B1 and C1 are marked on the bisector of angle A in triangle ABC so that BB1⊥AB, CC1⊥AC. Let M be the midpoint of B1C1. Prove that MB=MC.
Solution
Drop a perpendicular from C1 onto AB meeting AB at C2. Similarly define B2 such that B1B2⊥AC. Let Mc be on AC such that MMc⊥AC and Mb on AB such that MMb⊥AB. Without loss of generality, assume that the points on the angle bisector of ∠A are in the order as shown: Now △AB1B2∼△AMMc∼△AC1C and △AC1C2∼△AMMb∼△AB1B. So by the Midpoint Theorem, B2Mc=McC and C2Mb=MbB. This means that B2M=CM and C2M=MB. Notice that ∠MB1B2=∠BB1M and by symmetry, BB1=B1B2. This means that △MB1B2≡△MB1B. Hence BM=MB2. Thus BM=MB2=CM.
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