In convex quadrilateral ABCD, AB a, BC b, CD c, DA d, AC e, BD f. If a,b,c,d,e,f 1, then find the maximum value of abcd.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Given a convex quadrilateral ABCD with side lengths AB=a, BC=b, CD=c, DA=d, and diagonals AC=e, BD=f, where max{a,b,c,d,e,f}=1, we aim to find the maximum value of abcd.
We claim that the maximum value of abcd is 2−3.
To show that this value is attainable, consider an equilateral triangle △ABC with side length 1. Let D be the unique point such that BD=1, DA=DC, and ABCD is a convex quadrilateral. In this configuration, we have: abcd=1⋅1⋅2cos15∘⋅2cos15∘=2−3.
To prove that this is the optimal value, we redefine "convex" to permit angles of the quadrilateral to be 180∘. We call a convex quadrilateral satisfying the conditions of the problem a "tapir" if it has the maximum possible area. We show that all tapirs have area ≤2−3, and we already know that all tapirs have area ≥2−3.
### Lemma 1 No tasty quadrilateral has three collinear vertices.
Proof: Suppose A,B,C were collinear. Then, we have: AD⋅DC⋅CB⋅BA≤1⋅1⋅41(AB+BC)2≤1⋅1⋅41⋅1=41<2−3, which contradicts the fact that ABCD was a tapir. ■
### Lemma 2 For every tapir ABCD, we have that (A,C) and (B,D) are both tasty.
Proof: Start with an arbitrary tapir ABCD. Suppose (A,C) was not tasty. If (A,D) is also not tasty, then rotating A away from D about B increases ∠ABD and ∠ABC. This process preserves the lengths of AB,BC,CD, while increasing the length of AD. Since ABCD was a tapir, this process must break some condition of the problem. If A,B,C are collinear, it contradicts Lemma 1. Therefore, (A,D) must be tasty. By similar reasoning, (A,B),(C,B),(C,D) are all tasty, implying ABCD is a rhombus of side length 1, contradicting AC,BD≤1. ■
### Lemma 3 All tapirs have at least one side of length 1.
Proof: Assume the contrary. Let θ1,θ2 denote ∠BDA,∠CDB respectively. By Lemma 1, θ1,θ2>0. By Lemma 2, BD=1. Rotating B about C decreases θ2, preserving c,d. Consider a2b2=(d2+1−2dcosθ1)(c2+1−2ccosθ2) as a function of θ1. The derivative must be zero, implying: 2a2csinθ2=2b2dsinθ1, yielding: dc⋅sinθ1sinθ2=a2b2. By the Sine Law in △CDA, E=BD∩AC satisfies EACE=a2b2, making ABCD a cyclic harmonic quadrilateral. Since AC=BD=1, ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid. Let EA=EB=x,EC=ED=1−x and ∠BEC=θ. Then: abcd=4cos2(2θ)x(1−x)⋅(x2+(1−x)2−2x(1−x)cosθ). Noting 4cos2(2θ)=2cosθ+2, we rewrite: [(2cosθ+2)x(1−x)]⋅[1−(2cosθ+2)x(1−x)]. Letting t=(2cosθ+2)x(1−x), the above is t(1−t)≤41<2−3, contradicting ABCD being a tapir. ■
By Lemmas 1, 2, and 3, all tapirs satisfying CA=AB=BD=1 have abcd≤2−3. Let P be the point such that △APB is equilateral, and P,C,D are on the same side of AB. The conditions imply ∠DBA,∠CAB≤60∘, giving CD≤1.
#### Case 1: P∈{C,D} Suppose P=C. Let ∠DBA=2θ for 0≤θ≤30∘. Then: abcd=2sinθ⋅2sin(30∘−θ)=2(cos(2θ−30∘)−cos30∘). Maximizing at θ=15∘, we get abcd=2−3.
#### Case 2: P∈/{C,D} Let ∠CAB=2α,∠DBA=2β with 0≤α,β≤30∘. Then AD,BC=2sinβ,2sinα. By Pythagorean Theorem: c=(cos2α+cos2β−1)2+(sin2β−sin2α)2. Considering bcd as a function of α, its derivative must be zero: 2cosα⋅c+2sinα⋅∂α∂c=0. Thus: 4cosα⋅c2+2(cos2α+cos2β−1)(−2sin2α)+2(sin2β−sin2α)(−2cos2α)=0. Analogously: 4cosβ⋅c2+2(2cos2α+cos2β−1)(−2sin2β)+2(sin2β−sin2α)(−2cos2β)=0. If α>β, the LHS of the first equation is less than the second, contradicting equal RHS's. Thus, α=β. Then: abcd=2sinα⋅2sinα⋅(2cos2α−1)=4sin2α⋅(1−4sin2α). Letting γ=4sin2α, we get abcd=γ(1−γ)≤41<2−3, contradicting ABCD being a tapir.
Thus, all tapirs have abcd=2−3, and all tapirs are the same up to rotation and relabeling of vertices.
The answer is: 2−3.
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