Let △ABC be a scalene triangle. Let ha be the locus of points P such that ∣PB−PC∣=∣AB−AC∣. Let hb be the locus of points P such that ∣PC−PA∣=∣BC−BA∣. Let hc be the locus of points P such that ∣PA−PB∣=∣CA−CB∣. In how many points do all of ha,hb, and hc concur?
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Solution
The idea is similar to the proof that the angle bisectors concur or that the perpendicular bisectors concur. Assume WLOG that BC>AB>CA. Note that ha and hb are both hyperbolas. Therefore, ha and hb intersect in four points (each branch of ha intersects exactly once with each branch of hb ). Note that the branches of ha correspond to the cases when PB>PC and when PB<PC. Similarly, the branches of hb correspond to the cases when PC>PA and PC<PA. If either PA<PB<PC or PC<PB<PA (which each happens for exactly one point of intersection of ha and hb ), then ∣PC−PA∣=∣PC−PB∣+∣PB−PA∣=∣AB−AC∣+∣BC−BA∣=∣BC−AC∣, and so P also lies on hc. So, exactly two of the four points of intersection of ha and hb lie on hc, meaning that ha,hb, and hc concur in four points.
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