Maths Olympiad Prep

Track / Stage 6 / 190 of 400 #1190 of 1964

Problem 1190

National olympiad, first round
Algebra Difficulty 6.3 Prove it

: Aekhananov H.XH . X.

Given a set of n>2n>2 vectors. We will call a vector in the set long if its length is not less than the length of the sum of the other vectors in the set. Prove that if every vector in the set is long, then the sum of all vectors in the set is zero.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

Official solution

First solution. Let the sum σ\vec{\sigma} of all vectors be different from zero (σ=s>0|\vec{\sigma}|=s>0). Introduce a rectangular coordinate system OxyOxy, in which the axis OxOx is directed along σ\vec{\sigma}. Let a\vec{a} be the longest vector in the set, i.e., it is not shorter than b=σa\vec{b}=\vec{\sigma}-\vec{a}. Since the yy-coordinates of the vectors a\vec{a} and b\vec{b} are equal in magnitude, the xx-coordinate axa_{x} of the vector a\vec{a} in magnitude is not less than the xx-coordinate bx=saxb_{x}=s-a_{x} of the vector b\vec{b}. From this, we get that axs/2a_{x} \geq s / 2. Now, if all vectors in the set are long, then the sum of their xx-coordinates is not less than ns/2>sn s / 2 > s, but this sum is equal to ss. Contradiction.

Second solution. Denote the given vectors by ak(k=1,,n)a_{k}(k=1, \ldots, n), and their sum by σ\vec{\sigma}. By the condition, akσck\left|\overrightarrow{\boldsymbol{a}_{k}}\right| \geq\left|\vec{\sigma}-\overrightarrow{\boldsymbol{c}_{k}}\right|. Square this inequality: akkσ22σσak+ak2\vec{a}_{k}^{k} \geq \vec{\sigma}^{2}-2 \vec{\sigma}_{\boldsymbol{\sigma}} \vec{a}_{\mathbf{k}}+\vec{a}_{\mathbf{k}}^{2}. Summing such inequalities for all kk from 1 to nn, we get 0nσ22σ(a1+a2+...+an)0 \geq n \vec{\sigma}^{2}-2 \vec{\sigma} \cdot\left(\overrightarrow{a_{1}}+\overrightarrow{a_{2}}+...+\overrightarrow{a_{n}}\right), i.e., 0(n2)σ20 \geq(n-2) \vec{\sigma}^{2}. Therefore, σ=σ\vec{\sigma}=\vec{\sigma}.

Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic, difficulty and ordering added by this site.