Two points A and C are marked on a circle; assume the tangents to the circle at A and C meet at P. Let B be another point on the circle, and suppose PB meets the circle again at D. Show that AB⋅CD=BC⋅DA.
Solution
Solution:
Since PA is tangent to the circle and ∠ABD is the inscribed angle opposite AD, ∠PAD=∠ABP. Since ∠APB is shared, it follows from AA similarity that △PAD∼△PBA. Thus we get ADAB=PAPB Similarly, △PCD∼△PBC, so CDBC=PCPB Since PA and PC are tangents from the same point to the same circle, they are the same length. Thus, ADAB=CDBC⟹AB⋅CD=BC⋅DA
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