MathDB
Prove that there exist two vectors [ILL 1974]

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January 2, 2011
vectorgeometrygeometric transformationcombinatorics unsolvedcombinatorics

Problem Statement

There are nn points on a flat piece of paper, any two of them at a distance of at least 22 from each other. An inattentive pupil spills ink on a part of the paper such that the total area of the damaged part equals 32\frac 32. Prove that there exist two vectors of equal length less than 11 and with their sum having a given direction, such that after a translation by either of these two vectors no points of the given set remain in the damaged area.