Maths Olympiad Prep

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Geometry Difficulty 5.0 AIME, harder Prove it United States

Problem:

Let nn be an integer at least 55. At most how many diagonals of a regular nn-gon can be simultaneously drawn so that no two are parallel? Prove your answer.

Solution

Solution:

Let OO be the center of the nn-gon. Let us consider two cases, based on the parity of nn:

- nn is odd. In this case, for each diagonal dd, there is exactly one vertex DD of the nn-gon, such that dd is perpendicular to line ODO D; and of course, for each vertex DD, there is at least one diagonal dd perpendicular to ODO D, because n5n \geq 5. The problem of picking a bunch of dd's so that no two are parallel is thus transmuted into one of picking a bunch of dd's so that none of the corresponding DD's are the same. Well, go figure.

- nn is even. What can I say? For each diagonal dd, the perpendicular dropped from OO to dd either passes through two opposite vertices of the nn-gon, or else bisects two opposite sides. Conversely, for each line joining opposite vertices or bisecting opposite sides, there is at least one diagonal perpendicular to it, because n6n \geq 6. By reasoning similar to the odd case, we find the answer to be nn.

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Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty) added by this project.