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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.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

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[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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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
Random Points = Problem
kingu   4
N a few seconds ago by zuat.e
Source: Chinese Geometry Handout
Let $ABC$ be a triangle. Let $\omega$ be a circle passing through $B$ intersecting $AB$ at $D$ and $BC$ at $F$. Let $G$ be the intersection of $AF$ and $\omega$. Further, let $M$ and $N$ be the intersections of $FD$ and $DG$ with the tangent to $(ABC)$ at $A$. Now, let $L$ be the second intersection of $MC$ and $(ABC)$. Then, prove that $M$ , $L$ , $D$ , $E$ and $N$ are concyclic.
4 replies
kingu
Apr 27, 2024
zuat.e
a few seconds ago
CooL geo
Pomegranat   2
N a minute ago by Curious_Droid
Source: Idk

In triangle \( ABC \), \( D \) is the midpoint of \( BC \). \( E \) is an arbitrary point on \( AC \). Let \( S \) be the intersection of \( AD \) and \( BE \). The line \( CS \) intersects with the circumcircle of \( ACD \), for the second time at \( K \). \( P \) is the circumcenter of triangle \( ABE \). Prove that \( PK \perp CK \).
2 replies
Pomegranat
Yesterday at 5:57 AM
Curious_Droid
a minute ago
Unique Rational Number Representation
abhisruta03   18
N 15 minutes ago by Reacheddreams
Source: ISI 2021 P3
Prove that every positive rational number can be expressed uniquely as a finite sum of the form $$a_1+\frac{a_2}{2!}+\frac{a_3}{3!}+\dots+\frac{a_n}{n!},$$where $a_n$ are integers such that $0 \leq a_n \leq n-1$ for all $n > 1$.
18 replies
abhisruta03
Jul 18, 2021
Reacheddreams
15 minutes ago
Math solution
Techno0-8   1
N 33 minutes ago by jasperE3
Solution
1 reply
Techno0-8
3 hours ago
jasperE3
33 minutes ago
D1027 : Super Schoof
Dattier   1
N 41 minutes ago by Dattier
Source: les dattes à Dattier
Let $p>11$ a prime number with $a=\text{card}\{(x,y) \in \mathbb Z/ p \mathbb Z: y^2=x^3+1\}$ and $b=\dfrac 1 {((p-1)/2)! \times ((p-1)/3)! \times ((p-1)/6)!} \mod p$ when $p \mod 3=1$.



Is it true that if $p \mod 3=1$ then $a \in \{b,p-b, \min\{b,p-b\}+p\}$ else $A=p$.
1 reply
Dattier
3 hours ago
Dattier
41 minutes ago
minimizing sum
gggzul   0
43 minutes ago
Let $x, y, z$ be real numbers such that $x^2+y^2+z^2=1$. Find
$$min\{12x-4y-3z\}.$$
0 replies
gggzul
43 minutes ago
0 replies
Prove that 4p-3 is a square - Iran NMO 2005 - Problem1
sororak   23
N an hour ago by reni_wee
Let $n,p>1$ be positive integers and $p$ be prime. We know that $n|p-1$ and $p|n^3-1$. Prove that $4p-3$ is a perfect square.
23 replies
sororak
Sep 21, 2010
reni_wee
an hour ago
IMO 2009, Problem 2
orl   142
N an hour ago by pi271828
Source: IMO 2009, Problem 2
Let $ ABC$ be a triangle with circumcentre $ O$. The points $ P$ and $ Q$ are interior points of the sides $ CA$ and $ AB$ respectively. Let $ K,L$ and $ M$ be the midpoints of the segments $ BP,CQ$ and $ PQ$. respectively, and let $ \Gamma$ be the circle passing through $ K,L$ and $ M$. Suppose that the line $ PQ$ is tangent to the circle $ \Gamma$. Prove that $ OP = OQ.$

Proposed by Sergei Berlov, Russia
142 replies
orl
Jul 15, 2009
pi271828
an hour ago
(a-1)(b-1)(c-1) is a divisor of abc-1
ehsan2004   22
N 2 hours ago by reni_wee
Source: IMO 1992, Day 1, Problem 1
Find all integers $\,a,b,c\,$ with $\,1<a<b<c\,$ such that \[ (a-1)(b-1)(c-1)  \] is a divisor of $abc-1.$
22 replies
ehsan2004
Jan 22, 2005
reni_wee
2 hours ago
Balkan MO 2025 p1
Mamadi   0
2 hours ago
Source: Balkan MO 2025
An integer \( n > 1 \) is called good if there exists a permutation \( a_1, a_2, \dots, a_n \) of the numbers \( 1, 2, 3, \dots, n \), such that:

\( a_i \) and \( a_{i+1} \) have different parities for every \( 1 \le i \le n - 1 \)

the sum \( a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_k \) is a quadratic residue modulo \( n \) for every \( 1 \le k \le n \)

Prove that there exist infinitely many good numbers, as well as infinitely many positive integers which are not good.

Remark: Here an integer \( z \) is considered a quadratic residue modulo \( n \) if there exists an integer \( y \) such that \( y^2 \equiv z \pmod{n} \).
0 replies
Mamadi
2 hours ago
0 replies
Number theory
MathsII-enjoy   3
N 2 hours ago by KevinYang2.71
Prove that when $x^p+y^p$ | $(p^2-1)^n$ with $x,y$ are positive integers and $p$ is prime ($p>3$), we get: $x=y$
3 replies
MathsII-enjoy
Yesterday at 3:22 PM
KevinYang2.71
2 hours ago
Inspired by Bet667
sqing   1
N 2 hours ago by ytChen
Source: Own
Let $ a,b $ be a real numbers such that $a^2+kab+b^2\ge a^3+b^3.$Prove that$$a+b\leq k+2$$Where $ k\geq 0. $
1 reply
sqing
6 hours ago
ytChen
2 hours ago
4-var inequality
sqing   1
N 2 hours ago by arqady
Source: SXTB (4)2025 Q2837
Let $ a,b,c,d> 0  $. Prove that
$$   \frac{1}{(3a+1)^4}+ \frac{1}{(3b+1)^4}+\frac{1}{(3c+1)^4}+\frac{1}{(3d+1)^4} \geq \frac{1}{16(3abcd+1)}$$
1 reply
sqing
6 hours ago
arqady
2 hours ago
Extremaly hard inequality
blug   1
N 2 hours ago by arqady
Source: Polish Math Olympiad Training Camp 2024
Let $a, b, c$ be non-negative real numbers. Prove that
$$a+b+c+\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca}\geq \sqrt{a^2-ab+b^2}+\sqrt{b^2-bc+c^2}+\sqrt{c^2-ca+c^2}.$$Looking for an algebraic solution!
1 reply
blug
3 hours ago
arqady
2 hours ago
We put in it the maximum possible number of cubes
orl   3
N Nov 15, 2022 by jred
Source: IMO ShortList, Netherlands 2, IMO 1976, Day 1, Problem 3
A box whose shape is a parallelepiped can be completely filled with cubes of side $1.$ If we put in it the maximum possible number of cubes, each of volume $2$, with the sides parallel to those of the box, then exactly $40$ percent of the volume of the box is occupied. Determine the possible dimensions of the box.
3 replies
orl
Nov 12, 2005
jred
Nov 15, 2022
We put in it the maximum possible number of cubes
G H J
Source: IMO ShortList, Netherlands 2, IMO 1976, Day 1, Problem 3
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orl
3647 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, megarnie, Mango247
A box whose shape is a parallelepiped can be completely filled with cubes of side $1.$ If we put in it the maximum possible number of cubes, each of volume $2$, with the sides parallel to those of the box, then exactly $40$ percent of the volume of the box is occupied. Determine the possible dimensions of the box.
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cval
1 post
#2 • 5 Y
Y by viperstrike, Adventure10, and 3 other users
We name a,b,c the sides of the parallelepiped, which are positive integers. We also put
\[ x = \left\lfloor\frac{a}{\sqrt[3]{2}}\right\rfloor \ \ \ \
  y = \left\lfloor\frac{b}{\sqrt[3]{2}}\right\rfloor \ \ \ \
  z = \left\lfloor\frac{c}{\sqrt[3]{2}}\right\rfloor \ \ \ \]
It is clear that $ xyz$ is the maximal number of cubes with sides of length $ \sqrt[3]{2}$ that
can be put into the parallelepiped with sides parallels to the sides of the box.
Hence the corresponding volume is $ V_2=2\cdot xyz$. We need $ V_2=0.4\cdot V_1=0.4\cdot abc$,
hence \[ \frac ax\cdot \frac by\cdot \frac cz=5\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (1)\]
We give the values of $ x$ and $ a/x$ for $ a=1,\dots ,8$. The same table is valid for $ b,y$ and $ c,z$.
\[ \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
  \hline
  a & x & a/x \\ \hline
  1 & 0 & - \\ \hline
  2 & 1 & 2 \\ \hline
  3 & 2 &  3/2 \\ \hline
  4 & 3 & 4/3 \\ \hline
  5 & 3 & 5/3 \\ \hline
  6 & 4 & 3/2 \\ \hline
  7 & 5 & 7/5 \\ \hline
  8 & 6 &  4/3 \\
  \hline
\end{tabular}\]
By simple inspection we obtain two solutions of $ (1)$: $ \{a,b,c\}=\{2,5,3\}$ and $ \{a,b,c\}=\{2,5,6\}$.
We now show that they are the only solutions.

We can assume $ \frac ax\ge \frac by \ge \frac cz$. So necessarily $ \frac ax\ge \sqrt[3]{5}$. Note that
the definition of $ x$ implies \[ x< a/\sqrt[3]2 < x+1,\]
hence \[ \sqrt[3]2< a/x < \sqrt[3]2(1+\frac 1x)\]
If $ a\ge 4$ then $ x\ge 3$ and $ \frac ax<\sqrt[3]2(1+\frac 1x)\le \sqrt[3]2(\frac 43)<\sqrt[3]5$
since $ 2\cdot \frac {4^3}{3^3}<5$. So we have only left the cases $ a=2$ and $ a=3$. But for $ a=3$
we have $ a/x=3/2<\sqrt[3]5$ and so necessarily $ a=2$ and $ a/x=2$.
It follows
\[ \frac by \cdot \frac cz =\frac 52 \ \ \ \ \ \ (2)\]


Note that the definitions of $ y,z$ imply \[ y< b/\sqrt[3]2 < y+1,\ \ 
\textrm{and} \ \ z< c/\sqrt[3]2 < z+1.\ \ \ \ (3)\]
Moreover we have from (2) and from $ b/y\ge c/z$ that
\[ \frac by \ge \sqrt{5/2}\ \ \ \ \ (4)\]

If $ b=2$ then $ b/y=2$ and we would have $ c/z=5/4<\sqrt[3]2$, which contradicts $ (3)$.

On the other hand, if $ b>5$ then $ y>4$ and $ \frac by<\sqrt[3]2(1+\frac 1y)\le \sqrt[3]2(\frac 54)<\sqrt{5/2}$
since $ 2^2\cdot \frac {5^6}{4^6}<\frac{5^3}{2^3}$ as $ 5^3<2^7$. So we have only left the
cases $ b=3,4,5$. But for $ b=3$ we have $ b/y=3/2<\sqrt{5/2}$ and for $ b=4$ we have
$ b/y=4/3<\sqrt{5/2}$ and so necessarily $ b=5$ and $ b/y=5/3$ ($ >\sqrt{5/2}$)

So we arrive finally at $ a=2,b=5$ and $ c/z=3/2$. If $ c\ge 8$
then $ z\ge 6$ and $ \frac cz<\sqrt[3]2(1+\frac 1z)\le \sqrt[3]2(\frac 76)<\frac 32$
since $ 2\cdot \frac {7^3}{6^3}<\frac{3^3}{2^3}$. On the other hand, for $ c\le 7$ there are the only two possible values
$ c=3$ and $ c=6$ which yield the known solutions.
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arvind_r
136 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
How can you fill a parallelpiped completely with cubes of dimension 1? Isn't this only possible when the faces are all either parallel or perpendicular? (i.e. a rectangular prism). Not sure why the wording includes "parallelpiped" rather than "rectangular prism." Am I misunderstanding something here?
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by arvind_r, Apr 27, 2022, 8:40 PM
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jred
290 posts
#4
Y by
The official wording is a rectangular box.
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
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