Let be a set of distinct points in the plane. Let
is the midpoint of for some distinct points in .
Find the least possible value of the number of points in .
, 2021
Solution
There are at least points in .
Since there are finitely many points in , we can find a coordinate system such that all points in have distinct -coordinates. Indeed, we just need to find a line which is not perpendicular to any line joining two of the points in .
Now, let the points be where . WLOG assume . Since
the midpoints of have pairwise different -coordinates, and so they must be distinct. This shows .
The case is attainable. For example, we choose the points on the real number line. Then the midpoints can only be . So there are exactly midpoints.
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