# A fourth primer: plane geometry question set including core theorems, preRMO and RMO

Hard core definitions of various special quadrilaterals:

1. A quadrilateral is a plane figure bounded by four straight lines.
2. A parallelogram is a quadrilateral whose opposite sides are parallel.
3. A rectangle is a parallelogram which has one of its angles a right angle.
4. A square is a rectangle which has two adjacent sides equal.
5. A rhombus is a quadrilateral which has all its sides equal, but its angles are not right angles.
6. A trapezium if a quadrilateral which has one pair of parallel sides.

Problem 1:

The straight lines which join the extremities of two equal and parallel straight lines towards the same parts are themselves equal and parallel. Prove this.

Problem 2:

The opposite sides and angles of a parallelogram are equal to one another, and each diagonal bisects the parallelogram.

Problem 3:

Corollary 1 of problem 2 above: If one angle of a parallelogram is a right angle, all its angles are right angles.

Corollary 2 of problem 2 above: All the sides of a square are equal; and all its angles are right angles.

Corollary 3 of problem 3 above: The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect one another.

Problem 4:

If the opposite sides of a quadrilateral are equal, then the figure is a parallelogram.

Problem 5:

If the opposite angles of a quadrilateral are equal, then the figure is a parallelogram.

Problem 6:

If the diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each other, then the figure is a parallelogram.

Problem 7:

The diagonals of a rhombus bisect each other at right angles.

Problem 8:

If the diagonals of a parallelogram are equal, all its angles are right angles.

Problem 9:

In a parallelogram which is not rectangular, the diagonals are not equal.

Problem 10:

Any straight line drawn through the middle point of a diagonal of a parallelogram and terminated by a pair of opposite sides is bisected at that point.

Problem 11:

In a parallelogram, the perpendiculars drawn from one pair of opposite angles to the diagonal which joins the other pair are equal. Prove this.

Problem 12:

If ABCD is a parallelogram, and X, Y respectively the middle points of the sides AD, BC, show that the figure AYCX is a parallelogram.

Problem 13:

ABC and DEF are two triangles such that AB, BC are respectively equal to and parallel to DE, EF; show that AC is equal and parallel to DF.

Problem 14:

ABCD is a quadrilateral in which AB is parallel to DC, and AD equal but not parallel to BC; show that (i) angle A + angle C = 180 degrees = angle B + angle D; (ii) diagonal AC = diagonal BD (iii) the quadrilateral is symmetrical about the straight line joining the middle points of AB and DC.

Problem 15:

AP, BQ are straight rods of equal length, turning at equal rates (both clockwise) about two fixed pivots A and B respectively. If the rods start parallel but pointing in opposite senses, prove that (i) they will always be parallel (ii) the line joining PQ will always pass through a certain fixed point.

Problem 16:

A and B are two fixed points, and two straight lines AP, BQ, unlimited towards P and Q, are pivoted at A and B. AP, starting from the direction AB, turns about A clockwise at the uniform rate of 7.5 degrees a second; and BQ, starting simultaneously from the direction BA, turns about B counter-clockwise at the rate of 3.75 degrees a second. (i) How many seconds will elapse before AP and BQ are parallel? (ii) Find graphically and by calculation the angle between AP and BQ twelve seconds from the start. (iii) At what rate does this angle decrease?

Problem 17 (Intercept theorem or Basic Proportionality Theorem):

If there are three or more parallel straight lines, and the intercepts made by them on any transversal are equal, then the corresponding intercepts on any other transversal are also equal.

Prove the corollary: In a triangle ABC, if a set of lines Pp, Qq, Rr, $\ldots$, drawn parallel to the base, divide one side AB into equal parts they also divide the other side AC into equal parts.

Definition:

If from the extremities of a straight line AB perpendiculars AX, BY are drawn parallel to a straight line PQ of indefinite length, then XY is said to be the orthogonal projection of AB on PQ.

Problem 18:

Prove: The straight line drawn through the middle point of a side of a triangle parallel to the base bisects the remaining side.

Problem 19:

The straight line which joins the middle points of two sides of a triangle is equal to half the third side.

More later,

Nalin Pithwa.

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