Revision as of 12:24, 31 August 2008 by Narupley (Talk)

Choose 13 real numbers $ x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_{13}\in\mathbb{R} $ with $ x_i\neq x_j $ if $ i\neq j $. For these 13 numbers there exist at least two numbers amongst them such that

$ 0 < \frac{x_i-x_j}{1+x_ix_j} \leq 2-\sqrt{3} $

It's a tricky one to prove, unless you are one endowed with a certain amount of intuition (exempli gratia, Uli, et alii). Simple trigonometry and the ever overlooked Pigeonhole Principle are key tools to solving it.

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett