MathDB
1978 USAMO #2

Source:

August 16, 2011
AMCUSA(J)MOUSAMOgeometrygeometric transformationhomothetyratio

Problem Statement

ABCDABCD and ABCDA'B'C'D' are square maps of the same region, drawn to different scales and superimposed as shown in the figure. Prove that there is only one point OO on the small map that lies directly over point OO' of the large map such that OO and OO' each represent the same place of the country. Also, give a Euclidean construction (straight edge and compass) for OO.
[asy] size(200); defaultpen(linewidth(0.7)+fontsize(10)); real theta = -100, r = 0.3; pair D2 = (0.3,0.76); string[] lbl = {'A', 'B', 'C', 'D'}; draw(unitsquare); draw(shift(D2)*rotate(theta)*scale(r)*unitsquare); for(int i = 0; i < lbl.length; ++i) { pair Q = dir(135-90*i), P = (.5,.5)+Q/2^.5; label(""+lbl+""+lbl+"'", P, Q); label(""+lbl+""+lbl+"",D2+rotate(theta)*(r*P), rotate(theta)*Q); }[/asy]