There are 50 distinct lines . All lines , where n a positive integer, are parallel to each other. All lines , where n is a positive integer, pass through a point P. The maximum possible number of points of intersection of pairs of lines in the set is
There are 50 distinct lines . All lines , where n a positive integer, are parallel to each other. All lines , where n is a positive integer, pass through a point P. The maximum possible number of points of intersection of pairs of lines in the set is
Solution
Looking at the structure of the 50 lines, let me first identify which lines belong to each category.
Lines where is a positive integer (all parallel to each other):
This gives us 12 parallel lines (for ).
Lines where is a positive integer (all pass through point P):
This gives us 13 lines through point P (for ).
The remaining lines with no special constraints:
This gives us 25 lines (since ).
To maximize the number of intersection points:
The 12 parallel lines don't intersect each other: 0 points
The 13 lines through point P all intersect at P: 1 point (not 13 choose 2, since they all meet at the same point)
The 12 parallel lines intersecting with the 13 lines through P:
points
The 25 remaining lines should be positioned to intersect with all other lines at distinct points:
Intersections among themselves: points
Intersections with the 12 parallel lines: points
Intersections with the 13 lines through P: points
Total number of intersection points:
Therefore, the maximum possible number of intersection points is 1082.