Difference between revisions of "1964 AHSME Problems/Problem 17"
Talkinaway (talk | contribs) (Created page with "== Problem 17== Given the distinct points <math>P(x_1, y_1), Q(x_2, y_2)</math> and <math>R(x_1+x_2, y_1+y_2)</math>. Line segments are drawn connecting these points to each...") |
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\textbf{(E)}\ \text{all three} </math> | \textbf{(E)}\ \text{all three} </math> | ||
− | ==Solution = | + | ==Solution== |
Using vector addition can help solve this problem quickly. Note that algebraically, adding <math>\overrightarrow{OP}</math> to <math>\overrightarrow{OQ}</math> will give <math>\overrightarrow{OR}</math>. One method of vector addition is literally known as the "parallelogram rule" - if you are given <math>\overrightarrow{OP}</math> and <math>\overrightarrow{OQ}</math>, to find <math>\overrightarrow{OR}</math>, you can literally draw a parallelogram, making a line though <math>P</math> parallel to <math>OQ</math>, and a line through <math>Q</math> parallel to <math>OP</math>. The intersection of those lines will give the fourth point <math>R</math>, and that fourth point will form a parallelogram with <math>O, P, Q</math>. | Using vector addition can help solve this problem quickly. Note that algebraically, adding <math>\overrightarrow{OP}</math> to <math>\overrightarrow{OQ}</math> will give <math>\overrightarrow{OR}</math>. One method of vector addition is literally known as the "parallelogram rule" - if you are given <math>\overrightarrow{OP}</math> and <math>\overrightarrow{OQ}</math>, to find <math>\overrightarrow{OR}</math>, you can literally draw a parallelogram, making a line though <math>P</math> parallel to <math>OQ</math>, and a line through <math>Q</math> parallel to <math>OP</math>. The intersection of those lines will give the fourth point <math>R</math>, and that fourth point will form a parallelogram with <math>O, P, Q</math>. | ||
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Since <math>OP \parallel QR</math> and <math>PQ \parallel RO</math>, which can be seen from either the prior reasoning or by examining slopes, the figure can never be a trapezoid, which requires exactly one of parallel sides. | Since <math>OP \parallel QR</math> and <math>PQ \parallel RO</math>, which can be seen from either the prior reasoning or by examining slopes, the figure can never be a trapezoid, which requires exactly one of parallel sides. | ||
− | Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(D)} | + | Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}</math> |
==See Also== | ==See Also== |
Latest revision as of 15:10, 5 July 2021
Problem 17
Given the distinct points and
.
Line segments are drawn connecting these points to each other and to the origin
.
Of the three possibilities: (1) parallelogram (2) straight line (3) trapezoid, figure
,
depending upon the location of the points
, and
, can be:
Solution
Using vector addition can help solve this problem quickly. Note that algebraically, adding to
will give
. One method of vector addition is literally known as the "parallelogram rule" - if you are given
and
, to find
, you can literally draw a parallelogram, making a line though
parallel to
, and a line through
parallel to
. The intersection of those lines will give the fourth point
, and that fourth point will form a parallelogram with
.
Thus, is a possibility. Case
is also a possibility, if
are collinear, then
is also on that line.
Since and
, which can be seen from either the prior reasoning or by examining slopes, the figure can never be a trapezoid, which requires exactly one of parallel sides.
Thus, the answer is
See Also
1964 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 16 |
Followed by Problem 18 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 | ||
All AHSME Problems and Solutions |
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