreover, if we let $u = 2^k,$ the possible numbers we can add become $u \cdot 5^k, 3u \cdot 5^k, 5u \cdot 5^k, 7u \cdot 5^k,$ and $9u \cdot 5^k.$ Note that $\gcd(u, 5) = 1,$ so taking mod $5^{k+1}$ gives the list $0, 5^k, 2 \cdot 5^k, 3 \cdot 5^k, 4 \cdot 5^k$ in some order. Then if $a_n \equiv z \cdot 5^k \pmod{5^{k+1}},$ we just add the digit which gives the residue $(5-z) \cdot 5^k \pmod{5^{k+1}},$ which will give $a_{k+1}.$ The induction is complete, so we have solved the problem.
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AshAuktober
1007 posts
#62 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We prove this by induction.
Base case ($n = 1$) is trivial, consider 5.
Now say we have a number $k_{n-1} =\overline{ a_{n-1}\cdots a_1}$, all of whose digits are odd and which is a multiple of $5^{n-1}$, i. e. $k_{n-1} = p5^{n-1}$.
Now consider $a_n$ such that $5 \mid 2^{n-1}a_n + p$. Clearly there is a unique residue $\pmod{5}$ satisfying this, and so two such numbers in $\{0, 1, \cdots, 9\}$; one odd and one even. Pick the $a_n$ which is odd. Then the number $k_n = \overline{a_n \cdots a_1}$ works.$\square$
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lnzhonglp
120 posts
#63 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
Induct on $n$, base case $n=1$ is $5$. Now suppose there exists an $n$-digit number $a$ all of whose digits are odd. We will add $k10^n$, where $k \in \{1, 3, 5, 7, 9\}$. $1, 3, 5, 7, 9$ are distinct $\bmod \ 5$, therefore one will result in $a + k10^n \equiv 0 \pmod {5^{n+1}}$.
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v4n1lla
5 posts
#64 • 2 Y
Y by sabkx, cubres
This problem appeared in the 2024 Singapore Mathmatical Olympiad Open Round 2.
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PEKKA
1848 posts
#65 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We will use induction.
Base case: $n=1.$ The number $5$ works.
Inductive step: Assume there exists a number $N$ with $k$ digits, each digit odd that is a multiple of $5^k.$
The possible $k+1$ digit numbers are $N+10^k,N+3 \left(10^k \right) \dots N+9 \left(10^k \right).$
Each of those numbers can be factored as
$5^k(R+2^k), 5^k(R+3\left(2^k \right) \dots 5^k(R+9\left(2^k\right)$.
Here, $R$ is the number $\frac{N}{5^k}.$
Each of the numbers of the form $R+2^k, R+3\cdot 2^k, \dots$ are equivalent to a different residue modulo 5, so one of them must be a multiple of $5$.
Therefore, there exists an odd number we can "place" in front of $N$ to create a $k+1$ digit number that is a multiple of $5^{k+1}$ with all digits odd.
The induction is complete and the desired statement holds.
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dudade
139 posts
#66 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We will prove this with induction.

Base Case. $n = 1$.
We can consider the odd $1$-digit number $5$ which is divisible by $5^1$.

Induction. Suppose the conditions hold for $k = n$, we will show it works for $k = n + 1$.
Suppose $T \cdot 5^n$ is a $n$-digit number whose digits are all odd. Then, consider the following numbers:
\begin{align*}
1 \cdot 10^n + T \cdot 5^n, \quad 3 \cdot 10^n + T \cdot 5^n, \quad 5 \cdot 10^n + T \cdot 5^n, \quad 7 \cdot 10^n + T \cdot 5^n, \quad 9 \cdot 10^n + T \cdot 5^n.
\end{align*}Factoring out $5^n$ from these numbers yields
\begin{align*}
1 \cdot 2^n + T, \quad 3 \cdot 2^n + T, \quad 5 \cdot 2^n + T, \quad 7 \cdot 2^n + T, \quad 9 \cdot 2^n + T.
\end{align*}Suppose $p$ and $q$ are unique values selected from this list. Then, $p - q = r \cdot 2^n$ for some $r$. Notice $r$ cannot be divisible by $5$, thus $p$ and $q$ are unique values modulo $5$. Therefore, these five values are all unique modulo $5$. So, one of them must be divisible by $5$, as desired.
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surpidism.
10 posts
#67 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
We use induction on $n$.

Base case is obvious.

For $n= k$, assume there exits an integer $N$ such that $5^k \vert N$, and $N$ is $k$-digit number with all digits being odd.

Now, for $n = k+1$, consider the numbers $i \times 10^k + N$, $i = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9$.
Note that $5^k \vert i \times 10^k + N$, which can be written as $i \times 10^k + N = 5^k \left(  i \times 2^k + \frac{N}{5^k} \right)$.
Observe that the numbers $ i \times 2^k + \frac{N}{5^k}$ give five different remainders when divided by $5$, so one of them must be divisibly by $5$.
This implies $i \times 10^k + N$ is divisibly by $5^{k+1}$ for one $i \in \{1, 3, 5, 7, 9 \}$, and has $k+1$ odd digits, as required. $\square$
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Marcus_Zhang
980 posts
#68 • 1 Y
Y by cubres
5 min solve and write-up
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eg4334
637 posts
#69
Y by
Proceed using induction with trivial base case. Assume for $n$ a valid integer $x$ exists. Now consider appending $x$ to $a = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9$. $x \equiv 0 \pmod{5^n}$, so let $x \equiv y \cdot 5^n \pmod{5^{n+1}}$ where $y = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4$. Now we need to solve $y+2^n a \equiv 0 \pmod{5}$ which obviously has a solution which finishes.
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L13832
268 posts
#70 • 1 Y
Y by alexanderhamilton124
When $n=1$, $5$ works and for $n=2$, $25$ works. Now that we are done with the base case, by induction hypothesis we assume that $N$ satisfies the property for $5^k$ then one of $N+i\cdot 10^k$, $i\in\{1,3,5,7,9\}$ is clearly divisible by $5^{k+1}$.
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Mamadi
6 posts
#71
Y by
By taking a look at the examples for \( n = 1, 2, \dots, 5 \):
\[
n = 1: 5,
\]\[
n = 2: 75,
\]\[
n = 3: 375,
\]\[
n = 4: 9375,
\]\[
n = 5: 59375
\]we can assume that This problem could be solved by induction for the first digit from the left.

we can assume that for \( k \in \{1, 2, \dots, n-1\} \) we have a \( k \) digit number divisible by \( 5^k \)

for \( k = n-1 \), we call the \( n-1 \) digit number \( a \).

we know that \( a = 5^{n-1} \cdot c \)
we want to add \( b \cdot 10^{n-1} \) such that \( b \cdot 2^{n-1} + c \equiv 0 \pmod{5} \) and \( b \) is an odd number

we know that using odd numbers we can achieve any number (mod 5)

so lets assume \( 2^{n-1} \equiv d \pmod{5} \)

so we can add \( b \cdot 10^{n-1} \) to \( a \) such that \( bd \equiv -c \pmod{5} \)

now we have a new \( n \) digit number: \( b \cdot 10^{n-1} + a = b \cdot 2^{n-1} \cdot 5^{n-1} + 5^{n-1} \cdot c = 5^{n-1}(b \cdot 2^{n-1} + c) \) such that \( b \cdot 2^{n-1} + c \equiv 0 \pmod{5} \)

done.
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