# Untitled Document

A discrete form of the Beckman-Quarles theorem for rational eight-space

Apoloniusz Tyszka

footnotetext:  AMS (1991) Subject Classification: Primary 51M05, Secondary 05C12   

Abstract. Let $`𝐐`$ be the field of rationals numbers. We prove that: (1) if $`x,y𝐑^n`$ $`(n>1)`$ and $`|xy|`$ is constructible by means of ruler and compass then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐑^n`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that each map from $`S_{xy}`$ to $`𝐑^n`$ preserving unit distance preserves the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$, (2) if $`x,y𝐐^8`$ then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐐^8`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that each map from $`S_{xy}`$ to $`𝐑^8`$ preserving unit distance preserves the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$.

Theorem 1 may be viewed as a discrete form of the classical Beckman-Quarles theorem, which states that any map from $`𝐑^n`$ to $`𝐑^n`$ ($`2n<\mathrm{}`$) preserving unit distance is an isometry, see -. Theorem 1 was announced in  and prove there in the case where $`n=2`$. A stronger version of Theorem 1 can be found in , but we need the elementary proof of Theorem 1 as an introduction to Theorem 2. Theorem 1. If $`x,y𝐑^n`$ ($`n>1`$) and $`|xy|`$ is constructible by means of ruler and compass then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐑^n`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that each map from $`S_{xy}`$ to $`𝐑^n`$ preserving unit distance preserves the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$. Proof. Let us denote by $`D_n`$ the set of all non-negative numbers $`d`$ with the following property: if $`x,y𝐑^n`$ and $`|xy|=d`$ then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐑^n`$ such that $`x,yS_{xy}`$ and any map $`f:S_{xy}𝐑^n`$ that preserves unit distance preserves also the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$. Obviously $`0,1D_n`$. We first prove that if $`dD_n`$ then $`\sqrt{2+2/n}dD_n`$. Assume that $`d>0`$, $`x,y𝐑^n`$ and $`|xy|=\sqrt{2+2/n}d`$. Using the notation of Figure 1 we show that

$`S_{xy}:=\{S_{ab}:a,b\{x,y,\stackrel{~}{y},p_1,p_2,\mathrm{},p_n,\stackrel{~}{p}_1,\stackrel{~}{p}_2,\mathrm{},\stackrel{~}{p}_n\},|ab|=d\}`$

satisfies the condition of Theorem 1. Figure 1 shows the case $`n=2`$, but equations below Figure 1 describe the general case $`n2`$; $`z`$ denotes the centre of the $`(n1)`$-dimensional regular simplex $`p_1p_2\mathrm{}p_n`$.   

Figure 1

$`1i<jn`$

$`|y\stackrel{~}{y}|=d`$, $`|xp_i|=|yp_i|=|p_ip_j|=d=|x\stackrel{~}{p}_i|=|\stackrel{~}{y}\stackrel{~}{p}_i|=|\stackrel{~}{p}_i\stackrel{~}{p}_j|`$

$`|x\stackrel{~}{y}|=|xy|=2|xz|=2\sqrt{\frac{n+1}{2n}}d=\sqrt{2+2/n}d`$

Assume that $`f:S_{xy}`$ $``$ $`𝐑^n`$ preserves distance $`1`$. Since

$`S_{xy}S_{y\stackrel{~}{y}}_{i=1}^nS_{xp_i}_{i=1}^nS_{yp_i}_{1i<jn}S_{p_ip_j}`$

we conclude that $`f`$ preserves the distances between $`y`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{y}`$, $`x`$ and $`p_i`$ ($`1in`$), $`y`$ and $`p_i`$ ($`1in`$), and all distances between $`p_i`$ and $`p_j`$ ($`1i<jn`$). Hence $`|f(y)f(\stackrel{~}{y})|=d`$ and $`|f(x)f(y)|`$ equals either $`0`$ or $`\sqrt{2+2/n}d`$. Analogously we have that $`|f(x)f(\stackrel{~}{y})|`$ equals either $`0`$ or $`\sqrt{2+2/n}d`$. Thus $`f(x)f(y)`$, so $`|f(x)f(y)|=\sqrt{2+2/n}d`$ which completes the proof that $`\sqrt{2+2/n}dD_n`$. Therefore, if $`dD_n`$ then $`(2+2/n)d=\sqrt{2+2/n}(\sqrt{2+2/n}d)D_n`$. We next prove that if $`x,y𝐑^n`$, $`dD_n`$ and $`|xy|=(2/n)d`$ then there exists a finite set $`Z_{xy}𝐑^n`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that any map $`f:Z_{xy}𝐑^n`$ that preserves unit distance satisfies $`|f(x)f(y)||xy|`$; this result is adapted from . It is obvious in the case where $`n=2`$, therefore we assume that $`n>2`$ and $`d>0`$. In Figure 2, $`z`$ denotes the centre of the $`(n1)`$-dimensional regular simplex $`p_1p_2\mathrm{}p_n`$. Figure 2 shows the case $`n=3`$, but equations below Figure 2 describe the general case where $`n3`$.   

Figure 2

$`1i<jn`$

$`|xp_i|=|yp_i|=d,|p_ip_j|=\sqrt{2+2/n}d,|zp_i|=\sqrt{11/n^2}d`$

$`|xy|=2|xz|=2\sqrt{|xp_i|^2|zp_i|^2}=2\sqrt{d^2(11/n^2)d^2}=(2/n)d`$

Define:

$`Z_{xy}:=_{1i<jn}S_{p_ip_j}_{i=1}^nS_{xp_i}_{i=1}^nS_{yp_i}`$

If $`f:Z_{xy}𝐑^n`$ preserves distance $`1`$ then $`|f(x)f(y)|=|xy|=(2/n)d`$ or $`|f(x)f(y)|=0`$, hence $`|f(x)f(y)||xy|`$. If $`dD_n`$, then $`2dD_n`$ (see Figure 3).   

Figure 3

$`|xy|=2d`$

$`S_{xy}=S_{xs}S_{sy}Z_{yt}S_{xt}`$

From Figure 4 it is clear that if $`dD_n`$ then all distances $`kd`$ (where $`k`$ is a positive integer) belong to $`D_n`$.   

Figure 4

$`|xy|=kd`$

$`S_{xy}=\{S_{ab}:a,b\{w_0,w_1,\mathrm{},w_k\},|ab|=d|ab|=2d\}`$

From Figure 5 it is clear that if $`dD_n`$ then all distances $`d/k`$ (where $`k`$ is a positive integer) belong to $`D_n`$. Hence $`𝐐`$ $``$ $`(0,\mathrm{})`$ $``$ $`D_n`$.   

Figure 5

$`|xy|=d/k`$

$`S_{xy}=S_{\stackrel{~}{x}\stackrel{~}{y}}S_{\stackrel{~}{x}x}S_{xz}S_{\stackrel{~}{x}z}S_{\stackrel{~}{y}y}S_{yz}S_{\stackrel{~}{y}z}`$

Observation. If $`x,y𝐑^n`$ ($`n>1`$) and $`\epsilon >0`$ then there exists a finite set $`T_{xy}(\epsilon )𝐑^n`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that for each map $`f:T_{xy}(\epsilon )𝐑^n`$ preserving unit distance we have $`||f(x)f(y)||xy||\epsilon `$.   
Proof. It follows from Figure 6.   

Figure 6

$`|xz|,|zy|𝐐(0,\mathrm{})`$, $`|zy|\epsilon /2`$

$`T_{xy}(\epsilon )=S_{xz}S_{zy}`$

Note. The above part of the proof can be found in .

If $`a,bD_n`$, $`a>b>0`$ then $`\sqrt{a^2b^2}D_n`$ (see Figure 7, cf.).   

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................$`s`$$`x`$$`t`$$`y`$$`a`$$`a`$$`b`$$`b`$.............................

Figure 7

$`|xy|`$=$`\sqrt{a^2b^2}`$

$`S_{xy}=S_{sx}S_{xt}S_{st}S_{sy}S_{ty}`$

Hence $`\sqrt{3}a=\sqrt{(2a)^2a^2}D_n`$ and $`\sqrt{2}a=\sqrt{(\sqrt{3}a)^2a^2}D_n`$. Therefore $`\sqrt{a^2+b^2}=\sqrt{(\sqrt{2}a)^2(\sqrt{a^2b^2})^2}D_n`$.

In Figure 8, z denotes the centre of the $`(n1)`$-dimensional regular simplex $`p_1p_2\mathrm{}p_n`$, $`n=2`$, but equations below Figure 8 describe the general case where $`n2`$. This construction shows that if $`a,bD_n`$, $`a>b>0`$, $`n2`$ then $`abD_n`$, hence $`a+b=2a(ab)D_n`$.   

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................$`z`$$`y`$$`x`$$`p_1`$$`p_2`$.............................

Figure 8

$`|xy|=ab,|xz|=aD_n,|yz|=bD_n`$

$`|p_ip_j|=\sqrt{2+2/n}D_n,|zp_i|=\sqrt{1^2(1/n)^2}D_n,1i<jn`$

$`|xp_1|=\sqrt{|xz|^2+|zp_1|^2}=\mathrm{}=|xp_n|=\sqrt{|xz|^2+|zp_n|^2}D_n`$

$`|yp_1|=\sqrt{|yz|^2+|zp_1|^2}=\mathrm{}=|yp_n|=\sqrt{|yz|^2+|zp_n|^2}D_n`$

$`S_{xy}=_{1i<jn}S_{p_ip_j}_{i=1}^nS_{xp_i}_{i=1}^nS_{yp_i}T_{xy}(b)`$

In order to prove that $`D_n\backslash \{0\}`$ is a multiplicative group it remains to observe that if positive $`a,b,cD_n`$, then $`\frac{ab}{c}D_n`$ (see Figure 9, cf.).   

Figure 9

$`m`$ is a positive integer

$`b<2mc`$

$`S_{AB}=S_{OA}S_{OB}S_{O\stackrel{~}{A}}S_{O\stackrel{~}{B}}S_{A\stackrel{~}{A}}S_{B\stackrel{~}{B}}S_{\stackrel{~}{A}\stackrel{~}{B}}`$

If $`aD_n`$, $`a>1`$, then $`\sqrt{a}=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{(a+1)^2(a1)^2}D_n`$; if $`aD_n`$, $`0<a<1`$, then $`\sqrt{a}=1/\sqrt{\frac{1}{a}}D_n`$. Thus $`D_n`$ contains all non-negative real numbers contained in the real quadratic closure of $`𝐐`$. This completes the proof. Remark 1. Let $`𝐅𝐑`$ is a euclidean field, i.e. $`x𝐅\mathrm{y}𝐅`$ ($`x=y^2x=y^2`$) (cf. ). Our proof of Theorem 1 gives that if $`x,y𝐅^n`$ ($`n>1`$) and $`|xy|`$ is constructible by means of ruler and compass then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐅^n`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that each map from $`S_{xy}`$ to $`𝐑^n`$ preserving unit distance preserves the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$.   
Theorem 2. If $`x,y𝐐^8`$ then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐐^8`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that each map from $`S_{xy}`$ to $`𝐑^8`$ preserving unit distance preserves the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$.   
Proof. Denote by $`R_8`$ the set of all $`d0`$ with the following property:   
if $`x,y𝐐^8`$ and $`|xy|=d`$ then there exists a finite set $`S_{xy}𝐐^8`$ such that $`x,yS_{xy}`$ and any map $`f:S_{xy}𝐑^8`$ that preserves unit distance preserves also the distance between $`x`$ and $`y`$.   
Obviously $`0,1R_8`$. We need to prove that if $`xy𝐐^8`$ then $`|xy|R_8`$. We show that configurations from Figures 1-5 and 7 (see the proof of Theorem 1) exist in $`𝐐^8`$. We start from simple lemmas.   
Lemma 1 (see ). If $`A`$ and $`B`$ are two different points of $`𝐐^n`$ then the reflection of $`𝐐^n`$ with respect to the hyperplane which is the perpendicular bisector of the segment $`AB`$, is a rational transformation (that is, takes rational points to rational points).   
Lemma 2 (in the real case cf. p.173 and ). If $`A,B,\stackrel{~}{A},\stackrel{~}{B}𝐐^8`$ and $`|AB|=|\stackrel{~}{A}\stackrel{~}{B}|`$ then there exists an isometry $`I:𝐐^8𝐐^8`$ satisfying $`I(A)=\stackrel{~}{A}`$ and $`I(B)=\stackrel{~}{B}`$.   
Proof. If $`A=\stackrel{~}{A}`$ and $`B=\stackrel{~}{B}`$ then $`I=id(𝐐^8)`$. If $`A=\stackrel{~}{A}`$ and $`B\stackrel{~}{B}`$ then the reflection of $`𝐐^8`$ with respect to the hyperplane which is the perpendicular bisector of the segment $`B\stackrel{~}{B}`$, satisfies the condition of Lemma 2 in virtue of Lemma 1. Assume that $`A\stackrel{~}{A}`$. Let $`I_1:𝐐^8𝐐^8`$ denote the reflection of $`𝐐^8`$ with respect to the hyperplane which is the perpendicular bisector of the segment $`A\stackrel{~}{A}`$. If $`I_1(B)=\stackrel{~}{B}`$ then the proof is complete. In the opposite case let $`B_1=I_1(B)`$, $`B_1𝐐^8`$ according to Lemma 1. Let $`I_2:𝐐^8𝐐^8`$ denote the reflection of $`𝐐^8`$ with respect to the hyperplane which is the perpendicular bisector of the segment $`B_1\stackrel{~}{B}`$. Since $`|\stackrel{~}{A}B_1|=|I_1(A)I_1(B)|=|AB|=|\stackrel{~}{A}\stackrel{~}{B}|`$ we conclude that $`I_2(\stackrel{~}{A})=\stackrel{~}{A}`$. Therefore $`I=I_2I_1`$ satisfies the condition of Lemma 2. Corollary. Lemma 2 ensures that if some configuration from Figures 1-5 and 7 exists in $`𝐐^8`$ for a fixed $`x,y𝐐^8`$, then this configuration exists for any $`x,y𝐐^8`$ with the same $`|xy|`$.   
Lemma 3. LAGRANGE’S FOUR SQUARE THEOREM. Every non-negative integer is the sum of four squares of integers, and therefore every non-negative rational is the sum of four squares of rationals, see .   
Lemma 4. If $`a,b`$ are positive rationals and $`b<2a`$ then there exists a triangle in $`𝐐^8`$ with sides $`b,a,a`$.   
Proof. Let $`a^2(b/2)^2=k^2+l^2+m^2+n^2`$ where $`k,l,m,n`$ are rational according to Lemma 3. Then the triangle   

$`[b/2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$ $`[b/2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$ $`[0,k,l,m,n,0,0,0]`$

has sides $`b,a,a`$.   
Now we turn to the main part of the proof. Rational coordinates of the following configuration are taken from .   
$`x=[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$   
$`y=(3/8)[3,0,0,0,1,1,1,2]`$ $`\stackrel{~}{y}=(1/6)[8,1,1,3,1,0,1,2]`$   
$`p_1=[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]p_2=(1/2)[1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1]`$   
$`p_3=(1/2)[1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1]`$ $`p_4=(1/2)[1,0,1,0,0,1,0,1]`$   
$`p_5=(1/2)[1,0,1,0,0,1,0,1]`$ $`p_6=(1/2)[1,0,0,1,1,0,0,1]`$   
$`p_7=(1/2)[1,0,0,1,1,0,0,1]`$ $`p_8=(1/2)[1,0,0,0,1,1,1,0]`$   
Let $`I:𝐐^8𝐐^8`$ denote the reflection with respect to the hyperplane which is the perpendicular bisector of the segment $`y\stackrel{~}{y}`$. By Lemma 1 we have $`\stackrel{~}{p}_i=I(p_i)𝐐^8`$ ($`1i8`$). It is easy to check that points $`x,y,\stackrel{~}{y},p_i,\stackrel{~}{p}_i`$ ($`1i8`$) form the configuration from Figure 1 for $`d=1`$. The Corollary ensures that $`3/2=\sqrt{2+2/8}d=|xy|R_8`$.   
Points $`(3/2)x,(3/2)y,(3/2)\stackrel{~}{y},(3/2)p_i,(3/2)\stackrel{~}{p_i}`$ ($`1i8`$) form the configuration from Figure 1 for $`d=\sqrt{2+2/8}=3/2`$. The Corollary ensures that $`2+1/4=\sqrt{2+2/8}d=|(3/2)x(3/2)y|R_8`$.   
The following points: $`p_1=[3/2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$ $`p_2=[3/4,3/4,0,0,0,0,3/4,3/4]`$ $`p_3=[3/4,3/4,0,0,0,0,3/4,3/4]`$ $`p_4=[3/4,0,3/4,0,0,3/4,0,3/4]`$ $`p_5=[3/4,0,3/4,0,0,3/4,0,3/4]`$ $`p_6=[3/4,0,0,3/4,3/4,0,0,3/4]`$ $`p_7=[3/4,0,0,3/4,3/4,0,0,3/4]`$ $`p_8=[3/4,0,0,0,3/4,3/4,3/4,0]`$ $`x=[3/4,0,0,0,1/4,1/4,1/4,1/2]`$ $`y=[15/16,0,0,0,5/16,5/16,5/16,5/8]`$ form the configuration from Figure 2 for $`d=1`$. Therefore, in virtue of Corollary if $`x,y𝐐^8`$ and $`|xy|=(2/8)d=1/4`$, then there exists a finite set $`Z_{xy}𝐐^8`$ containing $`x`$ and $`y`$ such that any map $`f:Z_{xy}𝐑^8`$ that preserves unit distance satisfies $`|f(x)f(y)||xy|`$.   
As in the proof of Theorem 1 we can prove that $`2R_8`$ and all integer distances belong to $`R_8`$. In the same way using the Corollary we can prove that all rational distances belong to $`R_8`$, because by Lemma 4 there exists a triangle in $`𝐐^8`$ with sides $`d,kd,kd`$ ($`d,k`$ are positive integers, see Figure 5).   
Finally, we prove that $`|xy|R_8`$ for arbitrary $`xy𝐐^8`$. It is obvious if $`|xy|=1/2`$ because $`1/2`$ is rational. Let us assume that $`|xy|1/2`$. We have: $`|xy|^2`$ $`𝐐`$ ($`0,\mathrm{}`$). Let $`|xy|^2=k^2+l^2+m^2+n^2`$ where $`k,l,m,n`$ are rationals according to Lemma 3.   
The following points:   
$`s=[||xy|^21/4|,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$ , $`x=[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$   
$`t=[||xy|^21/4|,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]`$ , $`y=[0,k,l,m,n,0,0,0]`$   
form the configuration from Figure 7 for $`a=||xy|^2+1/4|`$ $`𝐐`$ ($`0,\mathrm{}`$) $`R_8`$ and $`b=||xy|^21/4|`$ $`𝐐`$ ($`0,\mathrm{}`$) $`R_8`$. The Corollary ensures that $`|xy|=\sqrt{a^2b^2}R_8`$. This completes the proof of Theorem 2.   
Remark 2. Theorem 2 implies that any map $`f:𝐐^8𝐐^8`$ which preserves unit distance is an isometry.   
Remark 3. It is known that the injection of $`𝐐^n`$ ($`n5`$) which preserves the distances $`d`$ and $`d/2`$ ($`d`$ is positive and rational) is an isometry, see . The general result from  implies that any map $`f:𝐐^n𝐐^n`$ ($`n5`$) which preserves the distances $`1`$ and $`4`$ is an isometry. On the other hand, from  (for $`n=1,2`$) and  (for $`n=3,4`$) it may be concluded that there exist bijections of $`𝐐^n`$ ($`n=1,2,3,4`$) which preserve all distances belonging to $`\{k/2:k=1,2,3,\mathrm{}\}`$ and which are not isometries.   
Remark 4. J. Zaks informed (private communication, May 2000) the author that he proved the following:   
1. (cf. Remark 3): Let $`k`$ be any integer, $`k2`$; every mapping from $`𝐐^n`$ to $`𝐐^n`$, $`n5`$, which preserves the distances $`1`$ and $`k`$ \- is an isometry.   
2. Theorem 2 holds for all even $`n`$ of the form $`n=4t(t+1)`$, $`t2`$, as well as for all odd values of $`n`$ which are a perfect square greater than $`1`$, $`n=x^2`$, and which, in addition, are of the form $`n=2y^21`$. The construction is a modified version of the proof of Theorem 2.

References

1. F. S. Beckman and D. A. Quarles Jr., On isometries of euclidean spaces, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 4 (1953), 810-815.
2. W. Benz, Real geometries, BI Wissenschaftsverlag, Mannheim, 1994.
3. U. Everling, Solution of the isometry problem stated by K. Ciesielski, Math. Intelligencer 10 (1988), No.4, p.47.
4. B. Farrahi, On distance preserning transformations of Euclidean-like planes over the rational field, Aequationes Math. 14 (1976), 473-483.
5. B. Farrahi, A characterization of isometries of rational euclidean spaces, J. Geom. 12 (1979), 65-68.
6. M. Hazewinkel, Encyclopaedia of mathematics, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht 1995.
7. H. Lenz, Der Satz von Beckman-Quarles im rationalen Raum, Arch. Math. (Basel) 49 (1987), 106-113.
8. L. J. Mordell, Diophantine equations, Academic Press, London - New York, 1969.
9. A. Tyszka, A discrete form of the Beckman-Quarles theorem, Amer. Math. Monthly 104 (1997), 757-761.
10. A. Tyszka, Discrete versions of the Beckman-Quarles theorem, Aequationes Math. 59 (2000), 124-133.
11. J. Zaks, On the chromatic number of some rational spaces, Ars. Combin. 33 (1992), 253-256.

Technical Faculty   
Hugo Kołła̧taj University   
Balicka 104, PL-30-149 Kraków, Poland   
rttyszka@cyf-kr.edu.pl   
http://www.cyf-kr.edu.pl/~rttyszka