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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
Inspired by lgx57
sqing   0
2 minutes ago
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0, a^4+ab+b^4=60 $. Prove that
$$30<4a^2+ab+4b^2 \leq \frac{9(\sqrt{481}-1)}{4}$$Let $ a,b>0, a^4-ab+b^4=60 $. Prove that
$$30<4a^2+ab+4b^2 \leq \frac{9(\sqrt{481}+1)}{4}$$Let $ a,b>0, a^4+ab+b^4=60 $. Prove that
$$30<4a^2-ab+4b^2 \leq \frac{7(\sqrt{481}-1)}{4}$$Let $ a,b>0, a^4-ab+b^4=60 $. Prove that
$$30<4a^2-ab+4b^2 \leq \frac{7(\sqrt{481}+1)}{4}$$
0 replies
1 viewing
sqing
2 minutes ago
0 replies
Geometry
Lukariman   4
N 9 minutes ago by lbh_qys
Given circle (O) and point P outside (O). From P draw tangents PA and PB to (O) with contact points A, B. On the opposite ray of ray BP, take point M. The circle circumscribing triangle APM intersects (O) at the second point D. Let H be the projection of B on AM. Prove that $\angle HDM$ = 2∠AMP.
4 replies
1 viewing
Lukariman
Yesterday at 12:43 PM
lbh_qys
9 minutes ago
Need help with barycentric
Sadigly   0
30 minutes ago
Hi,is there a good handout/book that explains barycentric,other than EGMO?
0 replies
Sadigly
30 minutes ago
0 replies
Combinatorics
P162008   3
N an hour ago by P162008
Let $m,n \in \mathbb{N}.$ Let $[n]$ denote the set of natural numbers less than or equal to $n.$

Let $f(m,n) = \sum_{(x_1,x_2,x_3, \cdots, x_m) \in [n]^{m}} \frac{x_1}{x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + \cdots + x_m} \binom{n}{x_1} \binom{n}{x_2} \binom{n}{x_3} \cdots \binom{n}{x_m} 2^{\left(\sum_{i=1}^{m} x_i\right)}$

Compute the sum of the digits of $f(4,4).$
3 replies
P162008
4 hours ago
P162008
an hour ago
Inequalities
sqing   12
N 5 hours ago by sqing
Let $a,b,c> 0$ and $\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=1.$ Prove that
$$  (1-abc) (1-a)(1-b)(1-c)  \ge 208 $$$$ (1+abc) (1-a)(1-b)(1-c)  \le -224 $$$$(1+a^2b^2c^2) (1-a)(1-b)(1-c)  \le -5840 $$
12 replies
sqing
Jul 12, 2024
sqing
5 hours ago
A pentagon inscribed in a circle of radius √2
tom-nowy   4
N 5 hours ago by jasperE3
Can a pentagon with all rational side lengths be inscribed in a circle of radius $\sqrt{2}$ ?
4 replies
tom-nowy
Yesterday at 2:37 AM
jasperE3
5 hours ago
Geometry Proof
strongstephen   10
N 5 hours ago by martianrunner
Proof that choosing four distinct points at random has an equal probability of getting a convex quadrilateral vs a concave one.
not cohesive proof alert!

NOTE: By choosing four distinct points, that means no three points lie on the same line on the Gaussian Plane.
NOTE: The probability of each point getting chosen don’t need to be uniform (as long as it is symmetric about the origin), you just need a way to choose points in the infinite plane (such as a normal distribution)

Start by picking three of the four points. Next, graph the regions where the fourth point would make the quadrilateral convex or concave. In diagram 1 below, you can see the regions where the fourth point would be convex or concave. Of course, there is the centre region (the shaded triangle), but in an infinite plane, the probability the fourth point ends up in the finite region approaches 0.

Next, I want to prove to you the area of convex/concave, or rather, the probability a point ends up in each area, is the same. Referring to the second diagram, you can flip each concave region over the line perpendicular to the angle bisector of which the region is defined. (Just look at it and you'll get what it means.) Now, each concave region has an almost perfect 1:1 probability correspondence to another convex region. The only difference is the finite region (the triangle, shaded). Again, however, the actual significance (probability) of this approaches 0.

If I call each of the convex region's probability P(a), P(c), and P(e) and the concave ones P(b), P(d), P(f), assuming areas a and b are on opposite sides (same with c and d, e and f) you can get:
P(a) = P(b)
P(c) = P(d)
P(e) = P(f)

and P(a) + P(c) + P(e) = P(convex)
and P(b) + P(d) + P(f) = P(concave)

therefore:
P(convex) = P(concave)
10 replies
strongstephen
Yesterday at 4:54 AM
martianrunner
5 hours ago
A Collection of Good Problems from my end
SomeonecoolLovesMaths   24
N Today at 12:46 AM by ReticulatedPython
This is a collection of good problems and my respective attempts to solve them. I would like to encourage everyone to post their solutions to these problems, if any. This will not only help others verify theirs but also perhaps bring forward a different approach to the problem. I will constantly try to update the pool of questions.

The difficulty level of these questions vary from AMC 10 to AIME. (Although the main pool of questions were prepared as a mock test for IOQM over the years)

Problem 1

Problem 2

Problem 3

Problem 4

Problem 5
24 replies
SomeonecoolLovesMaths
May 4, 2025
ReticulatedPython
Today at 12:46 AM
n and n+100 have odd number of divisors (1995 Belarus MO Category D P2)
jasperE3   4
N Yesterday at 9:50 PM by KTYC
Find all positive integers $n$ so that both $n$ and $n + 100$ have odd numbers of divisors.
4 replies
jasperE3
Apr 6, 2021
KTYC
Yesterday at 9:50 PM
Closed form expression of 0.123456789101112....
ReticulatedPython   3
N Yesterday at 8:15 PM by ReticulatedPython
Is there a closed form expression for the decimal number $$0.123456789101112131415161718192021...$$which is defined as all the natural numbers listed in order, side by side, behind a decimal point, without commas? If so, what is it?
3 replies
ReticulatedPython
Yesterday at 8:05 PM
ReticulatedPython
Yesterday at 8:15 PM
primes and perfect squares
Bummer12345   5
N Yesterday at 8:08 PM by Shan3t
If $p$ and $q$ are primes, then can $2^p + 5^q + pq$ be a perfect square?
5 replies
Bummer12345
Monday at 5:08 PM
Shan3t
Yesterday at 8:08 PM
trapezoid
Darealzolt   1
N Yesterday at 7:38 PM by vanstraelen
Let \(ABCD\) be a trapezoid such that \(A, B, C, D\) lie on a circle with center \(O\), and side \(AB\) is parallel to side \(CD\). Diagonals \(AC\) and \(BD\) intersect at point \(M\), and \(\angle AMD = 60^\circ\). It is given that \(MO = 10\). It is also known that the difference in length between \(AB\) and \(CD\) can be expressed in the form \(m\sqrt{n}\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are positive integers and \(n\) is square-free. Compute the value of \(m + n\).
1 reply
Darealzolt
Yesterday at 2:03 AM
vanstraelen
Yesterday at 7:38 PM
Easy one
irregular22104   0
Yesterday at 5:03 PM
Given two positive integers a,b written on the board. We apply the following rule: At each step, we will add all the numbers that are the sum of the two numbers on the board so that the sum does not appear on the board. For example, if the two initial numbers are 2.5, then the numbers on the board after step 1 are 2,5,7; after step 2 are 2,5,7,9,12;...
1) With a = 3; b = 12, prove that the number 2024 cannot appear on the board.
2) With a = 2; b = 3, prove that the number 2024 can appear on the board.
0 replies
irregular22104
Yesterday at 5:03 PM
0 replies
This shouldn't be a problem 15
derekli   2
N Yesterday at 4:09 PM by aarush.rachak11
Hey guys I was practicing AIME and came across this problem which is definitely misplaced. It asks for the surface area of a plane within a cylinder which we can easily find out using a projection that is easy to find. I think this should be placed in problem 10 or below. What do you guys think?
2 replies
derekli
Yesterday at 2:15 PM
aarush.rachak11
Yesterday at 4:09 PM
USAMO 2000 Problem 5
MithsApprentice   22
N Apr 28, 2025 by Maximilian113
Let $A_1A_2A_3$ be a triangle and let $\omega_1$ be a circle in its plane passing through $A_1$ and $A_2.$ Suppose there exist circles $\omega_2, \omega_3, \dots, \omega_7$ such that for $k = 2, 3, \dots, 7,$ $\omega_k$ is externally tangent to $\omega_{k-1}$ and passes through $A_k$ and $A_{k+1},$ where $A_{n+3} = A_{n}$ for all $n \ge 1$. Prove that $\omega_7 = \omega_1.$
22 replies
MithsApprentice
Oct 1, 2005
Maximilian113
Apr 28, 2025
USAMO 2000 Problem 5
G H J
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MithsApprentice
2390 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247
Let $A_1A_2A_3$ be a triangle and let $\omega_1$ be a circle in its plane passing through $A_1$ and $A_2.$ Suppose there exist circles $\omega_2, \omega_3, \dots, \omega_7$ such that for $k = 2, 3, \dots, 7,$ $\omega_k$ is externally tangent to $\omega_{k-1}$ and passes through $A_k$ and $A_{k+1},$ where $A_{n+3} = A_{n}$ for all $n \ge 1$. Prove that $\omega_7 = \omega_1.$
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MithsApprentice
2390 posts
#2 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247
When replying to the problem, I ask that you make posts for solutions and submit comments, jokes, smilies, etc. separately. Furthermore, please do not "hide" any portion of the solution. Please use LaTeX for posting solutions. Thanks.
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grobber
7849 posts
#3 • 4 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247, and 1 other user
Clearly, $\omega_i$ is determined by its center $O_i$, since we know that it passes through $A_i,A_{i+1}$. We also know that for all $i,\ O_i,A_{i+1},O_{i+1}$ are collinear. We must prove that in these conditions, $O_7=O_1$.

Suppose we prove that for all $i$, the angles $\angle OA_iO_i$ and $\angle OA_iO_{i+2}$ are equal (where $O$ is the circumcenter of $A_iA_{i+1}A_{i+2}$). The result would then follow, since $O_i\mapsto O_{i+3}$ would be an involution on the perpendicular bisector $d_i$ of $A_iA_{i+1}$, mapping a point on this line to its harmonic conjugate wrt $O$ and the intersection of the tangents in $A_i,A_{i+2}$ to the circumcircle of $A_iA_{i+1}A_{i+2}$. Since $O_1\mapsto O_4\mapsto O_7$, we must have $O_7=O_1$, as desired.

All that’s left to prove is:

Let $O_1$ be any point on $d_1$, and put $O_2=O_1A_2\cap d_2,\ O_3=O_2A_3\cap d_3$. Then, $A_1O_1,\ A_1O_3$ make equal angles with $OA_1$.

This, however, is a simple angle chase :).
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The QuattoMaster 6000
1184 posts
#4 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247
MithsApprentice wrote:
Let $ A_1A_2A_3$ be a triangle and let $ \omega_1$ be a circle in its plane passing through $ A_1$ and $ A_2.$ Suppose there exist circles $ \omega_2, \omega_3, \dots, \omega_7$ such that for $ k = 2, 3, \dots, 7,$ $ \omega_k$ is externally tangent to $ \omega_{k - 1}$ and passes through $ A_k$ and $ A_{k + 1},$ where $ A_{n + 3} = A_{n}$ for all $ n \ge 1$. Prove that $ \omega_7 = \omega_1.$
Sorry to revive an old topic, but I have a rather different solution than the one posted previously:
Solution
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E^(pi*i)=-1
982 posts
#5 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247
Easy Coordinates
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darij grinberg
6555 posts
#6 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08, Mango247
E^(pi*i)=-1 wrote:
Since $ \omega_k$ and $ \omega_{k + 1}$ are externally tangent at $ A_{k + 1}$, we see that $ A_{k + 1}$ is the midpoint of $ O_k$ and $ O_{k + 1}$.

Why?

darij
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E^(pi*i)=-1
982 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, jhu08
Oops, you're right, it's wrong. :oops:

It seems like there should be a constant ratio between radii of circles through $ A_1$ and $ A_2$ and those through $ A_2$ and $ A_3$, though . . . maybe there is a way to multiply the coordinates by these factors such that it works out?
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CatalystOfNostalgia
1479 posts
#8 • 5 Y
Y by vsathiam, jhu08, Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Hmm I think you can do this with just trivial angle chasing: $ A=\angle{A_{3}A_{1}A_{2}},B=\angle{A_{1}A_{2}A_{3}},C=\angle{A_{2}A_{3}A_{1}},X=\angle{O_{1}A_{1}A_{2}}$. Then, measures of the angles $ \angle{O_{i}A_{i}A_{i+1}}$ are easy to get, we find that $ \angle{O_{7}A_{1}A_{2}}=X$, and we also need $ O_{1},O_{7}$ on the same side of $ A_{1}A_{2}$ (which follows from the fact that we need $ A_{i}$ between $ O_{i+1}$ and $ O_{i+2}$, blah.
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sayantanchakraborty
505 posts
#9 • 3 Y
Y by jhu08, Adventure10, Mango247
We let the radius of the circle $\omega_i$ by $r_i$.As usual denote the side opposite to vertex $A_i$ by $a_i$ for $i=1,2,3$.
Let $O_1A_2A_1=\theta$,where $O_1$ is the centre of $\omega_1$.
By applications of sine rule we may easily deduce the following relations:

$\frac{r_1}{r_2}=-\frac{a_1}{a_3}\frac{\cos\theta}{\cos(A_2+\theta)}$

$\frac{r_2}{r_3}=-\frac{a_2}{a_1}\frac{\cos(A_2+\theta)}{\cos(A_2-A_3+\theta)}$

$\frac{r_3}{r_4}=-\frac{a_3}{a_2}\frac{\cos(A_2-A_3+\theta)}{\cos(A_1-A_2+A_3-\theta)}$

Multiplying these out we get

$\frac{r_1}{r_4}=-\frac{\cos\theta}{\cos(A_1-A_2+A_3-\theta)}$.

Similarly it is easy to observe that

$\frac{r_4}{r_7}=-\frac{\cos(A_1-A_2+A_3-\theta)}{\cos(A_1-A_2+A_3-(A_1-A_2+A_3-\theta))}=-\frac{\cos(A_1-A_2+A_3-\theta)}{\cos\theta}$.

Multiplying these equalities we obatain $r_7=r_1$.Also because $7 \equiv 1\pmod{3}$ we note that $\omega_7$ passes through $A_1$ and $A_2$.We thus obtain $\omega_7=\omega_1$.
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Delray
348 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by jhu08, Adventure10, Mango247
Hint
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#11 • 5 Y
Y by v4913, HamstPan38825, jhu08, rayfish, Adventure10
The idea is to keep track of the subtended arc $\widehat{A_i A_{i+1}}$ of $\omega_i$ for each $i$. To this end, let $\beta = \measuredangle A_1 A_2 A_3$, $\gamma = \measuredangle A_2 A_3 A_1$ and $\alpha = \measuredangle A_1 A_2 A_3$.



[asy] size(8cm); defaultpen(fontsize(9pt)); pair A2 = (0,0); pair O1 = (-8,0); pair O2 = (5,0); pair A1 = abs(A2-O1)*dir(285)+O1; pair A3 = abs(A2-O2)*dir(245)+O2; pair O3 = extension(O2, A3, midpoint(A1--A3), midpoint(A1--A3)+dir(A1-A3)*dir(90));

filldraw(circle(O1,abs(A1-O1)), invisible, deepgreen); filldraw(circle(O2,abs(A2-O2)), invisible, deepgreen); filldraw(circle(O3,abs(A3-O3)), invisible, deepgreen); filldraw(A1--A2--A3--cycle, invisible, red);

pair J = (0,-3.2); draw(O1--O2--O3, deepcyan+dotted);

dot("$O_1$", O1, dir(90), deepcyan); dot("$O_2$", O2, dir(90), deepcyan); dot("$O_3$", O3, dir(-90), deepcyan); dot("$A_1$", A1, dir(A1-J), red); dot("$A_2$", A2, dir(A2-J), red); dot("$A_3$", A3, dir(A3-J), red);

label("$\alpha$", A1, 2.4*dir(J-A1), red); label("$\beta$",  A2, 2*dir(J-A2), red); label("$\gamma$", A3, 2*dir(J-A3), red); [/asy]



Initially, we set $\theta = \measuredangle O_1 A_2 A_1$. Then we compute \begin{align*} 	\measuredangle O_1 A_2 A_1 &= \theta \\ 	\measuredangle O_2 A_3 A_2 &= -\beta-\theta \\ 	\measuredangle O_3 A_1 A_3 &= \beta-\gamma+\theta \\ 	\measuredangle O_4 A_2 A_1 &= (\gamma-\beta-\alpha)-\theta \\ \end{align*}and repeating the same calculation another round gives \[ \measuredangle O_7 A_2 A_1 = k-(k-\theta) = \theta \]with $k = \gamma-\beta-\alpha$. This implies $O_7 = O_1$, so $\omega_7 = \omega_1$.
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GeronimoStilton
1521 posts
#12 • 3 Y
Y by Imayormaynotknowcalculus, jhu08, Mango247
I think you can do this with moving points, but here is the angle chase approach.

Let $O_i$ be the center of $\omega_i$ for $i=1,2,\dots,7$.

Observe
\[\measuredangle O_7A_1A_2=-\measuredangle A_2A_1A_3-\measuredangle A_3A_1O_6=-\measuredangle A_2A_1A_3-\measuredangle O_6A_3A_1=-\measuredangle A_2A_1A_3+\measuredangle A_1A_3A_2+\measuredangle A_2A_3O_5=\]\[-\measuredangle A_2A_1A_3+\measuredangle A_1A_3A_2+\measuredangle O_5A_2A_3=-\measuredangle A_2A_1A_3+\measuredangle A_1A_3A_2-\measuredangle A_3A_2A_1-\measuredangle A_1A_2O_4.\]A similar angle chase finishes.
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IAmTheHazard
5001 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by centslordm, jhu08
Let $O_i$ be the center of $\omega_i$. Also let $\theta_1=\measuredangle A_1A_2A_3,\theta_2=\measuredangle A_2A_3A_1,\theta_3=\measuredangle A_3A_1A_2$. Observe that $\omega_1$ is uniquely determined by $\measuredangle O_1A_2A_1$, and $\omega_7$ is uniquely determined by $\measuredangle O_7A_2A_1$, so if we can show those are equal we're done. Now, let $\measuredangle O_1A_2A_1=\theta$. By basic angle chasing (since $O_i,A_{i+1},O_{i+1}$ are collinear), we can find:
\begin{align*}
\measuredangle O_1A_2A_1&=\theta\\
\measuredangle O_2A_3A_2&=-\theta_1-\theta\\
\measuredangle O_3A_1A_2&=\theta_1-\theta_2+\theta\\
\measuredangle O_4A_2A_1&=-\theta_1+\theta_2-\theta_3-\theta\\
\measuredangle O_5A_3A_2&=\theta_1-\theta_2+\theta_3-\theta_1+\theta\\
\measuredangle O_6A_1A_2&=-\theta_1+\theta_2-\theta_3+\theta_1-\theta_2-\theta\\
\measuredangle O_7A_2A_1&=\theta_1-\theta_2+\theta_3-\theta_1+\theta_2-\theta_3+\theta=\theta.
\end{align*}hence $\omega_1=\omega_7$ as desired. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by IAmTheHazard, May 16, 2021, 10:24 PM
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edfearay123
92 posts
#15 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
Interesting problem. We will aply an inversion on $\Gamma$ with center $A_1$ and ratio $R$ (it's not important). Define $Inv _{\Gamma} (\omega _i)=\Omega _i$ and $Inv _{\Gamma} (A_i)=B_i$. Note that $\Omega _i$ is a line for $i=1, 3, 4, 6, 7$ because $\omega _i$ pass through $A_1$. Also note that $\Omega _i$ and $\Omega _{i+1}$ are parallels for $i=3, 6$ because $\Omega _i$ and $\Omega _{i+1}$ are tangents in $A_1$. We want that $\Omega _1=\Omega _7$, it's sufficient to prove that $\Omega _1 \parallel \Omega _6$. Now we will use directed angles. Let $\ell=B_2B_3$:
$$\measuredangle (\Omega _1,\ell)=\measuredangle(\ell,\Omega _3)=\measuredangle(\ell,\Omega _4)=\measuredangle (\Omega _6,\ell).$$
So we have that $\Omega _1$ and $\Omega _6$ are parallels as desired.
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asdf334
7585 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
Not sure if this works.

Through some manipulations we find that it suffices to show $\angle O_1A_2O_4=\angle O_7A_1O_4$, but this is true because $$\angle O_1A_2A_4=\angle O_5A_2O_2=\angle O_5A_3O_2=\angle O_3A_3O_6=\angle O_3A_1O_6=\angle O_7A_1O_4$$
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asdf334
7585 posts
#17
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wait i think this works only when using directed angles (because $A_1O_4$ bisecting $\angle O_1A_1O_7$ is possible)
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awesomeming327.
1714 posts
#18
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Let $O_i$ be the center of $\omega_i$. Define $\angle A_3A_1A_2=\alpha,\angle A_1A_2A_3=\beta,\angle A_2A_3A_1=\gamma.$ Define $\angle A_iA_{i+1}O_i=\angle A_{i+1}A_iO_i=\theta_i.$ It suffices to show $\theta_1=\theta_7.$ In fact, note that
\begin{align*}
\theta_2 &= 180^\circ-\beta-\theta_1 \\
\theta_3 &= 180^\circ-\gamma-\theta_2 \\
&= \beta-\gamma +\theta_1 \\
\theta_4 &= 180^\circ - \alpha -\theta_3 \\
&= 180^\circ - \alpha - \beta + \gamma - \theta_1 \\
&= 2\gamma - \theta_1
\end{align*}Note that this process is the exact same for $\theta_4\to \theta_7$, and since function $f(k)=2\gamma -k$ is cyclic with order $2$, we are done.
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HamstPan38825
8860 posts
#19
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Let $\theta=\angle A_1O_1A_2$, where $O_i$ is the center of $\omega_i$. Furthermore, let $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ be the angles of the triangle. Then, check that we have the sequence $$\theta \to 2\beta - \theta \to \theta+2\gamma-2\beta \to 2\alpha-2\gamma+2\beta-\theta=360^\circ-4\beta-\theta.$$Upon applying another sequence of three transformations, this returns the identity $\theta$, so the centers of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_7$ coincide, which suffices.
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Spectator
657 posts
#20
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Define $O_{k}$ as the centers of each respective circle. Let $\alpha = \angle{O_{1}A_{2}A_{1}}$.
\begin{align*}
    \angle{A_{2}O_{4}A_{1}} &= 180-\angle{A_{1}}-\angle{O_{3}A_{1}A_{3}} \\
    &= 180-\angle{A_{1}}-(180-\angle{A_{3}-\angle{A_{2}A_{3}O_{2}}}) \\
    &= \angle{A_{3}}+\angle{A_{2}A_{3}O_{2}}-\angle{A_{1}} \\
    &= \angle{A_{3}}+180-\angle{A_{2}}-\alpha-\angle{A_{1}}
\end{align*}We can apply this transformation twice to get that,
\[\angle{A_{2}A_{1}O_{7}} = \alpha\implies \omega_{1} = \omega_{7}\]
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Math4Life7
1703 posts
#21
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Consider if we extend the internal tangent of all of the pairs of circles $\omega_{k-1}$ and $\omega_k$ for $k = 2, 3, \dots, 8$. Name these $\ell_1, \ell_2, \dots \ell_7$. Since $\ell_x$ is just $\ell_{x-1}$ reflected over the perpendicular bisecter of some side, and because the internal tangent is not dependent on the circle (it is in fact what makes the next circle), we just have to prove that $\ell_1 = \ell_7$.

Call $\angle A_2A_1A_3$ $a$, $\angle A_3A_2A_1$ $b$, and $\angle A_1A_3A_2$ $c$
We know that the angle formed by $A_1$, $A_2$, and $\ell_1$ is less than $a$ (otherwise $\omega_2$ does not exist). Thus we call this $x$ and we know that the angle formed by $\ell_1$, $A_1$, and $A_3$ is $a-x$ we can see that this is equal to the angle formed by $A_1$, $A_3$, and $\ell_2$, so we know that the angle formed by $\ell_2$, $A_3$, $A_2$ is $b-a+x$. Continuing this pattern for subsequent angles we find that the next angles are $180-2b-x$, $a+2b+x - 180$, $180 - a - b - x$, and $x$. Thus we find that $\ell_7 = \ell_1$ and we are done. $\blacksquare$
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eibc
600 posts
#22
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For $1 \le i \le 7$, let $O_i$ be the center of $\omega_i$ and $\theta_i = \measuredangle O_iA_iA_{i + 1} = \measuredangle A_iA_{i + 1}O_i$. Then for $2 \le i \le 7$, the tangency condition tells us that $O_{i - 1}, A_i$, and $O_i$ are collinear, so
$$\theta_i = \measuredangle O_iA_iA_{i + 1} = \measuredangle O_{i - 1} A_iA_{i + 1} = \measuredangle O_{i - 1}A_iA_{i - 1} + \measuredangle A_{i - 1}A_iA_{i + 1} = -\theta_{i - 1} + \measuredangle A_{i - 1}A_iA_{i + 1}.$$Therefore, applying this identity in succession, we have
$$\theta_7 = \theta_1 + \sum_{i = 2}^7 (-1)^{7 - i} \measuredangle A_{i - 1}A_iA_{i + 1} = \theta_1 + \sum_{i = 2}^4 ((-1)^{7 - i} + (-1)^{4 - i})(\measuredangle A_{i -1}A_iA_{i + 1}) = \theta_1.$$Thus, $\measuredangle O_1A_1A_2 = \measuredangle O_7A_1A_2$ and $\measuredangle A_1A_2O_1 = \measuredangle A_1A_2O_7$. This is enough to imply that $O_1 = O_7$ since we would otherwise have $\angle O_1A_1A_2 + \angle O_7A_1A_2 = 180^{\circ}$ (using non-directed angles), which is impossible since $\angle O_1A_1A_2, \angle O_7A_1A_2 < 90^{\circ}$. So, we are done.
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cursed_tangent1434
622 posts
#23
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Cute problem. Let $O_i$ denote the center of each circle $\omega_i$. Let $\ell_1 , \ell_2$ and $\ell_3$ denote respectively the perpendicular bisectors of segments $BC , AB$ and $AC$. Note that for all $k = 2,3, \dots, 7$, the center $O_k$ of $\omega_k$ lies on the line $\ell_{k-1 \pmod{3}}$. First, note that since $O_k$ is a center of a circle passing through points $A_{k+1}$ and $A_{k}$, it must lie on $\ell_{k \pmod{3}}$. Further, since it is externally tangent to $\omega_{k-1}$, which clearly passes through $A_k$ as well, $O_k$ also lies on $\overline{O_kA_{k \pmod{3}}}$.

Now, with this information in hand, it suffices to show that point $O_1 , A_1$ and $O_6$ are collinear since then $O_7 = O_1$ and thus $\omega_7 = \omega_1$ as desired. To see why, simply note that
\[\measuredangle O_1A_1O_4 = \measuredangle O_4A_2O_1 = \measuredangle O_5A_2O_2 = \measuredangle O_2A_3O_5 = \measuredangle O_3A_3O_6 = \measuredangle O_6A_1O_3\]which implies that $O_1 , A_1$ and $O_6$ are collinear finishing the proof.
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Maximilian113
575 posts
#24
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Let $a, b, c$ be the angles of the triangle, and $x = \angle A_1O_1A_2.$ Then observe we obtain the sequence $$x, 180-b-x, b+x-c, 180-b-x+c-a.$$Doing this one more time yields $x,$ the original angle so we are done. QED
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