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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 2025
0 replies
Difficult Inequality
EthanWYX2009   3
N 15 minutes ago by RainbowNeos
$a_1,\ldots ,a_n>0,$ show that
\[\frac{a_1}{a_1+a_2}+\frac{a_2}{a_2+a_3}+\cdots +\frac{a_n}{a_n+a_1}\ge\frac{a_1+a_2+\cdots +a_n}{a_1+a_2+\cdots +a_n-(n-2)\sqrt[n]{a_1a_2\cdots a_n}}>1.\]
3 replies
EthanWYX2009
Apr 25, 2025
RainbowNeos
15 minutes ago
Modular Strip
MarkBcc168   11
N 33 minutes ago by YaoAOPS
Source: IMO Shortlist 2023 C4
Let $n\geqslant 2$ be a positive integer. Paul has a $1\times n^2$ rectangular strip consisting of $n^2$ unit squares, where the $i^{\text{th}}$ square is labelled with $i$ for all $1\leqslant i\leqslant n^2$. He wishes to cut the strip into several pieces, where each piece consists of a number of consecutive unit squares, and then translate (without rotating or flipping) the pieces to obtain an $n\times n$ square satisfying the following property: if the unit square in the $i^{\text{th}}$ row and $j^{\text{th}}$ column is labelled with $a_{ij}$, then $a_{ij}-(i+j-1)$ is divisible by $n$.

Determine the smallest number of pieces Paul needs to make in order to accomplish this.
11 replies
+1 w
MarkBcc168
Jul 17, 2024
YaoAOPS
33 minutes ago
amazing balkan combi
egxa   4
N 44 minutes ago by SomeonesPenguin
Source: BMO 2025 P4
There are $n$ cities in a country, where $n \geq 100$ is an integer. Some pairs of cities are connected by direct (two-way) flights. For two cities $A$ and $B$ we define:

$(i)$ A $\emph{path}$ between $A$ and $B$ as a sequence of distinct cities $A = C_0, C_1, \dots, C_k, C_{k+1} = B$, $k \geq 0$, such that there are direct flights between $C_i$ and $C_{i+1}$ for every $0 \leq i \leq k$;
$(ii)$ A $\emph{long path}$ between $A$ and $B$ as a path between $A$ and $B$ such that no other path between $A$ and $B$ has more cities;
$(iii)$ A $\emph{short path}$ between $A$ and $B$ as a path between $A$ and $B$ such that no other path between $A$ and $B$ has fewer cities.
Assume that for any pair of cities $A$ and $B$ in the country, there exist a long path and a short path between them that have no cities in common (except $A$ and $B$). Let $F$ be the total number of pairs of cities in the country that are connected by direct flights. In terms of $n$, find all possible values $F$

Proposed by David-Andrei Anghel, Romania.
4 replies
egxa
Yesterday at 1:57 PM
SomeonesPenguin
44 minutes ago
Interesting number theory
giangtruong13   2
N an hour ago by epl1
Source: Hanoi Specialized School’s Practical Math Entrance Exam (Round 2)
Let $a,b$ be integer numbers $\geq 3$ satisfy that:$a^2=b^3+ab$. Prove that:
a) $a,b$ are even
b) $4b+1$ is a perfect square number
c) $a$ can’t be any power $\geq 1$ of a positive integer number
2 replies
giangtruong13
Today at 4:15 PM
epl1
an hour ago
No more topics!
Inscribed semicircles
Arne   9
N Mar 29, 2006 by frengo
Source: South Africa 2002
In acute-angled triangle $ABC$, a semicircle with radius $r_a$ is constructed with its base on $BC$ and tangent to the other two sides. $r_b$ and $r_c$ are defined similarly. $r$ is the radius of the incircle of $ABC$. Show that \[ \frac{2}{r} = \frac{1}{r_a} + \frac{1}{r_b} + \frac{1}{r_c}. \]
9 replies
Arne
Oct 13, 2005
frengo
Mar 29, 2006
Inscribed semicircles
G H J
Source: South Africa 2002
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Arne
3660 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
In acute-angled triangle $ABC$, a semicircle with radius $r_a$ is constructed with its base on $BC$ and tangent to the other two sides. $r_b$ and $r_c$ are defined similarly. $r$ is the radius of the incircle of $ABC$. Show that \[ \frac{2}{r} = \frac{1}{r_a} + \frac{1}{r_b} + \frac{1}{r_c}. \]
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ociretsih
111 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
If $AD$ is the bisector of $\angle BAC$, then $AD=\frac{2bc}{b+c}\cos\frac{\hat A}2$, $D$ is the center
of the semicircle and $\angle DAC=\frac{\hat A}2$, so we have
\[ r_a=AD\cdot\sin\frac{\hat A} 2=\frac{bc}{b+c}\sin\hat A=\frac{2sr}{b+c} \]
where, as usual, $s=\frac{a+b+c}2$.
Consequently
\[ \frac 1{r_a}+\frac 1{r_b}+\frac 1{r_c}=\frac{b+c}{2sr}+\frac{c+a}{2sr}+\frac{a+b}{2sr}=\frac{4s}{2sr}=\frac 2 r \]
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darij grinberg
6555 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Another solution:

Let the angle bisectors of the angles CAB, ABC and BCA intersect the lines BC, CA and AB at the points X, Y and Z, respectively. Also, we know that these angle bisectors all meet at the incenter I of triangle ABC. Then, by the Gergonne theorem (see http://cut-the-knot.com/triangle/Gergonne.shtml ), we have $\frac{AI}{AX}+\frac{BI}{BY}+\frac{CI}{CZ}=2$.

Since the semicircle with radius $r_a$ touches the sides CA and AB of the triangle ABC, its center must lie on the angle bisector of the angle between these two sides, i. e. on the angle bisector of the angle CAB. On the other hand, since this semicircle has its base on the line BC, its center must lie on the line BC. Thus, the center of the semicircle with radius $r_a$ is the point of intersection of the angle bisector of the angle CAB with the line BC, i. e. the point X. Similarly, the centers of the semicircles with radii $r_b$ and $r_c$ are the points Y and Z.

Now, consider the incircle of triangle ABC and the circle with center X and radius $r_a$. The lines CA and AB touch both of these circles; thus, they are the external common tangents of these two circles; consequently, the point of intersection A of these lines CA and AB is the external center of similitude of these two circles. Hence, there exists a homothety with center A which maps the circle with center X and radius $r_a$ to the incircle of triangle ABC.

Now, on the one hand, the ratio of this homothety is $\frac{r}{r_a}$ (in fact, it maps the circle with center X and radius $r_a$ to the incircle of triangle ABC with radius r), but on the other hand, the ratio of this homothety is $\frac{AI}{AX}$ (in fact, it has the center A, and it maps the circle with center X and radius $r_a$ to the incircle of triangle ABC with center I). Hence, $\frac{r}{r_a}=\frac{AI}{AX}$. Similarly, $\frac{r}{r_b}=\frac{BI}{BY}$ and $\frac{r}{r_c}=\frac{CI}{CZ}$. Hence, the equation $\frac{AI}{AX}+\frac{BI}{BY}+\frac{CI}{CZ}=2$ becomes $\frac{r}{r_a}+\frac{r}{r_b}+\frac{r}{r_c}=2$, so that $\frac{1}{r_a} + \frac{1}{r_b} + \frac{1}{r_c} = \frac{2}{r}$, and we are done.

Please forgive me for my style (I'm half asleep)...

Darij
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Arne
3660 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
This problem was created by Bruce Merry, former South African gold medalist :)
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Beat
662 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
By Cauchy we have that $(r_a+r_b+r_c)\left(\frac{1}{r_a}+\frac{1}{r_b}+\frac{1}{r_c}\right)\geq 9$
Bur since $\frac{1}{r_a}+\frac{1}{r_b}+\frac{1}{r_c}=\frac{2}{r}$, we have that
$\frac{9}{2}r \leq r_a+r_b+r_c$

This problem reminds so much (Tobias Pfanner 2004, Bosnia - Herzegovina Mathematical Olympiad 2002, USA International Math Talent Search IMTS 1992, Day 1, Australian-Polish Mathematical Competition APMC 1981)
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?highlight=r_ar_b+tobias&t=55605

So,can we find the best constant $c$ such that $r_a+r_b+r_c\leq cr$
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armpist
527 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Wonderful solution, Darij!

You skillfully avoided steering the solution towards the infamous Inradii Problem,

a fact which will anger Yetti , but it is OK.

It was also easy to tell that you were partially asleep, because you mentioned

'the other hand' 3 times. Was it, by chance, Gergonne's hand you were dreaming

of?


Viva Gergonne!



Thank you.

M.T.
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darij grinberg
6555 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Beat wrote:
So,can we find the best constant $c$ such that $r_a+r_b+r_c\leq cr$

Nice question. In fact, we have $r_a+r_b+r_c<5r$, and the bound is sharp (equality is obtained for the degenerate triangle with sidelengths 0, 1, 1).

Proof. We have to show the inequality $r_a+r_b+r_c<5r$. Division by r transforms this into $\frac{r_a}{r}+\frac{r_b}{r}+\frac{r_c}{r}<5$.

Now, since $\frac{r}{r_a}=\frac{AI}{AX}$, we have $\frac{r_a}{r}=\frac{AX}{AI}$. Now, $\frac{AI}{IX}=\frac{b+c}{a}$ (this is a well-known fact; it was proven, e. g., in http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=50582 post #3, second solution, in the equivalent form $\frac{CI}{IW_c}=\frac{a+b}{c}$). Thus, $\frac{IX}{AI}=\frac{a}{b+c}$, so that $\frac{AX}{AI}=\frac{AI+IX}{AI}=1+\frac{IX}{AI}=1+\frac{a}{b+c}$. Hence, $\frac{r_a}{r}=\frac{AX}{AI}=1+\frac{a}{b+c}$. Similarly, $\frac{r_b}{r}=1+\frac{b}{c+a}$ and $\frac{r_c}{r}=1+\frac{c}{a+b}$. Hence, the inequality in question, $\frac{r_a}{r}+\frac{r_b}{r}+\frac{r_c}{r}<5$, becomes $\left(1+\frac{a}{b+c}\right)+\left(1+\frac{b}{c+a}\right)+\left(1+\frac{c}{a+b}\right)<5$, or, equivalently, $\frac{a}{b+c}+\frac{b}{c+a}+\frac{c}{a+b}<2$. But this is a well-known triangle inequality and was proven in http://www.mathlinks.ro/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=42896 . Proof complete.
armpist wrote:
Wonderful solution, Darij!

Thank you :oops:
armpist wrote:
You skillfully avoided steering the solution towards the infamous Inradii Problem, a fact which will anger Yetti , but it is OK.

Ehm, it is OK, but I would state it a bit differently: Unlike you, I don't feel obliged to attempt to link every single geometrical problem to the CBT, or to the inradii problem, or any of your other few idee-fixes (though I am fond of interconnections between different problems - but they must really exist and not just be pure speculations).
armpist wrote:
It was also easy to tell that you were partially asleep, because you mentioned 'the other hand' 3 times.

Hmm, I found it only 2 times in my post. However, I am not really famous on this forum for the literary diversity of my posts and their imaginative language, as I am, alas, not a poet, and prefer mathematical correctness.
armpist wrote:
M.T.

Major who (this time)?

PS. Just wanted to say that I did receive your PM on the Apollonius circles - which are actually not really Apollonius circles, i. e. this is not their main significance, but I'll let you figure out why -, and I liked the result - it seems to be true, yes. What you are good in is making conjectures, as you seem to have a quite precise geometrical intuition. I am thinking about the proof, and I hope I will find it in the next time.

Darij
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armpist
527 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Hello Darij,

Thanks for your unexpectedly kind words. Is it the Holidays Season that

did the trick of mellowing you down? Have a good Holiday!


Anyways, as usual I have a question to ask:

There is another relationship in this particular triangle 1 / r - 1 / Rc = 1 / Hc

r - incircle, Rc - semicircle on side c, Hc - altitude to c

Naturally, the same for a and b.

How to prove this without pain? Is there anything up Gergonne's sleeve to handle

this algebra?


Thank you.

M.T.
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Virgil Nicula
7054 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
This problem is nice and very naturally. Here is the shortest proof (in my opinion).
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Virgil Nicula, Mar 30, 2006, 8:03 AM
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frengo
28 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
here is another solution:

distances from a point $P$ on the side $AB$ of the triangle $ABC$ to the lines $AC$ and $BC$ are $kh_b$ and $(1-k)h_a$, where $h_a,h_b,h_c$ are the altitudes of the triangle $ABC$, for some $k$.we search $k$ for which $kh_b=(1-k)h_a$ that give us $k=\frac{h_a}{h_a+h_b}$, so the equal distances (that are the same of $r_c$) are $\frac{h_ah_b}{h_a+h_b}$.

so

$\frac{1}{r_a}+\frac{1}{r_b}+\frac{1}{r_c}=$ $\frac{h_b+h_c}{h_bh_c}+\frac{h_a+h_c}{h_ah_c}+\frac{h_a+h_b}{h_ah_b}$ $=\frac{2}{h_a}+\frac{2}{h_b}+\frac{2}{h_c}$

$\frac{2}{h_a}+\frac{2}{h_b}+\frac{2}{h_c}$ $=\frac{2a}{ah_a}+\frac{2b}{bh_b}+\frac{2c}{ch_c}$ $=\frac{a+b+c}{S}=\frac{2}{r}$
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