Let ABC be a triangle with ∠C=90∘ and AC=1. The median AM intersects the incircle at points P and Q such that AP=QM. Find the length of PQ.
Solution
One may assume P between A and Q. Let the incircle touch sides BC and CA at U and V respectively. By power of a point AV2=AP⋅AQ, MU2=MQ⋅MP. Also AQ=MP as AP=QM, and so AV2=MU2, AV=MU. On the other hand CU=CV by equal tangents, hence AC=AV+CV=MU+CU=MC. Because M is the midpoint of BC, it follows that BC=2AC=2. Therefore AB=AC2+BC2=5. In addition triangle AMC is right and isosceles, with ∠AMC=∠MAC=45∘.
We employ the equality AV2=AP⋅AQ again to compute PQ. First, AV=21(AB+AC−BC)=25−1. (If the incircle touches AB at T then AV=AT, BT=BU, CU=CV imply AV+BU+CU=21(AB+BC+CA); on the other hand BU+CU=BC.) Second, AM and PQ have common midpoint N because AP=QM. So if PQ=2x then PN=NQ=x, AP=AN−x, AQ=AN+x. Since N is the midpoint of the hypotenuse AM of the right triangle AMC with ∠MAC=45∘, we have AN=2AC=21. Thus AV2=AP⋅AQ takes the form (25−1)2=(21−x)(21+x), or 23−5=21−x2. Hence x=25−2, PQ=2x=25−4.
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