Difference between revisions of "1999 IMO Problems/Problem 1"

(Solution)
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Now to prove it with some numbers:
 
Now to prove it with some numbers:
  
Let <math>S=\left\{ P_{1},P_{2},...,P_{n} \right\}</math>, with <math>n\ge 3</math>, where <math>P_{i}</math> is a vertex of a polygon which we can define their <math>xy</math> coordinates as: <math>P_{i}=\left\langle Rcos\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right),Rsin\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right) \right\rangle</math>
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Let <math>S=\left\{ P_{1},P_{2},...,P_{n} \right\}</math>, with <math>n\ge 3</math>, where <math>P_{i}</math> is a vertex of a polygon which we can define their <math>xy</math> coordinates as: <math>P_{i}=\left\langle Rcos\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right),Rsin\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right) \right\rangle</math> That should define the vertices of any regular polygon with <math>R</math> being the radius of the circumscircle of the polygon.
  
 
{{alternate solutions}}
 
{{alternate solutions}}

Revision as of 20:35, 12 November 2023

Problem

Determine all finite sets $S$ of at least three points in the plane which satisfy the following condition:

For any two distinct points $A$ and $B$ in $S$, the perpendicular bisector of the line segment $AB$ is an axis of symmetry of $S$.

Solution

Upon reading this problem and drawing some points, one quickly realizes that the set $S$ consists of all the vertices of any regular polygon.

Now to prove it with some numbers:

Let $S=\left\{ P_{1},P_{2},...,P_{n} \right\}$, with $n\ge 3$, where $P_{i}$ is a vertex of a polygon which we can define their $xy$ coordinates as: $P_{i}=\left\langle Rcos\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right),Rsin\left( \frac{2\pi}{n}i \right) \right\rangle$ That should define the vertices of any regular polygon with $R$ being the radius of the circumscircle of the polygon.

Alternate solutions are always welcome. If you have a different, elegant solution to this problem, please add it to this page.