The largest angle of triangle ABC is located at its vertex C. Let ρ be the circle with centre A and radius AC, and let σ be the circle with centre B and radius BC. The circle σ intersects the circumcircle of the triangle ABC and the circle ρ at points D and F, respectively (D=C, F=C). Prove that A, D and F are collinear.
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
Denote ∠BAC=α (Figures 7 and 8 present two possible cases). Note that AC=AF and BC=BF as they are radii of circles ρ and σ, respectively. Thus the triangles ABF and ABC are equal by three equal sides. Hence ∠BAF=α. From equal radii of σ, we also obtain BD=BC. Now by inscribed angles subtending equal chords of the circumcircle of the triangle ABC, we get ∠BAD=α. Consequently, points A, D and F lie on one line.
Solution 2
From the inscribed angles of the circumcircle of the triangle ABC, we get ∠ADC=∠ABC. As in Solution 1, we can show that the triangles ABF and ABC are equal; thus ∠ABC=∠ABF=2∠CBF. If D and A lie on the same side of the line CF (Fig. 9) then 2∠CBF=180∘−∠CDF by the inscribed angle theorem. If D and A lie on different sides of the line CF (Fig. 10) then, analogously, 2∠CBF=∠CDF. Altogether, we have either ∠ADC=180∘−∠CDF while D and A being on different sides of CF or ∠ADC=∠CDF while D and A being on different sides of CF. In both cases, the obtained equality implies that A, D and F lie on the same line.
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