(New page: Choose 13 real numbers <math>x_1,x_2,\\ldots,x_{13}\\in\\mathbbb{R}<math/> with LaTeX Code: x_i\\neq x_j if LaTeX Code: i\\neq j . For these 13 numbers there exist at least two numbers a...)
 
 
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Choose 13 real numbers <math>x_1,x_2,\\ldots,x_{13}\\in\\mathbbb{R}<math/> with LaTeX Code: x_i\\neq x_j if LaTeX Code: i\\neq j . For these 13 numbers there exist at least two numbers amongst them such that
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Choose 13 real numbers <math>x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_{13}\in\mathbb{R}</math> with <math>x_i\neq x_j</math> if <math>i\neq j</math>. For these 13 numbers there exist at least two numbers amongst them such that
  
LaTeX Code: 0 \\; < \\; \\frac{x_i-x_j}{1+x_ix_j} \\; \\leq \\; 2-\\sqrt{3}
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<math>0 < \frac{x_i-x_j}{1+x_ix_j} \leq 2-\sqrt{3}</math>
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It's a tricky one to prove, unless you are one endowed with a certain amount of intuition (exempli gratia, Uli, et alii). Simple trigonometry and the ever overlooked Pigeonhole Principle are key tools to solving it.
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As a side note, [http://digg.com/general_sciences/The_list_of_the_100_greatest_theorems digg this].

Latest revision as of 12:57, 31 August 2008

Choose 13 real numbers $ x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_{13}\in\mathbb{R} $ with $ x_i\neq x_j $ if $ i\neq j $. For these 13 numbers there exist at least two numbers amongst them such that

$ 0 < \frac{x_i-x_j}{1+x_ix_j} \leq 2-\sqrt{3} $

It's a tricky one to prove, unless you are one endowed with a certain amount of intuition (exempli gratia, Uli, et alii). Simple trigonometry and the ever overlooked Pigeonhole Principle are key tools to solving it.

As a side note, digg this.

Alumni Liaison

Meet a recent graduate heading to Sweden for a Postdoctorate.

Christine Berkesch