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Is there a way to put 5 points on the surface of the sphere so that they are indistinguishable?


How to reason about two points on the unit sphere.Circle from three points on surface of sphereMapping sphere surface to a vector space such that distances are preserved?Minimum radius of N congruent circles on a sphere, placed optimally, such that the sphere is covered by the circles?Tetrahedron on the surface of a 4-dimensional sphereGiven $5$ points on a sphere, divide the surface into $5$ congruent connected regions containing one point.Find the point that minimises the sum of the angles from three points to that point on the surface of a sphereMapping a set of 2D points to the surface of a known ellipsoid preserving pairwise distances geodetic distancesUsing the Euler Characteristic in the plane, show that five points cannot be connected by paths that do not crossCan you put six points on the plane so that the distance between any two of them is an integer and no three lie on the same line?













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Is it possible to put 5 points on the surface of the sphere such that, for every pair of them, say A and B, there is an isometric transformation of the space such that A is mapped onto B, B is mapped onto A, and the convex cover of all 5 points is mapped onto itself, so is entire sphere, and the 5 points do not all lie in one plane ?










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    $begingroup$


    Is it possible to put 5 points on the surface of the sphere such that, for every pair of them, say A and B, there is an isometric transformation of the space such that A is mapped onto B, B is mapped onto A, and the convex cover of all 5 points is mapped onto itself, so is entire sphere, and the 5 points do not all lie in one plane ?










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      $begingroup$


      Is it possible to put 5 points on the surface of the sphere such that, for every pair of them, say A and B, there is an isometric transformation of the space such that A is mapped onto B, B is mapped onto A, and the convex cover of all 5 points is mapped onto itself, so is entire sphere, and the 5 points do not all lie in one plane ?










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      Is it possible to put 5 points on the surface of the sphere such that, for every pair of them, say A and B, there is an isometric transformation of the space such that A is mapped onto B, B is mapped onto A, and the convex cover of all 5 points is mapped onto itself, so is entire sphere, and the 5 points do not all lie in one plane ?







      geometry






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      asked Mar 29 at 10:42









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          We will prove that this is not possible. Toward a contradiction, assume that $A,B,C,D,E$ are points on the sphere satisfying the condition, and let $O$ be the center of the sphere. Any isometry which maps convex cover to itself permutes the set $A,B,C,D,E$, so we can consider this isometry as an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$ too. Also, the sphere is mapped onto itself, so the center of the sphere $O$ is a fixed point.



          Let $I$ be an isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, and mapping the convex cover onto itself. As an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$, $I$ can be the transposition $(AB)$ which has fixed points $C,D,E$. It can be double transposition, say $(AB)(CD)$, swapping $C$ and $D$ and with fixed point $E$. Finally, it can be the product of a transposition and a 3-cycle, $(AB)(CDE)$ or $(AB)(CED)$; if this is the case we can consider $I^3=(AB)$ which swaps $A$ and $B$ and fixes $C,D,E$. So for each isometry from the assumptions we can assume that it has at least one fixed points from $A,B,C,D,E$, or more precisely it is a transposition or the product of two transpositions as an element from $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$.



          Also every isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, fixes the midpoint $M$ of $AB$.



          Case 1. Assume that an isometry $I$ swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, is a double transposition, say $I= (AB)(CD)$. Since $I$ fixes $O$ and $E$, it has two fixed point on the line $OE$, so $I$ fixes every point on $OE$.



          Subcase 1. If the midpoint of $AB$ or the midpoint of $CD$ doesn't belong to $OE$, then $I$ has three non-collinear fixed points. So the whole plane $alpha$ determined by $OE$ and this midpoint is fixed point-wise. Since $I$ is not identity, we conclude that $I$ is the plane reflection with respect to $alpha$. So, $A$ and $B$, as well as $C$ and $D$, are symmetric with respect to $alpha$. So $AB,CDperpalpha$, hence $ABparallel CD$, and $A,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Consider now $J$ swapping $A$ and $E$. It is either the transposition $(AE)$ or a double transposition $(AE)(XY)$ for $X,YinB,C,D$. In both cases $J$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$ so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Since planes $ABCD$ and $EBCD$ have three non-collinear points in the intersection, they are equal, and $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.



          Subcase 2. Both the midpoint of $AB$ and of $CD$ are on $OE$; in particular, $O,E,A,B$ and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar. Note that none of $A,B,C,D$ is on $OE$ as $OE$ is fixed point-wise and $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$ are not. Consider $J$ swapping $A$ and $C$. If $J=(AC)$ is a transposition, it maps $O,E,A,B$ to $O,E,C,B$, and $O,E,C,D$ to $O,E,A,D$, so $O,E,C,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,A,D$ are coplanar. Planes $OEAB$ and $OECB$, and $OECD$ and $OEAD$ have non-collinear intersections, hence they are equal. We further conclude that $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.
          Assume now that $J$ is a double transposition; we have three possibilities: $J=(AC)(BD)$, $J=(AC)(BE)$ and $J=(AC)(DE)$. If $J=(AC)(BD)$, we may assume that Subcase 2 holds for $J$ instead of $I$ as Subcase 1 doesn't hold by the same arguments.
          In particular, $O,E,A,C$ are coplanar and $O,E,B,D$ are coplanar, so by using that $O,E,A,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar, we again get $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. If $J=(AC)(BE)$, we may assume again Subcase 2 for $J$ instead of $I$, so $O,D,A,C$ and $O,D,B,E$ are coplanar. Again we conclude $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. The possibility $J=(AC)(DE)$ is similar.



          Case 2. By Case 1 we may assume that none of the isometries swapping two points are double transpositions, i.e. all of them are transpositions. If some four points, say $A,B,C,D$, are coplanar, then a transposition $(AE)$ swapping $A$ and $E$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$, so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar so we conclude that all of them are coplanar; a contradiction. Consider $I=(AB)$ swapping $A$ and $B$. It has a point-wise fixed plane $OCDE$. (Note that $O,C,D,E$ must be coplanar as a non-identity isometry cannot have four non:--coplanar fixed points.) Transpositions $J=(AC)$ and $K=(AD)$ map the plane $OCDE$ to the planes $OADE$ and $OCAE$. Intersection of $OCDE$ and $OADE$ must be the line $ODE$ as there are no four coplanar points among $A,B,C,D,E$; $D$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Similarly, intersection of $OCDE$ and $OCAE$ is the line $OCE$; $C$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Therefore $C=D$; a contradiction.



          Since, none of the two cases is possible, we are done.






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            $begingroup$

            We will prove that this is not possible. Toward a contradiction, assume that $A,B,C,D,E$ are points on the sphere satisfying the condition, and let $O$ be the center of the sphere. Any isometry which maps convex cover to itself permutes the set $A,B,C,D,E$, so we can consider this isometry as an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$ too. Also, the sphere is mapped onto itself, so the center of the sphere $O$ is a fixed point.



            Let $I$ be an isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, and mapping the convex cover onto itself. As an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$, $I$ can be the transposition $(AB)$ which has fixed points $C,D,E$. It can be double transposition, say $(AB)(CD)$, swapping $C$ and $D$ and with fixed point $E$. Finally, it can be the product of a transposition and a 3-cycle, $(AB)(CDE)$ or $(AB)(CED)$; if this is the case we can consider $I^3=(AB)$ which swaps $A$ and $B$ and fixes $C,D,E$. So for each isometry from the assumptions we can assume that it has at least one fixed points from $A,B,C,D,E$, or more precisely it is a transposition or the product of two transpositions as an element from $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$.



            Also every isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, fixes the midpoint $M$ of $AB$.



            Case 1. Assume that an isometry $I$ swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, is a double transposition, say $I= (AB)(CD)$. Since $I$ fixes $O$ and $E$, it has two fixed point on the line $OE$, so $I$ fixes every point on $OE$.



            Subcase 1. If the midpoint of $AB$ or the midpoint of $CD$ doesn't belong to $OE$, then $I$ has three non-collinear fixed points. So the whole plane $alpha$ determined by $OE$ and this midpoint is fixed point-wise. Since $I$ is not identity, we conclude that $I$ is the plane reflection with respect to $alpha$. So, $A$ and $B$, as well as $C$ and $D$, are symmetric with respect to $alpha$. So $AB,CDperpalpha$, hence $ABparallel CD$, and $A,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Consider now $J$ swapping $A$ and $E$. It is either the transposition $(AE)$ or a double transposition $(AE)(XY)$ for $X,YinB,C,D$. In both cases $J$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$ so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Since planes $ABCD$ and $EBCD$ have three non-collinear points in the intersection, they are equal, and $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.



            Subcase 2. Both the midpoint of $AB$ and of $CD$ are on $OE$; in particular, $O,E,A,B$ and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar. Note that none of $A,B,C,D$ is on $OE$ as $OE$ is fixed point-wise and $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$ are not. Consider $J$ swapping $A$ and $C$. If $J=(AC)$ is a transposition, it maps $O,E,A,B$ to $O,E,C,B$, and $O,E,C,D$ to $O,E,A,D$, so $O,E,C,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,A,D$ are coplanar. Planes $OEAB$ and $OECB$, and $OECD$ and $OEAD$ have non-collinear intersections, hence they are equal. We further conclude that $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.
            Assume now that $J$ is a double transposition; we have three possibilities: $J=(AC)(BD)$, $J=(AC)(BE)$ and $J=(AC)(DE)$. If $J=(AC)(BD)$, we may assume that Subcase 2 holds for $J$ instead of $I$ as Subcase 1 doesn't hold by the same arguments.
            In particular, $O,E,A,C$ are coplanar and $O,E,B,D$ are coplanar, so by using that $O,E,A,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar, we again get $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. If $J=(AC)(BE)$, we may assume again Subcase 2 for $J$ instead of $I$, so $O,D,A,C$ and $O,D,B,E$ are coplanar. Again we conclude $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. The possibility $J=(AC)(DE)$ is similar.



            Case 2. By Case 1 we may assume that none of the isometries swapping two points are double transpositions, i.e. all of them are transpositions. If some four points, say $A,B,C,D$, are coplanar, then a transposition $(AE)$ swapping $A$ and $E$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$, so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar so we conclude that all of them are coplanar; a contradiction. Consider $I=(AB)$ swapping $A$ and $B$. It has a point-wise fixed plane $OCDE$. (Note that $O,C,D,E$ must be coplanar as a non-identity isometry cannot have four non:--coplanar fixed points.) Transpositions $J=(AC)$ and $K=(AD)$ map the plane $OCDE$ to the planes $OADE$ and $OCAE$. Intersection of $OCDE$ and $OADE$ must be the line $ODE$ as there are no four coplanar points among $A,B,C,D,E$; $D$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Similarly, intersection of $OCDE$ and $OCAE$ is the line $OCE$; $C$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Therefore $C=D$; a contradiction.



            Since, none of the two cases is possible, we are done.






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              $begingroup$

              We will prove that this is not possible. Toward a contradiction, assume that $A,B,C,D,E$ are points on the sphere satisfying the condition, and let $O$ be the center of the sphere. Any isometry which maps convex cover to itself permutes the set $A,B,C,D,E$, so we can consider this isometry as an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$ too. Also, the sphere is mapped onto itself, so the center of the sphere $O$ is a fixed point.



              Let $I$ be an isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, and mapping the convex cover onto itself. As an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$, $I$ can be the transposition $(AB)$ which has fixed points $C,D,E$. It can be double transposition, say $(AB)(CD)$, swapping $C$ and $D$ and with fixed point $E$. Finally, it can be the product of a transposition and a 3-cycle, $(AB)(CDE)$ or $(AB)(CED)$; if this is the case we can consider $I^3=(AB)$ which swaps $A$ and $B$ and fixes $C,D,E$. So for each isometry from the assumptions we can assume that it has at least one fixed points from $A,B,C,D,E$, or more precisely it is a transposition or the product of two transpositions as an element from $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$.



              Also every isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, fixes the midpoint $M$ of $AB$.



              Case 1. Assume that an isometry $I$ swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, is a double transposition, say $I= (AB)(CD)$. Since $I$ fixes $O$ and $E$, it has two fixed point on the line $OE$, so $I$ fixes every point on $OE$.



              Subcase 1. If the midpoint of $AB$ or the midpoint of $CD$ doesn't belong to $OE$, then $I$ has three non-collinear fixed points. So the whole plane $alpha$ determined by $OE$ and this midpoint is fixed point-wise. Since $I$ is not identity, we conclude that $I$ is the plane reflection with respect to $alpha$. So, $A$ and $B$, as well as $C$ and $D$, are symmetric with respect to $alpha$. So $AB,CDperpalpha$, hence $ABparallel CD$, and $A,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Consider now $J$ swapping $A$ and $E$. It is either the transposition $(AE)$ or a double transposition $(AE)(XY)$ for $X,YinB,C,D$. In both cases $J$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$ so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Since planes $ABCD$ and $EBCD$ have three non-collinear points in the intersection, they are equal, and $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.



              Subcase 2. Both the midpoint of $AB$ and of $CD$ are on $OE$; in particular, $O,E,A,B$ and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar. Note that none of $A,B,C,D$ is on $OE$ as $OE$ is fixed point-wise and $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$ are not. Consider $J$ swapping $A$ and $C$. If $J=(AC)$ is a transposition, it maps $O,E,A,B$ to $O,E,C,B$, and $O,E,C,D$ to $O,E,A,D$, so $O,E,C,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,A,D$ are coplanar. Planes $OEAB$ and $OECB$, and $OECD$ and $OEAD$ have non-collinear intersections, hence they are equal. We further conclude that $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.
              Assume now that $J$ is a double transposition; we have three possibilities: $J=(AC)(BD)$, $J=(AC)(BE)$ and $J=(AC)(DE)$. If $J=(AC)(BD)$, we may assume that Subcase 2 holds for $J$ instead of $I$ as Subcase 1 doesn't hold by the same arguments.
              In particular, $O,E,A,C$ are coplanar and $O,E,B,D$ are coplanar, so by using that $O,E,A,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar, we again get $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. If $J=(AC)(BE)$, we may assume again Subcase 2 for $J$ instead of $I$, so $O,D,A,C$ and $O,D,B,E$ are coplanar. Again we conclude $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. The possibility $J=(AC)(DE)$ is similar.



              Case 2. By Case 1 we may assume that none of the isometries swapping two points are double transpositions, i.e. all of them are transpositions. If some four points, say $A,B,C,D$, are coplanar, then a transposition $(AE)$ swapping $A$ and $E$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$, so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar so we conclude that all of them are coplanar; a contradiction. Consider $I=(AB)$ swapping $A$ and $B$. It has a point-wise fixed plane $OCDE$. (Note that $O,C,D,E$ must be coplanar as a non-identity isometry cannot have four non:--coplanar fixed points.) Transpositions $J=(AC)$ and $K=(AD)$ map the plane $OCDE$ to the planes $OADE$ and $OCAE$. Intersection of $OCDE$ and $OADE$ must be the line $ODE$ as there are no four coplanar points among $A,B,C,D,E$; $D$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Similarly, intersection of $OCDE$ and $OCAE$ is the line $OCE$; $C$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Therefore $C=D$; a contradiction.



              Since, none of the two cases is possible, we are done.






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                We will prove that this is not possible. Toward a contradiction, assume that $A,B,C,D,E$ are points on the sphere satisfying the condition, and let $O$ be the center of the sphere. Any isometry which maps convex cover to itself permutes the set $A,B,C,D,E$, so we can consider this isometry as an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$ too. Also, the sphere is mapped onto itself, so the center of the sphere $O$ is a fixed point.



                Let $I$ be an isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, and mapping the convex cover onto itself. As an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$, $I$ can be the transposition $(AB)$ which has fixed points $C,D,E$. It can be double transposition, say $(AB)(CD)$, swapping $C$ and $D$ and with fixed point $E$. Finally, it can be the product of a transposition and a 3-cycle, $(AB)(CDE)$ or $(AB)(CED)$; if this is the case we can consider $I^3=(AB)$ which swaps $A$ and $B$ and fixes $C,D,E$. So for each isometry from the assumptions we can assume that it has at least one fixed points from $A,B,C,D,E$, or more precisely it is a transposition or the product of two transpositions as an element from $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$.



                Also every isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, fixes the midpoint $M$ of $AB$.



                Case 1. Assume that an isometry $I$ swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, is a double transposition, say $I= (AB)(CD)$. Since $I$ fixes $O$ and $E$, it has two fixed point on the line $OE$, so $I$ fixes every point on $OE$.



                Subcase 1. If the midpoint of $AB$ or the midpoint of $CD$ doesn't belong to $OE$, then $I$ has three non-collinear fixed points. So the whole plane $alpha$ determined by $OE$ and this midpoint is fixed point-wise. Since $I$ is not identity, we conclude that $I$ is the plane reflection with respect to $alpha$. So, $A$ and $B$, as well as $C$ and $D$, are symmetric with respect to $alpha$. So $AB,CDperpalpha$, hence $ABparallel CD$, and $A,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Consider now $J$ swapping $A$ and $E$. It is either the transposition $(AE)$ or a double transposition $(AE)(XY)$ for $X,YinB,C,D$. In both cases $J$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$ so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Since planes $ABCD$ and $EBCD$ have three non-collinear points in the intersection, they are equal, and $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.



                Subcase 2. Both the midpoint of $AB$ and of $CD$ are on $OE$; in particular, $O,E,A,B$ and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar. Note that none of $A,B,C,D$ is on $OE$ as $OE$ is fixed point-wise and $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$ are not. Consider $J$ swapping $A$ and $C$. If $J=(AC)$ is a transposition, it maps $O,E,A,B$ to $O,E,C,B$, and $O,E,C,D$ to $O,E,A,D$, so $O,E,C,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,A,D$ are coplanar. Planes $OEAB$ and $OECB$, and $OECD$ and $OEAD$ have non-collinear intersections, hence they are equal. We further conclude that $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.
                Assume now that $J$ is a double transposition; we have three possibilities: $J=(AC)(BD)$, $J=(AC)(BE)$ and $J=(AC)(DE)$. If $J=(AC)(BD)$, we may assume that Subcase 2 holds for $J$ instead of $I$ as Subcase 1 doesn't hold by the same arguments.
                In particular, $O,E,A,C$ are coplanar and $O,E,B,D$ are coplanar, so by using that $O,E,A,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar, we again get $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. If $J=(AC)(BE)$, we may assume again Subcase 2 for $J$ instead of $I$, so $O,D,A,C$ and $O,D,B,E$ are coplanar. Again we conclude $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. The possibility $J=(AC)(DE)$ is similar.



                Case 2. By Case 1 we may assume that none of the isometries swapping two points are double transpositions, i.e. all of them are transpositions. If some four points, say $A,B,C,D$, are coplanar, then a transposition $(AE)$ swapping $A$ and $E$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$, so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar so we conclude that all of them are coplanar; a contradiction. Consider $I=(AB)$ swapping $A$ and $B$. It has a point-wise fixed plane $OCDE$. (Note that $O,C,D,E$ must be coplanar as a non-identity isometry cannot have four non:--coplanar fixed points.) Transpositions $J=(AC)$ and $K=(AD)$ map the plane $OCDE$ to the planes $OADE$ and $OCAE$. Intersection of $OCDE$ and $OADE$ must be the line $ODE$ as there are no four coplanar points among $A,B,C,D,E$; $D$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Similarly, intersection of $OCDE$ and $OCAE$ is the line $OCE$; $C$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Therefore $C=D$; a contradiction.



                Since, none of the two cases is possible, we are done.






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                $endgroup$



                We will prove that this is not possible. Toward a contradiction, assume that $A,B,C,D,E$ are points on the sphere satisfying the condition, and let $O$ be the center of the sphere. Any isometry which maps convex cover to itself permutes the set $A,B,C,D,E$, so we can consider this isometry as an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$ too. Also, the sphere is mapped onto itself, so the center of the sphere $O$ is a fixed point.



                Let $I$ be an isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, and mapping the convex cover onto itself. As an element of $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$, $I$ can be the transposition $(AB)$ which has fixed points $C,D,E$. It can be double transposition, say $(AB)(CD)$, swapping $C$ and $D$ and with fixed point $E$. Finally, it can be the product of a transposition and a 3-cycle, $(AB)(CDE)$ or $(AB)(CED)$; if this is the case we can consider $I^3=(AB)$ which swaps $A$ and $B$ and fixes $C,D,E$. So for each isometry from the assumptions we can assume that it has at least one fixed points from $A,B,C,D,E$, or more precisely it is a transposition or the product of two transpositions as an element from $Sym(A,B,C,D,E)$.



                Also every isometry swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, fixes the midpoint $M$ of $AB$.



                Case 1. Assume that an isometry $I$ swapping two points, say $A$ and $B$, is a double transposition, say $I= (AB)(CD)$. Since $I$ fixes $O$ and $E$, it has two fixed point on the line $OE$, so $I$ fixes every point on $OE$.



                Subcase 1. If the midpoint of $AB$ or the midpoint of $CD$ doesn't belong to $OE$, then $I$ has three non-collinear fixed points. So the whole plane $alpha$ determined by $OE$ and this midpoint is fixed point-wise. Since $I$ is not identity, we conclude that $I$ is the plane reflection with respect to $alpha$. So, $A$ and $B$, as well as $C$ and $D$, are symmetric with respect to $alpha$. So $AB,CDperpalpha$, hence $ABparallel CD$, and $A,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Consider now $J$ swapping $A$ and $E$. It is either the transposition $(AE)$ or a double transposition $(AE)(XY)$ for $X,YinB,C,D$. In both cases $J$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$ so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar. Since planes $ABCD$ and $EBCD$ have three non-collinear points in the intersection, they are equal, and $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.



                Subcase 2. Both the midpoint of $AB$ and of $CD$ are on $OE$; in particular, $O,E,A,B$ and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar. Note that none of $A,B,C,D$ is on $OE$ as $OE$ is fixed point-wise and $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$ are not. Consider $J$ swapping $A$ and $C$. If $J=(AC)$ is a transposition, it maps $O,E,A,B$ to $O,E,C,B$, and $O,E,C,D$ to $O,E,A,D$, so $O,E,C,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,A,D$ are coplanar. Planes $OEAB$ and $OECB$, and $OECD$ and $OEAD$ have non-collinear intersections, hence they are equal. We further conclude that $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar. A contradiction.
                Assume now that $J$ is a double transposition; we have three possibilities: $J=(AC)(BD)$, $J=(AC)(BE)$ and $J=(AC)(DE)$. If $J=(AC)(BD)$, we may assume that Subcase 2 holds for $J$ instead of $I$ as Subcase 1 doesn't hold by the same arguments.
                In particular, $O,E,A,C$ are coplanar and $O,E,B,D$ are coplanar, so by using that $O,E,A,B$ are coplanar and $O,E,C,D$ are coplanar, we again get $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. If $J=(AC)(BE)$, we may assume again Subcase 2 for $J$ instead of $I$, so $O,D,A,C$ and $O,D,B,E$ are coplanar. Again we conclude $A,B,C,D,E$ are coplanar; a contradiction. The possibility $J=(AC)(DE)$ is similar.



                Case 2. By Case 1 we may assume that none of the isometries swapping two points are double transpositions, i.e. all of them are transpositions. If some four points, say $A,B,C,D$, are coplanar, then a transposition $(AE)$ swapping $A$ and $E$ maps $A,B,C,D$ to $E,B,C,D$, so $E,B,C,D$ are coplanar so we conclude that all of them are coplanar; a contradiction. Consider $I=(AB)$ swapping $A$ and $B$. It has a point-wise fixed plane $OCDE$. (Note that $O,C,D,E$ must be coplanar as a non-identity isometry cannot have four non:--coplanar fixed points.) Transpositions $J=(AC)$ and $K=(AD)$ map the plane $OCDE$ to the planes $OADE$ and $OCAE$. Intersection of $OCDE$ and $OADE$ must be the line $ODE$ as there are no four coplanar points among $A,B,C,D,E$; $D$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Similarly, intersection of $OCDE$ and $OCAE$ is the line $OCE$; $C$ and $E$ are diametrically opposite. Therefore $C=D$; a contradiction.



                Since, none of the two cases is possible, we are done.







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                answered Mar 31 at 20:28









                SMMSMM

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