Problem

Source: Romanian TST 1978, Day 3, P3

Tags: analytic geometry, geometry, skew lines, 3D geometry, 3D analytic geometry



a) Let $ D_1,D_2,D_3 $ be pairwise skew lines. Through every point $ P_2\in D_2 $ there is an unique common secant of these three lines that intersect $ D_1 $ at $ P_1 $ and $ D_3 $ at $ P_3. $ Let coordinate systems be introduced on $ D_2 $ and $ D_3 $ having as origin $ O_2, $ respectively, $ O_3. $ Find a relation between the coordinates of $ P_2 $ and $ P_3. $ b) Show that there exist four pairwise skew lines with exactly two common secants. Also find examples with exactly one and with no common secants. c) Let $ F_1,F_2,F_3,F_4 $ be any four secants of $ D_1,D_2, D_3. $ Prove that $ F_1,F_2, F_3, F_4 $ have infinitely many common secants.