Four distinct points are marked in a line. For each point, the sum of the distances from said point to the other three is calculated; getting in total 4 numbers.
Decide whether these 4 numbers can be, in some order:
a)
b)
c)
Four distinct points are marked in a line. For each point, the sum of the distances from said point to the other three is calculated; getting in total 4 numbers.
Decide whether these 4 numbers can be, in some order:
a)
b)
c)
1. Define the points and distances:
Let the four points be in order from left to right. Define the distances between consecutive points as follows:
2. Calculate the sum of distances from each point:
- For point :
- For point :
- For point :
- For point :
3. Identify the necessary conditions:
- From the calculations, we see that the sums of distances from and are equal:
- The sums of distances from and are:
4. Check each option:
- **Option (a) :**
- We need two equal numbers, which are and . Assign these to and :
- The remaining sums are and . Assign these to and :
- Solve the system of equations:
- Subtract (1) from (2):
- Subtract (1) from (3):
- Substitute and back into (1):
- Therefore, , , satisfies all conditions. Thus, option (a) is possible.
- **Option (b) :
- We need two equal numbers, but there are no two equal numbers in this set. Thus, option (b) is not possible.
- Option (c) :**
- We need two equal numbers, which are and . Assign these to and :
- The remaining sums are and . Assign these to and :
- Solve the system of equations:
- Subtract (1) from (2):
- Subtract (1) from (3):
- Substitute and back into (1):
- Since , , are not valid distances (distances cannot be negative), option (c) is not possible.
Conclusion:
Only option (a) is possible.
The final answer is