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#1 2007-08-19 23:16:21

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Geometry problem

Here’s a geometry problem I’ve just made up by myself. big_smile

Let O be a fixed point. Let Q be a variable point such that the length of OQ is less than or equal to 2a, where a is a fixed positive real number. Now let P and R be points satisfying the following conditions:

(i) OQPRO is a rectangle.
(ii) If PQ is shifted parallel to itself to P′Q′ such that P′Q′ and PR mutually bisect each other, then PP′RQ′P is a rhombus with sides of length a.

Prove that the locus of P is a circle of radius 2a.

I’m sure it works. Still, if you find any problem with my problem, do let me know. tongue

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-08-19 23:20:35)

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#2 2007-08-21 13:05:32

John E. Franklin
Member
Registered: 2005-08-29
Posts: 3,588

Re: Geometry problem

Here are six red points.
Is that what you mean?
I only used up 279 bytes
on that small pic!!
The lower-center red dot
is Q prime, unmarked as such.


igloo myrtilles fourmis

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#3 2007-08-21 23:42:40

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: Geometry problem

That’s right. I should have provided a diagram anyway, so here it is.

GeometryProblem.png

|P′Q′| = |PQ|
|PP′| = |P′R| = |RQ′| = |Q′P| = a
|OQ| ≤ 2a

Note that P can be below OQ as well, and that Q can also be to the left of O. Indeed, Q can be anywhere within a distance of 2a of O – but for the purpose of analysis, we can assume WLOG that OQ is horizontal.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-08-21 23:52:07)

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#4 2007-08-23 23:55:49

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: Geometry problem

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#5 2007-08-27 08:59:48

John E. Franklin
Member
Registered: 2005-08-29
Posts: 3,588

Re: Geometry problem

What's a locus?  Is it a geometry term?


igloo myrtilles fourmis

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#6 2007-09-18 00:41:10

landof+
Member
Registered: 2007-03-24
Posts: 131

Re: Geometry problem

Definition of a locus

That may be of some use.


I shall be on leave until I say so...

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#7 2010-04-05 13:18:24

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: Geometry problem

Bumping this because after two and a half years nobody appears to have a solution yet.

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#8 2010-11-21 04:51:33

123ronnie321
Member
Registered: 2010-09-28
Posts: 128

Re: Geometry problem

I am using your figure to solve this.

let the midpoint of PR be M
Let OQ = t < 2a
Let PQ = k.

GeometryProblem.png

PQ = P`Q` = k = 2P'M
PR = OQ = t = 2PM
PM^2 + P`M^2 = P`P^2 = a^2        ...  Pythagoras theorem

therefore, k^2 + t^2 = (2a)^2. which is a circle if we make the following assumptions-
Let OQ act like x axis  and and OR as Y axis.
Co ordinates of pt P are k,t.

Last edited by 123ronnie321 (2010-11-23 00:49:12)

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#9 2010-11-21 10:47:59

Bob
Administrator
Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,011

Re: Geometry problem

Hi Jane,

I haven't been ignoring your problem since 2007.  I've only been a member for 6 months or so.

So thanks for bringing back into attention.

See my two diagrams below.  I set up what I thought was the right diagram and took the first screen shot.  Then I moved Q left a bit and all that happened was moved the same amount (second half of shot).

Would you mind repeating the construction rules.

Mystified Bob dunno


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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#10 2010-11-22 01:06:07

Bob
Administrator
Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,011

Re: Geometry problem

Hi Jane Fairfax,

Ok, so I hadn't read the problem properly.  Now I have.

Bob

Last edited by Bob (2010-11-22 01:07:53)


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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#11 2010-11-22 23:28:09

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: Geometry problem

Hi, Ronnie and Bob. smile

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#12 2010-11-23 02:43:02

Bob
Administrator
Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,011

Re: Geometry problem

Hi Jane

I thought I'd already proved it in post 10.

Bob  smile


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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