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Question 11141: A Missing Midpoint Refutes Convexity, but a Present One Does Not Prove It

On this page
  1. Original question and givens
  2. Definition and scope
  3. Step-by-step derivation
  4. Reverse checks
  5. Result
  6. This question review and source binding

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R0021-11141 · q-20261013-advance-20261024-r07-convex-set-0091

Original question and givens

Convexity means every pair of set members and every lambda in [0,1] has lambda*left+(1−lambda)*right in the set. Positive cases use complete algebraic certificates, not sampled lambda values. One exact counterexample suffices to refute convexity; a failed counterexample does not prove convexity. Distinct finite points=[[0, 0], [32, 0], [0, 32]] retain input order; endpoints left=[32, 0], right=[0, 32] must belong to the set. Give (points,left,right,exact midpoint,midpoint present?,is this a nonconvexity witness?). Use exact rational arithmetic, reduce fractions to positive denominators and omit /1 for integer outputs.

  • G001 — Convexity means every pair of set members and every lambda in [0,1] has lambda*left+(1−lambda)*right in the set. Positive cases use complete algebraic certificates, not sampled lambda values. One exact counterexample suffices to refute convexity; a failed counterexample does not prove convexity. Distinct finite points=[[0, 0], [32, 0], [0, 32]] retain input order; endpoints left=[32, 0], right=[0, 32] must belong to the set. Give (points,left,right,exact midpoint,midpoint present?,is this a nonconvexity witness?). Use exact rational arithmetic, reduce fractions to positive denominators and omit /1 for integer outputs.

Definition and scope

Use the original question domain, assumptions and cited MKO definitions. This item has second-context mathematical and bilingual review, with the model, answer and every arithmetic step independently recomputed from the original parameters; the source question remains a candidate.

Step-by-step derivation

S001 · implies

Before

ordered finite point set=[[0, 0], [32, 0], [0, 32]];left=[32, 0];right=[0, 32]

After

both endpoints belong;choose lambda=1/2

Conditions: none

A counterexample requires both endpoints to be members.Choose the permitted lambda1/2 and compute the exact midpoint,not a visual estimate.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: midpoint_member_premises · Uses: G001

S002 · calculation

Before

midpoint coordinate0 numerator := sum(32, 0)

After

midpoint coordinate0 numerator = 32

Conditions: none

Compute exactly with this step's specified roles,retaining signs,denominators and original pairings.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S001

S003 · calculation

Before

midpoint coordinate0 := div(32, 2)

After

midpoint coordinate0 = 16

Conditions: none

Compute exactly with this step's specified roles,retaining signs,denominators and original pairings.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S002

S004 · calculation

Before

midpoint coordinate1 numerator := sum(0, 32)

After

midpoint coordinate1 numerator = 32

Conditions: none

Compute exactly with this step's specified roles,retaining signs,denominators and original pairings.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S003

S005 · calculation

Before

midpoint coordinate1 := div(32, 2)

After

midpoint coordinate1 = 16

Conditions: none

Compute exactly with this step's specified roles,retaining signs,denominators and original pairings.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S004

S006 · implies

Before

candidate point index=0;point=[0, 0];midpoint=[16, 16]

After

all coordinates equal=No

Conditions: none

Compare every set member;all coordinates must match,not merely one.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: midpoint_complete_set_comparison · Uses: G001, S005

S007 · implies

Before

candidate point index=1;point=[32, 0];midpoint=[16, 16]

After

all coordinates equal=No

Conditions: none

Compare every set member;all coordinates must match,not merely one.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: midpoint_complete_set_comparison · Uses: G001, S006

S008 · implies

Before

candidate point index=2;point=[0, 32];midpoint=[16, 16]

After

all coordinates equal=No

Conditions: none

Compare every set member;all coordinates must match,not merely one.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: midpoint_complete_set_comparison · Uses: G001, S007

S009 · implies

Before

all point comparisons=[No, No, No]

After

midpoint present=No;this nonconvex witness=Yes

Conditions: none

An absent midpoint is one exact counterexample refuting convexity.A present midpoint only defeats this counterexample;it does not prove the set convex.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: midpoint_failed_counterexample_not_convexity · Uses: G001, S008

Reverse checks

  • S009 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S008 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S007 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S006 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S005 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute midpoint coordinate1 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S004 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute midpoint coordinate1 numerator with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S003 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute midpoint coordinate0 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S002 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute midpoint coordinate0 numerator with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S001 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.

Result

([[0, 0], [32, 0], [0, 32]], [32, 0], [0, 32], [16, 16], No, Yes)

The full substitutions and premise checks give the original answer; source identity,format and status are unchanged.

This question review and source binding

Review date: 2026-10-26

Original questions, answers, step expressions, numeric ASTs and historical records are retained. Source candidate labels remain historical and are not overwritten as formal proof.

Source hashes and review receipts
  • input commit: 0f7be61e2c22317a4075561dc822c87d881a50db
  • original question SHA-256: af0ce0ebd50b4d0dd24f962df93d4f8c0e01676087a5965c54f6e79617de1d08
  • candidate record SHA-256: f14cc9431cea30017faf12cc6ebcb116d5e453574e8c62e7201287d4728a1734
  • semantic review receipt SHA-256: 47d23d3735987d68e27733b051bdfa80a3616d44fb223b82bf2e6c8e46d49258
  • question-first witness SHA-256: a857db558000724020d2d5e815cb6bc3e2c9e2933df295bf33eb478d3c695139
  • Lean: NOT_RUN · human review: NOT_PERFORMED
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