{
  "index": "1973-A-1",
  "type": "GEO",
  "tag": [
    "GEO"
  ],
  "difficulty": "",
  "question": "A-1. (a) Let \\( A B C \\) be any triangle. Let \\( X, Y, Z \\) be points on the sides \\( B C, C A, A B \\) respectively. Suppose the distances \\( \\overline{B X} \\leqq \\overline{X C}, \\overline{C Y} \\leqq \\overline{Y A}, \\overline{A Z} \\leqq \\overline{Z B} \\) (see Figure 1). Show that the area of the triangle \\( X Y Z \\) is \\( \\geqq(1 / 4) \\) (area of triangle \\( A B C \\) ).\n(b) Let \\( A B C \\) be any triangle, and let \\( X, Y, Z \\) be points on the sides \\( B C, C A, A B \\) respectively (but without any assumption about the ratios of the distances \\( \\overline{B X} / \\overline{X C} \\), etc.; see Figures 1 and 2). Using (a) or by any other method, show: One of the three corner triangles \\( A Z Y \\), \\( B X Z, C Y X \\) has an area \\( \\leqq \\) area of triangle \\( X Y Z \\).",
  "solution": "A-1. (a) If \\( X, Y, Z \\) are at the midpoints of the sides, the area of \\( \\triangle X Y Z \\) is one fourth of the area of \\( \\triangle A B C \\). Also, as long as \\( \\bar{B} \\bar{X} \\leqq \\overline{X C}, \\overline{C Y} \\leqq \\overline{Y A} \\) and \\( \\overline{A Z} \\leqq \\overline{Z B} \\), moving one of \\( X, Y, Z \\) to the midpoint of its side, while leaving the other two fixed, does not increase the area of \\( \\triangle X Y Z \\) since the altitude to the fixed base of \\( \\triangle X Y Z \\) decreases or remains constant.\n(b) Under the hypothesis of (a) the three corner triangles have no more than three fourths of the total area and so one of them must have smaller area than \\( \\triangle X Y Z \\). All other cases are similar to the one in which \\( \\overline{X C}<\\overline{B X} \\) and \\( \\overline{C Y}<\\overline{Y A} \\). Then consideration of the altitudes to base \\( X Y \\) shows that \\( \\triangle C Y X \\) has smaller area than \\( \\triangle X Y Z \\).",
  "vars": [
    "X",
    "Y",
    "Z"
  ],
  "params": [
    "A",
    "B",
    "C"
  ],
  "sci_consts": [],
  "variants": {
    "descriptive_long": {
      "map": {
        "X": "pointx",
        "Y": "pointy",
        "Z": "pointz",
        "A": "vertexa",
        "B": "vertexb",
        "C": "vertexc"
      },
      "question": "A-1. (a) Let \\( vertexa vertexb vertexc \\) be any triangle. Let \\( pointx, pointy, pointz \\) be points on the sides \\( vertexb vertexc, vertexc vertexa, vertexa vertexb \\) respectively. Suppose the distances \\( \\overline{vertexb pointx} \\leqq \\overline{pointx vertexc}, \\overline{vertexc pointy} \\leqq \\overline{pointy vertexa}, \\overline{vertexa pointz} \\leqq \\overline{pointz vertexb} \\) (see Figure 1). Show that the area of the triangle \\( pointx pointy pointz \\) is \\( \\geqq(1 / 4) \\) (area of triangle \\( vertexa vertexb vertexc \\) ).\n(b) Let \\( vertexa vertexb vertexc \\) be any triangle, and let \\( pointx, pointy, pointz \\) be points on the sides \\( vertexb vertexc, vertexc vertexa, vertexa vertexb \\) respectively (but without any assumption about the ratios of the distances \\( \\overline{vertexb pointx} / \\overline{pointx vertexc} \\), etc.; see Figures 1 and 2). Using (a) or by any other method, show: One of the three corner triangles \\( vertexa pointz pointy \\), \\( vertexb pointx pointz, vertexc pointy pointx \\) has an area \\( \\leqq \\) area of triangle \\( pointx pointy pointz \\).",
      "solution": "A-1. (a) If \\( pointx, pointy, pointz \\) are at the midpoints of the sides, the area of \\( \\triangle pointx pointy pointz \\) is one fourth of the area of \\( \\triangle vertexa vertexb vertexc \\). Also, as long as \\( \\bar{vertexb} \\bar{pointx} \\leqq \\overline{pointx vertexc}, \\overline{vertexc pointy} \\leqq \\overline{pointy vertexa} \\) and \\( \\overline{vertexa pointz} \\leqq \\overline{pointz vertexb} \\), moving one of \\( pointx, pointy, pointz \\) to the midpoint of its side, while leaving the other two fixed, does not increase the area of \\( \\triangle pointx pointy pointz \\) since the altitude to the fixed base of \\( \\triangle pointx pointy pointz \\) decreases or remains constant.\n(b) Under the hypothesis of (a) the three corner triangles have no more than three fourths of the total area and so one of them must have smaller area than \\( \\triangle pointx pointy pointz \\). All other cases are similar to the one in which \\( \\overline{pointx vertexc}<\\overline{vertexb pointx} \\) and \\( \\overline{vertexc pointy}<\\overline{pointy vertexa} \\). Then consideration of the altitudes to base \\( pointx pointy \\) shows that \\( \\triangle vertexc pointy pointx \\) has smaller area than \\( \\triangle pointx pointy pointz \\)."
    },
    "descriptive_long_confusing": {
      "map": {
        "A": "pineapple",
        "B": "hamburger",
        "C": "cardboard",
        "X": "telescope",
        "Y": "bookshelf",
        "Z": "strawberry"
      },
      "question": "A-1. (a) Let \\( pineapple hamburger cardboard \\) be any triangle. Let \\( telescope, bookshelf, strawberry \\) be points on the sides \\( hamburger cardboard, cardboard pineapple, pineapple hamburger \\) respectively. Suppose the distances \\( \\overline{hamburger telescope} \\leqq \\overline{telescope cardboard}, \\overline{cardboard bookshelf} \\leqq \\overline{bookshelf pineapple}, \\overline{pineapple strawberry} \\leqq \\overline{strawberry hamburger} \\) (see Figure 1). Show that the area of the triangle \\( telescope bookshelf strawberry \\) is \\( \\geqq(1 / 4) \\) (area of triangle \\( pineapple hamburger cardboard \\) ).\n(b) Let \\( pineapple hamburger cardboard \\) be any triangle, and let \\( telescope, bookshelf, strawberry \\) be points on the sides \\( hamburger cardboard, cardboard pineapple, pineapple hamburger \\) respectively (but without any assumption about the ratios of the distances \\( \\overline{hamburger telescope} / \\overline{telescope cardboard} \\), etc.; see Figures 1 and 2). Using (a) or by any other method, show: One of the three corner triangles \\( pineapple strawberry bookshelf \\), \\( hamburger telescope strawberry, cardboard bookshelf telescope \\) has an area \\( \\leqq \\) area of triangle \\( telescope bookshelf strawberry \\).",
      "solution": "A-1. (a) If \\( telescope, bookshelf, strawberry \\) are at the midpoints of the sides, the area of \\( \\triangle telescope bookshelf strawberry \\) is one fourth of the area of \\( \\triangle pineapple hamburger cardboard \\). Also, as long as \\( \\bar{hamburger} \\bar{telescope} \\leqq \\overline{telescope cardboard}, \\overline{cardboard bookshelf} \\leqq \\overline{bookshelf pineapple} \\) and \\( \\overline{pineapple strawberry} \\leqq \\overline{strawberry hamburger} \\), moving one of \\( telescope, bookshelf, strawberry \\) to the midpoint of its side, while leaving the other two fixed, does not increase the area of \\( \\triangle telescope bookshelf strawberry \\) since the altitude to the fixed base of \\( \\triangle telescope bookshelf strawberry \\) decreases or remains constant.\n(b) Under the hypothesis of (a) the three corner triangles have no more than three fourths of the total area and so one of them must have smaller area than \\( \\triangle telescope bookshelf strawberry \\). All other cases are similar to the one in which \\( \\overline{telescope cardboard}<\\overline{hamburger telescope} \\) and \\( \\overline{cardboard bookshelf}<\\overline{bookshelf pineapple} \\). Then consideration of the altitudes to base \\( telescope bookshelf \\) shows that \\( \\triangle cardboard bookshelf telescope \\) has smaller area than \\( \\triangle telescope bookshelf strawberry \\)."
    },
    "descriptive_long_misleading": {
      "map": {
        "X": "knownpoint",
        "Y": "surepoint",
        "Z": "definitept",
        "A": "variation",
        "B": "mutation",
        "C": "alteration"
      },
      "question": "A-1. (a) Let \\( variation mutation alteration \\) be any triangle. Let \\( knownpoint, surepoint, definitept \\) be points on the sides \\( mutation alteration, alteration variation, variation mutation \\) respectively. Suppose the distances \\( \\overline{mutation knownpoint} \\leqq \\overline{knownpoint alteration}, \\overline{alteration surepoint} \\leqq \\overline{surepoint variation}, \\overline{variation definitept} \\leqq \\overline{definitept mutation} \\) (see Figure 1). Show that the area of the triangle \\( knownpoint surepoint definitept \\) is \\( \\geqq(1 / 4) \\) (area of triangle \\( variation mutation alteration \\) ).\n(b) Let \\( variation mutation alteration \\) be any triangle, and let \\( knownpoint, surepoint, definitept \\) be points on the sides \\( mutation alteration, alteration variation, variation mutation \\) respectively (but without any assumption about the ratios of the distances \\( \\overline{mutation knownpoint} / \\overline{knownpoint alteration} \\), etc.; see Figures 1 and 2). Using (a) or by any other method, show: One of the three corner triangles \\( variation definitept surepoint \\), \\( mutation knownpoint definitept, alteration surepoint knownpoint \\) has an area \\( \\leqq \\) area of triangle \\( knownpoint surepoint definitept \\).",
      "solution": "A-1. (a) If \\( knownpoint, surepoint, definitept \\) are at the midpoints of the sides, the area of \\( \\triangle knownpoint surepoint definitept \\) is one fourth of the area of \\( \\triangle variation mutation alteration \\). Also, as long as \\( \\bar{mutation} \\bar{knownpoint} \\leqq \\overline{knownpoint alteration}, \\overline{alteration surepoint} \\leqq \\overline{surepoint variation} \\) and \\( \\overline{variation definitept} \\leqq \\overline{definitept mutation} \\), moving one of \\( knownpoint, surepoint, definitept \\) to the midpoint of its side, while leaving the other two fixed, does not increase the area of \\( \\triangle knownpoint surepoint definitept \\) since the altitude to the fixed base of \\( \\triangle knownpoint surepoint definitept \\) decreases or remains constant.\n(b) Under the hypothesis of (a) the three corner triangles have no more than three fourths of the total area and so one of them must have smaller area than \\( \\triangle knownpoint surepoint definitept \\). All other cases are similar to the one in which \\( \\overline{knownpoint alteration}<\\overline{mutation knownpoint} \\) and \\( \\overline{alteration surepoint}<\\overline{surepoint variation} \\). Then consideration of the altitudes to base \\( knownpoint surepoint \\) shows that \\( \\triangle alteration surepoint knownpoint \\) has smaller area than \\( \\triangle knownpoint surepoint definitept \\)."
    },
    "garbled_string": {
      "map": {
        "X": "mhgvjouk",
        "Y": "tijxaspe",
        "Z": "wkdrqlia",
        "A": "avjczrnt",
        "B": "pksufmdw",
        "C": "qlerenob"
      },
      "question": "A-1. (a) Let \\( avjczrnt pksufmdw qlerenob \\) be any triangle. Let \\( mhgvjouk, tijxaspe, wkdrqlia \\) be points on the sides \\( pksufmdw qlerenob, qlerenob avjczrnt, avjczrnt pksufmdw \\) respectively. Suppose the distances \\( \\overline{pksufmdw mhgvjouk} \\leqq \\overline{mhgvjouk qlerenob}, \\overline{qlerenob tijxaspe} \\leqq \\overline{tijxaspe avjczrnt}, \\overline{avjczrnt wkdrqlia} \\leqq \\overline{wkdrqlia pksufmdw} \\) (see Figure 1). Show that the area of the triangle \\( mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\) is \\( \\geqq(1 / 4) \\) (area of triangle \\( avjczrnt pksufmdw qlerenob \\) ).\n(b) Let \\( avjczrnt pksufmdw qlerenob \\) be any triangle, and let \\( mhgvjouk, tijxaspe, wkdrqlia \\) be points on the sides \\( pksufmdw qlerenob, qlerenob avjczrnt, avjczrnt pksufmdw \\) respectively (but without any assumption about the ratios of the distances \\( \\overline{pksufmdw mhgvjouk} / \\overline{mhgvjouk qlerenob} \\), etc.; see Figures 1 and 2). Using (a) or by any other method, show: One of the three corner triangles \\( avjczrnt wkdrqlia tijxaspe \\), \\( pksufmdw mhgvjouk wkdrqlia, qlerenob tijxaspe mhgvjouk \\) has an area \\( \\leqq \\) area of triangle \\( mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\).",
      "solution": "A-1. (a) If \\( mhgvjouk, tijxaspe, wkdrqlia \\) are at the midpoints of the sides, the area of \\( \\triangle mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\) is one fourth of the area of \\( \\triangle avjczrnt pksufmdw qlerenob \\). Also, as long as \\( \\bar{pksufmdw} \\bar{mhgvjouk} \\leqq \\overline{mhgvjouk qlerenob}, \\overline{qlerenob tijxaspe} \\leqq \\overline{tijxaspe avjczrnt} \\) and \\( \\overline{avjczrnt wkdrqlia} \\leqq \\overline{wkdrqlia pksufmdw} \\), moving one of \\( mhgvjouk, tijxaspe, wkdrqlia \\) to the midpoint of its side, while leaving the other two fixed, does not increase the area of \\( \\triangle mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\) since the altitude to the fixed base of \\( \\triangle mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\) decreases or remains constant.\n(b) Under the hypothesis of (a) the three corner triangles have no more than three fourths of the total area and so one of them must have smaller area than \\( \\triangle mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\). All other cases are similar to the one in which \\( \\overline{mhgvjouk qlerenob}<\\overline{pksufmdw mhgvjouk} \\) and \\( \\overline{qlerenob tijxaspe}<\\overline{tijxaspe avjczrnt} \\). Then consideration of the altitudes to base \\( mhgvjouk tijxaspe \\) shows that \\( \\triangle qlerenob tijxaspe mhgvjouk \\) has smaller area than \\( \\triangle mhgvjouk tijxaspe wkdrqlia \\)."
    },
    "kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let △PQR be a non-degenerate triangle.\n\n(a) On the sides QR , RP , PQ choose points L , M , N respectively so that each of them lies in the half of its side that is adjacent to the first–named vertex, i.e.\n          QL ≤ LR ,  RM ≤ MP ,  PN ≤ NQ .\nShow that\n          area(△LMN) ≥ ¼ · area(△PQR).\n\n(b) Next let L , M , N be arbitrary distinct interior points of the three sides (the three inequalities in (a) are no longer imposed).  Prove that at least one of the three “corner’’ triangles\n          △PNM ,  △QLN ,  △RML\nhas area not larger than the area of △LMN.\n\nDiscuss when equality occurs in parts (a) and (b).",
      "solution": "Throughout we denote by [XYZ] the (positive) area of triangle XYZ.\n\n─────────────────────────────────────────\nPart (a)\n─────────────────────────────────────────\n\nWrite\n      p = QL / QR ,  q = RM / RP ,  r = PN / PQ ,  so 0 ≤ p , q , r ≤ ½.  (1)\n\nPlace △PQR in the coordinate plane with\n      P(0,0),  Q(1,0),  R(0,1).                                   (2)\nThus [PQR] = ½.\nUsing (1)\n      L(1−p , p),  M(0 , 1−q),  N(r , 0).                        (3)\n\nTwice the area D := [LMN] equals the absolute value of the determinant of the\nvectors LN and LM:\n      2D = |det(LN , LM)|\n          = |det( (r−1+p , −p) , (−1+p , 1−q−p) )|\n          = p(1−p) − (1−q−p)(r+p−1).                              (4)\nBecause 1−q−p ≥ 0 and r+p−1 ≤ 0, the second term in (4) is non-positive, so\n      2D ≥ p(1−p).                                               (5)\n\nPut x = 1−p (so x ≥ ½) and rewrite (4):\n      2D = x(1−q−r) + qr.                                        (6)\nHence\n      2D ≥ ½(1−q−r) + qr =: E(q,r).                              (7)\nFor 0 ≤ q , r ≤ ½ we have\n      E(q,r) = ¼ + (1−2q)(1−2r)/4 ≥ ¼                            (8)\nwith equality iff (1−2q)(1−2r)=0.  Consequently\n      D ≥ ¼ · [PQR].                                             (9)\n\nEquality in (a).\nThe chain of inequalities (5)–(8) shows that 2D=¼ (hence D=¼·[PQR]) occurs\nprecisely when\n      at least two of p,q,r equal ½.                              (10)\nThat is, at least two of L,M,N are mid-points of their sides; the remaining\npoint may be any point of the prescribed half of its side.\n\n─────────────────────────────────────────\nPart (b)\n─────────────────────────────────────────\n\nSet\n      A = [PNM],  B = [QLN],  C = [RML],  D = [LMN].\nWe must prove min{A,B,C} ≤ D.\n\nCase 1: two of the points L,M,N are closest to the same vertex.\n\nAssign each of L,M,N to the vertex to which it is *closer*; for example\n      L → Q or R,  M → R or P,  N → P or Q.\nIf two of the three points are assigned to the same vertex, say to R, then\nboth points lie strictly inside ∠PRQ.  The altitude from R to their join is\nnot longer than the altitude from the third vertex of △LMN to that same base.\nThus [RML] ≤ [LMN]; in other words C ≤ D.  (The same argument works if the\ncommon vertex is P or Q.)\n\nCase 2: each vertex receives exactly one point.\n\nAfter relabelling we may suppose\n      QL < LR ,  RM < MP ,  PN < NQ,  hence p,q,r ≤ ½.\nBy part (a)\n      D ≥ ¼·[PQR].                                               (11)\nBecause the four small triangles partition △PQR,\n      A + B + C + D = [PQR].                                     (12)\nSubtracting (11) from (12) yields\n      A + B + C ≤ ¾·[PQR] ≤ 3D.                                  (13)\nIf all three numbers A,B,C were greater than D, their sum would exceed 3D,\ncontradicting (13).  Therefore min{A,B,C} ≤ D, completing the proof of (b).\n\nEquality in (b).\nFrom (12) we have A+B+C = [PQR]−D.  Equality min{A,B,C}=D can occur only when\nA=B=C=D, which forces 4D=[PQR] and hence D=¼·[PQR].  But by the discussion of\npart (a) this happens exactly when p=q=r=½; that is, L, M, N are *all* the\nmid-points of their respective sides.\n\n─────────────────────────────────────────\nSummary of equality cases\n─────────────────────────────────────────\n• In part (a) the bound is attained whenever at least two of the three points\n  are mid-points of their sides.\n• In part (b) – and simultaneously in both parts – equality occurs *only* when\n  L, M, N are the three mid-points of the sides of △PQR.",
      "_meta": {
        "core_steps": [
          "Fix two of X,Y,Z; write area(△XYZ) = ½·(fixed base)·(altitude from the third point).",
          "Inside the allowed half–side, sliding the third point toward the midpoint never increases that altitude ⇒ area is non-increasing.",
          "Apply the slide successively to X, Y, Z; the minimal possible configuration is the medial triangle (all three points at midpoints).",
          "Compute area(medial △) = ¼·area(△ABC), giving part (a).",
          "Since the three corner triangles share the remaining ¾ of the area, pigeonhole (or a symmetric altitude argument) yields part (b)."
        ],
        "mutable_slots": {
          "slot1": {
            "description": "Pure relabeling of the vertices/sides (e.g. rename ABC to PQR, or let X be on CA instead of BC provided the cyclic pattern is kept).",
            "original": "A,B,C with X∈BC, Y∈CA, Z∈AB"
          },
          "slot2": {
            "description": "Weak vs. strict form of the distance condition—‘≤’ can be replaced by ‘<’ or by the ratio form BX/XC ≤ 1 etc.",
            "original": "BX ≤ XC, CY ≤ YA, AZ ≤ ZB"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "checked": true,
  "problem_type": "proof",
  "iteratively_fixed": true
}