IMO 1987 · Problem 5

Let \(n\) be an integer greater than or equal to 3. Prove that there is a set of \(n\) points in the plane such that the distance between any two points is irrational and each set of three points determines a non-degenerate triangle with rational area.

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

Solution

Choose the \(n\) distinct points \[ P_i=(i,i^2),\qquad i=1,2,\ldots,n. \]

We first verify the condition on distances. For \(1\le i<j\le n\), \[ P_iP_j =\sqrt{(j-i)^2+(j^2-i^2)^2} =(j-i)\sqrt{1+(i+j)^2}. \] Writing \(m=i+j\), we have \(m\ge3\), so \[ m^2<m^2+1<(m+1)^2. \] Thus \(m^2+1\) is not a perfect square, and its square root is irrational. Indeed, a rational square root \(a/b\) of an integer, written in lowest terms with \(b>0\), satisfies \(a^2=Nb^2\); any prime divisor of \(b\) would then divide \(a\), so \(b=1\). Hence a rational square root of an integer must be an integer.

Since \(j-i\) is a nonzero integer, \(P_iP_j\) is therefore irrational.

Now take any three points, indexed by \(i<j<k\). Twice their triangle’s area is \[ \begin{aligned} 2[P_iP_jP_k] &=\left| \det\begin{pmatrix} j-i & j^2-i^2\\ k-i & k^2-i^2 \end{pmatrix} \right|\\ &=\left|(j-i)(k-i)\bigl((k+i)-(j+i)\bigr)\right|\\ &=(j-i)(k-i)(k-j). \end{aligned} \] All three factors are positive integers. Consequently, \[ [P_iP_jP_k]=\frac{(j-i)(k-i)(k-j)}2 \] is positive and rational. Thus every three chosen points determine a non-degenerate triangle with rational area, as required. \(\square\)

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