IGO 2016 Medium/3

For discussing Olympiad level Geometry Problems
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Thamim Zahin
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IGO 2016 Medium/3

Unread post by Thamim Zahin » Tue Jan 10, 2017 3:59 pm

3. Find all positive integers $N$ such that there exists a triangle which can be dissected into $N$ similar quadrilaterals.
Last edited by Thamim Zahin on Wed Jan 11, 2017 4:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Thamim Zahin
Posts:98
Joined:Wed Aug 03, 2016 5:42 pm

Re: IGO 2016 Mediam/3

Unread post by Thamim Zahin » Wed Jan 11, 2017 4:06 pm

It is possible for all integer $N \ge 3$

It is obvious that a triangle can't be partitioned in $1$ quadrilateral.

Also if we divide a triangle into $2$ quadrilaterals, one is convex but other one is not.

For $N=3$, take a equilateral triangle. And divide the triangle into $3$ congruent quadrilaterals. Like the figure. $O$ is the circumcenter. We draw $\angle OFB$ such that it is equal to $60^o$. Also same thing for $ \angle ODC $ and $ \angle OEA$.

It is easy to prove that the quadrilaterals are congruent.

Now we can make a quadrilateral $BCYX$ such that it is similar to $EOFB$. And $\angle ABX = \angle ACY = 60^o+120^o=180^o$. So that means $\triangle AXY$ is a new triangle with $5$ similar quadrilaterals. We can make this process over and over. So it is possible for all $N \ge 3$
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I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I have made the same mistake myself. We judge talent by the trophies on their showcases, the flamboyance the supremacy. We don't see things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament.

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