What is the maximum distance between two points in a square of side length 1?

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    2016
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SUMMARY

The maximum distance between two points within a square of side length 1 is established as no greater than \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\) when five points are placed within or on the square. This conclusion is derived from the pigeonhole principle, which guarantees that at least two points must fall within a specific region of the square. The discussion highlights the successful contributions of users greg1313 and Fallen Angel, who provided correct solutions to the Problem of the Week (POTW).

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Here is this week's POTW:

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Show that if $5$ points are all in, or on, a square of side length $1$, then some pair of them will be no further than $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ apart.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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Congratulations to greg1313 and Fallen Angel for their correct solutions. greg1313's solution follows:

Construct four quarter circles with radius $\dfrac{\sqrt2}{2}$, each with its centre on a vertex of the square. Notice that there is no area on the square that is not contained by, or on, a quarter circle. Hence one cannot place more that four points in or on the square without such a point being at most $\dfrac{\sqrt2}{2}$ from another point.
 

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