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2022/23 AHSMC Part 1 Problem 6

Problem 6 of 16

A square ABCDABCD with side 11 is given. How many points PP in the plane of the square satisfy PA+PB+PC+PD=22? PA + PB + PC + PD = 2\sqrt{2}?

Answer choices

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Solution

We have PA+PC≥ACPA + PC \ge AC, PB+PD≥BDPB + PD \ge BD and the equality in both inequalities is obtained when PP is on ACAC and BDBD i.e., PP is the intersection of the diagonals of the square. Therefore, 22=PA+PC+PB+PD≥AC+BD=22. 2\sqrt{2} = PA + PC + PB + PD \ge AC + BD = 2\sqrt{2}. Hence PA+PC+PB+PD=AC+BDPA + PC + PB + PD = AC + BD, thus PP is the center of the square. The answer is (B).