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Geometry Difficulty 7.0 National olympiad, round 2 Find the answer

Let ω\omega be the incircle of a fixed equilateral triangle ABCABC. Let \ell be a variable line that is tangent to ω\omega and meets the interior of segments BCBC and CACA at points PP and QQ, respectively. A point RR is chosen such that PR=PAPR = PA and QR=QBQR = QB. Find all possible locations of the point RR, over all choices of \ell.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Let ω\omega be the incircle of a fixed equilateral triangle ABCABC. The line \ell is tangent to ω\omega and intersects the interior of segments BCBC and CACA at points PP and QQ respectively. Point RR is chosen such that PR=PAPR = PA and QR=QBQR = QB. We need to find all possible locations of point RR for all choices of the line \ell.

To solve this question, consider the following steps:

1. Basic Setup and Geometry:
The incircle ω\omega of triangle ABCABC is tangent to sides BCBC, CACA, and ABAB. Since ABCABC is equilateral, the incircle is symmetric with respect to the perpendicular bisectors of the sides.

2. Properties of Points on Elliptical Paths:
Since \ell is tangent to ω\omega, the distances PAPA and PBPB are equal (due to tangency). Similarly, QA=QBQA = QB. Thus, RR satisfies the conditions PR=PAPR = PA and QR=QBQR = QB. Point RR must lie on the locus where these equalities can hold.

3. Symmetry and Locus Characterization:
According to the given equalities, RR can be considered as being equidistant from points AA and BB. To maintain these equal distances as \ell varies, RR must lie on a line that preserves these symmetries.

4. Identifying the Locus:
It can be observed that the conditions PR=PAPR = PA and QR=QBQR = QB are satisfied if and only if RR lies on a line equidistant from AA and BB. This geometric locus is the perpendicular bisector of segment BCBC.

Thus, the locus of all possible points RR, making PR=PAPR = PA and QR=QBQR = QB true for all choices of line \ell, is given by the perpendicular bisector of segment BCBC.

Therefore, the final answer is:
The perpendicular bisector of segment BC. \boxed{\text{The perpendicular bisector of segment } BC}.

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