In scalene triangle , let the feet of the perpendiculars from to , to , to be , , , respectively. Denote by the intersection of lines and . Define and analogously. Let , , be the respective midpoints of sides , , . Show that the perpendiculars from to , to , and to are concurrent.
(This problem was suggested by Ian Le.)
Solution
We claim that the point of concurrency is , the orthocenter of triangle . By symmetry, it suffices to show that the perpendicular from to passes through .
Let be the projection of onto . Because and , quadrilaterals and are cyclic. Notice now that points , , , , , and lie on the nine-point circle of triangle . Further, by Power of a point on cyclic quadrilaterals , , and , we obtain
By the converse of Power of a point, it follows that lies on the circumcircle of .
Extend segment through to meet at . Then
That is, in triangle , segment bisects and is the altitude from to side . Hence, is isosceles and .
Reflect through to obtain . Then is the midline of right triangle . Let be the midpoint of . Then is a midline of right triangle . In particular, and so passes through the circumcenter of triangle . Because is the perpendicular bisector of segment and lies on , also lies on . Because , is a diameter of , which implies that and hence lies on , as needed.
