Maths Olympiad Prep

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Problem 997

AMC 12 late, AIME early
Geometry Difficulty 4.5 Prove it All-Soviet-Union Mathematical Olympiad · Soviet Union

ABCDABCD is a rectangle. Points KK, LL, MM, NN are chosen on ABAB, BCBC, CDCD, DADA respectively so that KLKL is parallel to MNMN, and KMKM is perpendicular to LNLN. Show that the intersection of KMKM and LNLN lies on BDBD.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

Solution:

Figure 1

Let LNLN and KMKM meet at OO. ∠NOM=∠NDM=90∘\angle NOM = \angle NDM = 90^{\circ}, so OMDNOMDN is cyclic. Hence ∠NOD=∠NMD\angle NOD = \angle NMD. Similarly, BLOKBLOK is cyclic and ∠LOB=∠LKB\angle LOB = \angle LKB. But NMNM is parallel to LKLK and ABAB is parallel to CDCD, so ∠LKB=∠NMD\angle LKB = \angle NMD. Hence ∠NOD=∠LOB\angle NOD = \angle LOB, so DOBDOB is a straight line.

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