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

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, what are your plans? At AoPS Online our schedule has new classes starting now through July, so be sure to keep your skills sharp and be prepared for the Fall school year! Check out the schedule of upcoming classes below.

WOOT early bird pricing is in effect, don’t miss out! If you took MathWOOT Level 2 last year, no worries, it is all new problems this year! Our Worldwide Online Olympiad Training program is for high school level competitors. AoPS designed these courses to help our top students get the deep focus they need to succeed in their specific competition goals. Check out the details at this link for all our WOOT programs in math, computer science, chemistry, and physics.

Looking for summer camps in math and language arts? Be sure to check out the video-based summer camps offered at the Virtual Campus that are 2- to 4-weeks in duration. 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 events:
[list][*]April 3rd (Webinar), 4pm PT/7:00pm ET, Learning with AoPS: Perspectives from a Parent, Math Camp Instructor, and University Professor
[*]April 8th (Math Jam), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MATHCOUNTS State Discussion
April 9th (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Learn about Video-based Summer Camps at the Virtual Campus
[*]April 10th (Math Jam), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, 2025 MathILy and MathILy-Er Math Jam: Multibackwards Numbers
[*]April 22nd (Webinar), 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Competitive Programming at AoPS (USACO).[/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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Apr 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
Show that f is bijective on T
Tsukuyomi   34
N 2 minutes ago by lelouchvigeo
Source: IMO Shortlist 2017 A3
Let $S$ be a finite set, and let $\mathcal{A}$ be the set of all functions from $S$ to $S$. Let $f$ be an element of $\mathcal{A}$, and let $T=f(S)$ be the image of $S$ under $f$. Suppose that $f\circ g\circ f\ne g\circ f\circ g$ for every $g$ in $\mathcal{A}$ with $g\ne f$. Show that $f(T)=T$.
34 replies
Tsukuyomi
Jul 10, 2018
lelouchvigeo
2 minutes ago
Isogonal lines at the intersection of two circles
anantmudgal09   12
N 6 minutes ago by Tony_stark0094
Source: RMO Delhi 2016, P3
Two circles $C_1$ and $C_2$ intersect each other at points $A$ and $B$. Their external common tangent (closer to $B$) touches $C_1$ at $P$ and $C_2$ at $Q$. Let $C$ be the reflection of $B$ in line $PQ$. Prove that $\angle CAP=\angle BAQ$.
12 replies
+1 w
anantmudgal09
Oct 11, 2016
Tony_stark0094
6 minutes ago
Diophantine equation !
ComplexPhi   10
N 8 minutes ago by Namisgood
Determine all triples $(m , n , p)$ satisfying :
\[n^{2p}=m^2+n^2+p+1\]
where $m$ and $n$ are integers and $p$ is a prime number.
10 replies
ComplexPhi
Feb 4, 2015
Namisgood
8 minutes ago
Factorial Equation
Alidq   0
10 minutes ago
Solve in $\mathbb{N}$ $$\frac{x!}{(x-y)!} = 10x+2y-29$$
0 replies
Alidq
10 minutes ago
0 replies
Triangular function and quadrilateral
Kunihiko_Chikaya   1
N 16 minutes ago by Mathzeus1024
Source: National Defence Medical college Entrance exam November 2005
Given a convex quadrilateral such that $AB=AD=\sqrt{5},\ CB=CD=2, \tan \angle{DAB=-2,\ \angle{BCD}=2\alpha\ (0<2\alpha <\pi).}$ Find all the integers $n$ satisfying $\cos n\alpha=\cos \alpha.$
1 reply
Kunihiko_Chikaya
Jan 17, 2006
Mathzeus1024
16 minutes ago
IMO Shortlist 2011, G5
WakeUp   71
N 23 minutes ago by InterLoop
Source: IMO Shortlist 2011, G5
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with incentre $I$ and circumcircle $\omega$. Let $D$ and $E$ be the second intersection points of $\omega$ with $AI$ and $BI$, respectively. The chord $DE$ meets $AC$ at a point $F$, and $BC$ at a point $G$. Let $P$ be the intersection point of the line through $F$ parallel to $AD$ and the line through $G$ parallel to $BE$. Suppose that the tangents to $\omega$ at $A$ and $B$ meet at a point $K$. Prove that the three lines $AE,BD$ and $KP$ are either parallel or concurrent.

Proposed by Irena Majcen and Kris Stopar, Slovenia
71 replies
WakeUp
Jul 13, 2012
InterLoop
23 minutes ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   2
N 25 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0 , a^2+b^2+ab+a+b=5 . $ Prove that
$$ \frac{ 1 }{a+b+ab+1}+\frac{6}{a^2+b^2+ab+1}\geq \frac{7}{4}$$$$ \frac{ 1 }{a+b+ab+1}+\frac{1}{a^2+b^2+ab+1}\geq \frac{1}{2}$$$$  \frac{41}{a+b+2}+\frac{ab}{a^3+b^3+2} \geq \frac{21}{2}$$
2 replies
sqing
an hour ago
sqing
25 minutes ago
If $b^n|a^n-1$ then $a^b >\frac {3^n}{n}$ (China TST 2009)
Fang-jh   15
N 25 minutes ago by ihategeo_1969
Source: Chinese TST 2009 6th P1
Let $ a > b > 1, b$ is an odd number, let $ n$ be a positive integer. If $ b^n|a^n-1,$ then $ a^b > \frac {3^n}{n}.$
15 replies
Fang-jh
Apr 4, 2009
ihategeo_1969
25 minutes ago
inequality (another entrance exam)
nai0610   1
N an hour ago by sqing
Given positive real numbers $a,b,c$ satisfying
$(a+2)b^2+(b+2)c^2+(c+2)a^2\geq 8+abc$
prove that $2(ab+bc+ca)\leq a^2(a+b)+b^2(b+c)+c^2(c+a)$
1 reply
nai0610
Jun 2, 2024
sqing
an hour ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   6
N an hour ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c>0 $ and $ a+b+c=3. $ Prove that
$$ \frac{2}{a}+\frac {2}{ab}+\frac{1}{abc}\geq  4$$$$ \frac{1}{a}+\frac {1}{ab}+\frac{2}{abc}\geq  2+\sqrt 3$$$$ \frac{3}{a}+\frac {3}{ab}+\frac{1}{abc}\geq\frac {7+\sqrt {13}}{2}$$$$ \frac{1}{a}+\frac {1}{ab}+\frac{3}{abc}\geq\frac {5+\sqrt {21}}{2}$$$$ \frac{1}{a}+\frac {1}{ab}+\frac{4}{abc}\geq  3+2\sqrt 2$$
6 replies
sqing
Apr 26, 2025
sqing
an hour ago
Integer-Valued FE comes again
lminsl   206
N an hour ago by anudeep
Source: IMO 2019 Problem 1
Let $\mathbb{Z}$ be the set of integers. Determine all functions $f: \mathbb{Z} \rightarrow \mathbb{Z}$ such that, for all integers $a$ and $b$, $$f(2a)+2f(b)=f(f(a+b)).$$Proposed by Liam Baker, South Africa
206 replies
lminsl
Jul 16, 2019
anudeep
an hour ago
Integer representation
RL_parkgong_0106   2
N an hour ago by maromex
Source: Own
Show that for any positive integer $n$, there exists some positive integer $k$ that makes the following equation have no integer root $(x_1, x_2, x_3, \dots, x_n)$.

$$x_1^{2^1}+x_2^{2^2}+x_3^{2^3}+\dots+x_n^{2^n}=k$$
2 replies
RL_parkgong_0106
Apr 22, 2025
maromex
an hour ago
geometry+algebra(ver beatiful)
ehsan2004   7
N 2 hours ago by NicoN9
Source: Serbia and Montenegro 2004
The side lengths of a triangle are the roots of a cubic polynomial with rational coefficients. Prove that the altitudes of this triangle are roots of a polynomial of sixth degree with rational coefficients.
7 replies
ehsan2004
Aug 11, 2005
NicoN9
2 hours ago
Japan Mathematical Olympiad Preliminary 2007 Problem 3
Kunihiko_Chikaya   1
N 2 hours ago by Mathzeus1024
On a plane given the line segment with length 7. The distance of a point $P$ and the segment is 3. Find the possible minimum value of $AP*BP.$
1 reply
Kunihiko_Chikaya
Jan 18, 2007
Mathzeus1024
2 hours ago
Cyclic points and concurrency [1st Lemoine circle]
shobber   10
N Apr 24, 2025 by Ilikeminecraft
Source: China TST 2005
Let $\omega$ be the circumcircle of acute triangle $ABC$. Two tangents of $\omega$ from $B$ and $C$ intersect at $P$, $AP$ and $BC$ intersect at $D$. Point $E$, $F$ are on $AC$ and $AB$ such that $DE \parallel BA$ and $DF \parallel CA$.
(1) Prove that $F,B,C,E$ are concyclic.

(2) Denote $A_{1}$ the centre of the circle passing through $F,B,C,E$. $B_{1}$, $C_{1}$ are difined similarly. Prove that $AA_{1}$, $BB_{1}$, $CC_{1}$ are concurrent.
10 replies
shobber
Jun 27, 2006
Ilikeminecraft
Apr 24, 2025
Cyclic points and concurrency [1st Lemoine circle]
G H J
Source: China TST 2005
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
shobber
3498 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Let $\omega$ be the circumcircle of acute triangle $ABC$. Two tangents of $\omega$ from $B$ and $C$ intersect at $P$, $AP$ and $BC$ intersect at $D$. Point $E$, $F$ are on $AC$ and $AB$ such that $DE \parallel BA$ and $DF \parallel CA$.
(1) Prove that $F,B,C,E$ are concyclic.

(2) Denote $A_{1}$ the centre of the circle passing through $F,B,C,E$. $B_{1}$, $C_{1}$ are difined similarly. Prove that $AA_{1}$, $BB_{1}$, $CC_{1}$ are concurrent.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
yetti
2643 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
AP is the A-symmedian of the triangle $\triangle ABC.$ Let O be the triangle circumcenter and K the symmedian point.

(1) AEDF is a parallelogram, hence its diagonals AD, EF cut each other in half. Since the midpoint of EF lies on the A-symmedian AD, EF is antiparallel to BC with respect to the angle $\angle A,$ wich means that the points B, C, E, F are concyclic.

(2) Let parallels to the B-, C-symmedians BK, CK through the foot $D \in BC$ of the A-symmedian $AK \equiv AD \equiv AP$ meet the rays (AB, (AC at B', C'. The triangles $\triangle AB'C' \sim \triangle ABC$ are centrally similar with the similarity center A and D is the symmedian point of the triangle $\triangle AB'C'.$ It immediately follows that the circumcircle $(A_{1})$ of the quadrilateral BCEF is the 1st Lemoine circle of the triangle $\triangle AB'C'$ centered at the midpoint X' of the segment DO', where O' is the circumcenter of this triangle. Therefore, $AA_{1}$ intersects the segment KO of the original triangle $\triangle ABC$ also at its midpoint X, the center of the 1st Lemoine circle of the original triangle. Simiarly, $BB_{1}, CC_{1}$ cut KO at its midpoint X, hence all three are concurrent at X.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
alpha-beta
20 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
can someone define 1st Lemoine circle or give some links?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
mihai miculita
666 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
$ \mbox{The three parallels to the sides of a triangle ABC through the Lemoine point of the triangle ABC, }$
$ \mbox{ determine on the sides of triangle ABC, 6 concyclic points.}$
$ \mbox{The circle of the 6 points is the 1-st Lemoine circle of triangle ABC.}$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sardor
804 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
What's Lamoine point?
Please help me .
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Dilshodbek
115 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
alpha-beta wrote:
can someone define 1st Lemoine circle or give some links?

can you explain me about Lemoin circle please
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
ak12sr99
156 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Here is my solution with some angle and length chasing

Disclaimer: This is definitely not as elegant as yetti's beautiful solution (:thumbup:), but it is much neater than I had originally expected it to be, which is the reason I decided to mention it anyway.

$(1):$

By Thales' Theorem, $\frac{BD}{BC} = \frac{BF}{BA}$ and $\frac{CD}{CB} = \frac{CE}{CA}$. As $ADP$ is the symmedian, $\frac{BD}{DP} = \frac{AB^2}{AC^2}$ (as the symmedian is the reflection of the median over the angle bisector).

This yields the following, where $a=BC$ etc. (we will use these in part $(2)$ as well):
$BF=\frac{c^3}{b^2+c^2} ...(1)\\ \\AF=\frac{cb^2}{b^2+c^2} ...(2)\\ \\AE=\frac{bc^2}{b^2+c^2} ...(3)\\ \\CE=\frac{b^3}{b^2+c^2}...(4)$

From here we get $AF.AB = AE.AC = \frac{b^2c^2}{b^2+c^2}$ and concyclicity follows.


$(2):$

Let the radius of circle $BFEC$ be $r$.

Let $\angle BCF=\alpha \implies \angle BA_1F=2\alpha \implies \angle A_1BF=\angle A_1FB=90-\alpha \implies \angle A_1BC = B+\alpha-90 = \angle A_1CB \implies \angle A_1CE= 90-\alpha-B+C = \angle A_1EC \implies \angle CA_1E = 2(\alpha+B-C)$.

Now, in $\Delta sA_1BF$ and $A_1CE$ we get, using equations $(1)$ and $(4)$ above,
$2r sin \alpha = \frac{c^3}{b^2+c^2}$ and $2r sin (\alpha+B-C) = \frac{b^3}{b^2+c^2}$
$\implies \frac{sin \alpha}{sin (\alpha+B-C)} = \frac{c^3}{b^3}    ...(5)$

Now we observe that,
$\frac {[ABA_1]}{ACA_1]} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}AB. AA_1 sin \angle BAA_1}{\frac{1}{2}AC.AA_1 sin \angle CAA_1} = \frac{c}{b}.\frac{sin \angle BAA_1}{sin \angle CAA_1} ...(6)$
and
$\frac {[ABA_1]}{ACA_1]} = \frac{\frac{1}{2} AB. BA_1 sin \angle ABA_1}{\frac{1}{2} AC.CA_1 sin \angle ACA_1} =  \frac{c}{b}.\frac{sin(90-\alpha)}{sin(90-\alpha-B+C)}  = \frac{c}{b}.\frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)}  ...(7)$

$(6)$ and $(7)$ together imply
$\frac{sin \angle BAA_1}{sin \angle CAA_1} = \frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)}  ...(8)$

Now after some elementary manipulations on relation $(5)$ we get,
$\frac{cos \alpha}{cos (\alpha-B+C)} = \frac{\frac{b^3}{c^3} - cos (B-C)}{\frac{b^3}{c^3}cos (B-C) - 1}    ...(9)$

Finally we use $cos \theta = cos^2 \frac{\theta}{2} - sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2} = \frac{1-tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}{1+tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$ (on $\theta = B-C$ duh :P ) and $tan \frac{B-C}{2} = \frac{b-c}{b+c}.cot\frac{A}{2}$ in relations $(8)$ and $(9)$ to finish the proof by the trigonometric form of Ceva's theorem.
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by ak12sr99, Sep 16, 2017, 2:40 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Sanjana42
21 posts
#8 • 1 Y
Y by kamatadu
(1) Define $E,F$ as follows. Let the line passing through the midpoint of $AD$ which is antiparallel to $BC$ w.r.t $AB,AC$ intersect $AB,AC$ at $F,E\implies FBCE$ cyclic. Since $AD$ is isogonal to the $A$-median in $\triangle ABC$, it must be the $A$-median in $\triangle AEF\implies$ the midpoint of $AD$ (which is on $FE$) is also the midpoint of $FE$, so $AFDE$ is a parallelogram, so $E,F$ are the same $E,F$ in the problem statement.

(2) Let $EF=a_A,AF=b_A,AE=c_A$. By similarity we get $a=BC=\frac{a_A(b_A^2+c_A^2)}{b_Ac_A}$ and $FB=\frac{c_A^2}{b_A}$.

Let $\angle FBE = \angle FCE = \theta_A$. Similarly define $\theta_B,\theta_C$. Sine rule in $\triangle FEB$ gives us $$\frac{\sin (C-\theta_A)}{\sin \theta_A}=\frac{c_A^2}{a_Ab_A}=\frac{c^2}{ab}=\frac{\sin (C-\theta_B)}{\theta_B}$$by symmetry. Therefore the corresponding $\theta$ is the same for all 3 vertices.

Let the feet from $A_1$ to $AB,AC$ be $M_a,N_a$. Note that $\angle FA_1M_a=\angle FEB=C-\theta$. $$\implies \frac{\sin \angle BAA_1}{\sin \angle CAA_1}=\frac{A_1M}{A_1N}=\frac{A_1M}{A_1F}\cdot\frac{A_1E}{A_1N}=\frac{\cos (C-\theta)}{\cos (B-\theta)}$$
Clearly the cyclic product of these is 1, so we're done by trig Ceva.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Sanjana42, Jan 5, 2025, 8:09 PM
Reason: typo
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
cursed_tangent1434
604 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by stillwater_25
Solved with stilwater_25. Amazing problem! We realized what the concurrence point is but missed the slick Lemoine circle argument that can be done by shifting the reference triangle.

For part (1) note that since $AEDF$ is a parallelogram by definition, $\overline{AD}$ bisects $EF$. It is well known that the $A-$symmedian only bisects the antiparallels to $BC$, which implies that $BFEC$ is cyclic.

Now, we can move to the interesting part of the problem. We claim that these lines concur at $X_{182}$, the midpoint of $OK$ where $O$ and $K$ are the circumcenter and the symmedian point of $\triangle ABC$ respectively. We show that $\overline{AA_1}$ bisects segment $OK$ from which the result follows due to symmetry.

Let $M_a$ and $M$ denote the midpoints of segments $BC$ and $EF$ respectively. Let $X$ be the intersection of lines $\overline{EF}$ and $\overline{BC}$. Let $K_a$ denote the intersection of the $A-$symmedian with $(ABC)$. The key claim is the following.

Claim : Points $M$ , $A_1$ , $M_a$ and $K_a$ are concyclic.

Proof : It is clear that $XM_aA_1M$ is cyclic due to the right angles. Let $Y$ be the intersection of the $A-$tangent with $\overline{BC}$. Since any antiparallel to side $BC$ is parallel to the $A-$tangent, note that
\[-1=(EF;M\infty)\overset{A}{=}(BC;DY)\]Thus,
\[DY \cdot DM_a = DB \cdot DC \]Further, from the midpoint theorem it follows that $X$ is the midpoint of segment $YD$. Thus,
\[DM \cdot DK_a = \frac{DA\cdot DK_a}{2} = \frac{DB\cdot DC}{2} = \frac{DY \cdot DM_a}{2} = DX \cdot DM_a\]which implies that $MM_aK_aX$ is also cyclic. Putting these observations together proves the claim.

We now show the following.

Claim : Lines $\overline{OK}$ and $\overline{DA_1}$ are parallel.

Proof : This is a simple length chase. First remember that $(AK_a;DP)=-1$. Note that,
\[PA_1 \cdot PM_a = PK_a \cdot PM\]Also,
\[PM_a \cdot PO = PB^2\]This then implies,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PK_a \cdot PM}{PB^2} = \frac{PM}{PA}\]Now, let $K_c$ denote the intersection of the $C-$symmedian with $(ABC)$. Then,
\[-1=(AB;CK_a)\overset{C}{=}(AD;PK)\]Thus,
\[PD \cdot PA = PK \cdot PM\]Thus,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PM}{PA}=\frac{PD}{PK}\]which implies that $OK \parallel DA_1$ as claimed.

Now we are done since letting $X = \overline{AA_1} \cap \overline{OK}$ we have,
\[(OK;X\infty)\overset{A_1}{=}(PK;AD)=-1\]which implies that $X$ is indeed the midpoint of $OK$ and 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.
Batsuh
152 posts
#10
Y by
(1) Let $E' = DE \cap PB$ and $F' = DF \cap PC$. By an easy angle chase we see that $BFCF'$ and $BECE'$ are cyclic. So by PoP we have
\[FD \cdot DF' = BD \cdot DC = ED \cdot DE'\]so the points $B, F, E, C, F', E'$ are cyclic.

(2) Let $Q$ be the Symmedian point of $ABC$ and let $O$ be the center of $\omega$. We'll show that $AA_1$ passes through the midpoint of $OQ$, after which we'll be done by symmetry.

[asy]
import geometry;
import olympiad;
size(9cm);
filldraw(unitcircle, purple+white+white, blue);
pair A = dir(110); pair B = dir(225); pair C = dir(315);
pair O = (0,0);
pair M = B / 2+ C / 2;
pair P = extension(B, B+rotate(90)*(B-O),O,M);
pair D = extension(A,P,B,C);
pair E = intersectionpoint(parallel(D,line(A,B)),line(A,C));
pair Ep = extension(E,D,B,P);
pair F = intersectionpoint(parallel(D,line(A,C)),line(A,B));
pair Fp = extension(F,D,C,P);
circle BFEC = circle(B,F,E);
pair A_1 = circumcenter(B,F,E);
pair N = B / 2 + Ep / 2;
pair Q = intersectionpoint(parallel(B,line(N,D)), line(A,P));



draw(A -- B -- C -- cycle);
draw(line(P, false, B));
draw(line(P, false, C));
draw(E -- Ep);
draw(F -- Fp);
draw(O -- P);
draw(Q -- O, darkblue+1);
draw(D -- A_1, darkblue+1);
draw(B -- Q, darkblue+1);
draw(N -- D, darkblue+1);
draw(A -- P);
draw(circumcircle(B,F,E), red);

dot("$A$", A, dir(A));
dot("$B$", B, dir(B));
dot("$C$", C, dir(C));
dot("$P$", P, dir(P));
dot("$D$", D, dir(D));
dot("$Q$", Q, NW);
dot("$E$", E, dir(E));
dot("$F$", F, dir(F));
dot("$E'$", Ep, dir(Ep));
dot("$F'$", Fp, dir(Fp));
dot("$O$", O, NW);
dot("$A_1$", A_1, SE);
dot("$N$", N, dir(N));


[/asy]

Let $N$ be the midpoint of $BE'$. Observe that triangles $\triangle BDE'$ and $\triangle ABC$ are inversely similar with parallel sides. This means that the $B$-symmedian in $\triangle ABC$ and the $D$-median in $\triangle BDE'$ are parallel. In other words, $BQ \parallel ND$. Therefore,
\[\frac{PA_1}{PO} = \frac{PM}{PB} = \frac{PD}{PQ}\]which implies that $QO \parallel DA_1$. Now,
\[-1 = (A,D;Q,P) \overset{A_1}{=} (AA_1 \cap QO, QO_{\infty}; Q, O)\]implies that $AA_1 \cap QO$ is the midpoint of $QO$ as needed.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Ilikeminecraft
608 posts
#11
Y by
For part one, we simply note that $EF$ and $AB$ are antiparallel since $AD$ is the $A$-median in $AEF.$

Let $O$ denote the center of $ABC.$ Let $L$ denote the Lemoine point(intersection of symmedians).
I claim that $AA_1$ passes through the midpoint of $LO.$

Let $E’, F’$ be the intersections of $BP, CP$ with $(BFEC).$
Observe that $\angle BE’E = \angle BCE = \angle AFE = \angle FED$ so $FB\parallel EE’,$ so $EDE’$ are collinear.
Similarly, $FDF’$ are collinear.
Let $N$ be the midpoint of $BE’.$
Next, note that $BDE’$ and $ABC$ are inversely similar, with $B$ corresponding to $D.$ Thus, the $B$ symmedian in $ABC$ must be parallel to the $D$-median in $BDE’.$ Hence, $BL\parallel ND.$
Furthermore, $BO\parallel NA_1.$
Thus, there is homothety centered at $P$ sending $BLO$ to $NDA_1.$
Thus, $LO\parallel DA_1.$
Finally, by Ceva-Menelaus, we have $-1 = (AD;LP).$ Projection through $A_1$ onto $LO$ finishes.
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a