MathDB
combo geo, with reflections on broken line ABCD

Source: TOT 346 1992 Autumn A J4 - Tournament of Towns

June 10, 2024
geometrygeometric transformationreflectionbroken linecombinatoricscombinatorial geometry

Problem Statement

On the plane is give a broken line ABCDABCD in which AB=BC=CD=1AB = BC = CD = 1, and ADAD is not equal to 11. The positions of BB and CC are fixed but AA and DD change their positions in turn according to the following rule (preserving the distance rules given): the point AA is reflected with respect to the line BDBD, then DD is reflected with respect to the line ACAC (in which AA occupies its new position), then AA is reflected with respect to the line BDBD (DD occupying its new position), DD is reflected with respect to the line ACAC, and so on. Prove that after several steps AA and DD coincide with their initial positions.
(M Kontzewich)