Problems

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Solution:

1. Note that the vector \(\overrightarrow{AB}\) is \(b-a\), and if we rotate this by \(\frac13\pi\) we get \(e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)\) after rotating it. Therefore the point \(K\) is represented by \(a + e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)\) and so \(G_{AB}\) is \begin{align*} && g_{ab} &= \tfrac13(a + b + a + e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)) \\ &&&= \tfrac13((1+ e^{-i\pi/3})b+(2-e^{-i\pi/3})a)\\ &&&= \tfrac13((1+\tfrac12 - \tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)b + ((2-\tfrac12+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \tfrac13((\tfrac32 - \tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)b + ((\tfrac32+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \tfrac1{\sqrt3}((\tfrac{\sqrt3}2 - \tfrac{1}{2}i)b + ((\tfrac{\sqrt3}2+\tfrac{1}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt3}(\omega^* b + \omega a) \end{align*}
2. First note that \(Q_1\) is a parallelogram iff \(c - a = (b-a) + (d-a)\) ie \(a + c = b+d\) (indeed this is true for all quadrilaterals), so. \begin{align*} && Q_1 &\text{ is a parallelogram} \\ \Longleftrightarrow && a + b &= c + d \\ \Longleftrightarrow && \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega - \omega^*)(a + c) &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega -\omega^*)(b + d) \\ \Longleftrightarrow && \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega a + \omega^*b)+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega c + \omega^*d) &=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega b + \omega^*c)+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega d + \omega^*a) \\ \Longleftrightarrow && g_{ab}+g_{cd} &=g_{bc}+g_{da} \\ \Longleftrightarrow && Q_2 &\text{ is a parallelogram} \\ \end{align*}
3. We consider \(\frac{g_{ab}-g_{bc}}{g_{ca}-g_{bc}}\) so \begin{align*} && \frac{g_{ab}-g_{bc}}{g_{ca}-g_{bc}} &= \frac{(\omega a + \omega^*b)-(\omega b + \omega^* c)}{(\omega c + \omega^*a)-(\omega b + \omega^* c)} \\ &&&= \frac{\omega a- \omega^* c -(\omega- \omega^*)b }{\omega^*a-\omega b -(\omega^* -\omega )c} \\ &&&= \frac{\omega^2 a- c -(\omega^2- 1)b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&=\omega^2\frac{ a- \omega^4 c -(1- \omega^4)b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&=\omega^2\frac{ a- (1-\omega^2) c -\omega^2b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&= \omega^2 \end{align*} Therefore the triangle is equilateral.

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Solution:

1. If \(\vec{PQ} = \vec{SR}\) we have a parallelogram. \(\vec{PQ} = \vec{SR}\) and \(|\vec{PQ}| = |\vec{PS}|\) then we have a rhombus.
2. If the four points lie in a plane then \((\vec{RS} \times \vec{RP}) \cdot \vec{RQ} =0\), so \begin{align*} && 0 &=\left ( \begin{pmatrix}-r\\ s-1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix}p-r\\ -1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}\right) \cdot \begin{pmatrix}1-r\\ q-1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} \\ && &= \begin{pmatrix}1-s \\ -r \\r+(p-r)(1-s) \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix}1-r\\ q-1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} \\ &&&= (1-s)(1-r)-r(q-1)-r-(p-r)(1-s) \\ &&&=(1-s)(1-r-p+r)-rq \\ \Rightarrow && rq &= (1-s)(1-p) \end{align*}
   1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \vec{PQ} &= \vec{SR} \\ \Leftrightarrow && \begin{pmatrix}1-p\\q \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} &= \begin{pmatrix}r\\1-s \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \\ \Leftrightarrow && 1-p = r & \quad ; \quad q = 1-s\\ \Leftrightarrow && 1= r+p & \quad ; \quad 1 = q+s\\ \end{align*} The centroid is \(\frac14 (p+1+r, q+s+1, 2)\) which is clearly \(\frac12(1,1,1)\) iff those equations are true.
   2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && |\vec{PQ}| &= |\vec{PS}| \\ \Leftrightarrow && (1-p)^2+q^2+ 0^2 &= p^2+s^2+1)\\ \Leftrightarrow && 1-2p+p^2+q^2 &= p^2 + s^2 + 1 \\ \Leftrightarrow && -2p+q^2 &= s^2 \end{align*} From the previous equations we have \(r = 1-p\), and \(-2p+(1-s)^2 = s^2 \Rightarrow -2p + 1 -2s = 0 \Rightarrow s = \frac12 - p\) and \(q = \frac12 + p\) \begin{align*} && \cos PQR &= \frac{\vec{QP}\cdot \vec{QR}}{|\vec{QP}||\vec{QR}|} \\ &&&= \frac{ \begin{pmatrix}p-1\\ -q \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix}r-1\\ 1-q \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}}{\sqrt{(p-1)^2+q^2}\sqrt{(r-1)^2+(1-q)^2+1^2}} \\ &&&= \frac{ \begin{pmatrix}p-1\\ -\frac12-p \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix}-p\\ \frac12-p \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}}{\sqrt{(p-1)^2+(-\frac12-p)^2}\sqrt{p^2+(\frac12-p)^2+1^2}} \\ &&&= \frac{ p-p^2-\frac14+p^2}{\sqrt{p^2-2p+1+\frac14+p+p^2}\sqrt{p^2+\frac14-p+p^2+1}} \\ &&&= \frac{4p-1}{\sqrt{8p^2-4p+5}\sqrt{8p^2-4p+5}}\\ &&&= \frac{4p-1}{8p^2-4p+5}\\ \end{align*} For \(PQRS\) to be a square \(\cos PQR = 0\), ie \(p = \frac14\) and so \((p,q,r,s) = (\frac14, \frac34, \frac34, \frac14)\) and \(|PQ| = \sqrt{(1-p)^2+q^2} = \sqrt{\left ( \frac34 \right)^2 + \left ( \frac34 \right)^2 } = \frac{3\sqrt{2}}4\), notice that \(\left ( \frac{21}{20} \right)^2 = \frac{441}{400} < \frac{9}{8}\) (\(441 < 450\)) therefore the sides are at least as long as \(\frac{21}{20}\)

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Solution: The vector representing the side \(AB\) is \(b - a\) and the vector representing the side \(DC\) is \(c - d\). \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram if and only if these opposite sides are parallel and equal in length, which is given by \(b - a = c - d\), or equivalently \(a + c = b + d\). Similarly, if \(a + c = b + d\), then \(c - b = d - a\), so the side \(BC\) is parallel and equal in length to the side \(AD\). Thus, \(a + c = b + d\) is the necessary and sufficient condition for \(ABCD\) to be a parallelogram. In a parallelogram, the shape is a square if and only if the diagonals are equal in length and perpendicular to each other. The diagonals are represented by the vectors \(c - a\) and \(d - b\). For these to be equal in length and perpendicular, one must be a \(90^\circ\) rotation of the other. Since \(A, B, C, D\) are labeled anticlockwise, a \(90^\circ\) anticlockwise rotation of the vector \(\vec{AC}\) (which is \(c-a\)) would point in the direction of \(\vec{DB}\) (which is \(b-d\) if we consider the relative orientation). Specifically: \(i(c - a) = d - b \implies -i(a - c) = d - b \implies i(a - c) = b - d\). Thus, \(ABCD\) is a square if and only if \(i(a - c) = b - d\).

1. The midpoint of the side \(PQ\) is \(\frac{1}{2}(p + q)\). To find the centre \(X\) of the square built externally on \(PQ\), we start at the midpoint and move a distance equal to half the side length in a direction perpendicular to \(PQ\). Since \(P, Q, R, S\) are anticlockwise, the outward direction is a \(90^\circ\) clockwise rotation of the vector \(\vec{PQ}\). A clockwise rotation of \(90^\circ\) corresponds to multiplication by \(-i\). \[ x = \frac{p+q}{2} + (-i)\left(\frac{q-p}{2}\right) = \frac{p + q - iq + ip}{2} = \frac{1}{2} \big( p(1+i) + q(1-i) \big) \]
2. From part (i), we have the representations for the centres: \begin{align*} x &= \tfrac{1}{2}(p(1+i) + q(1-i)) \\ y &= \tfrac{1}{2}(q(1+i) + r(1-i)) \\ z &= \tfrac{1}{2}(r(1+i) + s(1-i)) \\ t &= \tfrac{1}{2}(s(1+i) + p(1-i)) \end{align*} As shown in the first part of the problem, \(XYZT\) is a square if and only if: (1) \(x+z = y+t\) (it is a parallelogram) (2) \(i(x-z) = y-t\) (it is a square) First, examine condition (1): \begin{align*} x+z - (y+t) &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ (p+r)(1+i) + (q+s)(1-i) - (q+s)(1+i) - (r+p)(1-i) \big] \\ &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ (p+r)(1+i - (1-i)) - (q+s)(1+i - (1-i)) \big] \\ &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ (p+r)(2i) - (q+s)(2i) \big] \\ &= i(p+r - (q+s)) \end{align*} Thus, \(x+z = y+t\) if and only if \(p+r = q+s\), which is the condition that \(PQRS\) is a parallelogram. Next, examine condition (2): \begin{align*} i(x-z) &= \tfrac{1}{2} i \big[ p(1+i) + q(1-i) - r(1+i) - s(1-i) \big] \\ &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ p(i-1) + q(i+1) - r(i-1) - s(i+1) \big] \\ y-t &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ q(1+i) + r(1-i) - s(1+i) - p(1-i) \big] \\ \text{So, } i(x-z) - (y-t) &= \tfrac{1}{2} \big[ p(i-1 + 1-i) + q(i+1 - 1-i) + r(-i+1 - 1+i) + s(-i-1 + 1+i) \big] \\ &= 0 \end{align*} Since \(i(x-z) = y-t\) is an identity (always true for any \(PQRS\)), \(XYZT\) is a square if and only if it is a parallelogram. As established above, this occurs if and only if \(PQRS\) is a parallelogram.

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Solution: Let \(\overrightarrow{AX} = \mathbf{x}\) for all points, so: \begin{align*} \mathbf{p} &= p\mathbf{b}\\ \mathbf{r} &= r\mathbf{d}\\ \mathbf{q} &= \mathbf{p}+\mathbf{r} \\ &= p\mathbf{b} + r\mathbf{d} \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} BR: && \mathbf{b} + \lambda(\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{b}) \\ &&= (1-\lambda) \mathbf{b}+ \lambda r \mathbf{d} \\ CQ: && \mathbf{c} + \mu(\mathbf{q} - \mathbf{c}) \\ &&= \mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d} + \mu(p\mathbf{b}+r\mathbf{d} - (\mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d}) ) \\ &&= (1+\mu(p-1))\mathbf{b} + (1+\mu(r-1))\mathbf{d} \\ DP: && \mathbf{d} + \nu (\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{d}) \\ &&= \nu p\mathbf{b} +(1-\nu) \mathbf{d} \end{align*} So we need \(1-\nu = \lambda r, \nu p = 1-\lambda, \) so lets say \(1 = \nu + \lambda r, 1 = \lambda + \nu p \Rightarrow \lambda(pr-1) = p-1 \Rightarrow \lambda = \frac{p-1}{pr-1}\) so they intersect at \(\frac{rp-r}{pr-1} \mathbf{d} + \frac{pr-p}{pr-1}\mathbf{b}\). If we take \(\mu = -\frac{\lambda}{p-1} = 1-pr\) this is clearly also on \(CQ\) hence they all meet at a point

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Solution: Set up coordinates such that \(A\) at the origin and \(\vec{AB} = \mathbf{x}\) and \(\vec{AD} = \mathbf{y}\) and so \(\vec{AC} = \mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y}\)

1. \begin{align*} AC^2 + BD^2 &= (\mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y})\cdot (\mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y}) + (\mathbf{y}-\mathbf{x})\cdot(\mathbf{y}-\mathbf{x}) \\ &= 2\mathbf{x}\cdot\mathbf{x} + 2\mathbf{y}\cdot\mathbf{y} \\ &= AB^2 + CD^2 +AD^2 + BC^2 \end{align*}
2. \begin{align*} AC^2 -BD^2 &= (\mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y})\cdot (\mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y}) - (\mathbf{y}-\mathbf{x})\cdot(\mathbf{y}-\mathbf{x}) \\ &= 4 \mathbf{x}\cdot \mathbf{y} \end{align*} \(\mathbf{x}\cdot\mathbf{y} = |\mathbf{x}||\mathbf{y}|\cos \theta\) which is exactly the lenth of one side mutliplied by the length of the projection to that same side.

\begin{align*} AB^2 - AD^2 &= \mathbf{x}\cdot\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{y} \\ &= (\mathbf{x}+\mathbf{y})\cdot(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}) \\ &= AC \cdot BD \end{align*} So this is the area of the rectangle formed by the length of one diagonal and the projection of the other diagonal onto it.

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Solution: In a parallelogram the diagonals meet at their mid points. Fixing one diagonal, we can look at the two triangles formed by the other diagonal. Suppose the angle between them is \(\theta\). Then the area of the triangles will be \(\frac12 \frac{l_1}{2} \frac{l_2}2 \sin \theta+\frac12 \frac{l_1}{2} \frac{l_2}2 \sin (\pi -\theta) = \frac{l_1l_2}{4} \sin \theta\). This will be true on both sides. Therefore we can maximise this area by setting \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{2}\).

Consider the (darker) shaded area. This is our set \(A\). The area of the set is indifferent to a parallel shift in the lines, so without loss of generality, we can consider \(c_1 = 0, c_2 = 0\), so our lines meet at the origin. Now also consider the linear transformation \(\begin{pmatrix} a_1 & b_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 \end{pmatrix}^{-1}\) which takes the coordinate axes to these lines. This will take the square \([-\delta, \delta] \times [-\delta, \delta]\) which has area \(4\delta^2\) to our square, which will have area \(\frac{4 \delta^2}{ |a_1b_2 - a_2b_1|}\). If we consider the length of the two diagonals of this area, \(l_1, l_2\) we know that \(\frac{l_1l_2}2 \sin \theta = \frac{4 \delta^2}{|a_1b_2 - a_2b_1|}\), if we consider the larger of \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) (wlog \(l_1\)) we must have that \(\frac{l_1^2}{2} \geq \frac{4 \delta^2}{|a_1b_2 - a_2b_1|}\) and so points on opposite ends of the diagonal will satisfy the inequality in the question.