In triangle ABC, let D be the foot of the perpendicular from A to line BC. Point K lies inside triangle ABC such that ∠KAB=∠KCA and ∠KAC=∠KBA. The line through K perpendicular to line DK meets the circle with diameter BC at points X and Y. Prove that AX⋅DY=DX⋅AY.
Solution
Assume AB=AC for all solutions as in the case that AB=AC, X,Y are symmetric about AD and the result is immediate. Let M be the midpoint of BC. Let ω=(BC) and Ω=(ABC). We prove some preliminary results here which will be freely used across different proofs. Let T be the intersection of the B and C tangents to Ω.
Claim 0.1 (BKOCT) is cyclic. Proof. Let T be a point such that T is the intersection of the tangents from B and C to (ABC). Now, observe that from the given angle conditions, that ∠BKC=180∘−A=∠BOC where O is the center of Ω. Also, ∠BTC=A, thus, (BKOCT) is cyclic. □
Claim 0.2 The point K lies on the A symmedian in △ABC. Proof. From Claim 0.1 ∠TKC=A. Also, from the given angle conditions, we have that ∠AKC=180∘−A. Thus, A,K,T are collinear. This gives the desired result. □
Claim 0.3∠AKO=90∘. Proof. As ∠OKT=90∘, we have ∠AKO=90∘. □
Claim 0.4 Reflection of A in K lies on Ω. Proof. Follows immediately from Claim 0.3. □
Let K′ be the reflection of A in K, we have proved that K′∈Ω.
Claim 0.5 The reflection of K′ in BC lies on the A-median of △ABC. Proof. Let K′′ be the point on the A median such that MA⋅MK′′=MB2. Thus, we get that ∠K′CB=∠K′AB=∠MAC=∠MCK′′=∠BCK′′ Similarly, ∠K′BC=∠CBK′′. Thus, K′′ is the reflection of K′ in BC as required. □
We call the point K′′, the A-HM point in △ABC.
Claim 0.6 If S is the intersection of the A tangent with BC, then ∠SKA=90∘. Proof. Since AK is the symmedian, the tangents from S to Ω are at A,K′. Thus, S,K,O are collinear as this is the perpendicular bisector of AK′. Thus, we get the desired result. □
Let D′ be the point such that (BC;DD′)=−1, or equivalently if E,F are feet of perpendiculars from B,C onto AB and AC respectively then D′=EF∩BC.
Claim 0.7D′K′′⊥AM Proof. Observe that ∠MDA=90∘,MD⋅MD′=MB2=MK′′⋅MA⟹∠MK′′D′=90∘ □
Solution Path A We wish to show that D lies on the A-Appolonian circle in △XAY. Thus, it suffices to show that there exists point P on line XY with PA2=PX⋅PY=PD2 since such a point P would be the center of the A-Appolonian circle in △XAY, and if PA2=PD2, then D would be on the Appolonian circle as well.
Solution A1 We will show that the perpendicular bisector of AD, the line XY and the radical axis of point circle ⊙(A) and ⊙(BC) concur. The point of concurrence is the required point P. The latter radical axis is simply the midline of A with its polar in ⊙(BC). Claim 1A,K′′ are inverses in ω. Proof. Same as Claim 0.5 in Solution Preliminary □ By homothety at A of ratio +2, the conclusion is same as showing that line BC and the polar of A in ⊙(BC), and the line through K′ perpendicular to A′K′ concur. However, the polar is simply the line through K′′ perpendicular to AK′′; the reflection of the other line in BC, and the concurrence is obvious. □
Solution A2 We claim that P is the midpoint of AD′. Claim 1 It is sufficient to prove that ∠PKD=90∘. Proof. Observe that MB⋅MC=MD⋅MD′ and thus (ADD′) and (BC) are orthogonal. Thus, if P,X and Y are collinear, then powω(P)=PX⋅PY but since (ADD′) and (BC) are orthogonal, we have that powω(P)=PA2. Thus, we get that PA2=PX⋅PY=PD2=PD′2, and we will be done. Thus, we just want P,X,Y collinear that is ∠PKD=90∘. □ □ Taking homothety +2 from A, we get that if A′ is the reflection of A in BC and if K′ is reflection of A in K, then we need that ∠D′K′A′=90∘. Reflecting in BC, this is the same as proving ∠AK′′D′=90∘ which is the same as Claim 0.7 in the preliminaries. Thus, we are done. □
Solution A3 The following proof is due to ideas from Adhitya MV in the TST. The proof has been revised and rewritten by the Problem Selection Committee. We claim that P is the midpoint of AD′.
Claim 1 It is sufficient to prove that ∠PKD=90∘. Proof. Same as Claim 1 in Solution A2 Now, let R=KP∩AD. Now, it suffices to prove that ∠RKD=90∘. Now, ∠SKA=90∘ by Claim 0.6 from preliminaries. Thus, we just need ∠RKA=∠SKD. But (SDKA) is cyclic. Thus, ∠SKD=∠SAD=∠SAR. Thus, we just need to show that circles Ω and (SAK) are tangent. Thus, we just need that reflection of A in R is on Ω. Taking homothety +2 from A, we need AD∩K′D′∈Ω. Let R′=AD∩Ω. Now, projecting (BC;DD′) onto Ω from R′, we get that (B,C;A,D′R′∩Ω)=−1 but (B,C;A,K′)=−1⟹D′R′∩Ω=K′. Thus, R′ is the reflection of A in R as required.
We claim that P is the midpoint of AD′. Claim 1 It is sufficient to prove that ∠PKD=90∘. Proof. Same as Claim 1 in Solution A2 Now, reflecting figure in BC and taking homothety 21 from A, we have △ABC↦△DLN, K′′↦K and D′↦P. Thus, K is the D-HM point in △DLN and P is the point such that (K,L;P,AD∩LN)=−1. But then by Claim 0.7 from preliminaries, we get that ∠PKD=90∘ and we are done.
The following proof is due to ideas from Atul Shatavart Nadig in the TST. The proof has been revised and rewritten by the Problem Selection Committee. We claim that P is point of intersection of XY and perpendicular bisector of AD. Let Q be the foot of perpendicular from P onto BC, and let N be the midpoint of AM. Since K′′ lies on AM by Claim 0.5, taking reflection in BC, we get A′,K′, M collinear, and hence taking homothety with center A and ratio 21, we get that D,K,N are collinear. We already know PA=PD. Note that PX⋅PY=powω(P)=PM2−MB2. So it suffices to show PD2=PM2−MB2⟺MB2=PM2−PD2 By the Pythagorean Theorem, since PQ⊥DM, PM2−PD2=QM2−QD2=(QM−QD)(QM+QD)=DM⋅(2QD+DM) Let x=QD. Thus we need to show MB2⟺x⟺x+2DM=DM⋅(2x+DM)=2DMMB2−DM2=2DMMB2 Let R be the midpoint of AD. By midpoint theorem, RN=2DM, so x+2DM=PR+RN=PN. So it suffices to prove that PN=2DMMB2 Let ∠PND=∠NDM=∠NMD=θ. Then PNcosθ=NK=2MK′⟹PN=2cosθMK′
But since K′ is the A'-HM point in △ABC, MK′⋅MA′=MB2. So, PN=2MA′cosθMB2=2MAcosθMB2 But in △AMD, ∠D=90∘ and ∠AMD=θ, so cosθ=AMDM. Therefore PN=2MA⋅AMDMMB2=2DMMB2 as required, so we are done. □
## Solution B For the following two solutions, we begin by inverting from A with radius ∣AB∣∣AC∣ and reflecting across the A angle bisector. Let this transformation be Φ and we write Z↦Z∗ for any point Z under this transformation. Observe the following maps: ∙B↦C ∙C↦B ∙K↦K∗ such that K∗BAC is a parallelogram. ∙X↦X∗ ∙Y↦Y∗ ∙D↦D∗ such D∗ is the antipode of A in Ω. ∙ω↦ω∗ where ω∗ is centered at T and passes through B,C. Now, AX⋅DY=AY⋅DX⟺AX∗AB⋅AC⋅AD∗AY∗AB⋅AC⋅D∗Y∗=AY∗AB⋅AC⋅AD∗AX∗AB⋅AC⋅D∗X∗⟺X∗D∗=Y∗D∗ Let (AX∗Y∗K∗)=ω1. Let O1 be the center of ω1. Now, we have that XY is the common chord of ω1 and ω∗. Thus, we just want that D∗∈O1T. Now, we know that XY⊥DK, thus ω∗ and (AD∗K∗) are orthogonal. Thus, O1 is the intersection of the D∗ and K∗ tangents to (AD∗K∗). Thus, we want that D∗T is the symmedian in △AD∗K∗. This is equivalent to ∠AD∗M=∠K∗D∗T.
### Solution B1 We relabel the points, call D∗, A′ and call K∗K′. Now, we just want ∠AA′T=∠K′A′M. Let H be the orthocenter of △ABC. Then ∠K′A′M=∠AHM by reflection over M. Taking homothety half from A′, ∠AHM=∠OMA′. Thus, we just want ∠OMA′=∠OA′T but this simply follows from the fact that OM⋅OT=OA′2. □
The following proof is due to ideas from Vedant Saini in the TST. The proof has been revised and rewritten by the Problem Selection Committee. We now provide a complex bash solution to the required angle condition. Let A,B,C be on the unit circle. Then m=2b+c, k∗=b+c−a, d∗=−a. t=b+c2bc.
We now want that m−d∗a−d∗⋅t−d∗k∗−d∗∈R. m−d∗a−d∗⋅t−d∗k∗−d∗m−d∗a−d∗⋅t−d∗k∗−d∗=2b+c+2a2a⋅b+c2bc+ab+acb+c=(b+c+2a)(2bc+ab+ac)4a(b+c)2=a2b2c2(2bc+ab+ac)(2a+b+c)a2b2c24a(b+c)2=(a2+b2+c2)(bc2+ab1+ac1)a4(b1+c1)2=(m−d∗a−d∗⋅t−d∗k∗−d∗) This gives the desired result and we are done. □
## Solution C The following proof is due to ideas from Bhavya Tiwari in the TST. The proof has been revised and rewritten by the Problem Selection Committee. This is a coordinate bash solution. Take a coordinate system with the midpoint M of BC as the origin, B=(−1,0), C=(1,0) and A=(d,h). Then we get D=(d,0). Claim 1 The point K has coordinates (2d(c2c2+1),2h(c2c2−1)) where c2=d2+h2. Proof. We use complex numbers for this. Let k,a,b,c denote the complex coordinates of K,A,B,C respectively. Note that since △KBA∼△KAC by AA test, K is the center of spiral similarity sending BA to AC. Hence, k−bk−a⟹k2−2ak+a2⟹k=k−ak−c=k2−(b+c)k+bc=b+c−2abc−a2 Putting b=1, c=−1 and a=d+hi, we get k=2aa2+1=2∣a∣2a∣a∣2+aˉ=2∣a∣2d(∣a∣2+1)+h(∣a∣2−1)i which gives us the required coordinates since c2=∣a∣2□
Slope of line DK is: 2d(c2c2+1)−d2h(c2c2−1)=−dh Therefore slope of XY is hd because XY⊥DK. Therefore, since K∈XY, the equation of line XY is: y−2h(c2c2−1)⟹y⟹y=hd(x−2d(c2c2+1))=hdx+2hc2c2(h2−d2)−h2−d2=hdx+2hh2−d2−1
The problem is equivalent to proving DXAX=DYAY. We will in fact prove that DXAX=2=DYAY. We will only prove the first equality, as the other one follows from symmetry. Let X=(x1,x2). Note that X satisfies equation of line XY. Thus: DXAX⇔DX2AX2⇔(x1−d)2+h2(x1−d)2+(x2−h)2⇔x12−2dx1+d2+x22−2x2h+h2=2=2=2=0 Putting x2 obtained from equation of XY into the above, we get that it is equivalent to: x12−2dx1+d2+(hdx1+2hh2−d2−1)2⇔(1+h2d2x1)+h2d(h2−d2−1)x1⇔x12+(h2d2x1+2hd(2hh2−d2−1)x1+(2hh2−d2−1)2)⇔x12+(hdx1+2hh2−d2−1)2⇔x12+x22+2h(hdx1+2hh2−d2−1)−h2=0+(2hh2−d2−1)2−1=0=1=1=1 because (x1,x2) satisfies equation of XY. But the final equation is precisely the equation of the circle with diameter BC, which is satisfied by the points XY. Hence, all the implications holds, and we are done. □
## Supplementary We can in fact prove that DXAX=DYAY=2. Let U,V be points on BC such that DU=DA=DV. Observe that the circle centered at A′ (reflection of A in BC) passing through U,V is Appolonius circle for ratio 2 wrt A,D. Let this circle be ω1. Thus, we just want X,Y to be on this circle. But X,Y also lies on (BC). Observe that A′M∥KD as proven in Claim 0.5 of the preliminaries. Thus, the line joining the centers of ω1 and (BC) is perpendicular to XY. Thus, we if can find a point P on XY such that powω1(P)=pow(BC)(P), we will be done, since the radical axis of (BC) and ω1 is parallel to XY. Observe that if we consider the point circle at A, ω1 and (BC), their radical center is the intersection of the A-midline of △ABC and the midline of the polar of A in (BC). Thus, we just want the perpendicular bisector of AD,XY and the midline of the polar of A in (BC) to concur. This is exactly what we show in Solution A1! Thus, we are done. □
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