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Shared Vertex (Posted on 2013-09-25) |
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Let squares ABCD and AB'C'D' ( both labeled counter-
clockwise ) share vertex A.
Prove that the midpoints of line segments BD, B'D,
B'D', and BD' are the vertices of a square.
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Submitted by Bractals
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Solution:
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Consider the vertices of the squares as complex
numbers. WOLOG let A = 0, B = 2, C = 2(1+i), and
D = 2i. For an arbitrary complex number z ≠ 1,
let B' = Bz, C' = Cz, and D' = Dz. The midpoints
are then
P = (B + D)/2 = 1+i
Q = (B' + D)/2 = i+z
R = (B' + D')/2 = z+iz
S = (B + D')/2 = 1+iz
If P+R = Q+S, then the diagonals of the quadrilateral
PQRS bisect each other. If (R - P)i = S - Q, then the
diagonals are perpendicular and of equal length.
If both, then PQRS is a square.
P+R = (1+i) + (z+iz)
= (i+z) + (1+iz)
= Q+S
(R - P)i = [(z+iz) - (1+i)]i
= iz-z-i+1
= (1+iz) - (i+z)
= S - Q
QED
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