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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
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
Putnam 1980 B3
sqrtX   2
N 23 minutes ago by Etkan
Source: Putnam 1980
For which real numbers $a$ does the sequence $(u_n )$ defined by the initial condition $u_0 =a$ and the recursion $u_{n+1} =2u_n - n^2$ have $u_n >0$ for all $n \geq 0?$
2 replies
sqrtX
Apr 1, 2022
Etkan
23 minutes ago
Differential Equations Question
Riptide1901   0
31 minutes ago
I'm taking a class on differential equations, and I'm confused why, when dealing with systems of differential equations, they choose to notate the solutions in the fundamental set (expressed as vectors), with superscripts instead of subscripts (as in the image attached). This confuses me with taking derivatives of $\mathbf{x}.$ Is there any reason why we shouldn't write $\mathbf{x}=c_1\mathbf{x}_1+c_2\mathbf{x}_2$ instead?
0 replies
Riptide1901
31 minutes ago
0 replies
Inequality with condition a+b+c = ab+bc+ca (and special equality case)
DoThinh2001   69
N 35 minutes ago by mihaig
Source: BMO 2019, problem 2
Let $a,b,c$ be real numbers such that $0 \leq a \leq b \leq c$ and $a+b+c=ab+bc+ca >0.$
Prove that $\sqrt{bc}(a+1) \geq 2$ and determine the equality cases.

(Edit: Proposed by sir Leonard Giugiuc, Romania)
69 replies
DoThinh2001
May 2, 2019
mihaig
35 minutes ago
1 line solution to Inequality
ItzsleepyXD   1
N 37 minutes ago by mihaig
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P8
Let $x_1,x_2,\dots,x_n$ be positive real integer such that $x_1^2+x_2^2+\cdots+x_n^2=2$ Prove that
$$\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{1}{x_i^3(x_{i-1}+x_{i+1})}\geqslant \left(\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{x_i}{x_{i-1}+x_{i+1}}\right)^3$$such that $x_{n+1}=x_1$ and $x_0=x_n$
1 reply
ItzsleepyXD
5 hours ago
mihaig
37 minutes ago
a nice problem of nt from PUMaC
Namisgood   1
N 38 minutes ago by Goutamioqmtopper
Source: PUMaC
Problem is attached
1 reply
Namisgood
Yesterday at 9:47 AM
Goutamioqmtopper
38 minutes ago
Putnam 1950 A3
centslordm   2
N 39 minutes ago by centslordm
The sequence $x_0, x_1, x_2, \ldots$ is defined by the conditions \[ x_0 = a, x_1 = b, x_{n+1} = \frac{x_{n - 1} + (2n - 1) ~x_n}{2n}\]for $n \ge 1,$ where $a$ and $b$ are given numbers. Express $\lim_{n \to \infty} x_n$ concisely in terms of $a$ and $b.$
2 replies
centslordm
May 24, 2022
centslordm
39 minutes ago
Diophantine equation !
ComplexPhi   11
N 40 minutes ago by Goutamioqmtopper
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.
11 replies
ComplexPhi
Feb 4, 2015
Goutamioqmtopper
40 minutes ago
Putnam 1949 B1
sqrtX   1
N 44 minutes ago by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1949
Each rational number $\frac{p}{q}$ with $p,q$ coprime of the open interval $(0,1)$ is covered by the closed interval $\left[\frac{p}{q}-\frac{1}{4q^{2}}, \frac{p}{q}+\frac{1}{4q^{2}}\right]$. Prove that $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ is not covered by any of the above closed intervals.
1 reply
sqrtX
Mar 20, 2022
centslordm
44 minutes ago
Solve $\sin(17x)+\sin(13x)=\sin(7x)$
Speed2001   1
N an hour ago by rchokler
How to solve the equation:
$$
\sin(17x)+\sin(13x)=\sin(7x),\;0<x<24^{\circ}
$$Approach: I'm trying to factor $\sin(18x)$ to get $x=10^{\circ}$.

Any hint would be appreciated.
1 reply
Speed2001
Yesterday at 1:06 AM
rchokler
an hour ago
7^a - 3^b divides a^4 + b^2 (from IMO Shortlist 2007)
Dida Drogbier   39
N an hour ago by ND_
Source: ISL 2007, N1, VAIMO 2008, P4
Find all pairs of natural numbers $ (a, b)$ such that $ 7^a - 3^b$ divides $ a^4 + b^2$.

Author: Stephan Wagner, Austria
39 replies
Dida Drogbier
Apr 21, 2008
ND_
an hour ago
Inspired by tom-nowy
sqing   0
an hour ago
Source: Own
Let $a,b,c \in [-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2}]$. Prove that
$$ \frac{1}{16}\geq (ab+bc+ca)^2+ a^2b^2c^2-(a+b+c)^2\geq -\frac{107}{64} $$$$ \frac{1}{16}\geq (ab+bc+ca)^2+3a^2b^2c^2-(a+b+c)^2\geq -\frac{105}{64} $$Let $a,b,c \in [-2,2]$. Prove that
$$172\geq (ab+bc+ca)^2+ a^2b^2c^2-(a+b+c)^2\geq -\frac{64}{11} $$$$300\geq (ab+bc+ca)^2+3a^2b^2c^2-(a+b+c)^2\geq -\frac{192}{35} $$
0 replies
sqing
an hour ago
0 replies
An amazing inequality
Kei0923   6
N an hour ago by Kei0923
Source: Own (2021 Mock Japan MO Finals 5)
Let $n$ be a positive integer and $a_{1},a_{2},\dots, a_{n+1}$ be positive real numbers such that $$\displaystyle {\sum_{i=1}^{n+1}}\frac{1}{a_{i}+n^2}=\frac{1}{n}.$$Prove that $$\sum_{i=1}^{n+1} \frac{1}{a_{i}^{2021}+n^{2020}} \geq \frac{1}{n^{2020}}.$$
6 replies
Kei0923
Mar 14, 2021
Kei0923
an hour ago
Prime Numbers
TRcrescent27   7
N an hour ago by Goutamioqmtopper
Source: 2015 Turkey JBMO TST
Let $p,q$ be prime numbers such that their sum isn't divisible by $3$. Find the all $(p,q,r,n)$ positive integer quadruples satisfy:
$$p+q=r(p-q)^n$$
Proposed by Şahin Emrah
7 replies
TRcrescent27
Jun 22, 2016
Goutamioqmtopper
an hour ago
Ugly Inequality
EthanWYX2009   1
N an hour ago by NTstrucker
Show that
\[\sum_{k=1}^n\frac{\phi(k)}k\ln\frac{2^k}{2^k-1}\ge 1-\frac 1{2^n}.\]
1 reply
1 viewing
EthanWYX2009
2 hours ago
NTstrucker
an hour ago
Dih(28)
aRb   3
N Mar 30, 2025 by rchokler
Source: Sylow p-subgroups
$ Dih(28)$

Need to find elements of order $ 2, 4, 7$.

$ 28= 2^2*7$

14 reflections (of order 2) and 14 rotations.

First look at $ n_7$.

$ n_{7}$ $ \equiv$ 1 (mod 7)

A unique Sylow 7-subgroup of order 7. No reflections in this subgroup (as they are of order 2).

There are 7 rotations (including identity).

So, if <x> are rotations and <y> are reflections, then in the Sylow 7-subgroup of order 7 there are only elements generated by x.

$ {1, x^7}$ are of order 2. $ x^2$ is of order 7? No elements of order 4 in in the Sylow 7-subgroup.



Looking at $ n_2$.

$ n_{2}$ $ \equiv$ 1 (mod 2)

The Sylow 2-subgroup is of order 4.

as we have $ 2^2$, does this mean that there are no elements of order 2 in the Sylow-2 subgroup, but only elements of order 4.

I need to find:

(1) elements of order $ 2, 4, 7$ in Dih(28)
(2) list the Sylow 2-subgroups and the Sylow 7-subgroups.

Not sure if I am going in the right direction with this...

Any help would be appreciated!
3 replies
aRb
Dec 30, 2009
rchokler
Mar 30, 2025
Source: Sylow p-subgroups
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aRb
33 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
$ Dih(28)$

Need to find elements of order $ 2, 4, 7$.

$ 28= 2^2*7$

14 reflections (of order 2) and 14 rotations.

First look at $ n_7$.

$ n_{7}$ $ \equiv$ 1 (mod 7)

A unique Sylow 7-subgroup of order 7. No reflections in this subgroup (as they are of order 2).

There are 7 rotations (including identity).

So, if <x> are rotations and <y> are reflections, then in the Sylow 7-subgroup of order 7 there are only elements generated by x.

$ {1, x^7}$ are of order 2. $ x^2$ is of order 7? No elements of order 4 in in the Sylow 7-subgroup.



Looking at $ n_2$.

$ n_{2}$ $ \equiv$ 1 (mod 2)

The Sylow 2-subgroup is of order 4.

as we have $ 2^2$, does this mean that there are no elements of order 2 in the Sylow-2 subgroup, but only elements of order 4.

I need to find:

(1) elements of order $ 2, 4, 7$ in Dih(28)
(2) list the Sylow 2-subgroups and the Sylow 7-subgroups.

Not sure if I am going in the right direction with this...

Any help would be appreciated!
Z K Y
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silversheep
77 posts
#2 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Let's think about this problem geometrically. Interpreting Dih(28) as rotations/ reflections in the plane, all reflections have order 2. (You can think of Dih(28) as the group of symmetries of a 14-gon. The reflections have lines spaced 180n/14 degrees apart.) This gives 14 elements of order 2 here. Now rotations can be by 360n/14 degrees, so there are 6 elements with order 14(n=1,3,5,9,11,13), 1 additional element of order 2 (n=7), and 6 elements of order 7 (n even, not 0). There is no element of order 4.

Say x,y generate the group with x a rotation (order 14) and y a reflection.
As you noticed, there is exactly one 7-SSG, $ \langle x^2 \rangle$. A 2-SSG must be a 4-group. (i.e $ C_2\times C_2$) All elements except the identity have order 2. Now since the composition of two distinct reflections is a nontrivial rotation, a 2-SSG must have a rotation. It must be $ x^7$. If it contains a reflection about a line l, it contains a reflection around the line perpendicular to it (play around with this). We have accounted for all elements in 2-SSG. Since there are 7 pairs of perpendicular reflection lines, there are 7 2-SSG's. (7 is odd and divides 28, check)

All of the above can be put purely in algebraic terms. Just write all the elements in terms of x and y, and use the relations in the group to take the place of the geometric arguments.
Z K Y
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ihatemath123
3446 posts
#4 • 1 Y
Y by OronSH
Nice question!
Z K Y
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rchokler
2973 posts
#5
Y by
In general, $D_n$ has a total of $2n$ permutations. It is describes the symmetry of a regular $n$-gon.

Numbering the vertices $1,2,\cdots,n$ clockwise, we have $n$ permutations corresponding to the reflections and these each have order $2$. For the rotations, for each $k$ there are $\phi(k)$ permutations of order $k$ for each $k|n$.
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