Let [AB] be a chord of a circle (c) centered at O, and let K be a point on the segment (AB) such that AK<BK. Two circles through K, internally tangent to (c) at A and B, respectively, meet again at L. Let P be one of the points of intersection of the line KL and the circle (c), and let the lines AB and LO meet at M. Prove that the line MP is tangent to the circle (c).
Solution
Solution:
Let (c1) and (c2) be circles through K, internally tangent to (c) at A and B, respectively, and meeting again at L, and let the common tangent to (c1) and (c) meet the common tangent to (c2) and (c) at Q. Then the point Q is the radical center of the circles (c1), (c2) and (c), and the line KL passes through Q.
We have m( QLB ) = m( QBK ) = m( QBA ) = 1 2 m( BA ) = m( QOB ). So, the quadrilateral OBQL is cyclic. We conclude that m(QLO)=90∘ and the points O,B,Q,A and L are cocyclic on a circle (k).
From MO2−OP2=Pc(M)=MA⋅MB=Pk(M)=ML⋅MO=(MO−OL)⋅MO=MO2−OL⋅MO follows that OP2=OL⋅OM. Since PL⊥OM, this shows that the triangle MPO is right at point P. Thus, the line MP is tangent to the circle (c).
Let R∈(c) be so that BR⊥MO. The triangle LBR is isosceles with LB=LR, so OLR≡OLB≡OQB≡OQA≡MLA. We conclude that the points A,L and R are collinear.
Now m(AMR)+m(AOR)=m(AMR)+2m(ABR)=m(AMR)+m(ABR)+m(MRB)=180∘, since the triangle MBR is isosceles. So, the quadrilateral MAOR is cyclic.
This yields LM⋅LO=−P(MAOR)(L)=LA⋅LR=−Pc(L)=LP2, which as above, shows that OP⊥PM.
KLA≡KAQ≡KLB and m(MLK)=90∘ show that [LK and [LM are the internal and external bisectors of the angle ALB, so (M,K) and (A,B) are harmonic conjugates. So, LK is the polar line of M in the circle (c).
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