We have your learning goals covered with Spring and Summer courses available. Enroll today!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a My Retirement & New Leadership at AoPS
rrusczyk   1571
N Mar 26, 2025 by SmartGroot
I write today to announce my retirement as CEO from Art of Problem Solving. When I founded AoPS 22 years ago, I never imagined that we would reach so many students and families, or that we would find so many channels through which we discover, inspire, and train the great problem solvers of the next generation. I am very proud of all we have accomplished and I’m thankful for the many supporters who provided inspiration and encouragement along the way. I'm particularly grateful to all of the wonderful members of the AoPS Community!

I’m delighted to introduce our new leaders - Ben Kornell and Andrew Sutherland. Ben has extensive experience in education and edtech prior to joining AoPS as my successor as CEO, including starting like I did as a classroom teacher. He has a deep understanding of the value of our work because he’s an AoPS parent! Meanwhile, Andrew and I have common roots as founders of education companies; he launched Quizlet at age 15! His journey from founder to MIT to technology and product leader as our Chief Product Officer traces a pathway many of our students will follow in the years to come.

Thank you again for your support for Art of Problem Solving and we look forward to working with millions more wonderful problem solvers in the years to come.

And special thanks to all of the amazing AoPS team members who have helped build AoPS. We’ve come a long way from here:IMAGE
1571 replies
rrusczyk
Mar 24, 2025
SmartGroot
Mar 26, 2025
k a March Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Mar 2, 2025
March is the month for State MATHCOUNTS competitions! Kudos to everyone who participated in their local chapter competitions and best of luck to all going to State! Join us on March 11th for a Math Jam devoted to our favorite Chapter competition problems! Are you interested in training for MATHCOUNTS? Be sure to check out our AMC 8/MATHCOUNTS Basics and Advanced courses.

Are you ready to level up with Olympiad training? Registration is open with early bird pricing available for our WOOT programs: MathWOOT (Levels 1 and 2), CodeWOOT, PhysicsWOOT, and ChemWOOT. What is WOOT? WOOT stands for Worldwide Online Olympiad Training and is a 7-month high school math Olympiad preparation and testing program that brings together many of the best students from around the world to learn Olympiad problem solving skills. Classes begin in September!

Do you have plans this summer? There are so many options to fit your schedule and goals whether attending a summer camp or taking online classes, it can be a great break from the routine of the school year. Check out our summer courses at AoPS Online, or if you want a math or language arts class that doesn’t have homework, but is an enriching summer experience, our AoPS Virtual Campus summer camps may be just the ticket! We are expanding our locations for our AoPS Academies across the country with 15 locations so far and new campuses opening in Saratoga CA, Johns Creek GA, and the Upper West Side NY. Check out this page for summer camp information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events:
[list][*]March 5th (Wednesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, HCSSiM Math Jam 2025. Amber Verser, Assistant Director of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, will host an information session about HCSSiM, a summer program for high school students.
[*]March 6th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar on Math Competitions from elementary through high school. Join us for an enlightening session that demystifies the world of math competitions and helps you make informed decisions about your contest journey.
[*]March 11th (Tuesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MATHCOUNTS Chapter Discussion MATH JAM. AoPS instructors will discuss some of their favorite problems from the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition. All are welcome!
[*]March 13th (Thursday), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Free Webinar about Summer Camps at the Virtual Campus. Transform your summer into an unforgettable learning adventure! From elementary through high school, we offer dynamic summer camps featuring topics in mathematics, language arts, and competition preparation - all designed to fit your schedule and ignite your passion for learning.[/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
Sunday, Mar 2 - Jun 22
Friday, Mar 28 - Jul 18
Sunday, Apr 13 - Aug 10
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
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Jul 8
Sunday, Apr 13 - Aug 10
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, Mar 23 - Jul 20
Monday, Apr 7 - Jul 28
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
Sunday, Mar 16 - Jun 8
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 2
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
Monday, Mar 17 - Jun 9
Thursday, Apr 17 - Jul 3
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
Sunday, Mar 2 - Jun 22
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 30
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Tuesday, Mar 4 - Aug 12
Sunday, Mar 23 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Apr 23 - Oct 1
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

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Mar 16 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Sep 2
Monday, Apr 21 - Oct 13
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
Sunday, Mar 23 - Aug 3
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Friday, Apr 11 - Jun 27
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Sunday, Mar 16 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Apr 9 - Sep 3
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Wednesday, Mar 5 - May 21
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Sunday, Mar 30 - Oct 5
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
Sunday, Mar 23 - Jun 15
Wednesday, Apr 16 - Jul 2
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
Friday, Apr 11 - Jun 27
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
Tuesday, Mar 4 - May 20
Monday, Mar 31 - Jun 23
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

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
Monday, Mar 24 - Jun 16
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
Sunday, Mar 30 - Jun 22
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Sep 2
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Sat & Sun, Apr 26 - Apr 27 (4:00 - 7:00 pm ET/1:00 - 4:00pm PT)
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 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
Problem 4
teps   74
N a few seconds ago by bjump
Find all functions $f:\mathbb Z\rightarrow \mathbb Z$ such that, for all integers $a,b,c$ that satisfy $a+b+c=0$, the following equality holds:
\[f(a)^2+f(b)^2+f(c)^2=2f(a)f(b)+2f(b)f(c)+2f(c)f(a).\]
(Here $\mathbb{Z}$ denotes the set of integers.)

Proposed by Liam Baker, South Africa
74 replies
teps
Jul 11, 2012
bjump
a few seconds ago
Cono Sur Olympiad 2011, Problem 6
Leicich   22
N a minute ago by cosinesine
Let $Q$ be a $(2n+1) \times (2n+1)$ board. Some of its cells are colored black in such a way that every $2 \times 2$ board of $Q$ has at most $2$ black cells. Find the maximum amount of black cells that the board may have.
22 replies
1 viewing
Leicich
Aug 23, 2014
cosinesine
a minute ago
Brasil NMO (OBM) - 2007
oscar_sanz012   0
16 minutes ago
Show that there exists an integer ? such that
/frac{a^{19} - 1} {a - 1}
have at least 2007 distinct prime factors.
0 replies
oscar_sanz012
16 minutes ago
0 replies
VERY HARD MATH PROBLEM!
slimshadyyy.3.60   4
N 19 minutes ago by slimshadyyy.3.60
Let a ≥b ≥c ≥0 be real numbers such that a^2 +b^2 +c^2 +abc = 4. Prove that
a+b+c+(√a−√c)^2 ≥3.
4 replies
slimshadyyy.3.60
36 minutes ago
slimshadyyy.3.60
19 minutes ago
Functional Equation!
EthanWYX2009   1
N 22 minutes ago by DottedCaculator
Source: 2025 TST 24
Find all functions $f:\mathbb Z\to\mathbb Z$ such that $f$ is unbounded and
\[2f(m)f(n)-f(n-m)-1\]is a perfect square for all integer $m,n.$
1 reply
EthanWYX2009
Today at 10:48 AM
DottedCaculator
22 minutes ago
Solve this hard problem:
slimshadyyy.3.60   1
N 26 minutes ago by FunnyKoala17
Let a,b,c be positive real numbers such that x +y+z = 3. Prove that
yx^3 +zy^3+xz^3+9xyz≤ 12.
1 reply
slimshadyyy.3.60
39 minutes ago
FunnyKoala17
26 minutes ago
Hard geometry
jannatiar   1
N 28 minutes ago by alinazarboland
Source: 2024 AlborzMO P4
In triangle \( ABC \), let \( I \) be the \( A \)-excenter. Points \( X \) and \( Y \) are placed on line \( BC \) such that \( B \) is between \( X \) and \( C \), and \( C \) is between \( Y \) and \( B \). Moreover, \( B \) and \( C \) are the contact points of \( BC \) with the \( A \)-excircle of triangles \( BAY \) and \( AXC \), respectively. Let \( J \) be the \( A \)-excenter of triangle \( AXY \), and let \( H' \) be the reflection of the orthocenter of triangle \( ABC \) with respect to its circumcenter. Prove that \( I \), \( J \), and \( H' \) are collinear.

Proposed by Ali Nazarboland
1 reply
jannatiar
Mar 4, 2025
alinazarboland
28 minutes ago
IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 6
orl   28
N an hour ago by Zany9998
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 6
For any positive integer $n$, let $\tau (n)$ denote the number of its positive divisors (including 1 and itself). Determine all positive integers $m$ for which there exists a positive integer $n$ such that $\frac{\tau (n^{2})}{\tau (n)}=m$.
28 replies
orl
Oct 22, 2004
Zany9998
an hour ago
A projectional vision in IGO
Shayan-TayefehIR   14
N an hour ago by mathuz
Source: IGO 2024 Advanced Level - Problem 3
In the triangle $\bigtriangleup ABC$ let $D$ be the foot of the altitude from $A$ to the side $BC$ and $I$, $I_A$, $I_C$ be the incenter, $A$-excenter, and $C$-excenter, respectively. Denote by $P\neq B$ and $Q\neq D$ the other intersection points of the circle $\bigtriangleup BDI_C$ with the lines $BI$ and $DI_A$, respectively. Prove that $AP=AQ$.

Proposed Michal Jan'ik - Czech Republic
14 replies
Shayan-TayefehIR
Nov 14, 2024
mathuz
an hour ago
(a²-b²)(b²-c²) = abc
straight   3
N an hour ago by straight
Find all triples of positive integers $(a,b,c)$ such that

\[(a^2-b^2)(b^2-c^2) = abc.\]
If you can't solve this, assume $gcd(a,c) = 1$. If this is still too hard assume in $a \ge b \ge c$ that $b-c$ is a prime.
3 replies
straight
Mar 24, 2025
straight
an hour ago
A checkered square consists of dominos
nAalniaOMliO   1
N an hour ago by BR1F1SZ
Source: Belarusian National Olympiad 2025
A checkered square $8 \times 8$ is divided into rectangles with two cells. Two rectangles are called adjacent if they share a segment of length 1 or 2. In each rectangle the amount of adjacent with it rectangles is written.
Find the maximal possible value of the sum of all numbers in rectangles.
1 reply
nAalniaOMliO
Yesterday at 8:21 PM
BR1F1SZ
an hour ago
A lot of numbers and statements
nAalniaOMliO   2
N 2 hours ago by nAalniaOMIiO
Source: Belarusian National Olympiad 2025
101 numbers are written in a circle. Near the first number the statement "This number is bigger than the next one" is written, near the second "This number is bigger that the next two" and etc, near the 100th "This number is bigger than the next 100 numbers".
What is the maximum possible amount of the statements that can be true?
2 replies
nAalniaOMliO
Yesterday at 8:20 PM
nAalniaOMIiO
2 hours ago
USAMO 1981 #2
Mrdavid445   9
N 2 hours ago by Marcus_Zhang
Every pair of communities in a county are linked directly by one mode of transportation; bus, train, or airplane. All three methods of transportation are used in the county with no community being serviced by all three modes and no three communities being linked pairwise by the same mode. Determine the largest number of communities in this county.
9 replies
Mrdavid445
Jul 26, 2011
Marcus_Zhang
2 hours ago
Monkeys have bananas
nAalniaOMliO   2
N 2 hours ago by nAalniaOMIiO
Source: Belarusian National Olympiad 2025
Ten monkeys have 60 bananas. Each monkey has at least one banana and any two monkeys have different amounts of bananas.
Prove that any six monkeys can distribute their bananas between others such that all 4 remaining monkeys have the same amount of bananas.
2 replies
nAalniaOMliO
Yesterday at 8:20 PM
nAalniaOMIiO
2 hours ago
IMO Shortlist 2012, Geometry 7
lyukhson   15
N Jun 13, 2024 by awesomeming327.
Source: IMO Shortlist 2012, Geometry 7
Let $ABCD$ be a convex quadrilateral with non-parallel sides $BC$ and $AD$. Assume that there is a point $E$ on the side $BC$ such that the quadrilaterals $ABED$ and $AECD$ are circumscribed. Prove that there is a point $F$ on the side $AD$ such that the quadrilaterals $ABCF$ and $BCDF$ are circumscribed if and only if $AB$ is parallel to $CD$.
15 replies
lyukhson
Jul 29, 2013
awesomeming327.
Jun 13, 2024
IMO Shortlist 2012, Geometry 7
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: IMO Shortlist 2012, Geometry 7
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
lyukhson
127 posts
#1 • 4 Y
Y by mathuz, Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Let $ABCD$ be a convex quadrilateral with non-parallel sides $BC$ and $AD$. Assume that there is a point $E$ on the side $BC$ such that the quadrilaterals $ABED$ and $AECD$ are circumscribed. Prove that there is a point $F$ on the side $AD$ such that the quadrilaterals $ABCF$ and $BCDF$ are circumscribed if and only if $AB$ is parallel to $CD$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Amir Hossein, Jul 29, 2013, 5:40 PM
Reason: Edited Title and Changed Format of The Problem.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mathuz
1512 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10 and 1 other user
woo..w!
very-very easy problem.
There exists $E$ on $BC$ if and only if $ \angle A+\angle D \ge 180^\circ$.
Analoguously, also point $F$.
Hence, $E$ is exists, there exists $F$ on the side $AD$, if and only if $ \angle A+\angle D= \angle B+\angle C=180^\circ $ $ \Rightarrow $ $AB \parallel CD$. :wink:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mathuz
1512 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
sorry, $ \angle A+\angle D\le 180^\circ. $
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
leader
339 posts
#4 • 4 Y
Y by mathuz, Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
mathuz wrote:
woo..w!
very-very easy problem.
There exists $E$ on $BC$ if and only if $ \angle A+\angle D \ge 180^\circ$.
Analoguously, also point $F$.
Hence, $E$ is exists, there exists $F$ on the side $AD$, if and only if $ \angle A+\angle D= \angle B+\angle C=180^\circ $ $ \Rightarrow $ $AB \parallel CD$. :wink:
actually $E$ is already determined by $A,B,D$ and $\angle ABC$ but $C$ is also so it's not iff.

Anyway to solve this problem use the following lemma for part if(part only if is done by using the if part and point arrangements)

For convex trapezoid $ABCD$ $AB||CD$ and $BC\cap AD=P$ ( $P-D-A$) the tangent from $A$ to $P$-excircle of $PDC$ and the tangent from $D$ to the incircle of $PAB$ are parallel.

To prove this consider the centers of these 2 circles and some similar triangles.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
proglote
958 posts
#5 • 4 Y
Y by huricane, guptaamitu1, Adventure10, and 1 other user
We use the following lemma:

Given two circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ and two points $E,F$ lying on the two different common external tangents of the circles, let the second tangents from $E,F$ to $\omega_1$ intersect at $P$, and similarly $Q$ for $\omega_2$. Then $PQ$ passes through the insimilicenter $Si$ of the two given circles.

Indeed, by Monge's Theorem, it suffices to check that there exists a circle tangent to the four lines $FP, FQ, EP, EQ$, which is just a matter of segment length chasing.

Back to the main problem:

First suppose that such a point $F$ exists. Let the tangency points of $AB, CD$ with the respective inscribed circles be $R, S.$ Then by Brianchon's theorem, $R$ and $S$ both lie on $PQ$, where $P,Q$ are defined similarly as in the lemma. But $Si \in PQ$, i.e. $R,S$ are mapped to one another by the internal homothety, hence $AB \parallel CD.$ Conversely, if $AB \parallel CD$, let $F$ be the intersection of the second tangent from $B$ to the circle inscribed to $AECD$ with line $AD$. Since $Si = AC \cap BD$, by Pappus' theorem $Q = AE \cap BF$, $P = DE \cap CF$ and $Si$ are collinear. Hence by the lemma $FC$ is indeed tangent to the circle inscribed to $ABED$, as desired.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Particle
179 posts
#6 • 4 Y
Y by BobaFett101, k12byda5h, Adventure10, and 1 other user
Let $P=BC\cap AD$, circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega _2$, with centers $O_1$ and $O_2$ are the incircles of $ABED$ and $AECD$, respectively. Suppose the tangent from $C$ to $\omega_1$ intersects $AD$ at $F_1$ and the tangent from $B$ to $\omega_2$ intersects $AD$ at $F_2$.
Firstly assume $AB||CD$.
After some angle chasing, we get $PCO_2\sim PO_1A\implies \frac {PC}{PO_1}=\frac {PO_2}{PA}\implies PCO_1\sim PO_2A$ $\implies \angle CO_1P=\angle O_2AP$. But note that $\angle O_2AP=\frac 1 2 \angle EAP$ and $\angle O_1PC+\angle CO_1P$ $=\angle BCO_1=\frac 1 2 (\angle F_1PC +\angle CF_1P)\implies \angle CO_1P=\frac 1 2 \angle CF_1P$. Hence $\angle EAP=\angle CF_1P\implies AE||CF_1$. Similarly $DE||BF_2$.

But note that $PF_1=\frac {PC\cdot PA}{PE}=\frac {PD\cdot PB}{PE}=PF_2\implies F_1=F_2$.

Using the if part, only if part is very easy.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
StanleyST
46 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Proof: Let us denote by $I_1$ and $I_2$ the incenters of quadrilaters $ABED$ and $AECD$, respectively. We now want to show that $\angle I_1EB +\angle I_2EC < 180$. But this is equivalent to \[\dfrac{\angle DEB + \angle AEC}{2} < 180 \Leftrightarrow \angle DEA < 180.\]
The latter one is obviously true, so now we can assume that quadrilaters $DI_2EC$ and $AI_1EB$ have disjoints interiors. Now, let $DI_2$ and $AI_1$ intersect at point $S$. Since we now that $\angle CI_2S + \angle BI_1S = 180$, we obtain that $\angle DSA \ge 90$. And from here we get that $\angle A + \angle D \le 180$. Now, if there exists a point $F$ on side $AD$ with the property from the initial statement, this would immediately imply the asked parallelism and thus, the direct implication of the problem is now solved.$\blacksquare$


For the inverse, we will prove the following property, a lemma conjectured in the posts below that states the following:"Given a trapezoid $ABCD$ with $AB \parallel CD$ and $AD$ and $BC$ intersecting in some point $P$, than the tagent line from point $D$ to the excircle of triangle $PAB$ is parallel to the one from $B$ to the incircle of triangle $PCD$."


Proof of lemma: Denote the incircle's center and the excircle's-as they are defined in the lemma by circles $O_1$ and $O_2$ respectively. Let the tangent point between $1$(the circle with center in $O_1$) and line $CD$ be $X$ and the the tangent from $B$ to $1$, intersect the latter at point $Y$. Denote by $Z$ the tangent point between $2$(the circle with center in $O_2$) and let the parallel line in $Z$ to $XY$ intersect $2$ again at point $R$. The common external tangents of $1$ and $2$ intersect them at $M, N, P, Q$ such that $M$ and $N$ lie on $1$ and $P$ and $Q$ on $2$. Now, by definition of point $R$, we know that it is the image of point $Y$ under the inverse homothety that sends $2$ to $1$. So we gain that $O_1X \parallel O_2Z, O_1Y \parallel O_2R, O_1M \parallel O_2Q$ and $O_1N \parallel O_2P$. Thus, by letting $M'$ and $N'$ to be the antipodes of $M$ and $N$ in $1$, respectively, we get that quadrilaters $XN'M'Y$ and $ZPQR$ are similar quadrilaters with sides respectively parallel. Thus, if we denote by $U$ and $V$ the intersections of the diagonals in the latter two, we get that $O_1U \parallel O_2V$. Now, by Pappus theorem for the hexagon $MN'XYM'N$ we get that $O_1, U$ and $W$ are collinear, where $W$ is the intersection of sides $MY$ and $NX$. But since $W$ is the pole of line $BD$ wrt. $1$, it means that $O_1U$ is perpendicular to $BD$ and therefor $O_2V$ is also perpendicular on line $BD$ and since $ZQ$ is the polar of point $B$ wrt. $2$, it follows that $DR$ is tangent to circle $2$. Since the inverse homothety that sends $1$ to $2$, also sends $Y$ to $R$, it means that the tangents in that points to the circle they are belonging to must be parallel and this ends the proof of the lemma.$\blacksquare$


And now, just observe that if one choose $F$ on the side $AD$ such that $CF \parallel AE $, then $BF \parallel DE$. But this is a very deep lemma which i will just conjecture as my folks did before...
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by StanleyST, Sep 22, 2014, 1:01 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
fmasroor
779 posts
#8 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
wait how is this even possible? if ABED and ACED are cyclic then B=C or B=E etc. what is going on?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
StanleyST
46 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
They are circumscribed, not cyclic. This may help you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangential_quadrilateral
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
DrMath
2130 posts
#10 • 3 Y
Y by 2015WOOTer, Adventure10, Mango247
WLOG $AD$ and $BC$ meet at a point such that $X$ is closer to $B$ than $C$, and closer to $A$ than $D$. Let $\omega_1$ be the circle tangent to segments $BC, AD, AB$ and $\omega_2$ the circle tangent to $BC, AD, CD$. Note that $EA$ is tangent to $\omega_2$ and $ED$ is tangent to $\omega_1$. Take $F$ to be the intersection of the tangent from $B$ to $\omega_2$ and from $C$ to $\omega_1$. The claim is that $F\in BC \iff AB\parallel CD$. Let $Z_1=AE\cap BF$ and $Z_2=DE\cap CF$. Take $T_1$ to be the tangency point of $AB$ and $\omega_1$, and $T_2$ the tangency point of $CD$ and $\omega_2$. Suppose $EZ_1, FZ_1, AD, BC$ hit $\omega_2$ at $V_1, U_1, V_2, U_2$ and the incircle of $\triangle ABZ_1$ hits $AZ_1$ at $U_3$ and $BZ_1$ at $V_3$.

We claim that independent of $F$ being on $AD$, the incircle of $ABZ_1$ is tangent to $AB$ at $T_1$. Note that $XU_2=XV_2$. Thus, $XB+BU_2=XA+AV_2$. But $BU_2=BV_1=BZ_1+Z_1V_1$ and $AV_2=AZ_1+Z_1U_1$, so $XB+BZ_1=XA+AZ_1$ since $Z_1U_1=Z_1V_1$. Note that $T_1$ is the intersection of the $X-$ excircle of $XAB$ with $AB$, so $2BT_1=XA+AB-XB = AB + BZ_1 - AZ_1$, implying $T_1$ is the intersection of the incircle of $ABZ_1$ with $AB$.

Note that $T_1$ is the exsimilicenter of the incircle of $ABZ_1$ and $\omega_1$, $Z_1$ is the insimilicenter of the incircle of $ABZ_1$ and $\omega_2$, and take $S$ to be the insimilicenter of $\omega_1, \omega_2$. By Monge, it follows $T_1, Z_1, S$ are collinear. By a similar argument, $T_2, Z_2, S$ are collinear. Note this holds regardless of $F$ lying on $AD$ or not.

If $F\in AD$ then note by Brianchon on $T_1BEZ_2FA$ we have $Z_1\in T_1Z_2$, so it follows that $T_1, Z_1, T_2, Z_2, $ and $S$ are collinear. But then a homothety at $S$ maps $T_1$ to $T_2$ and thus maps $AB$ to $CD$, implying $AB\parallel CD$ as desired.

If $AB\parallel CD$, then a homothety maps the two. Because they are tangent to $\omega_1, \omega_2$, it follows the homothety is actually centered at $S$; i.e. $T_1$ maps to $T_2$ and $T_1, T_2, S$ are collinear. But then it follows $T_1, Z_1, T_2, Z_2, S$ are collinear again. But then by the converse of Brianchon on $T_1BEZ_2FA$, we have $AF$ is tangent to $\omega_1$, and thus $F\in AD$ as desired. $\square$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MarkBcc168
1594 posts
#11 • 5 Y
Y by a_simple_guy, amar_04, k12byda5h, PHSH, Adventure10
Here is an amusing solution (in particular to the "only if" part).

First, we define a few points. Let $AD\cap BC$ and suppose that $A$ lie between $P$ and $D$. Let $\omega_1, \omega_2$ be the $P$-excircle of $\triangle PAB$ and the incircle of $\triangle PCD$ respectively. If point $E$ exists, note that incircles of $\square ABED$ and $\square AECD$ must be $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ respectively. Let $\omega_1$ touches $AB$ at $X$ and $\omega_2$ touches $CD$ at $Y$.

If part

Suppose that $AB\parallel CD$. Then since intouch point and ex-touch point are isotomic, we get $AX : XB = CY : YD$ or $AC, BD, XY$ are concurrent at $P$. Let $K=AE\cap XY$ and $L=DE\cap XY$. By the converse of Pappus' theorem, $BK,CL,AD$ are concurrent at say $F$. Then the converse of Brianchon's theorem on $FKECYD$ gives $FK$ is tangent to $\omega_2$. Similarly $FC$ is tangent to $\omega_1$ so we are done.

Only if part

Let $K=AE\cap BF$ and $L=DE\cap CF$. Then by Brianchon's theorem on $FKECYD$ and $FLEBXA$, we get $K,L,X,Y$ are colinear. By Pappus' theorem, we get $AC, BD, XY$ are concurrent at $Q$. We claim that this condition alone suffices to imply that $AB\parallel CD$.

Ignore the existence of $E,F$ for a while. Let us fix points $P,C,D,Y$ and animate $AB$ so that it's parallel to a fixed direction. Clearly $X$ move linearly through $P$ hence it has degree $1$, which means $XY$ also has degree $1$. Now lines $AC, BD$ both have degree $1$. Therefore the concurrency of $AC,BD,XY$ is a polynomial equation of degree $3$. However,
  • When $P=A=B$, we trivially get the concurrency.
  • When $AB$ is tangent to $\omega_2$, which has two such points. We get by Newton's theorem that $AC,BD,XY$ are concurrent. Hence we get two more solutions.
Therefore we get three solutions. But suppose that there is a fourth case, then this polynomial equation is trivial and holds for all positions of $A$. Now take $A=\infty_{PC}$ and $B=\infty_{PD}$. Then $AC\cap BD$ is the point $Q$ which $\square PCQD$ is parallelogram and we get that $P$-Nagel cevian of $\triangle PAB$ is parallel to $QY$.

However, if $Y'$ be the ex-touch point of $\triangle PCD$ to $CD$. Then clearly $PY'\parallel QY$. Therefore $P$-Nagel cevian of $\triangle PAB$ and $\triangle PCD$ are parallel. Hence this forces $AB\parallel CD$ as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by MarkBcc168, Jan 26, 2020, 2:12 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
olympiadguru
109 posts
#12
Y by
StanleyST wrote:
Proof: Let us denote by $I_1$ and $I_2$ the incenters of quadrilaters $ABED$ and $AECD$, respectively. We now want to show that $\angle I_1EB +\angle I_2EC < 180$. But this is equivalent to \[\dfrac{\angle DEB + \angle AEC}{2} < 180 \Leftrightarrow \angle DEA < 180.\]The latter one is obviously true, so now we can assume that quadrilaters $DI_2EC$ and $AI_1EB$ have disjoints interiors. Now, let $DI_2$ and $AI_1$ intersect at point $S$. Since we now that $\angle CI_2S + \angle BI_1S = 180$, we obtain that $\angle DSA \ge 90$. And from here we get that $\angle A + \angle D \le 180$. Now, if there exists a point $F$ on side $AD$ with the property from the initial statement, this would immediately imply the asked parallelism and thus, the direct implication of the problem is now solved.$\blacksquare$

In the first part of the proof, how does one obtain $\angle DSA\geq 90^{\circ}$?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mathaddiction
308 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by Muaaz.SY
[asy]
size(8cm); real labelscalefactor = 0.5; /* changes label-to-point distance */pen dps = linewidth(0.7) + fontsize(0); defaultpen(dps); /* default pen style */ pen dotstyle = black; /* point style */ real xmin = -19.63039912333734, xmax = 26.68947526417097, ymin = -32.275987904085106, ymax = 3.1062299323317006;  /* image dimensions */pen qqwuqq = rgb(0,0.39215686274509803,0); pen ccqqqq = rgb(0.8,0,0); pen zzttff = rgb(0.6,0.2,1); pen fuqqzz = rgb(0.9568627450980393,0,0.6);  /* draw figures */draw(circle((0,-3.5738153438382856), 3.5738153438382856), linewidth(0.8) + qqwuqq); draw(circle((0,-7.706753630253898), 7.706753630253898), linewidth(0.8) + qqwuqq); draw((-9.13446676468457,0)--(-4.158987308969112,-29.134333978127223), linewidth(0.8) + ccqqqq); draw((-4.158987308969112,-29.134333978127223)--(13.806530802986002,0), linewidth(0.8) + ccqqqq); draw((-9.13446676468457,0)--(13.806530802986002,0), linewidth(0.8)); draw((-7.596770457845079,-9.004108681210994)--(6.559830028817399,-11.751834780299859), linewidth(0.8)); draw((1.692286824355391,-19.64543564880979)--(-9.13446676468457,0), linewidth(0.8) + zzttff); draw((-5.785971385004689,-19.607393334474406)--(13.806530802986002,0), linewidth(0.8) + zzttff); draw((-1.1309907751085073,-17.08503718918843)--(0,0), linewidth(0.8) + linetype("4 4") + blue); draw((-7.148735896839129,-11.6276123355365)--(13.806530802986002,0), linewidth(0.8) + fuqqzz); draw((-9.13446676468457,0)--(5.480167093250628,-13.502703324841068), linewidth(0.8) + fuqqzz); draw((-5.785971385004689,-19.607393334474406)--(1.692286824355391,-19.64543564880979), linewidth(0.8)); draw((-7.148735896839129,-11.6276123355365)--(1.692286824355391,-19.64543564880979), linewidth(0.8)); draw((-5.785971385004689,-19.607393334474406)--(5.480167093250628,-13.502703324841068), linewidth(0.8));  /* dots and labels */dot((0,0),dotstyle); label("$T$", (-0.2142235678762541,0.75720302203017), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-9.13446676468457,0),dotstyle); label("$A$", (-10.23429148213122,0.50027820371594), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((13.806530802986002,0),dotstyle); label("$B$", (13.953344984879852,0.35346402182209435), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-7.148735896839129,-11.6276123355365),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$F$", (-7.004379480466616,-11.318263438738636), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((5.480167093250628,-13.502703324841068),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$E$", (5.621640162404111,-13.22684780335863), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((1.692286824355391,-19.64543564880979),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$C$", (1.841174978637585,-19.356339897426686), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-5.785971385004689,-19.607393334474406),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$D$", (-6.820861753099308,-19.20952571553284), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-1.1309907751085073,-17.08503718918843),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$G$", (-0.9849980228189438,-16.787091714284387), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-0.5264750113938703,-7.953066768364755),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$H$", (-0.39774129524356117,-7.647908891392495), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-0.9795489312827065,-14.797317792436585),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$I$", (-2.049400841549325,-14.658286076823625), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-4.158987308969112,-29.134333978127223),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$J$", (-3.9946887516427796,-28.825854629579734), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-2.425237718052289,-6.198768319186698),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$K$", (-2.2696221143900934,-5.922842254139808), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((1.7339794836072189,-6.698790745706788),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$L$", (1.8778785241110465,-6.3999883452948065), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-7.596770457845079,-9.004108681210994),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$M$", (-8.876260299613147,-9.152754255804414), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((6.559830028817399,-11.751834780299859),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$N$", (8.007370618179102,-12.089037893681326), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((-3.7620412386227797,-9.748410646115838),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$O$", (-3.6276532969081656,-9.446382619592104), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((2.7939958103323024,-11.020904994104214),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$P$", (2.611949433580275,-12.052334348207864), NE * labelscalefactor); clip((xmin,ymin)--(xmin,ymax)--(xmax,ymax)--(xmax,ymin)--cycle); 
[/asy]
We first show the main lemma:
Lemma. Suppose $F,E$ are points on the sides $JA$ and $JB$ of a triangle $\triangle JAB$. Let $H=AE\cap FB$, let $\omega$ be the incircle of $AJB$ and suppose it touches $AB$ at $T$. Suppose the second tangent of $F$ to $\omega$ intersect $BJ$ at $C$, and the second tangent of $E$ to $\omega$ intersect $AJ$ at $D$. Let $FC\cap DE=G$, $AC\cap DB=I$. If $HFJE$ is a circumscribed quadrilateral, then $T,H,I,G$ are collinear.
Proof.
By Pappus Theorem, $H,I,G$ are collinear.
We now show that $T,H,I$ are collinear. Suppose $\omega$ touches $JA,JB$ at $M,N$. From Claim 3 of my post here, the incircle of $\triangle AHB$ is tangent to $AB$ at $T$.
Now Suppose $AB\cap MN=Q$, $TH\cap MN=R$, we have
$$-1=(Q,T;A,B)\overset{H}{=}(Q,R;P,O)$$Therefore, $R$ lies on $IH$, which proves the lemma. $\blacksquare$

We now return to the original problem, suppose $AD\cap BC=J$ WLOG assume $AB$ lies on different sides of $CD$ as $J$.
Suppose such point $F$ exists, Suppose the incircle of $\triangle GCD$ intersect $CD$ at $U$, then the $J-$excircle of $\triangle JCD$ also intersect the line $CD$ at $U$.
From the lemma, $T,H,I,G,U$ are collinear. Therefore, the homothety at $G$ will send $\omega$, the incircle of $\triangle JAB$ to $\omega_1$, the incircle of $\triangle GCD$, hence tangent at $T$ to $\omega$, AB and tangent at $U$ to $\omega_1$, CD are parallel as desired.

Suppose $AB\|CD$, suppose the second tangent at $B$ to the $J-$excircle of $\triangle JCD$ intersect $AJ$ again at $F'$.
Suppose the second tangent at $F$ and $C$ to incircle of $\triangle JAB$ intersect DE at $G_1,G_2$ respectively.
Then the homothety at $G_2$ which sends the incircle of $\triangle JAB$ to the incircle of $\triangle G_2CD$ will sends $T$ to $U$, hence $T,G_2,U$ are collinear. The homothety at $H'$ with sends the inircle of $\triangle HAB$ to the incircle of $HF'JE$ also sends $T$ to $U$, this implies $T,H',U$ are collinear. Meanwhile, by the lemma, $T,H',G_1$ are collinear. Therefore, $G_1=TU\cap DE=G_2$
Therefore, $F'C$ is tangent to the incircle of $\triangle JAB$.
Therefore, $AF'CB$ is circumscribed as well, hence $F'$ is the desired point, this completes the proof.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
JAnatolGT_00
559 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by PRMOisTheHardestExam
Denote by $\omega_1,\omega_2$ circles with centers $I_1,I_2$ which tangent to sides $DA,AB,BC$ and $BC,CD,DA$ of quadrilateral respectively. Redefine $E\in BC$ as intersection of tangents from $A$ to $\omega_2$ and from $D$ to $\omega_1$ different from $AB,CD.$ Redefine $F$ analogously.


Assume that $AB\parallel CD.$ We claim that $AE\parallel CF$ and similarly $BF\parallel DE.$ Let $G=AD\cap BC,$ so $I_1I_2$ bisects angle $AGB$ and $$\measuredangle AI_1G=\frac{\measuredangle ABG}{2}=\frac{\measuredangle DCG}{2}=\measuredangle DCI_2\implies GAI_1\stackrel{+}{\sim} GI_2C\implies GAI_2\stackrel{+}{\sim} GI_1C\implies$$$$\implies \measuredangle BAE+\measuredangle FCD=\measuredangle BAD+\measuredangle BCD+2(\measuredangle DAI_2+\measuredangle I_1CB)=\measuredangle BGA+\measuredangle AGB=0\implies AE\parallel CF.$$Now Pappus on $(B,E,C),(\infty_{AE},\infty_{AB},\infty_{BF})$ gives $F\in AD$ $\Box$


Assume that $F\in AD.$ Let $X=AE\cap BF,$ $Y=CF\cap DE,P=\omega_1\cap AB,Q=\omega_2\cap CD.$ Easy to see that $$|EX|+|EY|=|FX|+|FY|,$$so there exist circle which tangent to all sidelines of $EXYF$ and by Monge center of internal homothety $\phi :\omega_1\mapsto \omega_2$ lies on $XY.$ Brianchon on $APBEYF,CQDFXE$ gives $P,Q\in XY,$ so in fact $\phi (P)=Q\implies AB\parallel CD$ $\Box$
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by JAnatolGT_00, Jul 23, 2022, 10:49 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Inconsistent
1455 posts
#15
Y by
Such a degen problem... too much projective.

Let $X = BC \cap AD$ and let $\Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$ be the $X$-excircle of $XBC$ and incircle of $XAD$ respectively with WLOG $X$ is closer to $BC$ than $AD$. Then given a point $S$ on $BC$, we can draw a tangent from $S$ to either circle $\Gamma$ that is not $BC$ and intersect it with $AD$ to obtain a point on $AD$. We can follow this up with a projection at the point at infinity perpendicular to the angle bisector of $\angle BXC$ to yield a projective map from $BC$ to itself. The original map is projective because it is constituted by a projection from $AD$ to a pencil through the center of $\Gamma$, followed by a rotation via two composed reflections and ending with a projection from the pencil to $BC$. We now project all the points in the diagram via that point at infinity onto $BC$.

Now let $g_1, g_2$ represent the two such maps via $\Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$. Align coordinate axes so that the angle bisector of $\angle BXC$ is vertical, then notice that top and bottom points of $\Gamma_1$, when projected horizontally onto $BC$, are fixed by $g_1$. Thus $g_1$ is an inversion through the horizontal projection of the center of $\Gamma_1$ onto $BC$. The same logic holds for $g_2$. Now that since we must have $\Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$ intersect, it follows that the two circles of inversion of $g_1, g_2$ also intersect. Let them intersect at $P, Q$, then there exists a circle centered at the exsimilicenter of the two circles of inversion passing through $P, Q$ that swaps the two circles of inversion. By scaling symmetry at $X$, it follows that the exsimilicenter of the two circles of inversion is $X$.

Now take a homography mapping $P$ to $0$ and $Q$ to $\infty$, and scale so that $BC$ maps to the unit circle. Then the circles of inversion for $g_1, g_2$, and the circle around $X$ are each mapped to lines through the origin. Now notice that the existence of $F$ is equivalent to the claim that $g_1g_2g_1g_2g_1g_2 = e$, or that the order of $g_1g_2$ is exactly three. In this case, since $g_1g_2$ is a rotation around the origin, it must be $120^{\circ}$, so it follows that two lines corresponding to $g_1, g_2$ are $60^{\circ}$ apart. Finally, since these are symmetric around $x$, the line corresponding to the circle through $X$, it follows that that line is either their internal angle bisector or their external angle bisector. If the angles between these lines are $30^{\circ}$, since $E, F$ must lie on their respective sides, that means there must be a point on the unit circle in the length-six image of the $A$ both between $x, g_1$ and $x, g_2$. However this is impossible since the sextant which the point lies in rotates each time $g_1, g_2$ are taken in their described order, so it must be the case that $g_1, g_2, x$ are pairwise $60^{\circ}$ from one another. Now one can easily verify that a reflection about $g_1, g_2, g_1$ is equivalent to a reflection about $x$, so it follows that $C, D$ are the images of $A, B$ under an inversion at $X$ after the projection onto $BC$, so in the original diagram, it follows that $AB$ is parallel to $CD$.

If you start from $AB || CD$, you get from algebra that since $g_1, g_2$ are symmetric about $x$, and $g_1g_2g_1 = x$, you get that $g_1$ is one of the angle bisectors between $x, g_2$ and already know that $x$ is one of the angle bisectors between $g_1, g_2$. It follows that they are at $60^{\circ}$ angles from one another, and then you can derive the original order $3$ from there. Thus we have proven both directions, finishing.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
awesomeming327.
1677 posts
#16
Y by
...

First, we prove a lemma.
Lemma wrote:
Let $ABCD$ be a non-tangential quadrilateral such that $AD$ is not parallel to $CB$. Let $AD$ intersect $BC$ at $E$, $AC$ intersect $BD$ at $M$. Let $Y$ be the point where the $E$-excenter of $\triangle ECD$ intersects $CD$, and let $Z$ be the point where the incenter of $\triangle EAB$ intersects $AB$. Then, $Z$, $M$, $Y$ are collinear if and only if $AB\parallel CD$.

If $AB\parallel CD$ then let $Z'$ be the point on $AB$ such that $AZ=BZ'$. Note that $Z'$ is the point where the $E$-excenter of $\triangle EAB$ intersects $AB$, so the homothety at $E$ that takes $CD$ to $AB$ takes $Y$ to $Z'$, so $E$, $Y$, $Z'$ are collinear. Let $YM$ intersect $AB$ at $Y'$ then
\[(P_\infty,Z;B,A)=(P_\infty,Z';A,B)\stackrel{E}{=}(P_\infty,Y;D,C)\stackrel{M}{=}(P_\infty,Y';B,A)\]so $Z=Y'$ and so $Z$, $M$, $Y$ collinear.

Now suppose $Z$, $M$, $Y$ are collinear. If $AB$ and $CD$ are parallel then we are done. Otherwise, let them intersect at $P$. Without loss of generality, let $A$ and $D$ be closer to $P$, $C$ and $D$ be closer to $E$. We have $(P,Z;A,B)\stackrel{M}{=}(P,Y;C,D)$ which gives
\[\frac{PA\cdot ZB}{ZA\cdot PB}=\frac{PC\cdot YD}{YC\cdot PD}\implies \frac{PA\cdot PD}{PB\cdot PC}=\frac{ZA\cdot YD}{YC\cdot ZB}\]Note that
\begin{align*}
\frac{PA\cdot PD}{PB\cdot PC} &= \frac{PA}{PC}\cdot \frac{PD}{PB}\\
&= \frac{\sin(\angle PCA)}{\sin(\angle PAC)}\cdot \frac{\sin(\angle PBD)}{\sin(\angle PDB)}\\
&= \frac{\sin(\angle DCM)}{\sin(\angle BAM)}\cdot \frac{\sin(\angle ABM)}{\sin(\angle CDM)}\\
&= \frac{\sin(\angle DCM)}{\sin(\angle CDM)}\cdot \frac{\sin(\angle ABM)}{\sin(\angle BAM)}\\
&= \frac{DM}{CM}\cdot \frac{AM}{BM}\\
&= \frac{MA}{MC}\cdot \frac{MD}{MB}
\end{align*}We now use Menelaus to further manipulate this. We know that from Menelaus on $\triangle ACE$ and line $MBD$:
\[\frac{MA}{MC}\cdot \frac{BC}{BE}\cdot \frac{DE}{DA}=1\]and from Menelaus on $\triangle BDE$ and line $MAC$:
\[\frac{MD}{MB}\cdot \frac{AE}{AD}\cdot \frac{CB}{CE}=1\]so
\[\frac{MA}{MC}\cdot \frac{MD}{MB}=\frac{AD^2\cdot BE\cdot CE}{BC^2\cdot AE\cdot DE}\]Let $a,b,c,d$ denote $EA$, $EB$, $EC$, and $E$, respectively. Let $x$ be $AB$ and $y$ be $CD$. From the Law of Cosines, we have
\[\frac{x^2-a^2-b^2}{2ab}=\frac{y^2-c^2-d^2}{2cd}=-\cos(\angle E)\]so
\[\frac{x^2-a^2-b^2+2ab}{2ab}=\frac{y^2-c^2-d^2+2cd}{2cd}\]Note that $x^2-a^2-b^2+2ab=(x-a+b)(x+a-b)=4AZ\cdot BZ$ and $y^2-c^2-d^2+2cd=(y-c+d)(y+d-c)=4CY\cdot DY$ so
\[\frac{AZ\cdot BZ}{CY\cdot DY}=\frac{x^2-a^2-b^2+2ab}{y^2-c^2-d^2+2cd}=\frac{ab}{cd}\]Note that the second fraction cannot be indeterminate as that would imply $y=c-d$ which violates the triangle inequality. Now,
\[\frac{AZ\cdot DY}{CY\cdot BZ}=\frac{AD^2bc}{BC^2ad}\]and dividing the two and taking the square root gives that
\[\frac{DY}{BZ}=\frac{AD\cdot CE}{BC\cdot AE}\implies \frac{DA}{DY}\cdot \frac{EC}{EA}\cdot \frac{BZ}{BC}=1\]recall that
\[\frac{MB}{MD}\cdot \frac{AD}{AE}\cdot \frac{CE}{CB}=1\]from Menelaus and so we can compare the two and deduce that
\[\frac{MB}{MD}=\frac{BZ}{DY}\]and this implies that $\angle BZM$ and $\angle MYD$ are either equal or supplements. Since we already assumed that $AB$ isn't parallel to $CD$, we can assume that they are supplements. Let the altitudes from $Z$ to $AB$ and from $Y$ to $CD$ intersect at $O$. Since $\angle BZY=\angle CYZ$, we have $\triangle YOZ$ isosceles so $OZ=OY$. Therefore, there exists a circle $\omega$ centered at $O$ tangent to $AB$ at $Z$ and $CD$ at $Y$. Let $A'$, $B'$, $C'$, $D'$ be on $AZ,BZ,CY,DY$, respectively, such that $A'D'$ is parallel to $AD$, $B'C'$ is parallel to $BC$, and $\omega$ is the incircle of $A'B'C'D'$.

There is a homothety centered at $Z$ that takes the incircle of $\triangle EAB$ to $\omega$. This homothety must also take $AB$ to $A'B'$. In particular, we have $A'Z/AZ=B'Z/BZ$. Similarly, $C'Y/CY=D'Y/DY$. Let $PZ=PY=z$ because $\angle PZY=\angle PYZ$, and let $AZ=p$, $BZ=q$, $DY=r$, and $CY=s$. Furthermore, let $A'Z=pu$, $B'Z=qu$, $D'Y=rv$, and $C'Y=sv$. The factors of the two homotheties taking the incircle of $\triangle EAB$ and the $E$-excircle of $\triangle ECD$ to $\omega$. are $u$ and $v$, respectively.

We have $AD\parallel A'D'$ and $BC\parallel B'C'$ implying
\[\frac{z-p}{z-pu}=\frac{z-r}{z-rv}\text{ and }\frac{z+q}{z+qu}=\frac{z+s}{z+sv}\]By Brianchon's on $A'ZB'C'YD'$, $A'C'$, $B'D'$ and $YZ$ are concurrent. Now note that $(P,Z;A,B)\stackrel{M}{=}(P,Y,C,D)$ and $(P,Z;A',B')\stackrel{M}{=}(P,Y,C',D')$ gives
\[\frac{(z-p)q}{(z+q)p}=\frac{(z+s)r}{(z-r)s}\text{ and }\frac{(z-pu)q}{(z+qu)p}=\frac{(z+sv)r}{(z-rv)s}\]Combining the two gives
\[\frac{z-p}{z-pu}\cdot \frac{z+qu}{z+q}=\frac{z+s}{z+sv}\cdot \frac{z-rv}{z-r}=\frac{z-pu}{z-u}\cdot \frac{z+q}{z+qu}\]and this implies that $PA/PB=PA'/PB'$, which implies that $u=1$. This also implies $v=1$ so $\omega$ is both the incircle of $\triangle EAD$ and the $E$-excircle of $\triangle CDE$, implying that $ABCD$ is tangential, which we assumed is not true. This concludes our proof of the lemma. $\blacksquare$

$~$
Now we proceed with the main argument. Let $AD$ and $BC$ intersect at $W$. Without loss of generality, let $C$ and $D$ be closer to $W$. Let the incircle of $\triangle ABW$ be $\omega_1$ and intersect $AB$ at $Z$. Let the $W$-excircle of $\triangle CDW$ be $\omega_2$ and intersect $CD$ at $Y$. Let $AC$ and $BD$ intersect at $M$. Since $ABED$ and $AECD$ are tangential, $AE$ is tangent to $\omega_2$ and $ED$ is tangent to $\omega_1$. Let $F$ be the point such that $CF$ is tangent to $\omega_1$. A point as described in the problem exists if and only if $BF$ is tangent to $\omega_2$. Let $AE$ and $BF$ intersect at $T$, $CF$ intersect $DE$ at $U$.

By Brianchon's on $AZBEUF$, $Z$ is on $TU$. By Pappus on $AFD$ and $BEC$, $M$ is on $TU$. $Y$ is on $TU$ if and only if $Y$ is on $ZM$. Since $ABCD$ is clearly not tangential, by the lemma, this is if and only if $AB$ and $CD$ are parallel. Therefore, $AB\parallel CD$ if and only if $Y$ is on $TU$. Clearly, if $BF$ is tangent to $\omega_2$ then Brianchon's on $FTECYD$ gives $Y$ on $TU$, which in turn gives $AB\parallel CD$.

Suppose $AB\parallel CD$. Redefine $F$ to be the intersection of the tangents from $B$ to $\omega_2$ and $C$ to $\omega_1$. We'll show that $F$ is on $AD$ and thus is the point we want. There exists a negative homothety at $M$ that takes $AB$ to $CD$. This also takes $\omega_1$ to $\omega_2$ so it will take line $BF$ to line $DE$. In particular, $BF\parallel DE$ and so $AE\parallel CF$. Let $AE$ and $DE$ intersect $CD$ and $AB$ at $H$ and $I$, respectively. Let $BF$ and $CF$ intersect $CD$ and $AB$ at $J$ and $K$ respectively.

Note that
\[(P_\infty,B;A,I)\stackrel{E}{=}(P_\infty,C;H,D)\implies BI\cdot CH=AB\cdot CD\]but we see that $BIDJ$ and $KAHC$ are parallelograms so $DJ=BI$ and $KA=CH$. This means that $JD\cdot KA=AB\cdot CD$ so $(P_\infty,A;B,K)=(P_\infty,D;J,C)$. This means that $AD$, $BJ$, and $CK$ are concurrent which means that $F$ is on $AD$ as desired.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by awesomeming327., Jun 13, 2024, 2:13 AM
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a