UNSOLVED PROBLEMS

In Number Theory, Logic, and Cryptography

Rational Distance

 

Given a unit square, can you find any point in the same plane, either inside or outside the square, that is a rational distance from all four corners? 

Or, put another way, given a square ABCD of any size, can you find a point P in the same plane such that the distances AB, PA, PB, PC, and PD are all integers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is to find such a point, or prove that no such point can exist.

 

For further information, please see:

[1] Guy, Richard K. Unsolved Problems in Number Theory, Vol. 1, Springer-Verlag,        2nd ed. 1991, 181-185.

 

[2]   Barbara, Roy. "The rational distance problem", Mathematical Gazette 95, March              2011, 59-61.

 

You can check for contributions to this problem on the solutions page.

 

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