First of all, the reflection (x′,y′) of (x0,y0) in L is given by
x′=1+m2(1−m2)x0+2my0,y′=1+m22mx0+(m2−1)y0.
This is so because
x′+x0=1+m22(x0+my0),y′+y0=1+m22m(x0+my0).
Thus the reflection of (1,1) in L has coordinates
x′=1+m21+2m−m2,y′=1+m2m2+2m−1.
Next, if m+1=0, the slope of the line joining (x′,y′) to (−1,1) is given by
μ=x′+1y′−1=1+2m−m2+1m2+2m−1−(1+m2)=m+1m−1.
Hence, the line joining (−1,1) and (x′,y′) has equation
(m+1)(y−1)=(m−1)(x+1).
This line meets L at the point P with coordinates
x=m2+12m,y=m2+12m2.
Since
x2+(y−1)2=(m2+1)24m2+(m2+1m2−1)2=(m2+1)24m2+m4−2m2+1=1,
the point P traverses an arc of the circle of unit radius centred at (0,1).
Second Solution:
To solve this problem using synthetic geometry, we denote the unit circle centred at (0,1) by C and let A=(0,0), B=(1,1) and C=(−1,1). The line L intersects C at A and a second point P. Let B′ be the intersection point of the line PC with the line which is perpendicular to L and passes through B. Let M be the intersection point of PA and BB′.
The statement we have to show is then equivalent to ∣BM∣=∣MB′∣. We obtain this as follows. Because the two arcs CA and AB are equal (both are quarter circles or π/2), we have ∠CPA=∠APB if P is on the arc BC not containing A and we have ∠CPA=180∘−∠BPA=∠MPB if P is on the arc AB not containing C. The case where P is on the arc AC not containing B is similar and if P coincides with A, B or C the statement is obvious. Because ∠PMB′=∠BMP (both are right angles), the two triangles BPM and PB′M share the common side PM and have equal adjacent angles, hence are congruent. This shows ∣BM∣=∣MB′∣.