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There are 50 distinct lines L1,L2,...,L50L_1, L_2, ..., L_{50}. All lines L4nL_{4n}, where n a positive integer, are parallel to each other. All lines L4n−3L_{4n-3}, 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 {L1,L2,...}\{L_1, L_2, ...\} is

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 4

Looking at the structure of the 50 lines, let me first identify which lines belong to each category.

Lines L4nL_{4n} where nn is a positive integer (all parallel to each other):

L4,L8,L12,L16,L20,L24,L28,L32,L36,L40,L44,L48L_4, L_8, L_{12}, L_{16}, L_{20}, L_{24}, L_{28}, L_{32}, L_{36}, L_{40}, L_{44}, L_{48}

This gives us 12 parallel lines (for n=1,2,3,...,12n = 1, 2, 3, ..., 12).


Lines L4n−3L_{4n-3} where nn is a positive integer (all pass through point P):

L1,L5,L9,L13,L17,L21,L25,L29,L33,L37,L41,L45,L49L_1, L_5, L_9, L_{13}, L_{17}, L_{21}, L_{25}, L_{29}, L_{33}, L_{37}, L_{41}, L_{45}, L_{49}

This gives us 13 lines through point P (for n=1,2,3,...,13n = 1, 2, 3, ..., 13).


The remaining lines with no special constraints:

L2,L3,L6,L7,L10,L11,L14,L15,L18,L19,L22,L23,L26,L27,L30,L31,L34,L35,L38,L39,L42,L43,L46,L47,L50L_2, L_3, L_6, L_7, L_{10}, L_{11}, L_{14}, L_{15}, L_{18}, L_{19}, L_{22}, L_{23}, L_{26}, L_{27}, L_{30}, L_{31}, L_{34}, L_{35}, L_{38}, L_{39}, L_{42}, L_{43}, L_{46}, L_{47}, L_{50}

This gives us 25 lines (since 50−12−13=2550 - 12 - 13 = 25).


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:

12×13=15612 \times 13 = 156 points

The 25 remaining lines should be positioned to intersect with all other lines at distinct points:

Intersections among themselves: (252)=25×242=300\binom{25}{2} = \dfrac{25 \times 24}{2} = 300 points

Intersections with the 12 parallel lines: 25×12=30025 \times 12 = 300 points

Intersections with the 13 lines through P: 25×13=32525 \times 13 = 325 points


Total number of intersection points:

1+156+300+300+325=10821 + 156 + 300 + 300 + 325 = 1082

Therefore, the maximum possible number of intersection points is 1082.

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