MathLabs

Problem 4

Is there an infinite set of points in the plane such that no three points are collinear, and the distance between any two points is rational?
Step 3 of 4: Show no nonzero integer multiple gives sine zero
sin⁡(kθ)=ak5k,ak+1=6ak−25ak−1,ak≡4(mod5) (k≥1)\sin(k\theta)=\frac{a_k}{5^k},\qquad a_{k+1}=6a_k-25a_{k-1},\qquad a_k\equiv4\pmod5\ (k\ge1)
Detailed analysis

For k≥1k\ge1, write sin⁡(kθ)=ak/5k\sin(k\theta)=a_k/5^k. The recurrence gives ak+1=6ak−25ak−1a_{k+1}=6a_k-25a_{k-1}, with a0=0,a1=4a_0=0,a_1=4, so ak+1≡ak≡4(mod5)a_{k+1}\equiv a_k\equiv4\pmod5. Thus sin⁡(kθ)≠0\sin(k\theta)\ne0 for k≠0k\ne0; negative kk follows from oddness.