In triangle ABC the midpoint of BC is called M. Let P be a variable interior point of the triangle such that ∠CPM=∠PAB. Let Γ be the circumcircle of triangle ABP. The line MP intersects Γ a second time in Q. Define R as the reflection of P in the tangent to Γ in B. Prove that the length ∣QR∣ is independent of the position of P inside the triangle.
Solution
Solution:
We claim ∣QR∣=∣BC∣, which will clearly imply that quantity ∣QR∣ is independent from the position of P inside triangle △ABC (and independent from the position of A). This equality will follow from the equality between triangles △BPC and △RBQ. This in turn will be shown by means of three equalities (two sides and an angle): ∣BP∣=∣RB∣, ∣PC∣=∣BQ∣ and ∠BPC=∠RBQ.
a. ∣BP∣=∣RB∣ Obvious since R is the reflection of P in a line going through B.
b. ∣PC∣=∣BQ∣ Let U be the fourth vertex of parallelogram BPCU. Then U is on line PQ and ∠BUP=∠UPC=α. If Q is on the same arcPB as A, then ∠BQP=α, and △QPU is isosceles; hence, ∣BQ∣=∣BU∣=∣PC∣. On the other way, if Q is on the other arcPB, then ∠BQP and α are supplementary, hence BQU=α, and again △QPU is isosceles; the same conclusion follows.
c. ∠BPC=∠RBQ Define T to be the midpoint of PR. Then line BT, tangent to circle Γ in B, splits ∠RBQ into two parts, ∠RBT and ∠TBQ. We first show that ∠RBT=α. Indeed, by symmetry, ∠RBT=∠PBT and, since BT is tangent to Γ, we have that ∠PBT=∠PAB (because they both intercept the same arcPB on circle Γ), from which our claim follows. We then show that ∠TBQ=∠BPM. Indeed, since ∠TBQ and ∠BPQ intercept opposite arcs on circle Γ, they are supplementary and we have ∠TBQ=π−∠BPQ=∠BPM. We finally conclude that ∠RBQ=∠RBT+∠TBQ=α+∠BPM=∠MPC+∠BPM=∠BPC We have thus shown △BPC=△RBQ, which completes the proof.
Alternative 1 for (b). The law of sines in triangle △BQM gives sin∠BQM∣BM∣=sin∠BMQ∣BQ∣. Since Q belongs to circle Γ, we have either ∠BQP=∠BAP=α, hence ∠BQM=∠MPC, or these angles are supplementary; in both cases they have equal sines. We also have that ∠BMQ and ∠CMP are supplementary, hence have equal sines. Using these facts along with ∣BM∣=∣MC∣ transforms (2) into sin∠MPC∣MC∣=sin∠CMP∣BQ∣ from which the law of sines in triangle △CPM implies that ∣BQ∣=∣PC∣.
Alternative 2 for (b). Let S be the second intersection of line CP with circle Γ. Then, ∠BSP=α, so BS and MP are parallel; since M is the midpoint of segment BC, P is the midpoint of SC. If Q is on the same arcPB as A, then the quadrilateral QPBS is an isosceles trapezoid, and ∣QB∣=∣SP∣=∣PC∣. If Q is on the other arc PB, then the quadrilateral PQBS is an isosceles trapezoid, and again ∣QB∣=∣SP∣=∣PC∣.
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