A number is written in each corner of the cube. On each step, each number is replaced with the average of three numbers in the three adjacent corners (all the numbers are replaced simultaneously). After ten such steps, every number returns to its initial value. Must all numbers have been originally equal? (3 points)
Problem
Source: Fall 2005 Tournament of Towns Junior O-Level #2
Tags:
fractals
25.03.2015 06:25
No.
We assume that these numbers are real (if they are complex or quaternion or some type of vector over reals or something just split them up by a basis and then apply this argument).
Take the sum of the squares as a monovariant. Before an operation it is $\sum a_i^2$. After an operation it is $\sum \left(\frac{a_i + a_j + a_k}{3}\right)^2$ where the $i, j, k$ all border a single vertex. From AM-GM or power mean this sum is at most $\sum \frac{a_i^2 + a_j^2 + a_k^2}{3} = \sum a_i^2$, with equality only when numbers across diagonals are equal. So the cube must be
a b
b a on the top and
b a
a b on the bottom or similar if it is to work. One step symmetrically switches everything, and another turns it back.
So ten steps with $a \not= b$ yields an identity transformation, so the answer is no; however, we have classified all such cubes above, if we include the possibility that $a = b$ as well.
I'm pretty sure the result is also true in fields of characteristic $0$ but don't cite me on this (and anyway you have to be careful about using monovariants, since you need an ordering first; I think the bash linear method, though, proves it).
Actually, considering a cube as two connected tetrahedron shapes that alternate as we do the average property helps a lot in visualizing this as well as actually proving this stuff, I think.
Like $\frac{S - \frac{S - x}{3}}{3} = x$ so $x = \frac{S}{4}$ where $S$ is the sum of the tetrahedral guys. Using this in fact does clear up the whole field thing, by making the equations easy and accessible.