GeometryDifficulty 6.1National olympiadFind the answer
Let Γ1 and Γ2 be two circles externally tangent to each other at N that are both internally tangent to Γ at points U and V, respectively. A common external tangent of Γ1 and Γ2 is tangent to Γ1 and Γ2 at P and Q, respectively, and intersects Γ at points X and Y. Let M be the midpoint of the arc XY that does not contain U and V. Let Z be on Γ such MZ⊥NZ, and suppose the circumcircles of QVZ and PUZ intersect at T=Z. Find, with proof, the value of TU+TV, in terms of R,r1, and r2, the radii of Γ,Γ1, and Γ2, respectively.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
By Archimedes lemma, we have M,Q,V are collinear and M,P,U are collinear as well. Note that inversion at M with radius MX shows that PQUV is cyclic. Thus, we have MP⋅MU=MQ⋅MV, so M lies on the radical axis of (PUZ) and (QVZ), thus T must lie on the line MZ. Thus, we have MZ⋅MT=MQ⋅MV=MN2, which implies triangles MZN and MNT are similar. Thus, we have NT⊥MN. However, since the line through O1 and O2 passes through N and is perpendicular to MN, we have T lies on line O1O2. Additionally, since MZ⋅MT=MN2=MX2, inversion at M with radius MX swaps Z and T, and since (MXY) maps to line XY, this means T also lies on XY. Therefore, T is the intersection of PQ and O1O2, and thus by Monge's Theorem, we must have T lies on UV. Now, to finish, we will consider triangle OUV. Since O1O2T is a line that cuts this triangle, by Menelaus, we have O1UOO1⋅VTUT⋅O2OVO2=1. Using the values of the radii, this simplifies to r1R−r1⋅VTUT⋅R−r2r2=1⟹VTUT=r2(R−r1)r1(R−r2). Now, note that TU⋅TV=TP⋅TQ=(r1−r2)24r12r22. Now, let TU=r1(R−r2)k and TU=r2(R−r1)k. Plugging this into the above equation gives r1r2(R−r1)(R−r2)k2=(r1−r2)24(r1r2)2. Solving gives k=∣r1−r2∣(R−r1)(R−r2)2r1r2. To finish, note that TU+TV=k(Rr1+Rr2−2r1r2)=∣r1−r2∣(R−r1)(R−r2)2(Rr1+Rr2−2r1r2)r1r2.
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