GeometryDifficulty 5.5AIME, harderProve itUnited States
Problem:
Triangle ABC is inscribed in a circle ω such that ∠A=60∘ and ∠B=75∘. Let the bisector of angle A meet BC and ω at E and D, respectively. Let the reflections of A across D and C be D′ and C′, respectively. If the tangent to ω at A meets line BC at P, and the circumcircle of APD′ meets line AC at F=A, prove that the circumcircle of C′FE is tangent to BC at E.
Solution
Solution:
We will show that CE2=(CF)(CC′). By a simple computation using the given angles, one may find that this is equivalent to CF=AC−AB, or AF=2AC−AB.
We compute AF by trigonometry. Assume for simplicity that AC=21, so AD′=2AD=2AC=1 because △ACD is isosceles by angle chasing. We first compute PD′ by the law of cosines on triangle APD′, which yields PD′2=AP2+AD′2−2(AP)(AD′)cos75=AP2+1−2APcos75. We may easily compute AP by the law of sines in triangle BAP to be 21. Thus, PD′2=21+1−2⋅46−2=24−3. By the law of sines within the circumcircle of APD′F, we have sin30FD′=sin75PD′. From this, we find that FD′=sin75PD′sin30=2+64−3. Thus, we have by the law of cosines on triangle D′AF that AF2+AD′2−2(AF)(AD′)cos30=AF2+1−3AF=FD′2=4+234−3. Finally, solving for AF yields AF=23±(23−3) from which we indeed get AF=23−3 which equals 2AC−AB.
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