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Bashing??
John_Mgr   0
3 minutes ago
I have learned little about what bashing mean as i am planning to start geo, feels like its less effort required and doesnt need much knowledge about the synthetic division ones?
what do you guys recommend ? also state the major difference of them... especially of bashing pros and cons..
0 replies
John_Mgr
3 minutes ago
0 replies
2025 USAMO Rubric
plang2008   18
N Yesterday at 11:31 PM by mathprodigy2011
1. Let $k$ and $d$ be positive integers. Prove that there exists a positive integer $N$ such that for every odd integer $n>N$, the digits in the base-$2n$ representation of $n^k$ are all greater than $d$.

Rubric for Problem 1

2. Let $n$ and $k$ be positive integers with $k<n$. Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial of degree $n$ with real coefficients, nonzero constant term, and no repeated roots. Suppose that for any real numbers $a_0,\,a_1,\,\ldots,\,a_k$ such that the polynomial $a_kx^k+\cdots+a_1x+a_0$ divides $P(x)$, the product $a_0a_1\cdots a_k$ is zero. Prove that $P(x)$ has a nonreal root.

Rubric for Problem 2

3. Alice the architect and Bob the builder play a game. First, Alice chooses two points $P$ and $Q$ in the plane and a subset $\mathcal{S}$ of the plane, which are announced to Bob. Next, Bob marks infinitely many points in the plane, designating each a city. He may not place two cities within distance at most one unit of each other, and no three cities he places may be collinear. Finally, roads are constructed between the cities as follows: for each pair $A,\,B$ of cities, they are connected with a road along the line segment $AB$ if and only if the following condition holds:
[center]For every city $C$ distinct from $A$ and $B$, there exists $R\in\mathcal{S}$ such[/center]
[center]that $\triangle PQR$ is directly similar to either $\triangle ABC$ or $\triangle BAC$.[/center]
Alice wins the game if (i) the resulting roads allow for travel between any pair of cities via a finite sequence of roads and (ii) no two roads cross. Otherwise, Bob wins. Determine, with proof, which player has a winning strategy.

Note: $\triangle UVW$ is directly similar to $\triangle XYZ$ if there exists a sequence of rotations, translations, and dilations sending $U$ to $X$, $V$ to $Y$, and $W$ to $Z$.

Rubric for Problem 3

4. Let $H$ be the orthocenter of acute triangle $ABC$, let $F$ be the foot of the altitude from $C$ to $AB$, and let $P$ be the reflection of $H$ across $BC$. Suppose that the circumcircle of triangle $AFP$ intersects line $BC$ at two distinct points $X$ and $Y$. Prove that $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$.

Rubric for Problem 4

5. Determine, with proof, all positive integers $k$ such that \[\frac{1}{n+1} \sum_{i=0}^n \binom{n}{i}^k\]is an integer for every positive integer $n$.

Rubric for Problem 5

6. Let $m$ and $n$ be positive integers with $m\geq n$. There are $m$ cupcakes of different flavors arranged around a circle and $n$ people who like cupcakes. Each person assigns a nonnegative real number score to each cupcake, depending on how much they like the cupcake. Suppose that for each person $P$, it is possible to partition the circle of $m$ cupcakes into $n$ groups of consecutive cupcakes so that the sum of $P$'s scores of the cupcakes in each group is at least $1$. Prove that it is possible to distribute the $m$ cupcakes to the $n$ people so that each person $P$ receives cupcakes of total score at least $1$ with respect to $P$.

Rubric for Problem 6
18 replies
plang2008
Apr 2, 2025
mathprodigy2011
Yesterday at 11:31 PM
A Confused Canadian
sximoz   3
N Yesterday at 10:59 PM by Gavin_Deng
I always wanted to apply for the AMC, and this year, I think I might have a chance. A friend did AMC 8, and she came back telling me I should do it too. I was really enthusiastic, and wanted to apply.

I do not have prior experience with the AMC, and I live in Alberta, Canada. Through my research, I learned that applications must be submitted via an International Group Leader. However, I am uncertain about who they are and what steps I need to take in order to apply. If you have any information about the application, I would greatly appreciate your help.

Additionally, I would be grateful for any advice on how to best prepare for the AMC, particularly the AMC 8, as this may be one of my last opportunities to participate before moving on to the AMC 10. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the scoring system, the format of the contest, and whether it is possible to participate online from my location.

If you have any further info or tips, I would sincerely appreciate your assistance.

Thanks you very much,
sximoz
3 replies
sximoz
Yesterday at 10:42 PM
Gavin_Deng
Yesterday at 10:59 PM
Question about USAMO, self esteem, and college
xHypotenuse   20
N Yesterday at 10:10 PM by qwerty123456asdfgzxcvb
Hello everyone. I know this question may sound ridiculous/neagtive but I really want to know how the rest of the community thinks on this issue. Please excuse this yap session and feel free to ignore this post if it doesn't make sense, I don't think I really have a sane mind these days and something has gotten into my head.

I want your advice on what I should do in this situation. It has been my dream to make usamo since ~second semester of 9th grade and I started grinding from that time on. Last year, I qualified for the aime and got a 5. This year I really wanted to qualify for the olympiad and studied really hard. I spent my entire summer working on counting and probability, the subject I suck at the most. And yet, on amc 12, I fumbled hard. I usually mocked ~120-130s on amc 10s but on amc 12 this year, I got really mediocre scores ~100. So I had no chance of making usamo.

So during winter of 2024-2025 I kinda gave up on aime studying and I was like "hey, if I can't get into usamo, maybe ill qualify for usapho." Since I was pretty good at physics at that time. So I spended my winter hard grinding for f=ma and guess what? The test had stupid and ridiculous questions and I only got an 11. What really sucks is that even with the stupid amount of cheaters in f=ma, if I changed all of my "D" guesses to "C," then I would have qualified. Since I solved 10 actually and guessed the rest. Absolutely unfair that only 1 of my guesses were correct.

And also since I didn't study for aime, I ended up being super rusty and so I only got a 7. Solved 9 tho. (I usually can consistently solve 10+ on aimes).

And now here's my senior year and ofc I want to apply to a prestigious college. But it feels stupid that I don't have any usamo or usapho titles like the people I know do. I think I will have good essays primarily due to a varied amount of life experiences but like, I don't feel like I will contribute much to the college without being some prestigious olympiad qualifier. So this led to me having a self esteem issue.

This also led me to the question: should I study one last year so that I can get into usamo in my senior year, or is there no point? Since like, colleges don't care about whatever the hell you do in your senior year, and also, it seems just 'weird' to be grinding math contests while the rest of the people from my school are playing around, etc. So this time around I've really been having an internal crisis between my self esteem (since getting into usamo will raise my self esteem a lot) and college/senior choices.

I know this may seem like a dumb question to some and you are free to completely ignore the post. That's fine. I just really want advice for what I should do in this situation and it would really help bring my life quality up

Thanks,
hypotenuse
20 replies
xHypotenuse
Yesterday at 2:03 AM
qwerty123456asdfgzxcvb
Yesterday at 10:10 PM
Orange MOP Opportunity
blueprimes   17
N Yesterday at 10:09 PM by MathRook7817
Hello AoPS,

A reputable source that is of a certain credibility has communicated me about details of Orange MOP, a new pathway to qualify for MOP. In particular, 3 rounds of a 10-problem proof-style examination, covering a variety of mathematical topics that requires proofs will be held from September 27, 2025 12:00 AM - November 8, 2025 11:59 PM EST. Each round will occur biweekly on a Saturday starting from September 27 as described above. The deadline for late submissions will be November 20, 2025 11:59 PM EST.

Solutions can be either handwritten or typed digitally with $\LaTeX$. If you are sending solutions digitally through physical scan, please make sure your handwriting is eligible. Inability to discern hand-written solutions may warrant point deductions.

As for rules, digital resources and computational intelligence systems are allowed. Textbooks, reference handouts, and calculators are also a freedom provided by the MAA.

The link is said to be posted on the MAA website during the summer, and invites aspiring math students of all grade levels to participate. As for scoring, solutions will be graded on a $10$-point scale, and solutions will be graded in terms of both elegance and correctness.

As for qualification for further examinations, the Orange MOP examination passes both the AIME and USAJMO/USAMO requirement thresholds, and the top 5 scorers will receive the benefits and prestige of participating at the national level in the MOP program, and possibly the USA TST and the USA IMO team.

I implore you to consider this rare oppourtunity.

Warm wishes.
17 replies
blueprimes
Apr 2, 2025
MathRook7817
Yesterday at 10:09 PM
LMT Spring 2025 and Girls&#039; LMT 2025
vrondoS   24
N Yesterday at 9:06 PM by AtlantisII
The Lexington High School Math Team is proud to announce LMT Spring 2025 and our inaugural Girls’ LMT 2025! LMT is a competition for middle school students interested in math. Students can participate individually, or on teams of 4-6 members. This announcement contains information for BOTH competitions.

LMT Spring 2025 will take place from 8:30 AM-5:00 PM on Saturday, May 3rd at Lexington High School, 251 Waltham St., Lexington, MA 02421.

The competition will include two individual rounds, a Team Round, and a Guts Round, with a break for lunch and mini-events. A detailed schedule is available at https://lhsmath.org/LMT/Schedule.

There is a $15 fee per participant, paid on the day of the competition. Pizza will be provided for lunch, at no additional cost.

Register for LMT at https://lhsmath.org/LMT/Registration/Home.

Girls’ LMT 2025 will be held ONLINE on MathDash from 11:00 AM-4:15 PM EST on Saturday, April 19th, 2025. Participation is open to middle school students who identify as female or non-binary. The competition will include an individual round and a team round with a break for lunch and mini-events. It is free to participate.

Register for GLMT at https://www.lhsmath.org/LMT/Girls_LMT.

More information is available on our website: https://lhsmath.org/LMT/Home. Email lmt.lhsmath@gmail.com with any questions.
24 replies
vrondoS
Mar 27, 2025
AtlantisII
Yesterday at 9:06 PM
MOP Cutoffs Out?
Mathandski   29
N Yesterday at 4:19 PM by Mathandski
MAA has just emailed a press release announcing the formula they will be using this year to come up with the MOP cutoff that applies to you! Here's the process:

1. Multiply your age by $1434$, let $n$ be the result.

2. Calculate $\varphi(n)$, where $\varphi$ is the Euler's totient theorem, which calculates the number of integers less than $n$ relatively prime to $n$.

3. Multiply your result by $1434$ again because why not, let the result be $m$.

4. Define the Fibonacci sequence $F_0 = 1, F_1 = 1, F_n = F_{n-1} + F_{n-2}$ for $n \ge 2$. Let $r$ be the remainder $F_m$ leaves when you divide it by $69$.

5. Let $x$ be your predicted USA(J)MO score.

6. You will be invited if your score is at least $\lfloor \frac{x + \sqrt[r]{r^2} + r \ln(r)}{r} \rfloor$.

7. Note that there may be additional age restrictions for non-high schoolers.

See here for MAA's original news message.

.

.

.


Edit (4/2/2025): This was an April Fool's post.
Here's the punchline
29 replies
Mathandski
Apr 1, 2025
Mathandski
Yesterday at 4:19 PM
2025 Math and AI 4 Girls Competition: Win Up To $1,000!!!
audio-on   19
N Yesterday at 3:43 PM by WhitePhoenix
Join the 2025 Math and AI 4 Girls Competition for a chance to win up to $1,000!

Hey Everyone, I'm pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 MA4G Competition are set!
Applications will open on March 22nd, 2025, and they will close on April 26th, 2025 (@ 11:59pm PST).

Applicants will have one month to fill out an application with prizes for the top 50 contestants & cash prizes for the top 20 contestants (including $1,000 for the winner!). More details below!

Eligibility:
The competition is free to enter, and open to middle school female students living in the US (5th-8th grade).
Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude, activities and aspirations in STEM.

Event dates:
Applications will open on March 22nd, 2025, and they will close on April 26th, 2025 (by 11:59pm PST)
Winners will be announced on June 28, 2025 during an online award ceremony.

Application requirements:
Complete a 12 question problem set on math and computer science/AI related topics
Write 2 short essays

Prizes:
1st place: $1,000 Cash prize
2nd place: $500 Cash prize
3rd place: $300 Cash prize
4th-10th: $100 Cash prize each
11th-20th: $50 Cash prize each
Top 50 contestants: Over $50 worth of gadgets and stationary


Many thanks to our current and past sponsors and partners: Hudson River Trading, MATHCOUNTS, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Automation Anywhere, JP Morgan Chase, D.E. Shaw, and AI4ALL.

Math and AI 4 Girls is a nonprofit organization aiming to encourage young girls to develop an interest in math and AI by taking part in STEM competitions and activities at an early age. The organization will be hosting an inaugural Math and AI 4 Girls competition to identify talent and encourage long-term planning of academic and career goals in STEM.

Contact:
mathandAI4girls@yahoo.com

For more information on the competition:
https://www.mathandai4girls.org/math-and-ai-4-girls-competition

More information on how to register will be posted on the website. If you have any questions, please ask here!


19 replies
audio-on
Jan 26, 2025
WhitePhoenix
Yesterday at 3:43 PM
INTEGIRLS Spring Competition on 4/20!!!
integirls.bayarea   1
N Yesterday at 2:03 PM by Inaaya
[center]IMAGE[/center]
[br]
[center]INTEGIRLS Bay Area Spring Competition![/center]

Hi everyone! INTEGIRLS Bay Area is excited to invite you to participate in our eighth biannual, free, virtual math competition. The event is open to all girls or non-binary individuals comfortable with being grouped with girls in middle or high school and will take place on Sunday, April 20th from 9 AM - 1:00 PM (PST).

If you're excited to dive into a day of math, make new friends, and win fun prizes, then we encourage you to sign up here!

**Note that the Bay Area chapter of INTEGIRLS writes their own problems, so you can participate in another INTEGIRLS chapter's Spring Competition as well :thumbup:

------
[center]Competition Information[/center]

WHO All middle school and high school students who identify as female or non-binary are invited to join our competition! You can sign up with teams of up to 4 people, or choose to be paired with other students at random.

WHAT Our competition will feature individual, team and tiebreaker rounds with problems written by our amazingly talented team, fun games and a social room to meet new people! There will be separate rounds for middle and high school students as well as exciting prizes for our participants.

WHEN The competition will take place on Sunday, April 20th from 9 AM to 1:00 PM (PST).

WHERE We will host the competition over Zoom, so students from all over the world may attend!

WHY Explore exciting math problems, make friends, and most of all, have fun! Through our competition, we hope to inspire a passion for math in more students, and by bringing together girls who love math together, we aim to create a community of future female mathematicians. Math is an amazing subject full of hidden puzzles and strategies, and together, we seek to create an event full of joy where girls bond over the beauty of the subject.

HOW Register for the competition now here!

CONTACT Feel free to email us at bayarea@integirls.org with any questions! Join our community on Discord, and follow us on Instagram at @integirls.bayarea :laugh:
[br]
1 reply
integirls.bayarea
Yesterday at 5:04 AM
Inaaya
Yesterday at 2:03 PM
The Empty Set Exists
Archimedes15   37
N Yesterday at 1:35 PM by lpieleanu
Source: 2021 AIME II P6
For any finite set $S$, let $|S|$ denote the number of elements in $S$. FInd the number of ordered pairs $(A,B)$ such that $A$ and $B$ are (not necessarily distinct) subsets of $\{1,2,3,4,5\}$ that satisfy
$$|A| \cdot |B| = |A \cap B| \cdot |A \cup B|$$
37 replies
Archimedes15
Mar 19, 2021
lpieleanu
Yesterday at 1:35 PM
Predicted AMC 8 Scores
megahertz13   138
N Yesterday at 10:53 AM by KF329
$\begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c}Username & Grade & AMC8 Score \\ \hline
megahertz13 & 5 & 23 \\
\end{tabular}$
138 replies
megahertz13
Jan 25, 2024
KF329
Yesterday at 10:53 AM
Interesting tangency
Mr.ARS   3
N Feb 15, 2024 by Mr.ARS
Let I - incenter of ABC. Tangent at point B of circumcenter ABC intersects AI and CI at P and Q respectively. If R - orthocenter of PIQ, prove that the circumscribed circles of AIC and PQR touch each other.
IMAGE
3 replies
Mr.ARS
Feb 14, 2024
Mr.ARS
Feb 15, 2024
Interesting tangency
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Mr.ARS
17 posts
#1
Y by
Let I - incenter of ABC. Tangent at point B of circumcenter ABC intersects AI and CI at P and Q respectively. If R - orthocenter of PIQ, prove that the circumscribed circles of AIC and PQR touch each other.
https://bytepix.ru/ib/k4ihdlbulp.png
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by Mr.ARS, Feb 14, 2024, 11:02 AM
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MathLuis
1471 posts
#2 • 5 Y
Y by v4913, Elainedelia, OronSH, crazyeyemoody907, Mr.ARS
Solved with a hint from v4913
Let $O$ the center of $(PQR)$ and let $M$ the midpoint of minor arc $BC$ in $(ABC)$, let $(AIC)$ hit $AB,BC$ at $E,F$ respectivily, let $PQ \cap AC=T$, let $I_B$ the B-excenter of $\triangle ABC$, let $TI_B \cap (AIC)=U$, and denote $(\cdot)'$ the inverse of $(\cdot)$ in $\sqrt{ac}$ inversion.
Claim 1: $\triangle EMF \sim \triangle POQ$
Proof: Since both are isosceles we only need to prove by angle chasing that: $$\angle POQ=2\angle PRQ=2(180-\angle AIC)=2\angle AI_BC=180-\angle ABC=\angle AMC=\angle EMF$$Which is true hence the claim is done. (It is easy to see $EAFC$ is an Isosceles Trapezoid btw)
Claim 2: $QBCU, PBAU$ are cyclic
Proof: By PoP we get $TB^2=TA \cdot TC=TU \cdot TI_B$ hence by angle chase
$$\angle QBU=\angle BI_BU=\angle ICU \implies QBCU \; \text{cyclic}$$Same symetric process gives $PBAU$ cyclic, thus claim finished.
Claim 3: $Q,E,U$ and $P,F,U$ are colinear triples.
Proof: By $\sqrt{ac}$ inversion we get that $A,U',Q'$ and $C,U',P'$ are colinear, note that $U'I_B \perp AC$ follows by symetry on the perpendicular bisector of $BC$ since $(BIT'U')$ is cyclic and $BT' \parallel AC$ is also known. Since $P', Q'$ both lie in $BT'$ we have by double reim's that $BU'FQ'$ and $BU'EP'$ are cyclic and inverting back gives the result.
Finishing: Now by Claim 3 we can in fact get that $U$ is center of homothety of triangles $\triangle EMF$ and $\triangle QOP$, thus $M,O,U$ are colinear, now since $\angle QUP=2\angle EMF=2\angle QOP$ we get that $UQPR$ is cyclic, plus since $M,O,U$ are colinear we can safely say that $(PQR), (AIC)$ are tangent at $U$ as desired, thus we are done :cool:.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by MathLuis, Feb 14, 2024, 5:25 PM
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OronSH
1728 posts
#3
Y by
solved with geogebra

We solve another problem: In $\triangle ABC$ with incenter $I,$ excenter opposite $A$ as $I_A$ we let $D,E$ be points on $(ABI_A),(ACI_A)$ respectively with $AD,AE\parallel BC.$ Then let $J$ be the point on $(BICI_A)$ with $IJ\parallel BC.$
Claim. $BJD,CJE$ collinear.
Proof. $\measuredangle BJI=\measuredangle BI_AI=\measuredangle BI_AA=\measuredangle BDA$ and $IJ\parallel AD$ gives $BJD$ collinear, similarly for $CJE.$
Claim. $\measuredangle EI_AD=-\measuredangle EJD.$
Proof. $\measuredangle EI_AD=\measuredangle EI_AA+\measuredangle AI_AD=\measuredangle I_AEA+\measuredangle EAI_A+\measuredangle ABJ=\measuredangle I_ACA+\measuredangle (BC,AI)+\measuredangle ABC+\measuredangle ACI=\measuredangle I_ACI+\measuredangle BAI=90+\measuredangle BAI=\measuredangle BIC=\measuredangle BJC=-\measuredangle EJD.$
Thus $J$ lies on the reflection $\omega$ of $(EI_AD)$ over line $ADE.$ Thus the homothety at $J$ taking $BC$ to $DE$ takes $(BICI_A)$ to $\omega,$ so the two circles are tangent.

To finish, invert the diagram about $A$ and rename points.
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Mr.ARS
17 posts
#4
Y by
MathLuis wrote:
Solved with a hint from v4913
Let $O$ the center of $(PQR)$ and let $M$ the midpoint of minor arc $BC$ in $(ABC)$, let $(AIC)$ hit $AB,BC$ at $E,F$ respectivily, let $PQ \cap AC=T$, let $I_B$ the B-excenter of $\triangle ABC$, let $TI_B \cap (AIC)=U$, and denote $(\cdot)'$ the inverse of $(\cdot)$ in $\sqrt{ac}$ inversion.
Claim 1: $\triangle EMF \sim \triangle POQ$
Proof: Since both are isosceles we only need to prove by angle chasing that: $$\angle POQ=2\angle PRQ=2(180-\angle AIC)=2\angle AI_BC=180-\angle ABC=\angle AMC=\angle EMF$$Which is true hence the claim is done. (It is easy to see $EAFC$ is an Isosceles Trapezoid btw)
Claim 2: $QBCU, PBAU$ are cyclic
Proof: By PoP we get $TB^2=TA \cdot TC=TU \cdot TI_B$ hence by angle chase
$$\angle QBU=\angle BI_BU=\angle ICU \implies QBCU \; \text{cyclic}$$Same symetric process gives $PBAU$ cyclic, thus claim finished.
Claim 3: $Q,E,U$ and $P,F,U$ are colinear triples.
Proof: By $\sqrt{ac}$ inversion we get that $A,U',Q'$ and $C,U',P'$ are colinear, note that $U'I_B \perp AC$ follows by symetry on the perpendicular bisector of $BC$ since $(BIT'U')$ is cyclic and $BT' \parallel AC$ is also known. Since $P', Q'$ both lie in $BT'$ we have by double reim's that $BU'FQ'$ and $BU'EP'$ are cyclic and inverting back gives the result.
Finishing: Now by Claim 3 we can in fact get that $U$ is center of homothety of triangles $\triangle EMF$ and $\triangle QOP$, thus $M,O,U$ are colinear, now since $\angle QUP=2\angle EMF=2\angle QOP$ we get that $UQPR$ is cyclic, plus since $M,O,U$ are colinear we can safely say that $(PQR), (AIC)$ are tangent at $U$ as desired, thus we are done :cool:.

It is wonderful! But in claim 3 you can use Pascal for UEACII_B
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