Let acute triangle ABC have circumcenter O, and let M be the midpoint of BC. Let P be the unique point such that ∠BAP=∠CAM,∠CAP=∠BAM, and ∠APO=90∘. If AO=53,OM=28, and AM=75, compute the perimeter of △BPC.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
The point P has many well-known properties, including the property that ∠BAP=∠ACP and ∠CAP=∠BAP. We prove this for completeness. Invert at A with radius AB⋅AC and reflect about the A-angle bisector. Let P′ be the image of P. The angle conditions translate to - P′ lies on line AM - P′ lies on the line parallel to BC that passes through the reflection of A about BC (since P lies on the circle with diameter AO) In other words, P′ is the reflection of A about M. Then BP′∥AC and CP′∥AB, so the circumcircles of △ABP and △ACP are tangent to AC and AB, respectively. This gives the desired result. Extend BP and CP to meet the circumcircle of △ABC again at B′ and C′, respectively. Then ∠C′BA=∠ACP=∠BAP, so BC′∥AP. Similarly, CB′∥AP, so BCB′C′ is an isosceles trapezoid. In particular, this means B′P=CP, so BP+PC=BB′. Now observe that ∠ABP=∠CAP=∠BAM, so if AM meets the circumcircle of △ABC again at A′, then AA′=BB′. Thus the perimeter of △BPC is BP+PC+BC=BB′+BC=AA′+BC. Now we compute. We have BC=2AO2−OM2=281⋅25=90 and Power of a Point gives MA′=AMBM2=75452=27 Thus AA′+BC=75+27+90=192.
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