Problem Set 11

Online Math Club

August 15, 2024

Introduction
This problem set contains problems on the Power of a Point and Extremal Principle.
Shoutout to Atharva Harlalka for the class and problems on extremal ideas :)

Instructions:

• You can discuss the problems with one another and come up with solutions together
as well. This is especially encouraged for harder problems. We would request you
to solve the easier ones independently.

• You are also encouraged to ask for hints on the server on problems you’re struggling
with.

• The solutions/sources of the problems will be posted with the next Pset.

• Problems are roughly ordered by difficulty.

• Enjoy the problems!

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Online Math Club Problem Set 11

§1 Problems
Problem 1.1. Given a triangle ABC, let P and Q be points on segments AB and
AC, respectively, such that AP = AQ. Let S and R be distinct points on segment BC
such that S lies between B and R, ∠BP S = ∠P RS, and ∠CQR = ∠QSR. Prove that
P, Q, R, S are concyclic (in other words, these four points lie on a circle).

Problem 1.2. Let ABC be an acute triangle with orthocenter H, and let W be a point
on the side BC, lying strictly between B and C. The points M and N are the feet of the
altitudes from B and C, respectively. Denote by ω1 is the circumcircle of BW N , and let
X be the point on ω1 such that W X is a diameter of ω1 . Analogously, denote by ω2 the
circumcircle of triangle CW M , and let Y be the point such that W Y is a diameter of
ω2 . Prove that X, Y and H are collinear.

Problem 1.3. Let ABCD be a parallelogram with AC = BC. A point P is chosen on

the extension of ray AB past B. The circumcircle of ACD meets the segment P D again
at Q. The circumcircle of triangle AP Q meets the segment P C at R. Prove that lines
CD, AQ, BR are concurrent.

Problem 1.4. Let ABC be a triangle with incentre I. The circle through B tangent to
AI at I meets side AB again at P . The circle through C tangent to AI at I meets side
AC again at Q. Prove that P Q is tangent to the incircle of ABC.

Problem 1.5. Let ABC be a triangle. Suppose D be a point such that BD = CD.
Let P , Q be points on lines BD, CD respectively, such that AP = BP and AQ = CQ.
Prove that as D varies, the line P Q passes through a fixed point.

Problem 1.6. Fifteen sheets of paper of various sizes and shapes lie on a book covering
it completely. The sheets may overlap and may even hang over the edge. Show that five
of the sheets may be removed so that the remaining ten sheets cover at least 23 of the
book.

Problem 1.7. Rooks are placed on an n × n chessboard such that whenever a square
does not have a rook on it, the row and column of that square, combined, have at least n
rooks. Prove at least half the squares contain a rook.

Problem 1.8. In space, there are several planets, each of which have an equal radius.
On each planet, we mark the points which aren’t visible from any other planet. Prove
that the total marked area is the area of one planet.

Problem 1.9. Prove that any convex polyhedron has 2 faces with the same number of
sides.

Problem 1.10. Given n ≥ 3 points in the plane, show there is a circle passing through
3 of the points such that no other points lie in the circle.

Problem 1.11. Find all positive integers n ≥ 3 such that

Y
n! | (p + q)
p<q≤n, p,q primes

Problem 1.12. 6 circles in the plane have a non-empty intersection. Prove one circle
contains the center of the other. Does this necessarily hold with 5 circles?

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Online Math Club Problem Set 11

§2 Bonus Problems
Problem 2.1. ∆ABC has perimeter 4. Points X and Y lie on rays AB, AC such that
AX = AY = 1. Segments BC and XY intersect at point M . Prove that the perimeter
of either ∆ABM or ∆ACM is 2.

Problem 2.2. Let ABC be a triangle with AB < AC < BC. Let the incenter and
incircle of triangle ABC be I and ω, respectively. Let X be the point on line BC different
from C such that the line through X parallel to AC is tangent to ω. Similarly, let Y be
the point on line BC different from B such that the line through Y parallel to AB is
tangent to ω. Let AI intersect the circumcircle of triangle ABC at P ̸= A. Let K and L
be the midpoints of AC and AB, respectively. Prove that ∠KIL + ∠Y P X = 180◦ .

Problem 2.3. In triangle ABC, let ω be the excircle opposite to A. Let D, E and F
be the points where ω is tangent to BC, CA, and AB, respectively. The circle AEF
intersects line BC at P and Q. Let M be the midpoint of AD. Prove that the circle
M P Q is tangent to ω.

Problem 2.4. Let f (x) be a degree n with integer coefficients such that f (x) ≥ 0 for all
d d2 dn
real numbers x. Prove that g(x) = f (x) + dx f (x) + dx 2 f (x) · · · dxn f (x) is also always
positive for real numbers x.

Problem 2.5. In the plane, there are given finitely many pairwise non-parallel lines
such that through the intersection point of any two of them one more of the given line
passes. Prove that all these lines pass through one point.

Problem 2.6. In a plane, 2024 vectors are drawn. Two players alternately take a vector
until no vectors are left. The loser is the one whose vector sum has the smaller length.
Can the first player choose a strategy so that he does not lose?

Problem 2.7. Any two of a finite number of (not necessarily convex) polygons have
a common point. Prove that there is a line which has a common point with all these
polygons.

Problem 2.8. A closed bounded figure Ψ has the following property: Any two points of
Ψ can be connected a semicircle compeletley in Ψ. Find the figure Ψ.

Problem 2.9. Fifty segments are given on a line. Prove some eight of the segments have
a common point, or some 8 are disjoint 2n + 1 gangsters are in a dessert, such that all
their pairwise distances are distinct. Then, every gangster shoots their nearest neighbor.
Prove the five following statements:

1. There are 2 people who shoot each other

2. The path of the bullets do not cross

3. No gangster is shot by 6 or more bullets

4. The set of segments formed does not contain closed polygon

5. Atleats one person survives

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Online Math Club Problem Set 11

§3 Solutions/Sources to PSet 10
Problem 3.1. Count the number of occurrences of p, p2 . . . in the set {1, 2, . . . n}.

Problem 3.2. In base p, let n = ki=0 (ai · pi ). Then

P

∞  
X n
vp (n!) =
pi
i=1

k k k k
X X pj − 1 1 X X n − sp (n)
= aj (pj−1 + . . . + p + 1) = aj · = ( aj · pi − aj ) =
p−1 p−1 p−1
j=1 j=1 j=1 j=1

Problem 3.3. ISL 2007 N2

Problem 3.4. [Link]

Problem 3.5. [Link]

Problem 3.6. [Link]

Problem 3.7. [Link] (Replace

2004 with n.)

Problem 3.8. [Link]

Problem 3.9. ISL 1994 C3

Problem 3.10. ISL 2022 C6