Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
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.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]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]
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
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
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, 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
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
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
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
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

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
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
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
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
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
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
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

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

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
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
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
Prove the inequality
Butterfly   2
N 2 minutes ago by arqady

Let $a,b,c,d$ be positive real numbers. Prove $$a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2+abcd-3(a+b+c+d)+7\ge 0.$$
2 replies
+1 w
Butterfly
Yesterday at 12:36 PM
arqady
2 minutes ago
R+ FE f(f(xy)+y)=(x+1)f(y)
jasperE3   2
N 6 minutes ago by GeorgeRP
Source: p24734470
Find all functions $f:\mathbb R^+\to\mathbb R^+$ such that for all positive real numbers $x$ and $y$:
$$f(f(xy)+y)=(x+1)f(y).$$
2 replies
jasperE3
Today at 12:20 AM
GeorgeRP
6 minutes ago
Number Theory Chain!
JetFire008   62
N 19 minutes ago by whwlqkd
I will post a question and someone has to answer it. Then they have to post a question and someone else will answer it and so on. We can only post questions related to Number Theory and each problem should be more difficult than the previous. Let's start!

Question 1
62 replies
JetFire008
Apr 7, 2025
whwlqkd
19 minutes ago
Inequality with ^3+b^3+c^3+3abc=6
bel.jad5   6
N 21 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c\geq 0$ and $a^3+b^3+c^3+3abc=6$. Prove that:
\[ \frac{a^2+1}{a+1}+\frac{b^2+1}{b+1}+\frac{c^2+1}{c+1} \geq 3\]
6 replies
bel.jad5
Sep 2, 2018
sqing
21 minutes ago
Definite integration
girishpimoli   2
N Yesterday at 11:59 PM by Amkan2022
If $\displaystyle g(t)=\int^{t^{2}}_{2t}\cot^{-1}\bigg|\frac{1+x}{(1+t)^2-x}\bigg|dx.$ Then $\displaystyle \frac{g(5)}{g(3)}$ is
2 replies
girishpimoli
Apr 6, 2025
Amkan2022
Yesterday at 11:59 PM
Putnam 1968 A6
sqrtX   11
N Yesterday at 11:47 PM by ohiorizzler1434
Source: Putnam 1968
Find all polynomials whose coefficients are all $\pm1$ and whose roots are all real.
11 replies
sqrtX
Feb 19, 2022
ohiorizzler1434
Yesterday at 11:47 PM
Affine variety
YamoSky   1
N Yesterday at 9:01 PM by amplreneo
Let $A=\left\{z\in\mathbb{C}|Im(z)\geq0\right\}$. Is it possible to equip $A$ with a finitely generated k-algebra with one generator such that make $A$ be an affine variety?
1 reply
YamoSky
Jan 9, 2020
amplreneo
Yesterday at 9:01 PM
Reducing the exponents for good
RobertRogo   0
Yesterday at 6:38 PM
Source: The national Algebra contest (Romania), 2025, Problem 3/Abstract Algebra (a bit generalized)
Let $A$ be a ring with unity such that for every $x \in A$ there exist $t_x, n_x \in \mathbb{N}^*$ such that $x^{t_x+n_x}=x^{n_x}$. Prove that
a) If $t_x \cdot 1 \in U(A), \forall x \in A$ then $x^{t_x+1}=x, \forall x \in A$
b) If there is an $x \in A$ such that $t_x \cdot 1 \notin U(A)$ then the result from a) may no longer hold.

Authors: Laurențiu Panaitopol, Dorel Miheț, Mihai Opincariu, me, Filip Munteanu
0 replies
RobertRogo
Yesterday at 6:38 PM
0 replies
Differential equations , Matrix theory
c00lb0y   3
N Yesterday at 12:26 PM by loup blanc
Source: RUDN MATH OLYMP 2024 problem 4
Any idea?? Diff equational system combined with Matrix theory.
Consider the equation dX/dt=X^2, where X(t) is an n×n matrix satisfying the condition detX=0. It is known that there are no solutions of this equation defined on a bounded interval, but there exist non-continuable solutions defined on unbounded intervals of the form (t ,+∞) and (−∞,t). Find n.
3 replies
c00lb0y
Apr 17, 2025
loup blanc
Yesterday at 12:26 PM
The matrix in some degree is a scalar
FFA21   4
N Yesterday at 12:06 PM by FFA21
Source: MSU algebra olympiad 2025 P2
$A\in M_{3\times 3}$ invertible, for an infinite number of $k$:
$tr(A^k)=0$
Is it true that $\exists n$ such that $A^n$ is a scalar
4 replies
FFA21
Yesterday at 12:11 AM
FFA21
Yesterday at 12:06 PM
Weird integral
Martin.s   0
Yesterday at 9:33 AM
\[
\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} 
\frac{1 - e^{-2} \cos\left(2\left(u + \tan u\right)\right)}
{1 - 2e^{-2} \cos\left(2\left(u + \tan u\right)\right) + e^{-4}} 
\, \mathrm{d}u
\]
0 replies
Martin.s
Yesterday at 9:33 AM
0 replies
hard number theory problem
danilorj   4
N Yesterday at 9:01 AM by c00lb0y
Let \( a \) and \( b \) be positive integers. Prove that
\[
a^2 + \left\lceil \frac{4a^2}{b} \right\rceil
\]is not a perfect square.
4 replies
danilorj
May 18, 2025
c00lb0y
Yesterday at 9:01 AM
maximum dimention of non-singular subspace
FFA21   1
N Yesterday at 8:27 AM by alexheinis
Source: MSU algebra olympiad 2025 P1
We call a linear subspace in the space of square matrices non-singular if all matrices contained in it, except for the zero one, are non-singular. Find the maximum dimension of a non-singular subspace in the space of
a) complex $n\times n$ matrices
b) real $4\times 4$ matrices
c) rational $n\times n$ matrices
1 reply
FFA21
Yesterday at 12:02 AM
alexheinis
Yesterday at 8:27 AM
functional equation
pratyush   4
N Yesterday at 8:00 AM by Mathzeus1024
For the functional equation $f(x-y)=\frac{f(x)}{f(y)}$, if f ' (0)=p and f ' (5)=q, then prove f ' (-5) = q
4 replies
pratyush
Apr 4, 2014
Mathzeus1024
Yesterday at 8:00 AM
IMO Problem 4
iandrei   105
N Apr 13, 2025 by cj13609517288
Source: IMO ShortList 2003, geometry problem 1
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral. Let $P$, $Q$, $R$ be the feet of the perpendiculars from $D$ to the lines $BC$, $CA$, $AB$, respectively. Show that $PQ=QR$ if and only if the bisectors of $\angle ABC$ and $\angle ADC$ are concurrent with $AC$.
105 replies
iandrei
Jul 14, 2003
cj13609517288
Apr 13, 2025
Source: IMO ShortList 2003, geometry problem 1
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
HamstPan38825
8867 posts
#95
Y by
here's a fourth projective solution to this i guess

Note that $\overline{PQR}$ is the Simson line of $D$ with respect to triangle $ABC$. Hence for $E = \overline{DP} \cap (ABCD)$, it is parallel to $\overline{AE}$. Then $$(AC;BD) \stackrel P=(FB;EC) \stackrel A= (PR; Q\infty_{PQR})$$which implies the result.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
MagicalToaster53
159 posts
#96
Y by
Notice that the concurrent angle condition is identical to the condition that $ABCD$ is a harmonic quadrilateral. Observe now that \[\frac{PQ}{QD} = \frac{\sin \angle PDQ}{\sin \angle QPD} = \frac{\sin \angle BAC}{\sin \angle DAC},\]and \[\frac{QR}{QD} = \frac{\sin \angle QDR}{\sin \angle DRQ} = \frac{\sin \angle ACB}{\sin \angle DBA}. \]Hence, \[\frac{PQ}{QR} = \frac{\sin \angle BAC}{\sin \angle DAC} \cdot \frac{\sin \angle DBA}{\sin \angle ACB} = \frac{BC}{BA} \cdot \frac{DA}{DC} = 1 \iff ABCD \text{ is harmonic,}\]as desired. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Markas
150 posts
#97 • 1 Y
Y by panche
If the bisectors meet on AC this gives us $\frac{AD}{DC} = \frac{AB}{BC}$. From ABCD cyclic $\angle BAC = \angle PCD$, so $\triangle CPD \sim \triangle ARD$, so $\frac{AR}{CP} = \frac{AD}{DC}$. From Menelaus on $\triangle BPR$ we get $\frac{BA}{AR}. \frac{RQ}{QP}. \frac{PC}{CB} = 1$ (we can do this since P, Q, R lie on one line aka Simpson line) and $\frac{BA}{AR}. \frac{PC}{CB} = \frac{AD}{DC}. \frac{DC}{AD} = 1$. This means $\frac{PQ}{QP} = 1$ $\Rightarrow$ PQ = QP. In the other direction is the same because the pair of similar triangles is there, so we get that $\frac{BA}{CB} = \frac{AD}{DC}$ which is equivalent to the fact that the bisectors meet on AC. We are ready.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
BestAOPS
707 posts
#98 • 1 Y
Y by teomihai
Notice that $P,Q,R$ lie on the Simson line.

Let $X$ be the second intersection of line $DQ$ with the circle $\omega$ circumscribing $ABCD$. We claim that $\overline{BX} \parallel \overline{RQ}$. Using directed angles,
\[ \angle BXD = \angle BAD = \angle RAD = \angle RQD, \]and thus, $\overline{BX}$ is parallel to the Simson line.

Next, note that by the angle bisector theorem, the bisector condition is equivalent to $ABCD$ being harmonic. Additionally, we have
\[ (A,C;B,D) \stackrel{X}{=} (A,C;\overline{BX} \cap \overline{AC}, Q) \stackrel{B}{=} (R,P;P_\infty,Q), \]and since $(R,P;P_\infty,Q) = -1 \iff PQ=QR$, we are done.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ezpotd
1283 posts
#99 • 1 Y
Y by m4thbl3nd3r
Complex bash, let $A = w, C = \overline{w}, B = b, D = d$. Let $M,N = 1,-1$ be the arc midpoints of $AC$. Note $BD,MN$ meet a point whose polar is parallel to $AC$. If $BM,DN,AC$ are concurrent (or $BN, DM, AC$), then Brokard tells us that $AC$ is precisely this polar, so the condition can be reduces to the intersection of tangents from $A,C$ being the intersection of $BD, MN$. The intersection of $BD, MN$ is just $\frac{b + d}{bd + 1}$, so the desired condition is just $\frac{b + d}{bd + 1} = \frac{2}{w + \overline{w}}$, rearrange to get $2bd + 2 = (b + d)(w + \overline{w})$. Now for the condition that $PQ = QR$. We dilate by two and instead find a condition for $P'Q' = Q'R'$. By Simson line, it just suffices to show $p + r = 2q$. The reflection of $D$ over $AB$ is just $w + b - \frac{bw}{d}$, likewise the reflection of $D$ over $BC$ is just $b + \overline{w} - \frac{b\overline{w}}{d}$. The reflection of $D$ over $AC$ is just $w + \overline w - \frac 1d$. Now the condition is $2b + w + \overline{w} - \frac bd (w + \overline{w}) = 2(w + \overline{w} ) - \frac 2d$. Multiplying by $d$, an equivalent condition is $2bd + (d -b)(w + \overline{w}) = 2d(w + \overline{w}) - 2$, rearranging we get $(b + d)(w + \overline{w}) = 2bd + 2$, as desired. Since the conditions are equivalent, we can conclude that $PQ = QR$ and the concurrency happen at exactly the same configurations, we are done.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
peppapig_
280 posts
#100
Y by
First, note that if the angle bisectors of $\angle ABC$ and $\angle ADC$ meet on segment $AC$, we then have
\[\frac{AB}{CB}=\frac{AD}{CD} \iff AB*CD=AD*BC \iff (AC;BD)=-1,\]and by the uniqueness of the harmonic conjugate, this means that $B$ is the unique point on $(ACD)$ such that $(AC;BD)=-1$. By the harmonic quadrilateral configuration, this means that $BD$ is the $D$-symmedian of $\triangle ACD$. It then suffices to show that
\[PQ=QR\iff BD\text{ is the } D\text{-symmedian of }\triangle ACD.\]
To start, we make the following claims.

***

Claim 1. $P$, $Q$, $R$ are collinear.

Proof.
This is immediate from the Simson Line at $D$ with respect to $\triangle ABC$.

***

Claim 2. There exists a spiral similarity centered at $D$ sending $\triangle DRP$ to $\triangle DAC$.

Proof.
All angles below are directed.

We can prove this through (directed) angle chasing. First, note that since $\angle CQD=\angle CPD=90$, we have that $C$, $P$, $D$, $Q$ are concyclic, which gives us that
\[\angle RPD=\angle QPD=\angle QCD=\angle ACD,\]and since $\angle ARD=\angle AQD=90$, we have that $A$, $R$, $Q$, $D$ concyclic, meaning that
\[\angle PRD=\angle QRD=\angle QAD=\angle CAD,\]and these two combined gives us that $\triangle DRP\sim \triangle DAC$, as desired. This proves our claim.

***

Now, let $M$ be the midpoint of $AC$. Notice that $Q$ is the midpoint of $RP$ if and only if the spiral similarity described in Claim 2. sends $Q$ to $M$. However, note that
\[\angle Q\rightarrow M \iff \angle MDQ=\angle CDP \iff 90-\angle MDQ=90-\angle CDP \iff \angle DMQ=\angle DCP,\]and since $\angle DCP=\angle BAD$ by cyclic properties, and $\angle DMQ=\angle DMC$, this gives us that
\[\iff \angle BAD=\angle DMC.\]
Now, let us fix $A$, $C$, and $D$. We make the following claim.

***

Claim 3. If $\angle BAD=\angle DMC$, then $B\neq D$ must be the unique point on $(ACD)$ such that $BD$ is the $D$-symmedian of $\triangle ACD$.

Proof.
Notice that since $\angle DMC$ is fixed, $\angle BAD$ must also be fixed, meaning that there is a unique point on $(ACD)$ such that $\angle BAD=\angle DMC$. Now, we can angle chase. We get that
\[\angle ADM=180-\angle AMD-\angle MAD=\angle CMD-\angle MAD=\angle BAD-\angle MAD=\angle BAC=\angle BDC,\]which means that $BD$ is indeed the $D$-symmedian of $\triangle ABC$, as desired. This proves our claim.

***

By Claim 3. means that $\angle BAD=\angle DMC$ is equivalent to the condition that $BD$ is the $D$-symmedian of $ADC$. However, we also established earlier that the former was equivalent to $Q$ being the midpoint of $PR$, meaning that
\[PQ=QR\iff BD\text{ is the } D\text{-symmedian of }\triangle ACD,\]as desired. Since
\[BD\text{ is the } D\text{-symmedian of }\triangle ACD\iff (AC;BD)=-1\iff \text{the angle bisector of }\angle ABC \text{ and } \angle ADC \text{ meet on } AC,\]we have that the angle bisectors meet on $AC$ if and only if $PQ=QR$, which is what we wished to prove. This completes our proof.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by peppapig_, Nov 1, 2024, 10:11 PM
Reason: \implies but really \iff
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
shendrew7
799 posts
#101
Y by
Notice that
\[PQ = QR \iff AD \sin \angle A = CD \sin \angle C \iff AD \cdot BC = CD \cdot AB. \quad \blacksquare\]
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
lnzhonglp
120 posts
#102
Y by
Let $DP$ intersect $(ABC)$ again at $K$. By Simson line $P, Q, R$ are collinear, and $\measuredangle QPD = \measuredangle PCD = \measuredangle AKD$ so $AK \parallel PQ$. Then $$(AC;BD) \overset{P}{=} (AP \cap (ABC), B; C, K) \overset{A}{=} (PR; Q\infty),$$which concludes by angle bisector theorem.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
DakshAggarwalRedsurgance
10 posts
#103
Y by
arshakus wrote:
hey guys)
I solved this problem in about 10 minutes, but I think there is some thing wrong because I didn't use the fact that $ABCD$ is cyclic.
Can it be so?

Yes. (same here) it is not a requirement at all . The fact that it is cyclic helps in the creation of simson line and just makes the diagram easy to construct plus it gets rid of nasty configuration issues. I was able to see some possible issues(which were not quite problematic are so) But there could have been some config that I missed. I asked a few people too and all of them agree. IMO committee wanted the problem to own its own merit instead of relying on configs so yippee
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Perelman1000000
130 posts
#104
Y by
$\boxed{nice problem}$
Attachments:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mquej555
15 posts
#105
Y by
How can it be to IMO?

\[PQ = QR \iff AD \sin \angle A = CD \sin \angle C \iff AD \cdot BC = CD \cdot AB. \quad \blacksquare\]
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
LeYohan
53 posts
#106
Y by
My first IMO #4 sol :blush:

We notice that second condition is equivalent to showing that $ABCD$ is an harmonic quadrilateral because of the angle bisector theorem, so we want to proof that $\frac{CB}{AB}=\frac{CD}{AD}$.

Assuming that $PQ=QR$, it's well known that $P-Q-R$, so we proceed by applying Menelaus's theorem on $\triangle PRB$ with transversal line $AC$, getting that $\frac{CB}{AB}=\frac{CP}{AR}$, so now we want to show that $\frac{CP}{AR}=\frac{CD}{AD}$, but just notice that $\triangle DPC \sim \triangle DRA$ which gives the proportion.

Assuming that $\frac{CB}{AB}=\frac{CD}{AD}$, by the previous proportion we know $\frac{CP}{AR}=\frac{CD}{AD}$ so by applying Menelaus's theorem again on $\triangle PRB$ with transversal line $AC$, we obtain $PQ=QR$, so we're done. $\square$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by LeYohan, Feb 10, 2025, 10:12 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Maximilian113
575 posts
#107
Y by
By the Angle Bisector Theorem, the second condition is equivalent to $$\frac{AB}{BC} = \frac{AD}{CD}.$$
Now, note that $DQAR$ is a cyclic quadrilateral as $\angle DQA = \angle DRA = 90^\circ.$ Therefore by the Law of Sines $$\frac{QR}{\sin \angle QDR} = \frac{DR}{\sin \angle DQR} \iff \frac{QR}{\sin \angle BAC} = \frac{DR}{\sin \angle DAC}.$$Similarly $$\frac{PQ}{\sin \angle BCA} = \frac{DR}{\sin \angle DCA}.$$Dividing these equations, it follows that $$PQ=QR \iff \frac{\sin \angle BAC}{\sin \angle BCA} = \frac{\sin \angle DAC}{\sin \angle DCA} \iff \frac{AB}{BC} = \frac{AD}{CD}$$by the Law of Sines. QED
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cj13609517288
1922 posts
#108
Y by
The first condition, after multiplying by $2$, subtracting from $a+b+c+d$, then multiplying by $d$, is equivalent to
\[2ac+2bd=ab+bc+cd+da\]in complex. The second condition is equivalent to $ABCD$ being harmonic, which is
\[(a-b)(c-d)=-(c-b)(a-d)\Longleftrightarrow 2ac+2bc=ab+bc+cd+da.\]Wow. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cj13609517288
1922 posts
#109 • 1 Y
Y by Maximilian113
Okay fine here's a synthetic solution.

Let's prove the forwards direction. Let $B'$ be on $(ABCD)$ such that $BB'\parallel AC$, and similarly for $D'$. We have
\[
-1=(P,R;Q,\infty_{PR})
\stackrel{D}{=}(\infty_{\perp BA},\infty_{\perp BC};\infty_{\perp AC},\infty_{PR})
\stackrel{\text{rotate }90^\circ}{=}(\infty_{BA},\infty_{BC};\infty_{AC},\infty_{\perp PR})
\stackrel{B}{=}(A,C;B',B\infty_{\perp PR}\cap(ABCD)).
\]But we claim that the unique such point $B\infty_{\perp PR}\cap(ABCD)$ is exactly $D'$. Indeed, $BD$ is the $B$-circumcenter cevian of triangle $BPR$ (since $D$ is the antipode), so $BD'$, being isogonal to $BD$, is perpendicular to $PR$.

Thus $(A,C;B,D)=-1$ and the angle bisector thing follows by the angle bisector theorem. Everything in this proof was reversible so we get the other direction too. $\blacksquare$
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a