MathDB
A billiard ball in a rectangular pool table

Source: IMO LongList 1982 - P11

March 16, 2011
geometrygeometric transformationreflectionrectangleanalytic geometrygraphing linesslope

Problem Statement

A rectangular pool table has a hole at each of three of its corners. The lengths of sides of the table are the real numbers aa and bb. A billiard ball is shot from the fourth corner along its angle bisector. The ball falls in one of the holes. What should the relation between aa and bb be for this to happen?