Two circles ω1 and ω2, with center O1 and O2 respectively, meet at points A and B. Let X and Y be points on ω1. Lines XA and YA meet ω2 at Z and W, respectively, such that A lies between X and Z and between Y and W. Let M be the midpoint of O1O2, S be the midpoint of XA and T be the midpoint of WA. Prove that MS=MT if and only if X,Y,Z and W are concyclic.
Solution
Solution suggested by the Student Alzubair Habibullah. Because M is the midpoint of O1O2, we have from Apollonius' theorem 4MS2=2SO12+2SO22−O1O22 Because S is the midpoint of segment AX, segment O1S is perpendicular to segment AX and therefore SO12=O1A2−AS2. On the other hand, we have from the power of point S with respect to circle ω2, SO22=SA⋅SZ+O2A2=SA2+SA⋅AZ+O2A2. We deduce that 4MS2=2O1A2+2O2A2+2SA⋅AZ−O1O22=2O1A2+2O2A2+XA⋅AZ−O1O22 We deduce in a similar way that 4MT2=2O2A2+2O1A2+WA⋅AY−O2O12 Therefore 4(MS2−MT2)=XA⋅AZ−WA⋅AY This proves that MS=MT if and only if XA⋅AZ=WA⋅AY, which is equivalent to saying that X,Y,Z and W are concyclic.
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