1973 IMO Problems/Problem 2
Problem
Determine whether or not there exists a finite set 
of points in space not lying in the same plane such that, for any two points 
and 
of ; one can select two other points 
and 
of so that lines 
and 
are parallel and not coincident.
Solution
In order to solve this problem we can start by finding at least one finite set that satisfies the condition.
We start by defining our first set with the vertices of a cube of side 
as follows:
If set of points in space consist of 3 points or less, then we can't satisfy the condition because we would need at least 4 points.
If set of points in space consist of 4 points, then we can't satisfy the condition because for the condition of lines and to be parallel the 4 points would need to be co-planar. But the points in set shall not be lying in the same plane.
So, a finite set with 4 points would not satisfy the condition.
If set of points in space consist of 5 points, then we can't satisfy the condition either because even though we can construct a parallelogram in space with 4 co-planar vertices in the set with a 5th point outside of the parallelogram plane, the condition is to select any two points. So if one of the or points is that 5th point, there would be no other two other points and for which will make lines and parallel because any of those combinations of lines will be skewed.
be parallel because those other two points will provide skew lines.
If set of points in space consist of 6 points, then let's consider a the 6 vertices of a pentahedron 
with triangular faces 
, and 
of the same size parallel to each other with the other faces being parallelograms. Here one might be tempted to think that this set complies with the condition because all lines of the solid are parallel to at least another line. But when we take a diagonal on that solid like 
, such diagonal can't be parallel with anything else.
If set of points in space consist of 8 points, then let's consider the 8 vertices of parallelepiped 
where all faces are parallelograms. Like in the example of the set despite almost all combinations of two vertices having another two points in parallel even the diagonal to the faces, when we take a diagonal of this solid like diagonal 
that doesn't lie on any of the faces, such line does not have a parallel two points. So, then you add more points 
and 
parallel to the diagonals, but then the two new points have the lines 
not parallel to anything else. ...and you keep adding points until infinity at which time the condition will be satisfied. But that would make the set infinite and not finite.
Therefore the finite set of points in space for this problem does not exist.
NOTE: I made a mistake. I found a case that it does exist. I'm working on a solution to update this.
Alternate solutions are always welcome. If you have a different, elegant solution to this problem, please add it to this page.
See Also
| 1973 IMO (Problems) • Resources | ||
| Preceded by Problem 1 |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 | Followed by Problem 3 |
| All IMO Problems and Solutions | ||
