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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Thursday at 11:16 PM
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]
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0 replies
jlacosta
Thursday at 11:16 PM
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
IMO Shortlist Problems
ABCD1728   2
N 33 minutes ago by ABCD1728
Source: IMO official website
Where can I get the official solution for ISL before 2005? The official website only has solutions after 2006. Thanks :)
2 replies
ABCD1728
Yesterday at 12:44 PM
ABCD1728
33 minutes ago
Estimate on number of progressions
Assassino9931   1
N 33 minutes ago by BlizzardWizard
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 C4
Let $n$ be a positive integer. For a set $S$ of $n$ real numbers, let $f(S)$ denote the number of increasing arithmetic progressions of length at least two all of whose terms are in $S$. Prove that, if $S$ is a set of $n$ real numbers, then
\[ f(S) \leq \frac{n^2}{4} + f(\{1,2,\ldots,n\})\]
1 reply
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
BlizzardWizard
33 minutes ago
2^x+3^x = yx^2
truongphatt2668   10
N 36 minutes ago by MittenpunktpointX9
Prove that the following equation has infinite integer solutions:
$$2^x+3^x = yx^2$$
10 replies
truongphatt2668
Apr 22, 2025
MittenpunktpointX9
36 minutes ago
find the radius of circumcircle!
jennifreind   1
N 37 minutes ago by ricarlos
In $\triangle \rm ABC$, $  \angle \rm B$ is acute, $\rm{\overline{BC}} = 8$, and $\rm{\overline{AC}} = 3\rm{\overline{AB}}$. Let point $\rm D$ be the intersection of the tangent to the circumcircle of $\triangle \rm ABC$ at point $\rm A$ and the perpendicular bisector of segment $\rm{\overline{BC}}$. Given that $\rm{\overline{AD}} = 6$, find the radius of the circumcircle of $\triangle \rm BCD$.
IMAGE
1 reply
jennifreind
Yesterday at 2:12 PM
ricarlos
37 minutes ago
A folklore polynomial game
Assassino9931   1
N an hour ago by YaoAOPS
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 A1, also Bulgaria Regional Round 2016, Grade 12
Fix a positive integer $d$. Yael and Ziad play a game as follows, involving a monic polynomial of degree $2d$. With Yael going first, they take turns to choose a strictly positive real number as the value of one of the coecients of the polynomial. Once a coefficient is assigned a value, it cannot be chosen again later in the game. So the game
lasts for $2d$ rounds, until Ziad assigns the final coefficient. Yael wins if $P(x) = 0$ for some real
number $x$. Otherwise, Ziad wins. Decide who has the winning strategy.
1 reply
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
YaoAOPS
an hour ago
Game on board with gcd and lcm
Assassino9931   0
an hour ago
Source: Bulgaria EGMO TST 2025 P3
On the board are written $n \geq 2$ positive integers with least common multiple $K$ and greatest common divisor $1$. It is known that $K$ is not a perfect square and is not among the initially written numbers. Two players $A$ and $B$ play the following game, taking turns alternatingly, with $A$ starting first. In a move the player has to write a number which has not been written so far, by taking two distinct integers $a$ and $b$ from the board and write LCM$(a,b)$ or LCM$(a,b)$/$a$. The player who writes $1$ or $K$ loses. Who has a winning strategy?
0 replies
Assassino9931
an hour ago
0 replies
Popular children at camp with algebra and geometry
Assassino9931   0
2 hours ago
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 C3
Fix an odd integer $n\geq 3$. At a maths camp, there are $n^2$ children, each of whom selects
either algebra or geometry as their favourite topic. At lunch, they sit at $n$ tables, with $n$ children
on each table, and start talking about mathematics. A child is said to be popular if their favourite
topic has a majority at their table. For dinner, the students again sit at $n$ tables, with $n$ children
on each table, such that no two children share a table at both lunch and dinner. Determine the
minimal number of young mathematicians who are popular at both mealtimes. (The minimum is across all sets of topic preferences and seating arrangements.)
0 replies
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
0 replies
Triangles in dissections
Assassino9931   0
2 hours ago
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 C2
Fix an integer $n\geq 3$ and let $A_1A_2\ldots A_n$ be a convex polygon in the plane. Let $\mathcal{M}$ be the set of all midpoints $M_{i,j}$ of segments $A_iA_j$ where $i\neq j$. Assume that all of these midpoints are distinct, i.e. $\mathcal{M}$ consists of $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$ elements. Dissect the polygon $M_{1,2}M_{2,3}\ldots M_{n,1}$ into triangles so that the following hold:

(1) The intersection of every two triangles (interior and boundary) is either empty or a common
vertex or a common side.
(2) The vertices of all triangles lie in M (not all points in M are necessarily used).
(3) Each side of every triangle is of the form $M_{i,j}M_{i,k}$ for some pairwise distinct indices $i,j,k$.

Prove that the total number of triangles in such a dissection is $3n-8$.
0 replies
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
0 replies
Tangency geo
Assassino9931   0
2 hours ago
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 G1
Let $ABC$ be an acute triangle with $\angle ABC > 45^{\circ}$ and $\angle ACB > 45^{\circ}$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of the side $BC$. The circumcircle of triangle $ABM$ intersects the side $AC$ again at $X\neq A$ and the circumcircle of triangle $ACM$ intersects the side $AB$ again at $Y\neq A$. The point $P$ lies on the perpendicular bisector of the segment $BC$ so that the points $P$ and $A$ lie on the same side of $XY$ and $\angle XPY = 90^{\circ} + \angle BAC$. Prove that the circumcircles of triangles $BPY$ and $CPX$ are tangent.
0 replies
1 viewing
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
0 replies
Inequalities in real math research
Assassino9931   0
2 hours ago
Source: RMM Shortlist 2024 A3
For a positive integer $n$ denote $F_n(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n) = 1 + x_1 + x_1x_2 + \cdots +x_1x_2\ldots x_n$. For any real numbers $x_1\geq x_2 \geq \ldots \geq x_k \geq 0$ prove that
\[ \prod_{i=1}^k F_i(x_{k-i+1},x_{k-i+2},\ldots,x_k) \geq \prod_{i=1}^k F_i(x_i,x_i,\ldots,x_i)\]
0 replies
Assassino9931
2 hours ago
0 replies
Putnnam 1954 B2
sqrtX   3
N 4 hours ago by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1954
Let $s$ denote the sum of the alternating harmonic series. Rearrange this series as follows
$$1 + \frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{5} +\frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{11} - \ldots$$Assume as known that this series converges as well and denote its sum by $S$. Denote by $s_k, S_k$ respectively the $k$-th partial sums of both series. Prove that
$$ \!\!\!\! \text{i})\; S_{3n} = s_{4n} +\frac{1}{2} s_{2n}.$$$$ \text{ii}) \; S\ne s.$$
3 replies
sqrtX
Jul 17, 2022
centslordm
4 hours ago
Putnam 1954 B1
sqrtX   5
N 4 hours ago by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1954
Show that the equation $x^2 -y^2 =a^3$ has always integral solutions for $x$ and $y$ whenever $a$ is a positive integer.
5 replies
sqrtX
Jul 17, 2022
centslordm
4 hours ago
Putnam 1954 A6
sqrtX   1
N 4 hours ago by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1954
Suppose that $u_0 , u_1 ,\ldots$ is a sequence of real numbers such that
$$u_n =  \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} u_{n+k}^{2}\;\;\; \text{for} \; n=0,1,2,\ldots$$Prove that if $\sum u_n$ converges, then $u_k=0$ for all $k$.
1 reply
sqrtX
Jul 17, 2022
centslordm
4 hours ago
Putnam 1954 A3
sqrtX   2
N 4 hours ago by centslordm
Source: Putnam 1954
Prove that if the family of integral curves of the differential equation
$$ \frac{dy}{dx} +p(x) y= q(x),$$where $p(x) q(x) \ne 0$, is cut by the line $x=k$ the tangents at the points of intersection are concurrent.
2 replies
sqrtX
Jul 17, 2022
centslordm
4 hours ago
Can a 0-1 matrix square to the matrix with all ones?
Tintarn   4
N Apr 23, 2025 by loup blanc
Source: IMC 2024, Problem 3
For which positive integers $n$ does there exist an $n \times n$ matrix $A$ whose entries are all in $\{0,1\}$, such that $A^2$ is the matrix of all ones?
4 replies
Tintarn
Aug 7, 2024
loup blanc
Apr 23, 2025
Can a 0-1 matrix square to the matrix with all ones?
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G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: IMC 2024, Problem 3
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Tintarn
9042 posts
#1
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For which positive integers $n$ does there exist an $n \times n$ matrix $A$ whose entries are all in $\{0,1\}$, such that $A^2$ is the matrix of all ones?
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pi_quadrat_sechstel
592 posts
#2
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Tintarn wrote:
For which positive integers $n$ does there exist an $n \times n$ matrix $A$ whose entries are all in $\{0,1\}$, such that $A^2$ is the matrix of all ones?

$A^2$ has $n-1$ times the eigenvalue 0 and the eigenvalue $n$. So the charaterisric polynomial of $A$ must be $X^{n-1}(X\pm\sqrt{n})$. This is only for $n=m^2$ an integer polynomial.

Let $0\leq k\leq n-1$ and let $M_k$ be the $m\times m$-matrix with entries $(m_k)_{ij}=\begin{cases}1&i\equiv j+l\pmod{m}\\0&\mathrm{else}\end{cases}$. We can choose $A$ as the block-matrix $A=\begin{pmatrix}M_0&M_0&M_0&\cdots&M_0\\ M_1&M_1&M_1&\cdots&M_1\\ M_2&M_2&M_2&\cdots&M_2\\ \vdots&\vdots&\vdots&\ddots&\vdots\\ M_{m-1}&M_{m-1}&M_{m-1}&\cdots&M_{m-1}\end{pmatrix}$.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by pi_quadrat_sechstel, Aug 7, 2024, 2:08 PM
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Tintarn
9042 posts
#3
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Solution
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Kugelmonster
51 posts
#5
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A totally different proof
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loup blanc
3591 posts
#6
Y by
The only difficulty is to find a matrix for each admissible value of $m^2$.
Using the form found by @pi_quadrat_sechst, that follows is a simple solution:
let $Z=[0,\cdots,0]^T,V=[1,\cdots,1]^T\in \{0,1\}^m$; then put
$M_0=[V,Z,\cdots,Z],M_1=[Z,V,Z,\cdots,Z],....,M_{m-1}=[Z,\cdots,Z,V]$.
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