MathDB
2 kinds of creatures living in flatland of Pentagonia

Source: Netherlands - Dutch MO 1987 p3

December 25, 2022
combinatoricscombinatorial geometry

Problem Statement

There are two kinds of creatures living in the flatland of Pentagonia: the Spires (SS) and the Bones (BB). They all have the shape of an isosceles triangle: the Spiers have an apical angle of 36o36^o and the bones an apical angle of 108o108^o. Every year on Great Day of Division (September 11 - the day this Olympiad was held) they divide into pieces: each SS into two smaller SS's and a BB; each BB in an SS and a BB. Over the course of the year they then grow back to adult proportions. In the distant past, the population originated from one BB-being. Deaths do not occur. Investigate whether the ratio between the number of Spires and the number of Bones will eventually approach a limit value and if so, calculate that limit value.