Tutorial 6: Part II
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Midpoints of Distinct Points
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Today, we will explore how the pigeonhole principle can validate certain properties of distinct integer points. Let's consider five distinct points in a two-dimensional plane. Can anyone remind us what the formula for calculating the midpoint is?
Isn't it (x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2?
Exactly! Now, if both the x-coordinates of our points are even or odd, what can we conclude about their sum?
It would be even, so when divided by 2, it would give an integer.
Correct! Now, using the pigeonhole principle, can we determine the type of coordinates for any two points among the five we chose?
Since there are four categories of odd/even for x and y, we will repeat one of the categories among the five points!
Perfect. Therefore, we can conclude that there will always exist a pair of points whose midpoint has integer coordinates. Great job!
Five Integers Summing to Nine
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Next, let's consider five integers chosen from the set of numbers 1 to 8. How can we prove that there is at least one pair that sums up to 9?
We could list out all the pairs that sum to 9 and then compare them to our picks.
That’s one way, but it would be tedious! Instead, which numbers can work?
We have pairs like (1,8), (2,7), (3,6), and (4,5)!
Exactly! And here are our 'holes': each possible pair. What are our 'pigeons'?
The five integers we pick from this set!
Right! By pigeonhole principle, since we have more pigeons than holes, we must have at least one repeating pair. Thus, at least two of our five numbers will sum to 9. Well done!
Universally Quantified Integer Multiples
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Now, let's discuss a universally quantified statement: for any integer n, there exists a multiple of n consisting only of the digits 0 and 1. Can anyone give me an example?
For n=2, we could use 10; it has only 1’s and 0’s.
Exactly! But how do we prove this isn't just true for specific examples?
Maybe we could define a sequence of numbers made up of 1's and see their remainders when divided by n?
Great thought! We can utilize the pigeonhole principle again. What's the significance here?
If we craft n+1 such numbers, some must share the same remainder when divided by n.
Correct! And thus, the difference between these numbers would give us a multiple of n consisting only of 1's and 0's. Fantastic!
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section explores various applications of the pigeonhole principle. It demonstrates how, given distinct integer points or integers from a set, there always exists pairs that meet certain conditions like having integer midpoints or summing up to a specific number, reinforcing the underlying mathematical implications of the principle.
Detailed
In this tutorial section, we deep dive into the pigeonhole principle, illustrating its effectiveness in proving statements about distinct points in mathematics. The first example shows that among any five distinct points in a two-dimensional plane with integer coordinates, there will always exist a pair whose line segment's midpoint has integer coordinates. We identify the combinations of odd and even coordinates as 'pigeons' and classify them into four groups, applying the pigeonhole principle to guarantee a match. Additionally, we investigate a similar case with integers from 1 to 8, proving that any selection of five integers must include at least one pair whose sum is 9, by again using the pigeonhole principle to classify the potential pairs. The section culminates in a universally quantified statement about integers, showing that any integer can be used to create a multiple composed solely of the digits '0' and '1,' employing a systematic construction and again relying on the pigeonhole concept to establish its validity.
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Understanding the Midpoint of Points in 2D Plane
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
Let us start with question number 8. You are given here arbitrary distinct points in 2 dimensional planes. Each point will have an x-coordinate, y-coordinate and the points are having integer coordinates. So they are arbitrary points except that they are distinct. So, I am denoting the points as (x_1, y_1), (x_2, y_2), (x_3, y_3), (x_4, y_4), and (x_5, y_5). Our goal is to show that irrespective of the way these 5 points are chosen arbitrarily, there always exists a pair of points such that the midpoint of the line joining those 2 points has integer coordinates.
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, we start with a scenario of choosing distinct points in a 2D plane, each with integer coordinates. We focus on the notion of midpoints, defined by the average of the x-coordinates and y-coordinates of two points. For example, the midpoint formula of two points (x_1, y_1) and (x_2, y_2) yields: \( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \). The challenge is to demonstrate that at least one pair of chosen points will result in a midpoint whose coordinates are also integers.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you have five distinct players located on a basketball court, each standing at different integer coordinate positions. If you pair any two players, the location where they meet at the halfway point will always land on the basketball court's grid. It's a simple property of how the average of whole numbers behaves, ensuring the result is also a whole number.
Applying the Pigeonhole Principle
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
To apply the pigeonhole principle, we need to identify the set of pigeons and the set of holes. We consider the set of 5 arbitrary points and map them based on the nature of their x-coordinates and y-coordinates. Depending on whether the x-coordinates and y-coordinates are odd or even, this gives us 4 possible combinations. For example, if (x_1, y_1) is odd and (y_1, y_2) is even, we denote this as (odd, even). We now have 5 items (the points) mapped to 4 combinations.
Detailed Explanation
The pigeonhole principle is a counting argument that states if you have more items than containers, at least one container must contain at least two items. Here, we categorize our points by examining whether each coordinate is odd or even. Since we have 5 points (the 'pigeons') but only 4 combinations ('holes'), at least two points must belong to the same category (say, both x-coordinates being odd). This implies their midpoints will yield integer results.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this as gathering five friends with 4 different colored shirts. Regardless of their choices, at least two friends will inevitably be wearing the same colored shirt. Similarly, by mapping the coordinates, we assure ourselves that at least two points will fall into the same odd/even category.
Conclusion About the Midpoints
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
Assuming (x_1, y_1) and (x_2, y_2) are the two points mapped to the same ordered pair, we analyze their midpoint. The formula gives us \( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \). Since x_1 and x_2 (or y_1 and y_2) are either both odd or both even, their sums will be even, thus guaranteeing integer midpoints.
Detailed Explanation
Since both coordinates x_1 and x_2 are either odd or even, when added together, they produce an even sum. When you divide an even number by 2, the result is always an integer. This is crucial in showing that the midpoints of the selected points will have integer coordinates, thus validating our goal.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are merging two even groups of candies together. If you have two bags, each containing an even number of candies, their combined total will also be even, making it easy to evenly distribute the candies between two containers. By using this analogy, we realize how the properties of integers ensure that the outcomes we desire—in this case, integer midpoints—are consistently achievable.
Key Concepts
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Pigeonhole Principle: A fundamental principle in combinatorics ensuring that repeated categories occur when placing more items than containers.
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Midpoint of Two Points: A key geometric concept calculated as the average of the coordinates of two points.
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Pairwise Sum: The concept that enables the identification of specific relationships among integers through their sums.
Examples & Applications
Given five points (1, 1), (2, 3), (5, 7), (3, 4), and (9, 8), among these points, the pair (1, 1) and (5, 7) may yield a midpoint with integer coordinates.
From integers 1 to 8, choosing numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, their pair (4, 5) sums to 9.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
When points get too dense and can't fit, some must overlap, that’s just a bit!
Stories
Imagine a classroom filled with students and chairs, if there are more students than seats, some must share!
Memory Tools
Pigeon Pairs: If P > H, Pigeons pair in holes, guaranteed!
Acronyms
MATH
Midpoint Anytime - Take Averages Habitually!
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Pigeonhole Principle
A combinatorial principle stating that if n items are put into m containers, with n > m, then at least one container must contain more than one item.
- Midpoint
The point that is equidistant from the endpoints of a line segment, calculated as the average of their coordinates.
- Universally Quantified Statement
A statement asserting that a property holds for all elements of a specified set.
Reference links
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