THE GAMES THAT POPULATIONS PLAY
Suppose that game theory is applied in explaining the phenomenon of gender ratio in the population. Why is the ratio of males to females in human (or animal) populations 50:50? Game theory phrases the answer to this question as follows: the ratio 50:50 is an evolutionarily stable strategy or ESS. An ESS is related to an outcome which best serves the decision maker in the midst of uncertainty. Consider a game described by the following:
- Male-to-female ratio is \(\rho:1-\rho\), where \(0\leq\rho \leq 1\)
- All females only mate once in their lifetime; consequently engender \(n\) offspring
- Males are polygamous and mate, on average, with \(\frac{1-\rho}{\rho}\) distinct females in their lifetime
- Females are the ``decision makers;" either \(D_1\): all offpsring are males; or \(D_2\): all offspring are females
- If \(\rho < \frac{1}{2}\), then \((1-2\rho)/\rho > 0\) so that \(p=1\) yields the highest possible value for \(\pi(\sigma,\mathbf{x})\)
- If \(\rho > \frac{1}{2}\), then \((1-2\rho)/\rho < 0\) so that \(p=0\) yields the highest possible value for \(\pi(\sigma,\mathbf{x})\)
- If \(\rho = \frac{1}{2}\), then \((1-2\rho)/\rho = 0\) so that any value of \(p\) yields the highest possible value for \(\pi(\sigma,\mathbf{x})\)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dranreb Earl Juanico is an Assistant Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. He obtained his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Physics at the University of the Philippines in 2002, 2004 and 2007, respectively.
OLYMPIAD CORNER
from the 57th Belarusian Mathematical Olympiad
Problem: Let \(O\) be the intersection point of the diagonals of the convex quadrilateral \(ABCD\), \(AO = CO\). Points \(P\) and \(Q\) are marked on the segments \(AO\) and \(CO\), respectively, so that \(PO = OQ\). Let \(N\) and \(K\) be the intersection points of the sides \(AB\), \(CD\) and lines \(DP\), \(BQ\) respectively. Prove that the points \(N\), \(O\), \(K\) are collinear.
Draw \(NM || KL || AC\). Let \(a = BO\), \(b = DO\), \(c = PO = OQ\), \(l = AO = OC\), \(x = KL\), \(u = OL\), \(y = NM\), \(v = OM\).
Since \(\Delta BOQ \sim \Delta BLK\), it follows that \[ \frac{x}{c} = \frac{a+u}{a} = 1 + \frac{u}{a} \] Furthermore, since \( \Delta DOC \sim \Delta DLK\), then \[ \frac{x}{l} = \frac{b-u}{b} = 1 - \frac{u}{b} \] Therefore \[ x\left( \frac{1}{c} - \frac{1}{l} \right) = u\left( \frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b} \right) \Rightarrow \frac{x}{u} = \frac{a+b}{ab} \cdot \frac{cl}{l-c} \] By a similar argument, we also obtain \[ \frac{y}{v} = \frac{a+b}{ab} \cdot \frac{cl}{l-c} \] Since \(\frac{x}{u} = \frac{y}{v}\), and \(\angle NMO = \angle KLO\), then \(\Delta ONM \sim \Delta OKL\). This implies that \(\angle NOM=\angle KOL\), which makes them vertical angles. Therefore, the points \(N\), \(O\) and \(K\) must be collinear.
Solution:
Draw \(NM || KL || AC\). Let \(a = BO\), \(b = DO\), \(c = PO = OQ\), \(l = AO = OC\), \(x = KL\), \(u = OL\), \(y = NM\), \(v = OM\).
Since \(\Delta BOQ \sim \Delta BLK\), it follows that \[ \frac{x}{c} = \frac{a+u}{a} = 1 + \frac{u}{a} \] Furthermore, since \( \Delta DOC \sim \Delta DLK\), then \[ \frac{x}{l} = \frac{b-u}{b} = 1 - \frac{u}{b} \] Therefore \[ x\left( \frac{1}{c} - \frac{1}{l} \right) = u\left( \frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b} \right) \Rightarrow \frac{x}{u} = \frac{a+b}{ab} \cdot \frac{cl}{l-c} \] By a similar argument, we also obtain \[ \frac{y}{v} = \frac{a+b}{ab} \cdot \frac{cl}{l-c} \] Since \(\frac{x}{u} = \frac{y}{v}\), and \(\angle NMO = \angle KLO\), then \(\Delta ONM \sim \Delta OKL\). This implies that \(\angle NOM=\angle KOL\), which makes them vertical angles. Therefore, the points \(N\), \(O\) and \(K\) must be collinear.
PROBLEMS
- If \(a_1 = 1\) and \[ a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{a_n}}, n = 1, 2, \ldots, 2011, \] find the value of \[ a_1 a_2 + a_2 a_3 + a_3 a_4 + \ldots + a_{2011} a_{2012}. \]
- One commercially available ten-button lock may be opened by depressing - in any order - the correct five buttons. Suppose that these locks are redesigned so that sets of as many as nine buttons or as few as one button could serve as combinations. How many additional combinations should this allow?
- Let \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) be three distinct positive integers. Show that among the numbers \[ a^5 b - ab^5, b^5 c - bc^5, c^5 a - ca^5, \] there must be one that is divisible by 8.
We welcome readers to submit solutions to the problems posed below for
publication consideration. Solutions must be preceded by the solver's
name, school affiliation and year level. The deadline for submission is
February 4, 2012.
SOLUTIONS
(for January 14 and 21, 2012)
- \(AB\) is a chord in a circle with center \(O\) and radius 52 cm. The point \(M\) divides the chord \(AB\) such that \(AM = 63\) cm and \(MB = 33\) cm. Find the length of \(OM\) in cm. (Singapore Secondary Schools Mathematical Olympiads for Junior Section, 2003)
(solved by Emman Joshua B. Busto [PSHS - Main] and Dianne S. Garcia [AA])SOLUTION: - If \(a\) and \(b\) are positive real numbers such that \(a+b=1\), prove that \[\left(a+\frac{1}{a}\right)^2 + \left(b+\frac{1}{b}\right)^2 \geq \frac{25}{2}.\] (Taken from A Primer for Mathematics Competitions by Hitchcock and Zawaira)SOLUTION:Note that \[\begin{align*} \left( a + \frac{1}{a} \right)^2 + \left( b + \frac{1}{b} \right)^2 &= a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + b^2 + \frac{1}{b^2} + 4 \\ &=(a+b)^2 - 2ab + \left( \frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b} \right)^2 - \frac{2}{ab} + 4 \\ &= 1 - 2ab + \frac{1-2ab}{(ab)^2} + 4. \end{align*} \] Furthermore, by the AM-GM inequality we have \[ ab \leq \left( \frac{a+b}{2} \right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}. \] Since \(a\) and \(b\) are positive real numbers, the second inequality yields the following: \[ \begin{align*} ab \leq \frac{1}{4} \Rightarrow -2ab \geq -\frac{1}{2}, \\ ab \leq \frac{1}{4} \Rightarrow \frac{1}{(ab)^2} \geq 16. \end{align*} \] Thus, we have, \[ \left( a + \frac{1}{a} \right)^2 + \left( b + \frac{1}{b} \right)^2 \geq 1 - \frac{1}{2} + \left(1 - \frac{1}{2}\right)16 + 4 = \frac{25}{2}. \]
- For any non-negative integers \(m, n, p,\) prove that the polynomial \(x^{3m} + x^{3n+1}+x^{3p+2}\) has the factor \(x^2 + x + 1\). (Taken from Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad Courses by Xu Jiagu)SOLUTION:Consider \(f(y) = y^m - 1\). Since \(f(1) = 0\), we have \(y^m - 1 = (y-1)q(y)\). Taking \(y = x^3\), we have \[x^{3m}-1 = (x^3)^m - 1 = (x^3 - 1)q(x^3) = (x-1)(x^2+x+1)q(x^3). \] Also, \[ \begin{align*} x^{3n+1} - x &= x(x^{3n}-1), \\ x^{3p+2} - x^2 &= x^2(x^{3p}-1), \end{align*} \] implying that all of these terms have a factor of \(x^2+x+1\). Taking them together, we now have \[ x^{3m} + x^{3n+1} + x^{3p+2} = (x^{3m}-1) + (x^{3n+1} - x) + (x^{3p+2} - x^2) + (x^2+x+1), \] showing that the polynomial does have a factor of \(x^2+x+1\).
- Let \(T\) be a triangle of perimeter 2, and \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) be the lengths of its three sides. Prove that \[ abc + \frac{28}{27} \geq ab + bc + ca \text{ and } abc + 1 \leq ab +bc +ca. \] (Ireland Mathematical Olympiad, 2003)SOLUTION:Since \(a + b + c = 2\) then \(0 < a, b, c < 1\) hence \[ \begin{align*} 0 < (1-a)(1-b)(1-c) \leq \left( \frac{1-a+1-b+1-c}{3} \right)^3 = \frac{1}{27} \\ 0 < 1 - (a + b + c) + (ab +bc +ca) - abc \leq \frac{1}{27} \\ 0 < (ab + bc + ca) - 1 - abc \leq \frac{1}{27}, \end{align*} \] and thus both inequalities are shown to be true.
- If \(a\), \(b\) are two different positive integers, and the two quadratic equations \[ (a-1)x^2 - (a^2+2)x +(a^2+2a) = 0, (b-1)x^2 - (b^2+2)x +(b^2+2b) = 0 \] have one common root, find the value of \[ \frac{a^b + b^a}{a^{-b} + b^{-a}}. \] (China Mathematical Competition for Primary Schools, 2003)SOLUTION:We can deduce that \(a, b > 1\) where \(a \neq b\). Let \(r\) be the common root. We have \[ \begin{align*} (a-1)r^2 - (a^2+2)r+(a^2+2a) &= 0, \\ (b-1)r^2 - (b^2+2)r +(b^2+2b) &= 0, \end{align*} \] where \(r \neq 1\), since otherwise \(a = b = 1\), a contradiction.
Using the two equations, we eliminate \(x^2\) and simplify to obtain \[ (a-b)(ab-a-b-2)(r-1) = 0,\] where \(a - b \neq 0\) and \(r \neq 1\), thus implying \(ab - a - b - 2 = 0\). Since this equation (and the final equation we are considering) is symmetric, we can assume \(a > b > 1\) without loss of generality. Then \(b = 1 + \frac{b}{a} + \frac{2}{a} \leq 3\), so \(b = 2, a = 4\).
From there, \[ \frac{a^b + b^a}{a^{-b}+b^{-a}} = (a^b + b^a)\frac{a^bb^a}{a^b+b^a} = a^bb^a = 256.\] - In the convex quadrilateral \(ABCD\), the midpoints of \(BC\) and \(AD\) are \(E\) and \(F\) respectively. Prove that \([EDA] + [FBC] = [ABCD]\), where [] denotes the area of the region enclosed by the specified points. (IMO Shortlist, 1989)SOLUTION:
Suppose that \(AE\) and \(BF\) intersect at \(Q\) and \(CF\) and \(DE\) intersect at \(P\). Then it is sufficient to show that \([FQEP] = [ABQ] + [DPC]\). Let \(h_1\), \(h_2\) and \(h_3\) denote the heights of triangles \(ABE\), \(FBC\) and \(DEC\) respectively, giving us \(h_2 = \frac{1}{2}(h_1+h_3)\). Thus \[ \begin{align*} [FQEP] + [BEQ] + [ECP] &= [FBC] = \frac{1}{2}h_2BC \\ &= \frac{1}{4}(h_1+h_3)BC \\ &= \frac{1}{4}h_1(2BE) + \frac{1}{4}h_3(2EC) \\ &=([ABQ] + [BEQ]) + ([DPC] + [ECP]), \end{align*} \] which gives us the desired equality.