Parallelograms in the Intersections

Each of the lines is extended infinitely in both direction Each of the lines is extended infinitely in both direction

Let C ( m , n ) C(m,n) denote the number of parallelograms that are formed when a set of m 2 m\geq2 parallel lines intersect a set of n 2 n\geq2 parallel lines.

Find n = 2 101 C ( 101 , n ) \displaystyle \sum_{n=2}^{101} C(101,n) .


Inspiration & Image Credit .


The answer is 867085000.

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1 solution

Prince Loomba
Dec 28, 2016

Claim: Number of parallelograms formed C ( m , n ) = m C 2 × n C 2 C (m,n)=^{m}C_{2}×^{n}C_{2}

Proof: Choosing 2 2 lines from m m parallel lines and 2 2 lines from n n parallel lines would give an unique parallelogram(parallelogram is a quadrilateral formed by 2 pairs of parallel lines). Conversely, every parallelogram can be obtained by choosing these pairs of parallel lines. This establishes the bijection between "parallelogram" and "choose 2 lines from m, choose 2 lines from n". _\square

Thus, C ( 101 , n ) = 101 C 2 × n C 2 \sum C (101, n) = ^{101} C_2 \times ^n C _2 . Factoring 101 C 2 ^{101}C_{2} out of summation, the other term is

2 C 2 + 3 C 2 + . . . + 101 C 2 ^{2}C_{2}+^{3}C_{2}+...+^{101}C_{2} . Write 2 C 2 ^{2}C_{2} as 3 C 3 ^{3}C_{3} as both are 1 1 . Now using the identity n C r 1 + n C r = n + 1 C r ^{n}C_{r-1}+^{n}C_{r}=^{n+1}C_{r} ,

we get

3 C 3 + 3 C 2 + 4 C 2 + . . . . + 101 C 2 = 4 C 3 + 4 C 2 + . . . . + 101 C 2 = . . . . = 101 C 3 + 101 C 2 = 102 C 3 . ^{3}C_{3}+^{3}C_{2}+^{4}C_{2}+....+^{101}C_{2}=^{4}C_{3}+^{4}C_{2}+....+^{101}C_{2}=....=^{101}C_{3}+^{101}C_{2}=^{102}C_{3}.

So our final answer is 101 C 2 × 102 C 3 = 867085000 ^{101}C_{2}×^{102}C_{3}=\boxed {867085000}

Can you explain the first line in more detail, so that the solution can help those who cannot solve the problem? I believe that would be the place that most people get stuck on.

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 5 months ago

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Is it ok now?

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 5 months ago

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It's better than before.

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Calvin Lin Thanks any more edits required?

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Prince Loomba Essentially, the first line is setting up that there is a bijection between "parallelograms" and "choose 2 lines, choose 2 lines". That is currently not fully conveyed in your sentence, and requires a bit of "reading between the lines" by the reader. For those not fully versed in mind-reading, it can still be slightly confusing.

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Calvin Lin Tried to convey it, can you rephrase the wordings to make it more clear?

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Prince Loomba K, made the edits.

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Calvin Lin Thanks very much!

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 5 months ago

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