IMO 1968 · Problem 4

Prove that in every tetrahedron there is a vertex such that the three edges meeting there have lengths which are the sides of a triangle.

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Solution

Let \(ABCD\) be a tetrahedron, and choose a longest edge, say \(AB\). The strict triangle inequalities in the faces \(ABC\) and \(ABD\) give \[ AB<AC+BC,\qquad AB<AD+BD. \] Adding, we obtain \[ 2AB<(AC+AD)+(BC+BD). \] Consequently, at least one of \(AC+AD\) and \(BC+BD\) is greater than \(AB\). Interchanging \(A\) and \(B\) if necessary, assume \[ AB<AC+AD. \]

Because \(AB\) is a longest edge and all edge lengths are positive, we also have \[ AC\le AB<AB+AD,\qquad AD\le AB<AB+AC. \] Thus \(AB,AC,AD\) satisfy all three strict triangle inequalities, so they are the side lengths of a nondegenerate triangle. The required vertex is therefore \(A\). \(\square\)

The solution was checked against John Scholes' IMO solution archive (Kalva).