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PrintBrazilian Math Olympiad
Brazil geometry
Problem
Let be an integer, . Let be the largest number of isosceles triangles whose vertices belong to some set of points in the plane without three colinear points. Prove that there exists positive real constants and such that for every integer , .
Solution
First consider points in the circumference of a circle and its center. Since any two points in the circumference and the center determine an isosceles triangle, the total number of isosceles triangles in this set of points is at least for some small .
In another hand, let's consider any set of points in the plane, no three collinear. There are choices for two distinct points among the . For each, say and , there are at most two points among the given ones such that is isosceles at , because such points belong to the perpendicular bisector of and no three of the points can belong to this line. Thus the total number of isosceles triangles is at most . Therefore .
In another hand, let's consider any set of points in the plane, no three collinear. There are choices for two distinct points among the . For each, say and , there are at most two points among the given ones such that is isosceles at , because such points belong to the perpendicular bisector of and no three of the points can belong to this line. Thus the total number of isosceles triangles is at most . Therefore .
Techniques
Combinatorial GeometryConstructions and lociColoring schemes, extremal arguments